Arhgef11 high and low salt kidney proteomic analysis

Arhgef11 is a Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor previously implicated in kidney injury in the Dahl salt-sensitive rat (SS-WT). Through exchange of GDP for GTP, Arhgef11 regulates cytoskeletal structure, function, and cell-cell contacts through a variety of stimuli (e.g., G-protein coupled receptors, growth factors, and shear stress). We studied the SS-Arhgef11-/- rat model at 4-12 weeks of age under low and high salt (0.3% or 2% NaCl). To better understand the molecular mechanisms associated with renal protection from loss of Arhgef11, MS/MS proteomics was performed on kidney from SS-Arhgef11-/- and SS-WT at week 12 (low-salt). At week 12, 1017 genes and 363 proteins were observed. In summary, in vivo phenotyping provides strong evidence that increased Arhgef11 expression in the Dahl S rat leads to actin cytoskeleton mediated changes in cell morphology and cell function (impaired reuptake filtered protein) that promote kidney injury, hypertension, and decline in kidney function.