Expression of Acsm2, a kidney-specific gene, parallels the function and maturation of proximal tubular cells.

In this study, we found that the Acsm2 gene was expressed specifically and at a high level in normal adult kidneys. The expression of Acsm2 in kidneys followed a maturational pattern: it was low in newborn mice and increased with kidney development and maturation. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed that Acsm2 was expressed specifically in proximal tubular cells of adult kidneys. Data from the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements database revealed that the Acsm2 gene locus in the mouse has specific histone modifications related to the active transcription of the gene exclusively in kidney cells. Following acute kidney injury, partial unilateral ureteral obstructions, and chronic kidney diseases, the expression of Acsm2 in the proximal tubules was decreased significantly. In human samples, the expression pattern of ACSM2A, a homolog of mouse Acsm2, was similar to that in mice, and its expression decreased with several types of renal injuries. These results indicate that the expression of Acsm2 parallels the structural and functional maturation of proximal tubular cells. Downregulation of its expression in several models of kidney disease suggests that Acms2 may serve as a novel marker of proximal tubular injury and/or dysfunction.
PMID: 32830538 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Am J Physiol Renal P... - August 23, 2020 Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Watanabe H, Paxton RL, Tolerico MR, Nagalakshmi VK, Tanaka S, Okusa MD, Goto S, Narita I, Watanabe S, Sequeira-Lοpez MLS, Gomez RA Tags: Am J Physiol Renal Physiol Source Type: research