Updates on ion and water transport by the Malpighian tubule

The Malpighian (renal) tubule is capable of transporting fluid at remarkable rates. This review will focus on recent insights into the mechanisms by which these high rates are achieved and controlled, with particular reference to the tubules of Drosophila melanogaster, in which the combination of physiology and genetics has led to particularly rapid progress. Like many vertebrate epithelia, the Drosophila tubule has specialized cell types, with active cation transport confined to a large, metabolically active principal cell; whereas the smaller intercalated stellate cell controls chloride and water shunts to achieve net fluid secretion. Recently, the genes underlying many of these processes have been identified, functionally validated and localized within the tubule. The imminent arrival of new types of post-genomic data (notably single cell sequencing) will herald an exciting era of new discovery.

Automated summary

The Malpighian tubule is capable of transporting fluid at remarkable rates, with recent focus on understanding the mechanisms behind achieving and controlling these high rates, particularly in the Drosophila tubules. Specialized cell types with active cation transport in principal cells and chloride and water shunts in intercalated stellate cells contribute to achieve net fluid secretion. Genes underlying these processes have been identified and localized within the tubule, and the upcoming post-genomic data is expected to bring new discoveries in this field.