Localization of ecto-ATPase in rat kidney and isolated renal cortical membrane vesicles

Brush-border (BBMV) and basolateral membrane vesicles (BLMV) from rat renal cortex exhibit an ecto-ATPase activity that is distinct from other ATPases. We have examined the cellular and regional distribution of this enzyme in rat kidney using antibodies against rat liver ecto-ATPase. In isolated vesicles, the distribution shown by biochemical assays of ATPase activity was confirmed by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. Indirect immunofluorescence and immunogold labeling showed that brush borders of the S1 and S3 segments of the proximal tubule (PT) were stained, but the S2 segment was negative. Staining was most intense in the S3 segment. The luminal membrane of the initial part of the thin descending limb of Henle also showed a marked staining. Surprisingly, basolateral plasma membranes of PT had no detectable staining. However, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells was heavily stained, both in larger vessels and in peritubular capillaries. Using an antibody against rat thrombomodulin, a marker for endothelial cell plasma membranes, we showed that preparations of BBMV, BLMV, and endocytic vesicles are all contaminated with these membranes. This may explain, at least partially, the biochemically measured ecto-ATPase activity in renal cortical membrane vesicles. Finally, no specific staining in the kidney was found using polyclonal antipeptide antibodies against the "long form" of liver ecto-ATPase, either by immunocytochemistry or by Western blotting. This indicates either that there is no long isoform of the ecto-ATPase in the kidney or that the intracellular domains of the long form are different in the two tissues.