Opossum kidney contains a functional receptor for the Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin

The Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (ST1 or STa) binds to specific receptors on mammalian intestinal brush border membranes, and stimulates guanylate cyclase in those membranes. We have found a similar signal transduction system in brush border membranes prepared from kidney cortex of the American opossum (Didelphis virginiana, and in a cell line (OK cell) derived from that tissue. Activation of guanylate cyclase by ST1 is therefore not limited to intestinal cells. Furthermore, since it is unlikely that ST1 which is produced in the intestinal lumen, would have access to kidney receptors, this suggests the existence of an endogenous peptide resembling ST1, at least in marsupials.