Abstract
Localization of glucose transporters (GT's) was studied in rat kidney histochemically with the use of antibody raised against one of the facilitated diffusion GT's (GLUT1) and Na+-dependent active GT. We used anti-peptide antibodies and the antibody to the whole molecule. We found that Na+-dependent GT was localized exclusively on the brush border membrane of the proximal tubule cells, which is in good agreement with the results obtained by physiological studies. Facilitated diffusion GT was localized in the basolateral cell membrane of the S3 segment of the proximal tubule cells, the cells of the thick limb of Henle's loop, and the collecting duct cell. The present data may indicate the presence of the multiple facilitated diffusion GT's in rat kidney. The physiological roles of GT's in kidney cells are discussed.
