Modulation of adenosine receptor expression in the proximal tubule: a novel adaptive mechanism to regulate renal salt and water metabolism.

The article comments on a study by Kulick and coworkers which provides new insights into the involvement of adenosine in long-term adaptation of the kidney to varying reabsorptive needs. The authors demonstrate that chronic exposure of rats to a salt-restricted diet leads to an increased expression of A1 adenosine receptor (A1-AR) in the proximal tubule, accompanied by an enhanced A1-AR-dependent reabsorptive activity.