The renal medulla is the only mammalian tissue exposed to elevated concentrations of urea, a potent denaturant of proteins and nucleic acids that adversely affects cell function. Renal epithelial cells in culture, however, appear to be uniquely capable of responding to hyperosmotic urea with mitogenesis and increased expression of two immediate-early gene (IEG) transcription factors, Egr-1 and c-fos. As such, the overall objective of this project is two-fold: to define the molecular mechanism of urea-induced IEG expression; and to determine whether urea exerts its renal epithelial cell-specific mitogenic effect through IEG-mediated induction and autocrine action of a peptide growth factor or receptor.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08DK002188-02
Application #
2133977
Study Section
Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases B Subcommittee (DDK)
Project Start
1993-07-01
Project End
1998-06-30
Budget Start
1994-07-01
Budget End
1995-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
071723621
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115