Regulation of distal nephron K+ channels (ROMK) mRNA expression by aldosterone in rat kidney

1. The expression of ROMK mRNA isoforms in rat kidney was measured using competitive polymerase chain reaction. Under basal conditions the expression of ROMK2 and 3 mRNA was significantly higher than that of ROMK1 or 6. 2. Administration of aldosterone for a period of 1 week significantly increased the mRNA expression not only of the alpha 1 -subunit of the Na+-K+-ATPase, but also of ROMK2, 3 and 6. 3. These data not only provide evidence that ROMK K+ channels may be involved with mineralocorticoid-sensitive K+ secretion in the distal nephron, but also demonstrate for the first time that ROMK6 may be involved in this process.