Magosci, M.

We have studied localization of mRNAs coding isozymes of rat plasma membrane Ca(2+)-adenosinetriphosphatase pump (rPMCA) in the rat kidney, with use of reverse transcription (RT) with subsequent amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). When zones of the kidney were separated by macrodissection, a large amount of mRNA coding isozyme rPMCA1 was found in all zones; mRNA for isozyme rPMCA2 was abundant in cortex and in outer medulla, and mRNA for isozyme rPMCA3 was prominent in outer medulla. The mRNAs were analyzed in microdissected cortical nephron segments by use of RT-PCR approach described previously [T. Moriyama, H. R. Murphy, B. M. Martin, and A. Garcia-Perez. Am. J. Physiol. 258 (Renal Fluid Electrolyte Physiol. 27): F1470-F1474, 1990]. We detected mRNA for isozyme rPMCA2 in microdissected distal convoluted tubules (DCT) and in cortical thick ascending limbs (CTAL) and, less consistently, also in proximal convoluted tubule and in glomeruli. The mRNA for isozyme rPMCA1 was abundant in glomeruli but was absent in all examined cortical tubular segments. Our results document that mRNAs for all three major isozymes of rPMCA are present and show a unique distribution in the three major zones of rat renal parenchyma. Specific mRNA coding for rPMCA2 was detected in cortical tubules, namely in CTAL and DCT, whereas mRNA coding isozyme rPMCA1 was found in glomeruli. We suggest that isozyme rPMCA2 might be specifically related to epithelial cells and their function, whereas rPMCA1 is probably a component of nonepithelial cells including these in glomeruli.