About this Research Topic
Acid-base equivalents comprise H+, OH–, and molecules in pH buffering systems such as CO2/HCO3- or NH3. The appearance of acid or base inside cells broadly impacts cellular physiology by protonating or deprotonating a host of molecules with physiologically relevant pKa values. Therefore, cells typically use transporters that extrude acid-base equivalents to resist changes in pH. Beyond maintaining a steady-state intracellular pH, these transporters may also transport other molecules that influence cellular physiology, such as lactate or amino acids. At the tissue level, the orchestration of transporters can achieve vectorial movement of acid-base equivalents. For example, parietal cells of the stomach secrete copious amounts of acid into the stomach lumen through H-K pumps while maintaining a relatively stable intracellular pH by transporting base into the interstitium through anion exchangers. Thus, the transport of acid-base equivalents is essential for the proper functioning of cells and organ systems.
Nearly one decade ago, Frontiers in Physiology hosted the well-received Research Topic Acid-base sensing and regulation: molecular mechanisms and function implications in health and disease edited by Dr. Ebbe Boedtkjer (Aarhus University) and Dr. Mark Oliver Bevensee (University of Alabama at Birmingham). The current Research Topic aims to cover the advancements in acid-base transport since the last Research Topic. Several areas have emerged over this timeframe. The developments of cryogenic electron microscopy and AlphaFold accelerated our understanding of acid-base transport proteins at the structural level, including transport mechanisms and substrate binding. We now appreciate the heterogeneity among cells in their permeability to gasses that affect pH, such as CO2 and NH3. Advancements have been made in how cells sense pH (or its equivalents) and respond. In addition, data supporting and refuting controversial topics, such as transport metabolons, have been added to the field. Finally, the field has discovered several new regulators of acid-base transporters and refined our understanding of the contributions by acid-base transporters to physiology and disease. Submissions differing from these suggested subtopics, including those from non-mammalian systems, are acceptable but should focus on recent advancements in acid-base transport. Article types for submission to this topic include Original Research, Methods, Review, Mini Review, Hypothesis and Theory, and Opinion.
Topic Editors declare no conflicts of interest in relation to this Research Topic.
Nearly one decade ago, Frontiers in Physiology hosted the well-received Research Topic Acid-base sensing and regulation: molecular mechanisms and function implications in health and disease edited by Dr. Ebbe Boedtkjer (Aarhus University) and Dr. Mark Oliver Bevensee (University of Alabama at Birmingham). The current Research Topic aims to cover the advancements in acid-base transport since the last Research Topic. Several areas have emerged over this timeframe. The developments of cryogenic electron microscopy and AlphaFold accelerated our understanding of acid-base transport proteins at the structural level, including transport mechanisms and substrate binding. We now appreciate the heterogeneity among cells in their permeability to gasses that affect pH, such as CO2 and NH3. Advancements have been made in how cells sense pH (or its equivalents) and respond. In addition, data supporting and refuting controversial topics, such as transport metabolons, have been added to the field. Finally, the field has discovered several new regulators of acid-base transporters and refined our understanding of the contributions by acid-base transporters to physiology and disease. Submissions differing from these suggested subtopics, including those from non-mammalian systems, are acceptable but should focus on recent advancements in acid-base transport. Article types for submission to this topic include Original Research, Methods, Review, Mini Review, Hypothesis and Theory, and Opinion.
Topic Editors declare no conflicts of interest in relation to this Research Topic.
Keywords: Acid-base equivalents, acid-base transport, membrane transporters, pH, CO2/HCO3-, NH3, cellular physiology
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
