Evidence of corticosteroid action along the nephron

The kidney contains three classes of corticosteroid-binding proteins receptors. They include a mineralocorticoid-specific (Type I), a glucocorticoid-specific (Type II), and a corticosterone-specific (Type III) site. The Type I and Type III sites roughly parallel each other along the nephron, with maximal binding occurring in the late distal convoluted or connecting segment and the cortical and medullary collecting ducts. Type II sites occur throughout the nephron, with maximal concentrations appearing in the proximal tubule and the late distal convoluted-cortical collecting duct region. The function of the Type I sites in the connecting segment is unclear since chronic mineralocorticoid therapy does not influence the potential difference in this segment as it does in the cortical collecting tubule. Furthermore, the specific role of Type II versus Type III sites in the distal nephron is unknown. Finally, the possible influence of sodium on both latent and steroid-induced renal cortical and medullary Na-K-ATPase is discussed.