A high-affinity folate binding protein in proximal tubule cells of human kidney

High-affinity 3H-folate binding in solubilized brush border membranes of human kidney cortex display characteristics such as apparent positive cooperativity typical of specific folate binding. The folate binding activity and the activity of the brush border membrane-marker enzyme, gamma-glutamyltransferase, were eightfold higher in brush border membranes compared to crude kidney homogenate. Ultrogel AcA 44 chromatography revealed a major (Mr approximately 100 kDa) and a minor (Mr approximately 25 kDa) folate binding protein in brush border membranes. The large molecular size form may represent a membrane-derived hydrophobic folate binding protein inserted in Triton X-100 micelles. This notion was supported by the identical molecular weights of the 100 kDa and 25 kDa folate binding peaks determined by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. The folate binding protein in renal brush border membranes cross reacted with rabbit antibodies against 25 kDa human milk folate binding protein, and showed immunoprecipitation in the presence of these antibodies. Paraffin embedded sections of kidney cortex showed immunostaining of cells in the convoluted proximal tubules after exposure to rabbit antiserum (1:8000 dilution). Glomeruli and distal tubules showed no immunostaining.