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Structural biology

Molecular coin slots for urea

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Membrane-bound protein channels that allow only urea to pass through are vital to the kidney's ability to conserve water. Crystal structures show that the channels select urea molecules by passing them through thin slots.

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Figure 1: Urea channels allow the kidney to conserve water.

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Knepper, M., Mindell, J. Molecular coin slots for urea. Nature 462, 733–734 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/462733a

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