This review article summarizes current knowledge about the locations and 
possible functions of annexin family members in the kidney. Beginning with an 
introduction on common structural and biochemical features as well as general 
functional characteristics of annexins, the paper focuses on individual members 
with documented and/or proposed physiological relevance for renal development, 
structure, and functions. Three main aspects of annexin function in kidney 
epithelia emerge from the available experimental data. First, annexins are 
required for membrane organization and membrane transport events required for 
the establishment/maintenance of epithelial polarity. Second, there is 
accumulating evidence of an association of annexins with ion channels, as 
membrane-guiding auxiliary proteins or modulators of channel activity. Last but 
not least, some annexins seem to work as extracellular autocrine modulators of 
receptor function under different physiological conditions.