 Pendrin is also expressed in the kidney, and has been localized to the apical membrane of a population of intercalated cells in the cortical collecting duct where it is involved in bicarbonate secretion.Mutations in this gene are associated with Pendred syndrome, the most common form of syndromic deafness, an autosomal-recessive disease.Pendred syndrome is characterized by thyroid goiter and enlargement of the vestibular aqueduct resulting in deafness; however, despite being expressed in the kidney, individuals with Pendred syndrome do not show any kidney-related acid-base, or volume abnormalities under basal conditions.