Confocal Microscope

My project involves elucidating the roles of Eps15 Homology Domain containing protein 4 (EHD4) in the kidney. EHD4 is a member of the EHD family of proteins whose role is to regulate endocytic recycling. It is abundantly expressed in the kidney, specifically the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD). IMCD is responsible for the proper maintenance of water balance of the body and we have recently observed that mice that lack EHD4 develop pronounced diuresis. Forward trafficking of the water channel Aquaporin2 is a key regulatory step in maintaining water homeostasis by the IMCD and since we observed a defect in water balance in these knock out mice, we hypothesized that in absence of EHD4, forward trafficking of AQP2 is defective.