Immunocytochemical localization of gamma-glutamyl-transferase on isolated renal cortical tubular fragments.

The localization of gamma-Glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT, E.C.2.3.2.2) was studied on isolated tubular fragments from rat kidney cortex immunocytochemically. Monospecific antibodies raised in the goat against rat kidney gamma-GT were used. Antigoat immunoglobulin from the rabbit conjugated with ferritin was used for visualisation of the antibody binding sites. The enzyme was found to be localized at the brush border membrane of proximal tubules, the luminal membrane of distal tubules and collecting duct segments. The enzyme could further be localized on the antiluminal or basolateral cell membranes of proximal and distal tubular fragments, whereas no such localization was verified for collecting duct segments. The role of this basolateral gamma-GT localization in context with the kidney's ability to extract over 83% of the renal arterial glutathione (GSH) input during a single passage is discussed.