Details for: CL0002201

Cell ID: CL0002201

Cell Name: renal beta-intercalated cell

Description: A renal intercalated cell that secretes base and reabsorbs acid in the distal segments of the kidney tubule to maintain acid/base balance.

Synonyms: type B intercalated cell, type B-IC

Selected Context(s): Overall

Gene Significance Landscape

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Score:
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Genes

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Cell Significance Index (CSI) is uniquely calculated to reveal cell-specific gene markers. More info here

Significant Genes List

Genes with the highest and lowest Percentile Rank Scores (PRS) for renal beta-intercalated cell within the selected context(s).

Gene ID: A unique numerical identifier for this specific gene.
Symbol: Shortened abbreviation or name that represents this gene.
Ensembl Gene ID: A unique identifier assigned by Ensembl for genomic data mapping.
CSI Score: A combined effect size and statistical significance measure for renal beta-intercalated cell. Higher scores indicate a stronger, more significant difference in expression.
(Previously described as "Fold Change", but now represents Cliff's Delta × –log10(p).)

Gene ID: A unique numerical identifier for this specific gene.
Symbol: Shortened abbreviation or name that represents this gene.
Ensembl Gene ID: A unique identifier assigned by Ensembl for genomic data mapping.
CSI Score: A combined effect size and statistical significance measure for renal beta-intercalated cell. Higher scores indicate a stronger, more significant difference in expression.
Average CSI: csi sum / gene count
Cell network configuration

This network visualizes key genes for renal beta-intercalated cell. It primarily includes:
1. Top genes highly significant for this cell (Num. Top Cell Genes - based on the 'Min. CSI' setting).
2. Any additional specific 'Context Genes' you add below.
The final network is a combined view. Choose an Interaction Source (pathways or protein interactions) and optionally compare CSI scores with a Baseline Cell Type.

Maximum number of selected genes.
Select a context for the baseline cell.
Select a context for the target cell.
Target Cell for CSI:  renal beta-intercalated cell (CL0002201)

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Nodes (Genes):
 Query Gene
Node size also reflects Target Cell CSI magnitude.
Node Color (Target Cell CSI in specific network):
 Very High
 High
 Medium
 Low
 Very Low
 N/A or Not Sig.
Edges (Interactions):
 STRING (Protein-Protein)
 ONTOLOGY (Shared Pathway)
 Colors vary by pathway category; default arrow applies.

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## Summary The [renal beta-intercalated cell](/details-cell/CL0002201), also known as a type B-IC, is a specialized epithelial cell within the kidney tubule responsible for secreting bicarbonate and reabsorbing acid to maintain systemic acid-base homeostasis. The gene significance profile of this cell is overwhelmingly dominated by components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and ATP synthesis. This suggests that its most defining characteristic is an exceptionally high metabolic rate, specifically geared towards aerobic respiration, which provides the necessary energy for its intensive ion transport functions. ## Key Characteristics and Function **Overall**, the gene expression landscape of the [renal beta-intercalated cell](/details-cell/CL0002201) points to a highly specialized cellular machine optimized for massive energy production to fuel ion transport. * **Mitochondrial Energy Production:** The most specific and significant markers for this cell type are numerous subunits of the mitochondrial respiratory complexes. This includes multiple cytochrome c oxidase subunits such as [COX7C](/details-gene/1350) (CSI: 42.15), [COX5B](/details-gene/1329) (CSI: 41.07), [COX4I1](/details-gene/1327) (CSI: 38.30), [COX6A1](/details-gene/1337) (CSI: 38.08), and [COX7A2](/details-gene/1347) (CSI: 35.16), as well as components of Complex I ([NDUFA4](/details-gene/4697), CSI: 38.27) and ATP synthase ([ATP5MG](/details-gene/10632), [ATP6](/details-gene/4508), [ATP5F1E](/details-gene/514)). This strong and coordinated signature indicates an extraordinary reliance on oxidative phosphorylation, consistent with the high energetic cost of maintaining steep ion gradients across the cell membrane. * **Ion Transport and Cellular Structure:** The function of this energy production is highlighted by the high significance of [ATP1B1](/details-gene/481) (CSI: 23.89), the beta subunit of the Na+/K+-ATPase, a primary active transporter crucial for establishing the electrochemical gradients that drive other transport processes. The high CSI for [KRT8](/details-gene/3856) confirms its simple epithelial nature, and the significance of the epithelium-specific transcription factor [ELF3](/details-gene/1999) suggests its role in maintaining this specialized cell state. * **Sensing and Signaling:** The G protein-coupled receptor [GPRC6A](/details-gene/222545) (CSI: 27.07) is a notable specific marker. This receptor is known to respond to extracellular cations and amino acids, suggesting a mechanism by which the [renal beta-intercalated cell](/details-cell/CL0002201) may sense systemic metabolic status to modulate its ion-secreting activity. * **Defining Negative Markers:** The low or negative significance of genes involved in broad regulatory processes like RNA processing ([HNRNPU](/details-gene/3192)), immune signaling ([HLA-E](/details-gene/3133)), and calcium signaling ([CALM1](/details-gene/801)) suggests a terminally differentiated cell focused on a narrow set of physiological tasks. The particularly low score for [HLA-E](/details-gene/3133) may indicate limited interaction with the innate immune system, particularly NK cells. ## Clinical Significance and Contextual Roles The singular focus of the [renal beta-intercalated cell](/details-cell/CL0002201) on high-energy ion transport makes it a critical component in preventing metabolic alkalosis. Dysfunction of these cells is directly implicated in certain forms of distal renal tubular acidosis, where the inability to properly secrete bicarbonate or reabsorb acid leads to systemic pH imbalances. The extreme dependence on oxidative phosphorylation, as evidenced by the top marker genes, suggests a profound vulnerability to mitochondrial dysfunction. Genetic defects in mitochondrial genes, exposure to mitochondrial toxins, or ischemic conditions that limit oxygen supply could selectively impair the function of beta-intercalated cells, contributing to kidney pathology. While the provided publication data primarily focuses on gene discovery and mapping ([Link](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2155413/), [Link](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2840351/)), the functional roles of the identified top markers ([COX7C](/details-gene/1350), [COX5B](/details-gene/1329)) place this cell type at the center of energy-dependent renal physiology. ## Potential Mechanisms and Research Directions 1. **Hypothesis:** The profound and coordinated high expression of numerous, distinct nuclear- and mitochondrial-encoded genes of the respiratory chain is orchestrated by a core set of master transcriptional regulators that define the [renal beta-intercalated cell](/details-cell/CL0002201)'s identity and functional capacity. This regulatory network is essential to meet the cell's extreme bioenergetic demands. * **Surprising Findings:** The most specific molecular features of this cell are not the ion transporters themselves but rather the upstream energy-generating machinery. This implies that the *potential* to produce vast amounts of ATP is the most unique and rate-limiting characteristic of this cell type, suggesting that transporter expression may be constitutive while energy production is the key regulated and defining feature. * **Testable Questions:** What is the epigenetic landscape (e.g., via scATAC-seq) of [renal beta-intercalated cells](/details-cell/CL0002201), and does it reveal unique accessible chromatin regions near mitochondrial-related genes? Do transcription factors known to regulate mitochondrial biogenesis, such as PGC-1alpha or NRF1, show uniquely high activity or expression in this cell type compared to other renal epithelial cells? 2. **Hypothesis:** The G protein-coupled receptor [GPRC6A](/details-gene/222545), a highly specific marker, functions as a primary chemosensor that integrates signals from the tubular fluid—such as changes in amino acid or cation concentration—to directly modulate bicarbonate secretion and acid reabsorption. * **Surprising Findings:** The inclusion of a sophisticated environmental sensor like [GPRC6A](/details-gene/222545) among the top markers, which are otherwise dominated by "housekeeping" metabolic genes, suggests a more dynamic and responsive role for this cell than simply being a constitutive ion pump. It highlights a tight coupling between systemic metabolic state (sensed via luminal contents) and renal acid-base regulation. * **Testable Questions:** Does pharmacological activation or knockout of [GPRC6A](/details-gene/222545) in an in-vitro model of the collecting duct or in animal models alter the expression or apical/basolateral localization of key ion transporters (e.g., pendrin) in [renal beta-intercalated cells](/details-cell/CL0002201) in response to a systemic acid or base load?