Localization of NBC-1 variants in human kidney and renal cell carcinoma

The Na(+)-HCO(3)(-) cotransporter (NBC-1) plays a major role in bicarbonate absorption from proximal tubules. However, which NBC-1 variant mediates proximal bicarbonate absorption has not been definitely determined. Moreover, the localization of this cotransporter in human kidney and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tissues has not been clarified. To clarify these issues, immunohistochemical analysis was performed using the specific antibodies against kidney type (kNBC-1) and pancreatic type (pNBC-1) transporters. In Western blot analysis the expression of kNBC-1 but not of pNBC-1 was detected in both normal human kidney and RCC tissues. In immunofluorescence analysis on normal renal tissues the anti-kNBC-1 antibody strongly and exclusively labeled the basolateral membranes of proximal tubules, which was confirmed by electron microscopic observation. In RCC cells, the anti-kNBC-1 antibody labeled both plasma membranes and intracellular organelles. The labeling by anti-pNBC-1 antibody was not detected in both normal kidney and RCC tissues. These results indicate that kNBC-1 is the dominant variant that mediates bicarbonate absorption from human renal proximal tubules. They also suggest that NBC-1 may have distinct roles in cancer cells.