The American journal of physiology
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The purpose of this review is to illustrate the application of molecular methodologies to the investigation of a fundamentally integrative problem in renal physiology, namely, the mechanism of regulation of water excretion by the kidney and the concomitant concentration of solutes in the urine. A new revolution in renal physiology is occurring as new research tools have become available as a result of the cloning of cDNAs for many of the major transporters and receptors in the renal medulla. ⋯ In addition, two collecting duct water channels, aquaporin-2 and aquaporin-3, are targets for long-term regulation by vasopressin through effects on the absolute expression levels of the water channel proteins. This review focuses on the mechanisms of both short- and long-term regulation of these water channels by vasopressin.