Tight junctions play a key role in mediating paracellular ion reabsorption in the kidney.
Familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis (FHHNC) is a human
disorder caused by mutations in the tight junction protein claudin-16. However, the
molecular mechanisms underlining the renal handling of magnesium and its dysfunction
causing FHHNC are unknown. Here we show that claudin-16 plays a key role in maintaining
the paracellular cation selectivity of the thick ascending limbs of the nephron. Using RNA …