part of part of renal principal cell kidney collecting duct epithelial cell kidney collecting duct principal cell https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_1001431 The kidney collecting duct principal cell is a highly specialized type of cell found in the late distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct of the kidney's nephron. Principal cells are located at the final segments of the renal tubules, where they play a pivotal role in key homeostatic processes. One of their fundamental functions of kidney collecting duct principal cells is the regulation of water reabsorption, which is mediated by aquaporins (water channel proteins). Antidiuretic hormones, such as vasopressin, can stimulate the redistribution of these water channels from an intracellular pools to the apical plasma membrane of the principal cell; translocation of aquaporin (specifically, AQP2) is associated with an increase of osmotic water permeability. The water reabsorption affects the concentration of the final urine; these cells are therefore directly involved in the maintenance of the body's fluid balance. Kidney collecting duct principal cells also participate in sodium and potassium ions regulation. They reabsorb sodium ions from the tubular fluid back into the bloodstream, a process facilitated by the action of aldosterone, a hormone released by the adrenal glands. Similarly, the principal cells secrete potassium ions into the tubular fluid in response to aldosterone, contributing to the regulation of potassium levels in the body. Impaired function of cells can lead to various renal diseases and disorders, highlighting the vital role of kidney collecting duct principal cells in the body's homeostatic processes. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) Any renal principal cell that is part of some collecting duct of renal tubule. KUPO:0001128 Homo sapiens collecting duct of renal tubule