Effect of TonEBP on cardiovascular manifestations; influence of signaling mediators

Tonicity-responsive enhancer binding-protein (TonEBP or NFAT5), which belongs to the Rel/NFAT family of transcription factors, plays a critical role in the kidney by controlling the expression of osmoprotective genes including heat-shock protein 70 and genes that mediate the intracellular accumulation of small organic osmolytes that reduce intracellular ionic strength without affecting protein function, such as aldose reductase (AR), sodium-chloride-betaine cotransporter (BGT1), and sodium-myo-inositol cotransporter (SMIT). Numerous cell types throughout the body are exposed to aniosmotic environments. Environmental osmolality is greatest in the kidney where levels as high as 1200 mOsmol/kg can be reached at the tip of the inner medulla in humans. This review examines the importance of TonEBP on cardiovascular manifestations and influence of signaling molecules.Key words: TonEBP, Heart, SUMO, vascular, kidney, dopa decarboxylase