Changes in tubular basolateral membrane markers after chronic DOCA treatment

Chronic administration of DOCA to rabbits is known to increase the surface area of the basolateral membrane and the Na-K-ATPase activity of the cortical collecting tubule (CCT). We attempted to ascertain 1) whether Na-K-ATPase is the only basolateral membrane marker induced by DOCA, and 2) whether CCT is the only nephron segment affected by this steroid. We measured the activity of Na-K-ATPase and adenylate cyclase (AC) and the protein content of nephron segments microdissected from control and DOCA-treated rabbits. Morphogenic effects of DOCA, assessed by 30-60% increases in protein content, were specifically observed in the distal convoluted tubule, CCT, and medullary collecting tubule. When expressed as a function of tubular length, Na-K-ATPase activity rose from 80 to 200% in all these segments, whereas the increments in AC of 40-70%, observed in response to four different hormones, occurred only in some of them. When expressed as a function of protein content, Na-K-ATPase activity increased but AC activity remained unchanged. This study indicates that the morphogenic action resulting from chronic DOCA administration affects the entire rabbit distal nephron. During this action Na-K-ATPase is the preferentially induced enzyme.