Unsolved problems with ENaC: From molecules to mammals.

Authors

Lawrence G Palmer

Published in

The Journal of general physiology. Volume 159. Issue 1. Jan 04, 2027. Epub Nov 04, 2026.

Abstract

The epithelial Na channel (ENaC) mediates transport of Na+ in the kidney, the colon, the lung, and the sweat and salivary ducts. The activity of these channels is highly regulated and contributes to the maintenance of total body Na+, extracellular fluid volume, and plasma K+. Defects in the channel itself or in its regulation are implicated in hypertension and in other diseases. Despite progress in revealing many aspects of ENaC biology, many important questions remain unanswered. These include the following: What determines the remarkable ion selectivity of the channel? How is the channel directed to the apical plasma membrane? How does aldosterone regulate the channel? What is its role in producing urine with minimal Na+? And to what extent does the channel contribute to essential hypertension, cystic fibrosis, nephrotic syndrome, and liver failure? Here, I will discuss these questions and how they relate to our current understanding of the roles of ENaC in health and disease.

PMID:
42980615
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 04 Nov 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.