Determination of prostaglandin E2 synthesis along rabbit nephron by enzyme immunoassay

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) content and synthesis have been measured in microdissected segments from the entire nephron of rabbit kidney. PGE2 was determined by an enzyme immunoassay on glomeruli or tubular segments (0.5-5 mm) either immediately after microdissection (PGE2 content) or after incubation for 15 min at 37 degrees C in the presence of arachidonic acid (PGE2 synthesis). We confirmed that collagenase used for microdissection did not modify PGE2 synthesis. A linear correlation was found between the length of tubule used in the assay and PGE2 synthesis, as well as between incubation time with arachidonic acid and PGE2 synthesis. PGE2 synthesis, expressed in picograms per millimeter tubular length per 15 min, was maximum in medullary collecting duct (517 +/- 73). High values were also found in the granular portion of distal tubule (134 +/- 22) and granular or light portion of cortical collecting tubule (199 +/- 24 and 146 +/- 10, respectively). Synthesis was lower in all other segments: 17 +/- 6 and 24 +/- 12, respectively, in convoluted and straight proximal tubule, 67 +/- 12 and 71 +/- 5, respectively, in thin descending and ascending limb, 51 +/- 9 and 23 +/- 4, respectively, in medullary and cortical thick ascending limb of Henle's loop, and 25 +/- 7 in initial distal tubule. Synthesis per glomerulus was 24 +/- 3. When the protein content of each nephron segment is taken into account, this profile was not modified, except for the thin limbs of the loop, which reached values per nanogram protein slightly higher than those of the cortical collecting tubule.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)