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Robert Alpern, MD

Ensign Professor of Medicine (Nephrology) and Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology

Research & Publications
Biography
News

Research Summary

Research on the regulation of kidney transport proteins has helped to define the mechanisms by which the kidney transports acid. Subsequently it has focused on the mechanisms by which kidney cells sense excess acid and initiate a signaling cascade that alters the expression, cellular location, and function of many proteins in the cell, resulting in enhanced acid transport and urinary excretion.

Specialized Terms: Epithelial physiology; Membrane transport; Acid-base homeostasis

Extensive Research Description

Dr. Alpern’s research has focused on the regulation of kidney transport proteins.

Coauthors

Pat Preisig

Research Interests

Acid-Base Equilibrium; Acidosis, Renal Tubular; Kidney; Nephrology; Renal Circulation; Urination; Membrane Transport Proteins; Renal Elimination

Selected Publications

Chapter 55 Cellular Mechanisms of Renal Tubular AcidificationHamm L, Alpern R, Preisig P. Chapter 55 Cellular Mechanisms of Renal Tubular Acidification 2013, 1917-1978. DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-381462-3.00055-0.
Chapter 38 Pathophysiology of Sodium Retention and WastagePalmer B, Alpern R, Seldin D. Chapter 38 Pathophysiology of Sodium Retention and Wastage 2013, 1283-1317. DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-381462-3.00038-0.
Chapter 58 Clinical Syndromes of Metabolic AlkalosisMoe O, Alpern R, Seldin D. Chapter 58 Clinical Syndromes of Metabolic Alkalosis 2013, 2021-2047. DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-381462-3.00058-6.
Chapter 59 Clinical Syndromes of Metabolic AcidosisKrapf R, Seldin D, Alpern R. Chapter 59 Clinical Syndromes of Metabolic Acidosis 2013, 2049-2111. DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-381462-3.00059-8.
Medical Report's Static Charge Sparks Shock—ResponseAlpern R, Long S. Medical Report's Static Charge Sparks Shock—Response Science 2009, 326: 1481-1482. DOI: 10.1126/science.326.5959.1481-b.
Science for Future PhysiciansLong S, Alpern R. Science for Future Physicians Science 2009, 324: 1241-1241. PMID: 19498132, DOI: 10.1126/science.1176994.
CHAPTER 54 Cellular Mechanisms of Renal Tubular AcidificationHamm L, Alpern R, Preisig P. CHAPTER 54 Cellular Mechanisms of Renal Tubular Acidification 2008, 1539-1585. DOI: 10.1016/b978-012088488-9.50057-7.
CHAPTER 36 Physiology and Pathophysiology of Sodium Retention and WastagePalmer B, Alpern R, Seldin D. CHAPTER 36 Physiology and Pathophysiology of Sodium Retention and Wastage 2008, 1005-1049. DOI: 10.1016/b978-012088488-9.50039-5.
PrefaceAlpern R, Hebert S. Preface 2008, xxiii. DOI: 10.1016/b978-012088488-9.50003-6.
CHAPTER 59 Clinical Syndromes of Metabolic AcidosisKrapf R, Seldin D, Alpern R. CHAPTER 59 Clinical Syndromes of Metabolic Acidosis 2008, 1667-1720. DOI: 10.1016/b978-012088488-9.50062-0.
CHAPTER 58 Clinical Syndromes of Metabolic AlkalosisMoe O, Seldin D, Alpern R. CHAPTER 58 Clinical Syndromes of Metabolic Alkalosis 2008, 1645-1666. DOI: 10.1016/b978-012088488-9.50061-9.
招請講演3: Dietary Acid, Pyk2, Nocturnin, and Circadian Rhythm: Role in Renal Homeostasis and DiseasePreisig P, Alpern R. 招請講演3: Dietary Acid, Pyk2, Nocturnin, and Circadian Rhythm: Role in Renal Homeostasis and Disease 日本腎臓学会誌 2006, 48: 145-145. DOI: 10.14842/jpnjnephrol1959.48.3_145.
ISN Forefronts in Nephrology 1986–2006Alpern R, Giebisch G, Murer H. ISN Forefronts in Nephrology 1986–2006 Nature Reviews Nephrology 2006, 2: 173-173. DOI: 10.1038/ncpneph0144.
Molecular Biology of Renal Acid–Base TransportersMoe O, Baum M, Alpern R. Molecular Biology of Renal Acid–Base Transporters 2005, 119-176. DOI: 10.1201/b14402-6.
Pyk2 activation is integral to acid stimulation of sodium/hydrogen exchanger 3Li S, Sato S, Yang X, Preisig PA, Alpern RJ. Pyk2 activation is integral to acid stimulation of sodium/hydrogen exchanger 3 Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2004, 114: 1782-1789. PMID: 15599403, PMCID: PMC535061, DOI: 10.1172/jci18046.
A consensus sequence in the endothelin-B receptor second intracellular loop is required for NHE3 activation by endothelin-1Laghmani K, Sakamoto A, Yanagisawa M, Preisig PA, Alpern RJ. A consensus sequence in the endothelin-B receptor second intracellular loop is required for NHE3 activation by endothelin-1 American Journal Of Physiology. Renal Physiology 2004, 288: f732-f739. PMID: 15598844, DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00300.2004.
Endothelin-1/endothelin-B receptor–mediated increases in NHE3 activity in chronic metabolic acidosisLaghmani K, Preisig P, Moe O, Yanagisawa M, Alpern R. Endothelin-1/endothelin-B receptor–mediated increases in NHE3 activity in chronic metabolic acidosis Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2001, 107: 1563-1569. PMID: 11413164, PMCID: PMC200190, DOI: 10.1172/jci11234.
ETB receptor activation causes exocytic insertion of NHE3 in OKP cellsPeng Y, Amemiya M, Yang X, Fan L, Moe O, Yin H, Preisig P, Yanagisawa M, Alpern R. ETB receptor activation causes exocytic insertion of NHE3 in OKP cells American Journal Of Physiology. Renal Physiology 2001, 280: f34-f42. PMID: 11133512, DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.2001.280.1.f34.
Endocrine Control of Acid‐Base BalanceAlpern R. Endocrine Control of Acid‐Base Balance 2000, 570-603. DOI: 10.1002/cphy.cp070315.
Acid incubation causes exocytic insertion of NHE3 in OKP cellsYang X, Amemiya M, Peng Y, Moe O, Preisig P, Alpern R. Acid incubation causes exocytic insertion of NHE3 in OKP cells American Journal Of Physiology - Cell Physiology 2000, 279: c410-c419. PMID: 10913008, DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.2000.279.2.c410.
Chronic metabolic acidosis increases NaDC-1 mRNA and protein abundance in rat kidneyAruga S, Wehrli S, Kaissling B, Moe O, Preisig P, Pajor A, Alpern R. Chronic metabolic acidosis increases NaDC-1 mRNA and protein abundance in rat kidney Kidney International 2000, 58: 206-215. PMID: 10886565, DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1755.2000.00155.x.
Renal citrate metabolism and urinary citrate excretion in the infant ratMelnick J, Preisig P, Alpern R, Baum M. Renal citrate metabolism and urinary citrate excretion in the infant rat Kidney International 2000, 57: 891-897. PMID: 10720942, PMCID: PMC4089854, DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1755.2000.057003891.x.
Authors' Reply:Ambühl P, Alpern R. Authors' Reply: American Journal Of Kidney Diseases 1999, 34: 963-965. DOI: 10.1016/s0272-6386(99)70065-x.
Role of glucocorticoids in acidosisHamm L, Ambühl P, Alpern R. Role of glucocorticoids in acidosis American Journal Of Kidney Diseases 1999, 34: 960-965. PMID: 10561158, DOI: 10.1016/s0272-6386(99)70059-4.
Cell and molecular biology of epithelial transportRossier B, Alpern R. Cell and molecular biology of epithelial transport Current Opinion In Nephrology & Hypertension 1999, 8: 579-580. DOI: 10.1097/00041552-199909000-00008.
ETB receptor activation leads to activation and phosphorylation of NHE3Peng Y, Moe OW, Chu T, Preisig PA, Yanagisawa M, Alpern RJ. ETB receptor activation leads to activation and phosphorylation of NHE3 American Journal Of Physiology 1999, 276: c938-c945. PMID: 10199826, DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.1999.276.4.c938.
Incubation of OKP cells in low-K+ media increases NHE3 activity after early decrease in intracellular pHAmemiya M, Tabei K, Kusano E, Asano Y, Alpern R. Incubation of OKP cells in low-K+ media increases NHE3 activity after early decrease in intracellular pH American Journal Of Physiology 1999, 276: c711-c716. PMID: 10069999, DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.1999.276.3.c711.
Glucocorticoids enhance acid activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE3)Ambühl P, Yang X, Peng Y, Preisig P, Moe O, Alpern R. Glucocorticoids enhance acid activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE3) Journal Of Clinical Investigation 1999, 103: 429-435. PMID: 9927505, PMCID: PMC407891, DOI: 10.1172/jci2913.
Converting enzyme inhibition causes hypocitraturia independent of acidosis or hypokalemiaMelnick J, Preisig P, Haynes S, Pak C, Sakhaee K, Alpern R. Converting enzyme inhibition causes hypocitraturia independent of acidosis or hypokalemia Kidney International 1998, 54: 1670-1674. PMID: 9844143, DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1755.1998.00150.x.
Molcular cell biology and physiology of solute transportRossier B, Alpern R. Molcular cell biology and physiology of solute transport Current Opinion In Nephrology & Hypertension 1998, 7: 495-496. DOI: 10.1097/00041552-199809000-00002.
Dominant negative c-Src inhibits angiotensin II induced activation of NHE3 in OKP cellsTsuganezawa H, Preisig P, Alpern R. Dominant negative c-Src inhibits angiotensin II induced activation of NHE3 in OKP cells Kidney International 1998, 54: 394-398. PMID: 9690205, DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1755.1998.00029.x.
Renal cortical mitochondrial aconitase is regulated in hypo- and hypercitraturiaMelnick J, Preisig P, Moe O, Srere P, Alpern R. Renal cortical mitochondrial aconitase is regulated in hypo- and hypercitraturia Kidney International 1998, 54: 160-165. PMID: 9648074, DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1755.1998.00974.x.
Effects of thyroid hormone on the neonatal renal cortical Na+/H+ antiporterBaum M, Dwarakanath V, Alpern R, Moe O. Effects of thyroid hormone on the neonatal renal cortical Na+/H+ antiporter Kidney International 1998, 53: 1254-1258. PMID: 9573540, PMCID: PMC4131927, DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1755.1998.00879.x.
Liddle’s SyndromePalmer B, Alpern R, In collaboration with The American Physiological Society T. Liddle’s Syndrome The American Journal Of Medicine 1998, 104: 301-309. PMID: 9552093, DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9343(98)00018-7.
Chronic hyperosmolality increases NHE3 activity in OKP cells.Ambühl P, Amemiya M, Preisig PA, Moe OW, Alpern RJ. Chronic hyperosmolality increases NHE3 activity in OKP cells. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 1998, 101: 170-177. PMID: 9421479, PMCID: PMC508553, DOI: 10.1172/jci62.
Molecular mechanisms of transport protein regulationAlpern R, Rossier B. Molecular mechanisms of transport protein regulation Current Opinion In Nephrology & Hypertension 1997, 6: 423-424. DOI: 10.1097/00041552-199709000-00002.
Nephrology core curriculum. The American Society of Nephrology and the American Society of Nephrology Training Program Directors Committee.Kumar R, Alpern R, Berl T, Blantz R, Chevalier R, Hostetter T, Madias N, Salant D, Wiggins R, Bennett W, Chapman A, Ekonyan G, Falk R, Gennari F, Helderman J, Hruska K, Levey A, Lindheimer M, Miller R, Nissenson A, Schwab S, Schwab T, Schwartz R, Wilcox C. Nephrology core curriculum. The American Society of Nephrology and the American Society of Nephrology Training Program Directors Committee. Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology 1997, 8: 1018-27. PMID: 9189871, DOI: 10.1681/asn.v861018.
Intracellular acidosis activates c-SrcYamaji Y, Tsuganezawa H, Moe OW, Alpern RJ. Intracellular acidosis activates c-Src American Journal Of Physiology 1997, 272: c886-c893. PMID: 9124524, DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.1997.272.3.c886.
The clinical spectrum of chronic metabolic acidosis: Homeostatic mechanisms produce significant morbidityAlpern R, Sakhaee K. The clinical spectrum of chronic metabolic acidosis: Homeostatic mechanisms produce significant morbidity American Journal Of Kidney Diseases 1997, 29: 291-302. PMID: 9016905, DOI: 10.1016/s0272-6386(97)90045-7.
Does hyperphosphaturla underlle hypercalciuria?Alpern R, Sakhaee K. Does hyperphosphaturla underlle hypercalciuria? The Lancet 1997, 349: 518-519. PMID: 9048785, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(97)80080-3.
Chapter II Renal Electrolyte Transport and Its RegulationAlpern R, Giebisch G, Seldin D. Chapter II Renal Electrolyte Transport and Its Regulation 1997, 31-72. DOI: 10.1016/b978-012635690-8/50003-7.
Adenosine triphosphate citrate lyase mediates hypocitraturia in rats.Melnick JZ, Srere PA, Elshourbagy NA, Moe OW, Preisig PA, Alpern RJ. Adenosine triphosphate citrate lyase mediates hypocitraturia in rats. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 1996, 98: 2381-2387. PMID: 8941657, PMCID: PMC507690, DOI: 10.1172/jci119051.
Endothelin(B) receptor activates NHE-3 by a Ca2+-dependent pathway in OKP cells.Chu TS, Peng Y, Cano A, Yanagisawa M, Alpern RJ. Endothelin(B) receptor activates NHE-3 by a Ca2+-dependent pathway in OKP cells. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 1996, 97: 1454-1462. PMID: 8617878, PMCID: PMC507205, DOI: 10.1172/jci118567.
Regulation of Cell pHMoe O, Alpern R. Regulation of Cell pH 1996, 407-425. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4613-1143-0_20.
Chronic regulation of the proximal tubular Na/H antiporter: From HCO3 to SRCAlpern R, Moe O, Preisig P. Chronic regulation of the proximal tubular Na/H antiporter: From HCO3 to SRC Kidney International 1995, 48: 1386-1396. PMID: 8544394, DOI: 10.1038/ki.1995.427.
Expression of NHE-3 in the apical membrane of rat renal proximal tubule and thick ascending limbAmemiya M, Loffing J, Lötscher M, Kaissling B, Alpern R, Moe O. Expression of NHE-3 in the apical membrane of rat renal proximal tubule and thick ascending limb Kidney International 1995, 48: 1206-1215. PMID: 8569082, DOI: 10.1038/ki.1995.404.
Southwestern Internal Medicine Conference: Vasculitis—It’s Time To ReclassifyAlpern R. Southwestern Internal Medicine Conference: Vasculitis—It’s Time To Reclassify The American Journal Of The Medical Sciences 1995, 309: 235-248. PMID: 7900748, DOI: 10.1097/00000441-199504000-00010.
Renal Proximal Tubule Response to AcidAlpern R, Yamaji Y, Amemiya M, Cano A, Preisig P, Miller, Moe O. Renal Proximal Tubule Response to Acid Physiology 1995, 10: 77-81. DOI: 10.1152/physiologyonline.1995.10.2.77.
Na+/H+ antiporter (NHE-1 isoform) in cultured vascular smooth muscle from the spontaneously hypertensive ratLaPointe M, Ye M, Moe O, Alpern R, Batlle D. Na+/H+ antiporter (NHE-1 isoform) in cultured vascular smooth muscle from the spontaneously hypertensive rat Kidney International 1995, 47: 78-87. PMID: 7731174, DOI: 10.1038/ki.1995.9.
Molecular cloning of ion transporters: potential clinical implications.Cano A, Alpern R. Molecular cloning of ion transporters: potential clinical implications. Seminars In Nephrology 1995, 15: 2-8. PMID: 7754253.
The renal proximal tubule renin-angiotensin system.Moe O, Alpern R, Henrich W. The renal proximal tubule renin-angiotensin system. Seminars In Nephrology 1993, 13: 552-7. PMID: 8278688.
Cell pH and transepithelial H/HCO3 transport in the renal proximal tubuleKrapf R, Alpern R. Cell pH and transepithelial H/HCO3 transport in the renal proximal tubule The Journal Of Membrane Biology 1993, 131: 1-10. PMID: 8381871, DOI: 10.1007/bf02258529.
Renal Acidification: Cellular Mechanisms of Tubular Transport and RegulationAlpern R, Rector F. Renal Acidification: Cellular Mechanisms of Tubular Transport and Regulation 1992, 767-812. DOI: 10.1002/cphy.cp080118.
Citraturic Response to Oral Citric Acid LoadSakhaee K, Alpern R, Poindexter J, Pak C. Citraturic Response to Oral Citric Acid Load Investigative Urology 1992, 147: 975-976. PMID: 1552616, DOI: 10.1016/s0022-5347(17)37437-2.
Basolateral membrane H/HCO3 transport in renal tubulesPreisig P, Alpern R. Basolateral membrane H/HCO3 transport in renal tubules Kidney International 1991, 39: 1077-1086. PMID: 1895662, DOI: 10.1038/ki.1991.137.
Mechanism of Distal Acidification: Relevance to Distal RTAAlpern R. Mechanism of Distal Acidification: Relevance to Distal RTA 1991, 1184-1188. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-35158-1_119.
Cellular model of proximal tubule NaCl and NaHCO3 absorptionMoe O, Preisig P, Alpern R. Cellular model of proximal tubule NaCl and NaHCO3 absorption Kidney International 1990, 38: 605-611. PMID: 2172616, DOI: 10.1038/ki.1990.249.
Hypokalemic Nephropathy — A Clue to Cystogenesis?Alpern R, Toto R. Hypokalemic Nephropathy — A Clue to Cystogenesis? New England Journal Of Medicine 1990, 322: 398-399. PMID: 2300091, DOI: 10.1056/nejm199002083220609.
Basolateral membrane H-OH-HCO3 transport in the proximal tubulePreisig P, Alpern R. Basolateral membrane H-OH-HCO3 transport in the proximal tubule American Journal Of Physiology 1989, 256: f751-f765. PMID: 2541627, DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.1989.256.5.f751.
Acidification MechanismsDuBose T, Paillard M, Frömter E, Alpern R, Good D, Stone D. Acidification Mechanisms 1984, 251-256. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4612-5284-9_23.

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Robert Alpern, MD

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