Immunolocalization of an inwardly rectifying K + channel, K AB-2 (Kir4.1), in the basolateral membrane of renal distal tubular epithelia

• Published in: FEBS letters Vol. 388; no. 1; pp. 11 - 15
• Main Authors: Ito, Minoru, Inanobe, Atsushi, Horio, Yoshiyuki, Hibino, Hiroshi, Isomoto, Shojiro, Ito, Hiroyuki, Mori, Keiji, Tonosaki, Akira, Tomoike, Hitonobu, Kurachi, Yoshihisa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 10.06.1996
• Subjects: Basolateral membrane; Immunogold electron microscopy; Immunohistochemistry; Kidney tubule, distal; Potassium channel; Immunohistochemistry; Immunogold electron microscopy; Basolateral membrane; Kidney tubule, distal; Potassium channel
• ISSN: 0014-5793; 1873-3468
• DOI: 10.1016/0014-5793(96)00502-9

Immunolocalization of K AB−2 (Kir4.1), an inwardly ectifying K + channel with a putative ATP-binding domain, was examined in rat kidney where expression of K AB−2 mRNA was previously shown. Anti-K AB−2 antibody was raised in rabbit and then affinity-purified. An immunohistochemical study revealed that K AB-2 immunoreactivity was detected specifically in the basolateral membrane of distal tubular epithelia. Therefore, K AB-2 is the first K + channel shown to be localized in the basolateral membrane of renal epithelia. The finding suggests that K AB-2 may contribute to supplying K + to the Na +-K + pump, which is abundant in the basolateral membrane of distal tubular epithelia, as well as to maintenance of the deep negative membrane potential of these cells.