Prostaglandins in the kidney: developments since Y2K

There are five major PGs (prostaglandins/prostanoids) produced from arachidonic acid via the COX (cyclo-oxygenase) pathway: PGE₂, PGI₂ (prostacyclin), PGD₂, PGF_2α and TXA₂ (thromboxane A₂). They exert many biological effects through specific G-protein-coupled membrane receptors, namely EP (PGE₂ receptor), IP (PGI₂ receptor), DP (PGD₂ receptor), FP (PGF_2α receptor) and TP (TXA₂ receptor) respectively. PGs are implicated in physiological and pathological processes in all major organ systems, including cardiovascular function, gastrointestinal responses, reproductive processes, renal effects etc. This review highlights recent insights into the role of each prostanoid in regulating various aspects of renal function, including haemodynamics, renin secretion, growth responses, tubular transport processes and cell fate. A thorough review of the literature since Y2K (year 2000) is provided, with a general overview of PGs and their synthesis enzymes, and then specific considerations of each PG/prostanoid receptor system in the kidney.