Properties and subcellular localization of CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydrolase of calf kidney

The properties and subcellular distribution of CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid (CMP-NAcNeu) hydrolase were studied in the cortex of calf kidney. The pH optimum was 9.0 in both Tris · HCl and glycine/NaOH buffer. The apparent K_m was 0.47 mM and the apparent V 15.3 μmol/h/g wet wt of calf kidney cortex. A stimulation by divalent metal ions (Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) was demonstrated for the hydrolase. In the presence of Triton X-100 an increase in enzyme activity was observed. CMP-NAcNeu hydrolase was inhibited by EDTA, β-mercaptoethanol, nucleoside phosphates and nucleotide-sugars. The inhibition was more pronounced when a sub-optimal CMP-NAcNeu concentration was used, The enzyme appeared to be localized in the plasma membranes. In the plasma membrane preparation of calf kidney cortex, which was derived mainly from the proximal tubule cells, the yield of CMP-NAcNeu hydrolase (13%) and its increase in specific activity (9-fold) was as high as for the plasma membrane marker enzymes. From subcellular distribution studies it appeared that the enzyme was localized mainly at the brush border side of the plasma membrane of the proximal tubule cell.     

Localization of type I iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase to the basolateral plasma membrane in renal cortical epithelial cells

Type I iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase is an integral membrane protein catalyzing the phenolic ring deiodination of thyroxine. We recently showed that the substrate binding subunit of this approximately 50-kDa protein is selectively labeled with N-bromoacetyl-L-thyroxine, allowing ready identification of the type I enzyme without the need to maintain catalytic activity. In this study, we used both affinity labeling and catalytic activity to determine the regional distribution of this enzyme in rat kidney and to localize the enzyme to specific plasma membrane domain(s) of renal epithelial cells. The type I enzyme was present exclusively in tubular epithelial cells of the outer renal cortex and co-purified with basolateral plasma membranes; the renal medulla lacked activity. LLC-PK1 cells, derived from the proximal convoluted tubule, have abundant type I 5'-deiodinating activity. We used this homogenous cell line to verify that the type I enzyme was localized to the cytosolic surface of the basolateral membrane. Digitonin permeabilization increased affinity labeling of the enzyme 4-fold, and approximately 75% of the affinity label was incorporated into the 27-kDa substrate binding subunit. Affinity labeling of the type I enzyme in LLC-PK1 cells mimicked the affinity labeling of the substrate binding subunit of type I 5'-deiodinase in rat kidney (K?hrle, J., Rasmussen, U. B., Ekenbarger, D. M., Alex, S., Rokos, H., Hesch, R. D., and Leonard, J. L. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 6155-6163). Subcellular fractionation of LLC-PK1 cell homogenates showed that both affinity labeled and catalytically active type I enzyme were present on the cytosolic surface of the basolateral region of the renal cell membrane.     

Changes in expression and subcellular localization of annexin IV in rabbit kidney proximal tubule cells during primary culture

In the present study, we investigated the polarized expression of annexin IV at various stages in the growth of rabbit kidney proximal tubule cells (PTC) in primary cultures. The results of immunoblotting analysis and indirect immunofluorescence studies using a specific anti-annexin IV monoclonal antibody, indicated that annexin IV is expressed in proximal tubule cultured cells, although it was not detected in the proximal tubules present in frozen sections of kidney cortex and freshly isolated proximal tubule cells. In either non-confluent or confluent cells which remained attached to the collagen-coated support, annexin IV was mainly concentrated around the nucleus, whereas in PTC forming the monolayer of domes, it was restricted to the basolateral membrane domain. This basolateral localization was identical to that observed in other polarized epithelial cell types such as enterocytes. When the domes burst, the cells returned to the collagen-coated support and the annexin IV was again localized around the nuclei. The fact that the change of localization was very rapid suggested the existence of a considerable difference between the differentiation states of dome forming and adherent confluent cells. Moreover, a transient association of annexin IV with the basal body of apically located cilia also seemed to be correlated with a particular polarization state and/or differentiation states of adherent cultured cells, corresponding to the beginning of the polarized expression of aminopeptidase N, a hydrolase located in the apical brush border membrane, and to the falling of cells onto the support, subsequent to the bursting of the domes. In conclusion, these results provide evidence that annexin IV may constitute a new marker of the basolateral membrane domain of polarized epithelial renal cells in primary cultures. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

A comparison of d-inositol 1:2-cyclic phosphate 2-phosphohydrolase with other phosphodiesterases of kidney

1. The ability to hydrolyse various phosphodiesterase substrates was examined in subcellular fractions of rat kidney and in serial slices of the kidneys of mouse, rat, guinea pig and ox cut from the cortex perimeter inwards. 2. d-Inositol 1:2-cyclic phosphate 2-phosphohydrolase could be clearly distinguished from phosphodiesterases which hydrolyse 2':3'- and 3':5'-cyclic AMP and p-nitrophenyl thymidine 5'-phosphate (phosphodiesterase I). The hydrolysis of sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine showed a distribution identical with that of particle-bound d-inositol 1:2-cyclic phosphate 2-phosphodiesterase, but there was a 30-fold difference in the ratio of enzyme activities between the rat and guinea pig. 3. In rat and mouse kidney, d-inositol 1:2-cyclic phosphate 2-phosphohydrolase is virtually all membrane bound and in the outer cortex, whereas in guinea-pig kidney the enzyme is almost entirely soluble and located throughout the kidney tissue. Some properties of the soluble enzyme are described. 4. Distribution and histochemical studies indicated that in the rat and mouse, phosphodiesterase I is associated with the brush borders of the straight portion (pars recta) of the proximal tubule, whereas inositol 1:2-cyclic phosphate 2-phosphohydrolase and probably glycerylphosphorylcholine diesterase are associated with the brush borders of the convoluted part of the tubule (pars convoluta).     

Short Communication: Urinary excretion of glutamine transaminase K as an early index of mercuric chloride-induced nephrotoxicity

The possibili that urinary glutamine transaminase K activity might be a marker of a proximal tubule segment-specific response to mercuric chloride was investigated in male rats after a single i.p. injection in time-course and dose-response experiments. Urinary total proteins and angiotensin converting enzyme activity were determined simultaneously. Urinary indices showed an early increase (within 5 h of treatment) of total proteins and angiotensin converting enzyme, whereas glubmine transaminase K increased 10 h after treatment. The peak of all these indices was observed 24 h after mercuric chloride injection. The lowest dose that induced a significant increase in proteins and enzymes was 0.25 mg kg^-1; in addition, a dose-response effect was observed. Glutamine transaminase K appeared to be an early and sensitive index of response of mercuric chloride effects, similar to total proteins and angiotensin converting enzyme. It is suggested that this enzyme is mainly localized in the 'pars recta' of the proximal tubule. Therefore glutamine transaminase K might be a segment-specific marker for the detection of damage localized in this portion of the proximal tubule.     

Localization of the membrane-associated thiol oxidase of rat kidney to the basal-lateral plasma membrane.

The localization of the membrane-associated thiol oxidase in rat kidney was investigated. Fractionation of the kidney cortex by differential centrifugation demonstrated that the enzyme is found in the plasma membrane. The crude plasma membrane was fractionated by density-gradient centrifugation on Percoll to obtain purified brush-border and basal-lateral membranes. Gamma-Glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase and aminopeptidase M were assayed as brush-border marker enzymes, and (Na+ + K+)-stimulated ATPase was assayed as a basal-lateral-membrane marker enzyme. Thiol oxidase activity and distribution were determined and compared with those of the marker enzymes. Its specific activity was enriched 18-fold in the basal-lateral membrane fraction relative to its activity in the cortical homogenate, and its distribution paralleled that of (Na+ + K+)-stimulated ATPase. This association indicates that thiol oxidase is localized in the same fraction as (Na+ + K+)-stimulated ATPase, i.e. the basal-lateral region of the plasma membrane of the kidney tubular epithelium.     

Evidence for receptor-mediated uptake of adenosine deaminase in rabbit kidney

We investigated the subcellular location of adenosine deaminase-complexing protein in the proximal renal tubules of rabbit kidney and its interaction with intravenously infused monomeric calf adenosine deaminase. Cortical tissue from non-infused animals, stained in suspension by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method for complexing protein and embedded in resin, was examined by transmission electron microscopy. Positive staining indicated the presence of complexing protein on the surface of microvilli in the proximal tubules. Sections (1 micron) of resin-embedded cortex from infused rabbits, stained first for complexing protein and then for adenosine deaminase, were examined by light microscopy. After staining for complexing protein by indirect immunofluorescence, the sections were photographed and then immersed in buffer containing 6 M guanidine hydrochloride plus 2-mercaptoethanol for 3 hr at 60 degrees C to remove bound antibodies. The sections were then stained by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method for infused enzyme. Vesicle-like apical structures, the basal membrane area and, as previously reported, the brush border of proximal tubule cells were positive for complexing protein. Vesicle-like structures and brush borders positive for complexing protein were also stained for adenosine deaminase. The basal membrane area did not stain. These results support the hypothesis that complexing protein can act as a receptor for adenosine deaminase.     

Isolation of membrane-bound renal kallikrein and kininase.

Fractions highly enriched in plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum or brush border were prepared from homogenized rat kidney cortex. Kallikrein was concentrated in the plasma-membrane fraction, but not in the brush border of the proximal tubules. Kininase II or angiotensin I-converting enzyme was localized in the brush-border membrane. It is suggested that kallikrein in the urine may originate from the plasma membrane of the distal tubules and the conversion of angiotensin I and the inactivation of bradykinin may occur on the lumen membrane of the proximal tubular cells.     

Subcellular localization of adenylate cyclase in thymocytes

In almost all cell types, adenylate cyclase is located in the plasma membrane. In lymphocytes, however, this enzyme has been claimed to be largely present in intracellular compartments. In this study, the distribution of adenylate cyclase activity in subcellular fractions of calf thymocytes was reinvestigated by a balance sheet approach. When subcellular fractionation was performed in the absence of ATP and dithiothreitol, less than a half of the homogenate basal activity could be recovered in the fractions, and this amount was distributed almost equally in three main compartments: the plasma membrane fraction, the microsomal and mitochondrial fractions and the nuclear fraction. However, if enzyme activity in the above fractions was measured in the presence of the stimulatory agents NaF, guanylylimidophosphate or guanosine 5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate, or if the subcellular fractionation was performed in media containing ATP and dithiothreitol, the overall recovered activity greatly increased (up to 90%) and the distribution was shifted in favour of the plasma membrane fraction (up to 65% of the recovered activity). The adenylate cyclase properties were similar in all fractions. The ionophore alamethicin did not alter the subcellular distribution of the enzyme. The localization of adenylate cyclase in thymocytes thus appears to be primarily, if not uniquely, in the plasma membrane, as generally found in other cell types.     

Epidermal growth factor binding, stimulation of phosphorylation, and inhibition of gluconeogenesis in rat proximal tubule

Epidermal growth factor and insulin share many biological activities, including stimulation of cell proliferation, ion flux, glycolysis, fatty acid and glycogen synthesis, and activation of receptor-linked tyrosine kinase activity. In the kidney, insulin has been shown to regulate transport processes and inhibit gluconeogenesis in the proximal tubule. Since the kidney represents a major source of EGF, the present studies investigated whether proximal tubule contained EGF receptors, whether EGF receptors were localized to apical or basolateral membranes, and whether EGF receptor activation participated in the regulation of an important proximal tubule function, gluconeogenesis. Specific EGF receptors were demonstrated in the basolateral membrane of proximal tubule. Following incubation with 125I EGF, basolateral membranes demonstrated equilibrium binding at 4 degrees C and 23 degrees C. There was 78 +/- 2% specific binding (n = 13). The dissociation constant (Kd) was 1.5 x 10(-9) M and maximal binding was 44 fmol/mg protein. There was ninefold more specific binding to proximal tubule basolateral membrane than to brush border membrane. In basolateral, but not brush border membranes, EGF induced phosphorylation of the tyrosine residues of intrinsic membrane proteins, including a 170 kDa protein, corresponding to the EGF receptor. In the presence of the gluconeogenic substrates, alanine, lactate, and succinate, proximal tubule suspensions synthesized glucose. EGF inhibited glucose production in a concentration-dependent manner over a concentration range of 3 x 10(-11) to 3 x 10(-9) M. In addition, EGF inhibited angiotensin II-stimulated glucose production in the proximal tubule suspensions. EGF did not significantly increase net glucose metabolism nor decrease cellular ATP concentrations. Therefore, these studies demonstrated that rat proximal tubule contained specific receptors for EGF that were localized to the basolateral membrane and linked to tyrosine kinase activity. EGF significantly inhibited proximal tubule glucose production without significantly increasing net glucose consumption.     

NAD+-15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase distribution in rat kidney.

Rat kidney NAD+-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH) was measured in zones and substructure of the rat kidney nephron. This was accomplished utilizing an assay procedure based upon determining the amount of prostaglandin E1 present before and after the reaction with the 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase contained in the tissue sample. The enzyme activity was assayed in freeze dried, quick frozen rat kidney sections and its distribution within the rat kidney was determined. In kidney zones, it was localized to medullary rays and inner cortex. In kidney substructure, activity was highest in collecting tubule, pars recti tubule, distal convoluted tubule and the ascending limb of Henle (14.2, 11.5, 6.4 and 9.2 mM kg-1hr-1, respectively). Activity in glomeruli, proximal convoluted tubule and small arteries was lower (2.1, 2.8 and 2.1 mM kg-1hr-1, respectively). The assay procedure was verified by established assays (spectrophotometric, fluorometric and radiometric TLC) which are often used in homogenate and purified PGDH preparations.     

Interaction between aldolase and vacuolar H+-ATPase: evidence for direct coupling of glycolysis to the ATP-hydrolyzing proton pump

Vacuolar H(+)-ATPases (V-ATPases) are essential for acidification of intracellular compartments and for proton secretion from the plasma membrane in kidney epithelial cells and osteoclasts. The cellular proteins that regulate V-ATPases remain largely unknown. A screen for proteins that bind the V-ATPase E subunit using the yeast two-hybrid assay identified the cDNA clone coded for aldolase, an enzyme of the glycolytic pathway. The interaction between E subunit and aldolase was confirmed in vitro by precipitation assays using E subunit-glutathione S-transferase chimeric fusion proteins and metabolically labeled aldolase. Aldolase was isolated associated with intact V-ATPase from bovine kidney microsomes and osteoclast-containing mouse marrow cultures in co-immunoprecipitation studies performed using an anti-E subunit monoclonal antibody. The interaction was not affected by incubation with aldolase substrates or products. In immunocytochemical assays, aldolase was found to colocalize with V-ATPase in the renal proximal tubule. In osteoclasts, the aldolase-V-ATPase complex appeared to undergo a subcellular redistribution from perinuclear compartments to the ruffled membranes following activation of resorption. In yeast cells deficient in aldolase, the peripheral V(1) domain of V-ATPase was found to dissociate from the integral membrane V(0) domain, indicating direct coupling of glycolysis to the proton pump. The direct binding interaction between V-ATPase and aldolase may be a new mechanism for the regulation of the V-ATPase and may underlie the proximal tubule acidification defect in hereditary fructose intolerance.     

Immunohistochemical localization of sodium-dependent l-ascorbic acid transporter 1 protein in rat kidney

Recently, two l-ascorbic acid transporters were identified; sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter (SVCT) 1 and SVCT2. The previous study suggested that SVCT protein might be present on the apical membrane in the straight segment (S3) of proximal tubule. In the present study, SVCT1 immunoreactivity (IR) was observed in the brush border of proximal straight tubules in the medullary ray of renal cortex and the outer stripe of outer medulla, while SVCT2 IR was not localized in any region of the kidney. Since the mechanism of VC reabsorption in the kidney has not been fully elucidated up to the present time, it is meaningful to demonstrate the exact cellular distribution of SVCT protein in the kidney.     

The polarity of the proximal tubule cell in rat kidney. Different surface charges for the brush-border microvilli and plasma membranes from the basal infoldings

Two different membrane fractions were obtained from a brush-border fraction of rat kidney cortex by using their different electrical surface charges in preparative free-flow electrophoresis. One membrane fraction contained only morphologically intact microvilli and was characterized by a high specific activity of alkaline phosphatase. The other fraction morphologically resembled classical plasma membranes by possessing junctional complexes and a high Na-K-ATPase activity The contamination of the isolated membrane fractions by other cell organelles was extremely low These two fractions represent the apical (luminal) and the basal (interstitial) area of the renal proximal tubule cell membrane and clearly demonstrate the polarity of this cell.     

Synthesis of superoxide dismutase derivative that specifically accumulates in renal proximal tubule cells.

Protection of tissues from oxygen toxicity is one of the major prerequisites to aerobic life. Since a wide variety of xenobiotics with prooxidant activity is excreted by the kidney, renal tubule cells should be protected from hazardous oxygen species. Because intravenously injected Cu/Zn-type superoxide dismutase (SOD) is rapidly excreted in the urine in its intact form, effective dismutation of superoxide radicals cannot be achieved in vivo by intravenously administered SOD. To scavenge superoxide radicals and inhibit their toxic effects in and around renal tubule cells, a hexamethylene-diamine (AH)-conjugated SOD (AH-SOD) was synthesized. When injected intravenously into the rat, (125)I-labeled AH-SOD disappeared from the circulation with a half-life of 3 min and accumulated in the kidney. After 30 min of administration, more than 80% of the radioactivity derived from AH-SOD was found to localize in the kidney without being excreted in the urine. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that, 60 min after administration, the major part of AH-SOD localized in renal proximal tubule cells. Kinetic analysis using right-side-out-oriented renal brush border vesicles revealed that AH-SOD bound to their membrane surface by some mechanism which was inhibited by AH but not by heparin and albumin. These results indicated that AH-SOD rapidly underwent renal glomerular filtration, bound to apical plasma membranes of proximal tubule cells, and localized in these cells for a fairly long time without being excreted in the urine. Thus, AH-SOD might permit studies on the role of superoxide radicals in and around renal proximal tubule cells.     

Localization of d-myoinositol 1:2-cyclic phosphate 2-phosphohydrolase in rat kidney

1. On subcellular fractionation of rat kidney homogenates by differential and density-gradient centrifugation, the bulk of the inositol 1:2-cyclic phosphate 2-phosphohydrolase activity remains with the alkaline phosphatase activity, suggesting localization in the brush borders of the proximal tubules. 2. Histochemical studies with a medium containing inositol 1:2-cyclic phosphate and Escherichia coli phosphomonoesterase show Gomori staining around the brush borders of the proximal tubules in the outer cortex only. 3. Serial sections across the kidney from cortex perimeter to papilla suggest that the inositol 1:2-cyclic phosphate 2-phosphohydrolase has a limited distribution along the proximal tubule of the nephron, probably being limited to the pars convoluta, whereas the alkaline phosphatase extends along the pars recta.     

Immunocytochemical localization of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase during fetal development of mouse kidney

In the fully developed kidney, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase is localized predominantly to the apical plasma membrane of the proximal tubules. The appearance of this activity during murine fetal nephrogenesis was quantitated using a sensitive fluorometric assay, and development of membrane polarity was assessed by immunocytochemistry. Specific activity of the transpeptidase in 13-day fetal kidney was approximately 1 mU/mg protein. Between 13-21 days of gestation, total transpeptidase activity increased 7500-fold, whereas specific activity increased 50-fold. At 13 days of gestation, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase immunoreactivity is localized to the apical surfaces of developing renal vesicles and the proximal segment of the S-shaped tubules. The organized cell structures have tight tubular junctions but lack a well-defined brush-border membrane. By 15 days of gestation, immunostaining of the apical surface of developing proximal segments is more prominent, and slight reactivity of the basolateral membrane is evident. By 17 days of gestation, the kidney is organized into discrete zones. The large increase in gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity correlates with the appearance of increased immunostaining of the developing brush-border membranes of the proximal tubules contained in the inner cortex. A very similar although somewhat delayed pattern of appearance of transpeptidase activity and immunostaining was observed in metanephric organ culture. Induction of proximal tubular cyst formation had no effect on the increase in transpeptidase activity that occurred during organotypic nephrogenesis.     

Localization of nucleotide pyrophosphatase in the rat kidney

Summary Hydrolysis of NAD by a nucleotide pyrophosphatase of renal membrane fractions has been reported previously. The aim of the present study was to localize this enzyme in the rat kidney. Nucleotide pyrophosphatase was assayed in glomeruli, in three parts of the proximal tubule and in four parts of the distal tubule dissected form freezedried sections. Nucleotide pyrophosphatase activity, expressed in mol·min^–1·mg protein^–1, ranged between 9.8 and 32.3 in the proximal tubular segments and between 1.1 and 2.7 in the distal tubular segments. It was 3.4 in the glomeruli. The enrichement of the activity during the purification of brush border vesicles was measured. A tenfold higher specific activity was found in the brush border vesicles as compared to the renal cortical homogenates. Thus, most of the renal nucleotide pyrophosphatase appears to be localized in the luminal membrane of the proximal tubule. A permeabilization of the membrane did not increase the activity of brush border vesicles. This indicates that all catalytic sites are accessible at the outer surface of the membrane.Supported by the Swiss National Foundation, grant nr. 3.813.084     

Ultrastructural localization of glucose-6-phosphatase activity in proximal convoluted tubule cells of rat kidney

Summary The ultrastructural localization of glucose 6-phosphatase activity was investigated in the proximal convoluted tubule cells of the rat kidney. The reaction product for the enzyme activity was present in the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope, as reported for the hepatic enzyme and others, but was absent from the brush border, plasma membrane and other organelles. The metabolic significance of the association of this enzyme with the endoplasmic reticulum and the role of the enzyme in the active reabsorption and transport of glucose in the renal tubules are discussed.     

The alpha macroglobulins of rat serum.

Cortex of rat kidney was homogenized and fractions enriched in plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum or brush border were prepared by several techniques of differential centrifugation. The identity and homogeneity of the membrane fragments were investigated by assaying marker enzymes and by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Kallikrein was present in both plasma-membrane- and endoplasmic-reticulum-enriched fractions isolated by two fractionation procedures. Kallikrein was highly concentrated in a plasma-membrane fraction but was absent from the brush-border membrane of proximal tubular cells. Cells of transplanted renal tumours of the rat, originating from the proximal tubule, had no kallikrein activity. Kininase activity, angiotensin I-converting enzyme (kininase II) and angiotensinase were found in a plasma-membrane-enriched fraction and especially in the fraction containing isolated brush border. It is suggested that after renal kallikrein is synthesized on endoplasmic reticulum, it is subsequently reoriented to a surface membrane for activation and release. Renal kallikrein may enter the tubular filtrate distal to the proximal tubules. The brush-border membrane of proximal tubule is the major site of inactivation of kinins and angiotensin II..