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Robert Alpern, MD

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

Contact Information

Robert Alpern, MD

Mailing Address

  • Nephrology

    PO Box 208055, 333 Cedar Street

    New Haven, CT 06520-8055

    United States

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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

Research Interests

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

Selected Publications

  • Science for future physicians.Long S, Alpern R. Science for future physicians. Science (New York, N.Y.) 2009, 324: 1241. PMID: 19498132, DOI: 10.1126/science.1176994.
  • A consensus sequence in the endothelin-B receptor second intracellular loop is required for NHE3 activation by endothelin-1.Laghmani 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 2005, 288: F732-9. PMID: 15598844, DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00300.2004.
  • Pyk2 activation is integral to acid stimulation of sodium/hydrogen exchanger 3.Li S, Sato S, Yang X, Preisig PA, Alpern RJ. Pyk2 activation is integral to acid stimulation of sodium/hydrogen exchanger 3. The Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2004, 114: 1782-9. PMID: 15599403, PMCID: PMC535061, DOI: 10.1172/JCI18046.
  • ET(B) receptor activation causes exocytic insertion of NHE3 in OKP cells.Peng Y, Amemiya M, Yang X, Fan L, Moe OW, Yin H, Preisig PA, Yanagisawa M, Alpern RJ. ET(B) receptor activation causes exocytic insertion of NHE3 in OKP cells. American Journal Of Physiology. Renal Physiology 2001, 280: F34-42. PMID: 11133512, DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.2001.280.1.F34.
  • Endothelin-1/endothelin-B receptor-mediated increases in NHE3 activity in chronic metabolic acidosis.Laghmani K, Preisig PA, Moe OW, Yanagisawa M, Alpern RJ. Endothelin-1/endothelin-B receptor-mediated increases in NHE3 activity in chronic metabolic acidosis. The Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2001, 107: 1563-9. PMID: 11413164, PMCID: PMC200190, DOI: 10.1172/JCI11234.
  • Acid incubation causes exocytic insertion of NHE3 in OKP cells.Yang X, Amemiya M, Peng Y, Moe OW, Preisig PA, Alpern RJ. Acid incubation causes exocytic insertion of NHE3 in OKP cells. American Journal Of Physiology. Cell Physiology 2000, 279: C410-9. PMID: 10913008, DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.2000.279.2.C410.
  • Glucocorticoids enhance acid activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE3).Ambühl PM, Yang X, Peng Y, Preisig PA, Moe OW, Alpern RJ. Glucocorticoids enhance acid activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE3). The Journal Of Clinical Investigation 1999, 103: 429-35. PMID: 9927505, PMCID: PMC407891, DOI: 10.1172/JCI2913.
  • ETB receptor activation leads to activation and phosphorylation of NHE3.Peng Y, Moe OW, Chu T, Preisig PA, Yanagisawa M, Alpern RJ. ETB receptor activation leads to activation and phosphorylation of NHE3. The American Journal Of Physiology 1999, 276: C938-45. PMID: 10199826.
  • Incubation of OKP cells in low-K+ media increases NHE3 activity after early decrease in intracellular pH.Amemiya M, Tabei K, Kusano E, Asano Y, Alpern RJ. Incubation of OKP cells in low-K+ media increases NHE3 activity after early decrease in intracellular pH. The American Journal Of Physiology 1999, 276: C711-6. PMID: 10069999.
  • 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. The Journal Of Clinical Investigation 1998, 101: 170-7. PMID: 9421479, PMCID: PMC508553, DOI: 10.1172/JCI62.
  • Intracellular acidosis activates c-Src.Yamaji Y, Tsuganezawa H, Moe OW, Alpern RJ. Intracellular acidosis activates c-Src. The American Journal Of Physiology 1997, 272: C886-93. PMID: 9124524, DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.1997.272.3.C886.
  • 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. The Journal Of Clinical Investigation 1996, 97: 1454-62. PMID: 8617878, PMCID: PMC507205, DOI: 10.1172/JCI118567.
  • 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. The Journal Of Clinical Investigation 1996, 98: 2381-7. PMID: 8941657, PMCID: PMC507690, DOI: 10.1172/JCI119051.
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