International Journal of Molecular Sciences

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Dear Colleagues,

pH is an important biological factor that regulates cell function. Hydrogen ions interact with proteins and change their structure and function, resulting in modified cellular processes. Maintaining a normal pH is frequently challenged under both physiological and pathological conditions. For example, pH decreases when metabolic activity increases during heavy exercise or when blood supply is inefficient in ischemia. Typically, acidification inhibits cellular activity, such that severe acidification is deleterious to normal cells and causes cell death. On the other hand, acidification can be adversely beneficial under some pathological conditions. Cancer cells thrive in acidic microenvironments and undergo adaptations to promote survival and proliferation. The effects of pH abnormalities on physiology and relevant diseases have been studied over the past decades. This Special Issue focuses on the current understanding of pH regulation in various model systems and/or its involvement in diseases. The topic is open to original studies, reviews, and new methodologies, ranging from the molecular and cellular level to integrated organ systems.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in CIMB.

Dr. Inyeong Choi
Guest Editor

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Keywords

pH regulation
acid base transporter
acid base disturbance
acidosis
intracellular pH
NBC
NHE
cancer

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2500 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sodium Bicarbonate Decreases Alcohol Consumption in Mice

by Jason Lin, Ana P. Rivadeneira, Yani Ye, Clara Ryu, Shangrila Parvin, Kyeongran Jang, Sandra M. Garraway and Inyeong Choi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(9), 5006; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25095006 - 3 May 2024

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Abstract

We previously reported that mice with low neuronal pH drink more alcohol, demonstrating the importance of pH for alcohol reward and motivation. In this study, we tested whether systemic pH affects alcohol consumption and if so, whether it occurs by changing the alcohol reward. C57BL/6J mice were given NaHCO₃ to raise their blood pH, and the animals’ alcohol consumption was measured in the drinking-in-the-dark and two-bottle free choice paradigms. Alcohol consumption was also assessed after suppressing the bitterness of NaHCO₃ with sucrose. Alcohol reward was evaluated using a conditioned place preference. In addition, taste sensitivity was assessed by determining quinine and sucrose preference. The results revealed that a pH increase by NaHCO₃ caused mice to decrease their alcohol consumption. The decrease in high alcohol contents (20%) was significant and observed at different ages, as well as in both males and females. Alcohol consumption was also decreased after suppressing NaHCO₃ bitterness. Oral gavage of NaHCO₃ did not alter quinine and sucrose preference. In the conditioned place preference, NaHCO₃-treated mice spent less time in the alcohol-injected chamber. Conclusively, the results show that raising systemic pH with NaHCO₃ decreases alcohol consumption, as it decreases the alcohol reward value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanism of pH Regulation: From Physiology to Pathology 2.0)

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Review

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16 pages, 1365 KiB

Open AccessReview

Chloride/Multiple Anion Exchanger SLC26A Family: Systemic Roles of SLC26A4 in Various Organs

by Dongun Lee and Jeong Hee Hong

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(8), 4190; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25084190 - 10 Apr 2024

Viewed by 510

Abstract

Solute carrier family 26 member 4 (SLC26A4) is a member of the SLC26A transporter family and is expressed in various tissues, including the airway epithelium, kidney, thyroid, and tumors. It transports various ions, including bicarbonate, chloride, iodine, and oxalate. As a multiple-ion transporter, SLC26A4 is involved in the maintenance of hearing function, renal function, blood pressure, and hormone and pH regulation. In this review, we have summarized the various functions of SLC26A4 in multiple tissues and organs. Moreover, the relationships between SLC26A4 and other channels, such as cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, epithelial sodium channel, and sodium chloride cotransporter, are highlighted. Although the modulation of SLC26A4 is critical for recovery from malfunctions of various organs, development of specific inducers or agonists of SLC26A4 remains challenging. This review contributes to providing a better understanding of the role of SLC26A4 and development of therapeutic approaches for the SLC26A4-associated hearing loss and SLC26A4-related dysfunction of various organs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanism of pH Regulation: From Physiology to Pathology 2.0)

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