[Prostaglandin catabolism in the mammalian kidney--histochemical and electrophoretic studies].

Using the prostaglandins PGE2, PGF2 alpha and PGB1 as substrates for demonstration of NAD-15-PGDH activity and of 13,14,15-Keto-PGF2 alpha for demonstration of NAD-9-PGDH activity these enzymes were localized in native sections of rat kidney by membrane incubating technique. Both enzymes are active in the same tubular structures of kidney cortex. Simultaneously homogenate supernatant of kidney cortex was separated by micro-electrophoretic technique. NAD-15-PGDH exist in rat kidney in multiple forms, which are varied in number (1 to 3) during postnatal development. One or 2 fractions of NAD-9-PGDH are detected in rat kidney cortex. In the kidney cortex of rabbit and guinea pig also multiple forms of NAD-15-PGDH exist, but not in the kidney cortex of pig. No multiple forms of NAD-9-PGDH are detectable in the kidney of pig, guinea pig, and rabbit. The histochemical and electrophoretical results suggest an important relationship between prostaglandin catabolizing activity and nephrogenesis in the early development of rat kidney. The functional significance of the detected multiple forms of NAD-15-PGDH and the variation in the number of fractions during ontogenesis in rat kidney are yet not clear.