Tissue kallikrein permits early renal adaptation to potassium load. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010;107:13526-13531. [PMID: 20624970 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0913070107]

Potential role of serine proteases in modulating renal sodium transport in vivo

The maintenance of sodium (Na+) homeostasis is an essential function of the kidney. It is achieved by a variety of transport processes localized all along the highly specialised segments of the nephron. Impairment of these transport mechanisms, and thereby Na+ handling, is associated with disturbed Na+ and water balance, leading to hypertension and oedema. This review focuses on the novel regulation of sodium reabsorption by serine proteases acting along the entire nephron.