Expression of epidermal growth factor in the rat kidney. An immunocytochemical and in situ hybridization study

• Published in: Histochemistry (Berlin) Vol. 96; no. 1; p. 65
• Main Authors: Salido, E C, Lakshmanan, J, Fisher, D A, Shapiro, L J, Barajas, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.05.1991
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Membrane - chemistry; Cell Membrane - ultrastructure; Epidermal Growth Factor - analysis; Epidermal Growth Factor - biosynthesis; Gene Expression - physiology; Golgi Apparatus - chemistry; Golgi Apparatus - ultrastructure; Immunohistochemistry; Kidney Tubules, Distal - metabolism; Kidney Tubules, Distal - ultrastructure; Loop of Henle - metabolism; Loop of Henle - ultrastructure; Male; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; RNA Probes - metabolism
• ISSN: 0301-5564
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00266763

The renal localization and the site of synthesis of epidermal growth factor (EGF) were investigated in the rat kidney by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization techniques. EGF was localized in the cells of the thick ascending limb of Henle (TAL) and distal convoluted tubule (DCT). At the ultrastructural level, EGF immunoreactivity was distributed on the apical membrane and trans-Golgi complex of the TAL and DCT cells. These segments of the rat nephron also hybridized to prepro-EGF cRNA probes in a specific manner, indicating that TAL and DCT are the sites of EGF synthesis in the rat kidney.