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Current Research in Membrane Transporters, Channels, and Receptors

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 1234

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Toxicology Division, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: membrane transporters; glucose transport; sodium-glucose transporters; renal physiology; molecular toxicology; metabolic diseases; diabetes; aging; bioactive compounds; cell signalling

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Membrane transporters, ion channels, and receptors play fundamental roles in cellular physiology; mediating ion and molecule exchange essential for homeostasis; signaling; and disease processes. They also serve as critical determinants of drug absorption; distribution; and efficacy; making them key targets in pharmacology and drug development. Advances in structural biology; computational modeling; and biomolecular techniques have greatly expanded our understanding of their mechanisms; regulation; and pharmacological modulation. This Special Issue of Current Research in Membrane Transporters, Channels, and Receptors aims to highlight cutting-edge research in this dynamic field, covering topics such as structure–function relationships; transport kinetics; regulatory mechanisms; and drug targeting. We welcome submissions encompassing molecular; biochemical; and biophysical approaches; including computational and experimental studies. While pure clinical studies are not within the scope of this Special Issue; translational research integrating biomolecular experiments or mechanistic models is encouraged. By bringing together diverse perspectives, this Special Issue seeks to advance our understanding of membrane transport and receptor-mediated processes and their implications in health; disease; aging; and pharmacology.

This Special Issue invites original research articles and comprehensive reviews, with consideration given to short communications as well.

Dr. Ivana Vrhovac Madunic
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • membrane transporters
  • cell membrane
  • transmembrane proteins
  • glucose transport
  • ion channels
  • cellular receptors
  • signal tranduction
  • pathophysiology
  • diabetes
  • aging

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 4008 KB  
Article
Sex-Related Expression of Klotho in Rat Kidneys: Species Differences Between Rats and Mice
by Davorka Breljak, Dean Karaica, Ivana Vrhovac Madunić, Vedran Micek, Tatjana Orct, Marija Ljubojević, Dubravka Rašić, Željka Vogrinc, Saša Kralik, Marko Gerić, Goran Gajski, Ivana Novak Jovanović, Lucia Nanić, Jasna Jurasović, Maja Peraica, Ivica Rubelj and Ivan Sabolić
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(2), 716; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27020716 - 10 Jan 2026
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Abstract
The anti-aging gene/protein Klotho (Kl), most present in kidneys, has been well studied in mice (mKl), but not in rats (rKl). This study investigated the renal rKl expression in male and female rats. Sex-related measurement of rKl-controlled electrolytes was performed in plasma/urine samples, [...] Read more.
The anti-aging gene/protein Klotho (Kl), most present in kidneys, has been well studied in mice (mKl), but not in rats (rKl). This study investigated the renal rKl expression in male and female rats. Sex-related measurement of rKl-controlled electrolytes was performed in plasma/urine samples, as were tests on species differences in renal Kl expression (rats vs. mice). rKl mRNA/protein expression was studied by qRT-PCR/Western-blotting in renal total RNA/cell membranes and its localization by immunofluorescence microscopy. Urine/plasma ions (phosphate/total calcium) and macroelements (phosphorus/calcium) were measured biochemically and by ICP-MS, respectively. In rat kidneys, the rKl mRNA/protein was detected in the cortex, outer and inner stripe but not in the papilla, and was immunolocalized in the basolateral membrane of proximal tubules in the cortex and outer stripe, but not in the intercalating cells of the cortical distal tubules, whereas mKl was observed in the mouse kidney cortex but not the outer stripe. Female-dominant expression of renal rKl, affected by androgen’s inhibitory effect, may have contributed to the sex-related level of urine electrolytes, particularly phosphates. Renal mKl expression was male-dominant. Sex- and species-related differences in renal Kl expression may be relevant for the selection of the sex and/or the model organism in studies addressing aging/mineral homeostasis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research in Membrane Transporters, Channels, and Receptors)
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14 pages, 2355 KB  
Article
Expression of Selected Pharmacologically Relevant Transporters in Murine Non-Parenchymal Liver Cells Compared to Hepatocytes
by Vincent Rönnpagel, Anett Ullrich, Christy Joseph, Mladen V. Tzvetkov, Dieter Runge and Markus Grube
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(22), 11116; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262211116 - 17 Nov 2025
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Abstract
Primary hepatocytes are widely used in preclinical drug development, with their transporter expression being well-characterized. However, less is known about non-parenchymal liver cells (NPCs), which constitute 40% of the liver’s cell population and include sinusoidal endothelial cells and Kupffer cells. This study aimed [...] Read more.
Primary hepatocytes are widely used in preclinical drug development, with their transporter expression being well-characterized. However, less is known about non-parenchymal liver cells (NPCs), which constitute 40% of the liver’s cell population and include sinusoidal endothelial cells and Kupffer cells. This study aimed to characterize transporter expression in murine NPCs compared to hepatocytes. Cell fractions were isolated using collagenase perfusion, density gradient centrifugation, and magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) with F4/80 and CD146 antibodies. Transporter expression and separation quality were analyzed via RT-qPCR. Results showed NPC-specific genes were significantly lower in hepatocytes and vice versa. Importantly, NPCs exhibited higher expression of several transporters: Abcc1/Mrp1 (87-fold), Abcc4/Mrp4 (4-fold), Abcc5/Mrp5 (40-fold), as well as Slc15a2/PepT2 (16-fold), Slc28a2/Cnt2 (20-fold), Slco3a1/Oatp3a1 (15-fold), and Slco4a1/Oatp4a1 (13-fold), compared to hepatocytes. Hepatocytes showed dominant expression of Abcc2/Mrp2, Abcg2/Bcrp, Slc22a1/Oct1, and others. Minimal differences in transporter expression were found between Kupffer and endothelial cells. In conclusion, the efflux transporters Abcc1/Mrp1 and Abcc5/Mrp5 are predominantly expressed in NPCs. This suggests that NPCs are potentially relevant for the transport of certain drugs and should be included in in vitro preclinical testing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research in Membrane Transporters, Channels, and Receptors)
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