# Role of MicroRNAs in Kidney Sodium Regulation

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2021 · $433,205

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
This proposal will investigate the role of small non‐coding RNAs, termed microRNAs (miRs), in the regulation
of sodium (Na+) transport in the distal kidney nephron. We will investigate the hypothesis that the
mineralocorticoid hormone, aldosterone regulates the expression of specific miR clusters in the distal kidney
nephron cortical collecting duct (CCD). These miRs target mRNAs to alter Na+ transport. Expended up-
regulation of the aldosterone-induced miRs then feedback to reduce the aldosterone response (negative
feedback regulation). We propose to test this novel role of miRs in Na+ homeostasis but using a miR cluster
KO mouse line. The miR-17~92 cluster will be deleted from the kidney nephron using a conditional, inducible
KO line and the impact on long-term aldosterone signaling will be investigated. In the second part of the
proposal, the mechanism the aldosterone-regulated miRs use to alter Na+ transport will be investigated in
primary kidney cells.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10209658
- **Project number:** 2R01DK102843-06A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael B Butterworth
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $433,205
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2015-05-04 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10209658

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10209658, Role of MicroRNAs in Kidney Sodium Regulation (2R01DK102843-06A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10209658. Licensed CC0.

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