Na(+)-H+ exchanger subtypes: a predictive review.

In recent years, many reports have appeared describing distinct heterogeneity of proteins that heretofore were considered to be a single species or type. The division of proteins into different classes or subtypes is aided by pharmacological tools such as selective ligands, functional measurements such as those examining kinetic or regulatory differences, and molecular biological approaches that have identified distinct genes coding for similar yet distinguishable gene products. Currently, much effort is directed toward understanding the significance of these sometimes subtle differences in terms of functional consequences for the cells in which they exist. Although most reports to date involve hormone and neurotransmitter receptor subtypes, it is also possible that other cell surface molecules such as ion transporters exist as multiple subtypes. In this paper we review the current evidence that Na(+)-H+ exchange activity is mediated by different Na(+)-H+ exchanger subtypes. Although subtypes have not been identified with certainty, we can predict certain distinguishing characteristics that these putative subtypes may have that may be of value in correlating predicted gene products obtained from cDNA cloning with previously characterized Na(+)-H+ exchangers.