Cloning and functional expression of rNBC, an electrogenic Na(super +)-HCO3(super -) from rat kidney

The mammalian counterpart of the salamander sodium-bicarbonate cotransporter designated as rNBC is cloned. The heterologous expression system of the Xenopus oocyte was employed in the analysis of cotransporter expression, function and characterization. This cotransporter is the major route of bicarbonate reabsorption in the proximal tubule. It also assists in the reabsorption of sodium in this segment.