Abstract
The localization of Na+, K+-ATPase in human liver was investigated on the light and electron microscopic levels by using anti-sera on the catalytic subunit of Na+, K+-ATPase in human kidney. α-subunit of Na+, K+-ATPase was extracted from the gel of SDS-PAGE as an immune antigen and injected into rabbits in order to produce the antibody. Under light microscopic examination, reaction products were recognized at the bile canalicular, lateral and sinusoidal membranes of hepatocytes and luminal membrane of biliary epithelial cells on the PLP (periodate-lysine-paraformaldehyde) fixed frozen sections. By ultrastructural observation, reaction products were also recognized at the bile canalicular membrane of hepatocytes and luminal membrane of biliary epithelial cells. These results suggest that Na+, K+-ATPase is responsible for bile formation and transport processes on these membranes.
