Renal tubule epithelial cells are high-energy demanding polarized epithelial cells. Liver
kinase B1 (LKB1) is a key regulator of polarity, proliferation, and cell metabolism in epithelial
cells, but the function of LKB1 in the kidney is unclear. Our unbiased gene expression
studies of human control and CKD kidney samples identified lower expression of LKB1 and
regulatory proteins in CKD. Mice with distal tubule epithelial-specific Lkb1 deletion (Ksp-
Cre/Lkb1 flox/flox) exhibited progressive kidney disease characterized by flattened …