Rh family B glycoprotein (RHBG)

Rh family B glycoprotein (RHBG) is an ammonium transporter of the solute carrier family 42, mainly expressed in the kidney but also found in the liver, skin, and gastrointestinal tract[1][2][4]. It is a polytopic transmembrane protein with 12 predicted membrane-spanning domains[1][2][3], facilitating the electroneutral transport of ammonium (NH4⁺) and ammonia (NH3) across basolateral membranes of renal and epithelial cells[1][2]. RHBG contributes crucially to renal ammonia secretion, acid–base balance, and metabolic homeostasis[2][4]. It is regulated post-transcriptionally and interacts with cytoskeletal anchor proteins for correct membrane localization; loss of this function impairs ammonium transport[2]. Besides its transporter role, RHBG may act as a transceptor, linking cell signaling (including NFκB pathway) and metabolism, and has been studied for regulatory control by β-catenin/TCF4 signaling in malignancy contexts[2]. No direct therapeutic drugs are known to target RHBG, but its function is critical to renal and systemic pH homeostasis[1][2][4].

Other names

Ammonium transporter Rh type BSLC42A2Solute carrier family 42 member 2Rh type B glycoproteinRhesus blood group family type B glycoproteinmethylammonium-ammonium permease RhBGRhBG ammonium transporter

Ammonium transport inhibition or modulation (no clinical inhibitors described). Blockade of ammonium/H⁺ exchange. Disruption of membrane localization (via targeting ankyrin-G interaction).