Cell biology of aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity: newer aspects

Abstract

Recent advances in the understanding of the cell biology of aminoglycoside antibiotics have answered some questions and opened many new avenues for exploration. Binding at the apical surface of proximal tubule cells is now known to involve megalin. Once endocytosed, aminoglycosides inhibit endosomal fusion. They may also be directly trafficked to the Golgi apparatus. Finally, the proximal tubule cell has the ability to inhibit selectively the uptake of gentamicin yet maintain endocytosis of other ligands.