塔里木兔肾脏水通道蛋白在适应干旱环境中的作用

Role of aquaporins in kindneys in adaptation to arid environment in yarkand hares (Lepus yarcandensis)

We measured the expression of aquaporin (AQP)1 -3 in kidneys of yarkand hares (Lepus yarcandensis )to understand the role of AQPs in adaptation to drought environment. We used H. E staining methods for detecting the histological structure of kidneys,and immunohistochemistry and western blotting for detecting expression of AQP1 - 3 in kidneys,
and also compared the results with those from domestic rabbits. Results showed that AQP1 is localized in capillary endothelial cell cytoplasm in glomeruli,and continued uninterrupted from proximal straight tubules into descending thin limbs in the outer medulla. AQP2 is observed in epithelial cells membrane in collecting ducts. AQP3 is localized in connecting tubules of the cortex and the outer medulla and epithelial cell basal membrane in collecting ducts. The expression of AQP1 -3 in kidneys is greater and the protein content is higher in yarkand hares than in domestic rabbits. These results indicate that the yarkand hare has increased the expression of aquaporins in kidneys,strengthened renal reabsorption of water and the ability for concentrating the urine,improving the ability for adaptation to arid environment.