Ablation of uroplakin III gene results in small urothelial plaques, urothelial leakage, and vesicoureteral reflux
P Hu, FM Deng, FX Liang, CM Hu, A Auerbach… - Urology, 2001 - goldjournal.net
Urothelium synthesizes, as its major differentiation products, a group of integral membrane
proteins called uroplakins. These proteins form particles that are hexagonally packed as 2-
dimensional crystals (urothelial plaques) covering the apical urothelial surface. We found
that the ablation of mouse uroplakin III (UPIII) gene led to major urothelial defects causing
global changes in the urinary tract. Thus, the UPIII-deficient mouse bladder features
abnormally small urothelial plaques, becomes leaky to methylene blue, and has enlarged …
proteins called uroplakins. These proteins form particles that are hexagonally packed as 2-
dimensional crystals (urothelial plaques) covering the apical urothelial surface. We found
that the ablation of mouse uroplakin III (UPIII) gene led to major urothelial defects causing
global changes in the urinary tract. Thus, the UPIII-deficient mouse bladder features
abnormally small urothelial plaques, becomes leaky to methylene blue, and has enlarged …