Enhancement of sulphatide metabolism in the hypertrophied kidney of C3H/He mouse with reference to [Na+, K+]-dependent ATPase.

Sulphatide (cerebroside sulphate) metabolism of C3H/He mouse kidney was investigated in the course of compensatory renal hypertrophy in association with the change of [Na+,K+]-dependent ATPase, arylsulfatase A and beta-galactosidase activity. A remarkable increase in 35S incorporation into kidney sulphatide was observed 24 hours and especially 7 days after unilateral nephrectomy. In contrast, no significant alteration of 32P incorporation into major phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingomyelin was demonstrated in the compensatory hypertrophied mouse kidney. [Na+, K+]-dependent ATPase increased to 126% of control in the remaining kidneys on 7 days after operation. Specific increase in 35S specific activity of kidney sulphatide suggests its possible link with the process of active ion transport through membrane-bound [Na+,K+]-dependent ATPase. Arylsulphatase A activity increased to 151% of control on days, while little change was observed in beta-galactosidase activity. These results suggest a sole concern of a turnover of sulphate moiety of sulphatide molecule in the elevated metabolism.