The Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) is a family of ubiquitous transmembrane proteins that exchange intracellular protons for extracellular sodium ions across cellular membranes. NHEs belong to an ancient family of highly evolutionarily conserved proteins that play a role in fundamental physiological processes in organisms across all phyla and kingdoms. Essential physiological roles of NHEs include control of cell cycle and proliferation, transepithelial Na transport, vesicle trafficking and biogenesis. Dysfunction of NHEs has been associated in mammals with pathophysiological conditions such as cancer, hypertension, epilepsy, kidney disease, diarrhea, and glaucoma. The action of drugs which target specific NHE is under intense investigation.
The goal of this Research Topic is to give the readers an understanding of where we are at with the research on NHEs by providing: 1. overview on the recent research on NHEs, 2. useful analysis on the latest findings on NHEs and 3. major open questions and controversies on NHEs that limit the current understanding of the transporter family function. Emphasis will be given to manuscripts that investigate the functional interaction of NHEs with other transporters (including other NHEs) and regulatory proteins in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Another area of interest in the field that will be given strong relevance in the Research Topic is on the discovery of novel drugs that target specific NHE.
We hope to inspire novel research on this highly versatile family of proteins and wish to provide the readers with the current level of understanding on the structure, function, and regulation of NHEs with emphasis on 1. how NHE structure-function relationship is correlated with its regulation; 2. how discovery of drugs that target specific NHE would impact the field, 3. how the function of NHE is related to a physiological or pathophysiological state. Specific themes of interest are listed below:
• NHE gene organization and regulation.
• NHE structure-function relationship and NHE oligomerization.
• Role of NHE protein interaction with regulatory proteins and other transporters.
• Mechanisms and regulation of NHE trafficking.
• NHE dysfunction in pathophysiological conditions.
• Drugs targeting NHEs.
The Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) is a family of ubiquitous transmembrane proteins that exchange intracellular protons for extracellular sodium ions across cellular membranes. NHEs belong to an ancient family of highly evolutionarily conserved proteins that play a role in fundamental physiological processes in organisms across all phyla and kingdoms. Essential physiological roles of NHEs include control of cell cycle and proliferation, transepithelial Na transport, vesicle trafficking and biogenesis. Dysfunction of NHEs has been associated in mammals with pathophysiological conditions such as cancer, hypertension, epilepsy, kidney disease, diarrhea, and glaucoma. The action of drugs which target specific NHE is under intense investigation.
The goal of this Research Topic is to give the readers an understanding of where we are at with the research on NHEs by providing: 1. overview on the recent research on NHEs, 2. useful analysis on the latest findings on NHEs and 3. major open questions and controversies on NHEs that limit the current understanding of the transporter family function. Emphasis will be given to manuscripts that investigate the functional interaction of NHEs with other transporters (including other NHEs) and regulatory proteins in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Another area of interest in the field that will be given strong relevance in the Research Topic is on the discovery of novel drugs that target specific NHE.
We hope to inspire novel research on this highly versatile family of proteins and wish to provide the readers with the current level of understanding on the structure, function, and regulation of NHEs with emphasis on 1. how NHE structure-function relationship is correlated with its regulation; 2. how discovery of drugs that target specific NHE would impact the field, 3. how the function of NHE is related to a physiological or pathophysiological state. Specific themes of interest are listed below:
• NHE gene organization and regulation.
• NHE structure-function relationship and NHE oligomerization.
• Role of NHE protein interaction with regulatory proteins and other transporters.
• Mechanisms and regulation of NHE trafficking.
• NHE dysfunction in pathophysiological conditions.
• Drugs targeting NHEs.
