We have studied the mechanisms of NaCl transport in the mammalian proximal tubule. We identified Cl(-)-formate and Cl(-)-oxalate exchangers as possible mechanism's of uphill Cl- entry across the apical membrane of proximal tubule cells. For steady state Cl- absorption to occur by these mechanisms, formate and oxalate must recycle from lumen to cell. Recycling of formate from lumen to cell may occur by H(+)-coupled formate transport and nonionic diffusion of formic acid in parallel with Na(+)-H+ exchange. Oxalate recycling from lumen to cell may take place by oxalate-sulfate exchange in parallel with Na(+)-sulfate cotransport. Cl- exit across the basolateral membrane is most likely mediated by Cl- channels. To identify the Na(+)-H+ exchanger (NHE) isoform(s) expressed on the brush border membrane of proximal tubule cells, we developed isoform-specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. We found that NHE1 is present on the basolateral membrane of all nephron segments, whereas NHE3 is present on the apical membrane of cells in the proximal tubule and the thin and thick limbs of the loop of Henle. NHE3 is also present in a population of subapical intracellular vesicles, suggesting possible regulation by membrane trafficking. The inhibitor sensitivity of Na(+)-H+ exchange in renal brush border vesicles indicates that it is mediated by NHE3 under baseline conditions and during up-regulation by metabolic acidosis. Increased apical membrane Na(+)-H+ exchange activity in response to metabolic acidosis and during renal maturation is associated with increased NHE3 protein expression. Finally, we found that the organic anion-dependent absorption of Cl- is markedly down-regulated in metabolic acidosis in parallel with the up-regulation of brush border membrane Na(+)-H+ exchange. Thus, differential regulation of apical membrane ion exchangers may provide a mechanism to regulate the relative rates of NaHCO3 and NaCl reabsorption.