The Physiological Function and Potential Role of the Ubiquitous Na+/H+ Exchanger Isoform 8 (NHE8): An Overview Data

Abstract

The Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger transporters (NHE) play an important role in various biologic processes including Na⁺ absorption, intracellular pH homeostasis, cell volume regulation, proliferation, and apoptosis. The wide expression pattern and cellular localization of NHEs make these proteins pivotal players in virtually all human tissues and organs. In addition, recent studies suggest that NHEs may be one of the primeval transport protein forms in the history of life. Among the different isoforms, the most well-characterized NHEs are the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) and Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger isoform 3 (NHE3). However, Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger isoform 8 (NHE8) has been receiving attention based on its recent discoveries in the gastrointestinal tract. In this review, we will discuss what is known about the physiological function and potential role of NHE8 in the main organ systems, including useful overviews that could inspire new studies on this multifaceted protein.

Keywords: NHE8; eyes; gastrointestinal tract; kidney; lungs; testis.

Figure 1

Scheme summarizing the expression of NHE8 in different organs.

Figure 2

Scheme representing the molecular structure of NHE isoform 1 (NHE1), NHE isoform 3 (NHE3), and NHE isoform 8 (NHE8) in the plasma membrane. Data are based on the information from the NCBI website accessed on 1 September 2022 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore). This illustration was inspired by Orlowski and Grinstein, 2004.