DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00238.2026 ISSN: 1931-857X
KCC3a regulation in the distal nephron displays sexual dimorphism
Mohammed Z. Ferdaus, Andrew S. Terker, Anna Cantalupo, Rolando Carrisoza-Gaytán, Lisa M. Satlin, Susan M. Wall, Paul A. Welling, Eric DelpireChronic bicarbonate loading selectively increases renal K + -Cl − cotransporter 3 isoform a (KCC3a) protein abundance in male, but not female mice. This difference emerges specifically under alkalemia, indicating regulation of KCC3a that is condition-dependent rather than constitutive. Testis-derived factors, not testosterone alone, are required for male-specific upregulation of KCC3a during metabolic alkalosis.