Potassium channels are important to control membrane potential and drive epithelial transport processes. In this issue of Kidney International, Bignon et al. report the role of the Kir4.2 K+-channel, localized at the basolateral membrane of proximal tubules, in the reabsorption of bicarbonate and the modulation of renal ammoniagenesis. The findings have implications for our understanding of how the kidney reacts to hypokalemia, an acid load, and the metabolic acidosis of patients with advanced stages of chronic kidney disease.

中文翻译：

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钾通道控制肾功能。

钾通道对于控制膜电位和驱动上皮运输过程很重要。在本期肾脏国际杂志上，比格农等人。报道了位于近端小管基底外侧膜上的Kir4.2 K +通道在重碳酸盐的重吸收和肾脏氨生成调节中的作用。这些发现对我们对慢性肾脏病晚期患者的肾脏对低血钾，酸负荷和代谢性酸中毒的反应的理解具有启示意义。