Regulation of luminal acidification by the V-ATPase.

Specialized cells in the body express high levels of V-ATPase in their plasma membrane and respond to hormonal and nonhormonal cues to regulate extracellular acidification. Mutations in or loss of some V-ATPase subunits cause several disorders, including renal distal tubular acidosis and male infertility. This review focuses on the regulation of V-ATPase-dependent luminal acidification in renal intercalated cells and epididymal clear cells, which are key players in these physiological processes.