Yale researchers identify gene that protects against kidney stones

The research, reported in Nature Genetics, identifies a transporter, encoded by the gene, as a potential target for drugs to boost oxalate secretion in the gut and help prevent kidney stones.

The most common type of kidney stones are composed of calcium oxalate. The transporter, known as SLC26A6, normally secretes oxalate into the intestine and prevents absorption of too much of the oxalate from the diet.

“When this gene is knocked out in the mouse, more oxalate from the diet is absorbed, the plasma level of oxalate is increased, more oxalate is excreted in the urine by the kidney, and kidney stones are formed,” said Dr Peter Aronson, professor of internal medicine and physiology and senior author of the study.

In addition to pinpointing a potential drug target, Dr Aronson said the research raises the possibility that abnormal expression or regulation of the anion transporter encoded by the gene could cause kidney stones in humans, although this has not yet been tested directly.