A novel vasopressin receptor in rat early proximal tubule

In order to evaluate the receptor subtypes of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in early proximal tubule (S1), outer medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (MTAL) and collecting tubule (OMCT), the effect of AVP on intracellular free calcium ([Ca++]i) was determined using the fluorescence indicator Fura-2. Physiological concentration (greater than or equal to 10(-12) M) of AVP in MTAL and OMCT mobilized [Ca++]i in a dose-dependent manner, but relatively high concentration (greater than or equal to 10(-9) M) of AVP in S1 increased [Ca++]i. Moreover, pretreatment with both V1 and V2 antagonists in MTAL or OMCT completely inhibited the AVP-induced [Ca++]i transient, but in S1 partially blocked it. Using several AVP analogues, a relative distribution of AVP receptor subtypes was tentatively calculated in each nephron segment, indicating that although these nephron segments possess V1, its density was very low (about 10%). The majority (about 90%) of AVP receptor in MTAL and OMCT was V2, while that in S1 was a new subtype (named Vp) which is insensitive to V1 and V2 antagonists. To evaluate physiological significance of Vp receptor, AVP-mediated cellular ATP change was measured. Cellular ATP content in S1 was significantly increased by 10(-7) M AVP, but in MTAL it was significantly decreased by the same concentration of AVP. This study suggests that a novel AVP receptor exists in isolated rat S1, and its physiological significance may be the inhibition of ATP-consuming ion transport system.