Physiological Relevance of Intracellular pH?

[Xalatan]

Does anyone think intracellular pH is an important physiological factor that regulates cellular function? The STAP papers have been retracted but perhaps intracellular pH may still have physiological relevance outside of stem reprogramming?

[CharonY]

Aside from the obvious (i.e. as part of general homeostasis to maintain cellular and organelle function).

Edited March 13, 2016 by CharonY

[Xalatan]

Yep I mean, with hypoxia you could say the same, that oxygen is present as part of general homeostasis to maintain cellular and organelle function (the mitochondria). On the other hand the discovery of HIF and EPO provides specific oxygen sensing mechanism that highlights the potential for tumourigenesis. So perhaps there is a means for intracellular protons to influence processes like proliferation, apoptosis, renewal in a specific way (though 30min of acid bath to turn white cells into iPS cells seems too good to be true - even the Yamanaka factors don't work that fast).