Biomaterial Database

Gene expression of prostanoid forming enzymes along the rat nephron. 2002

Helga Vitzthum, and Ilona Abt, and Stefan Einhellig, and Armin Kurtz

Institut für Physiologie, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. helga.seebauer@vkl.uni-regensburg.de

BACKGROUND To obtain information about the general capability of nephron segments to elaborate prostanoids, we determined the gene expression of key enzymes for prostanoid formation. METHODS For this goal mRNAs were assayed for cyclooxygenases-1 and -2 as well as for the synthases of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) in microdissected rat nephron segments by RT-PCR. RESULTS Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) mRNA was strongly expressed in all segments of the collecting ducts and to a lesser extent in glomeruli. COX-2 mRNA was found in the cortical thick ascending limb of Henle, and weaker expression also was detected in glomeruli. The lipocalin-type PGD synthase mRNA displayed a broad expression pattern in the cortex and outer medulla, including proximal convoluted tubule, thick ascending limb of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and cortical and outer medullary collecting duct. The hematopoietic PGD synthase mRNA was restricted to the outer medullary collecting duct, and the membrane-associated PGE-synthase mRNA was exclusively expressed in the whole collecting duct system. Prostacylin-synthase mRNA was found in the whole kidney, but not in any microdissected nephron segment analyzed in this study. TXA-synthase mRNA was expressed in glomeruli. CONCLUSIONS Given that the existence of cyclooxygenase in combination with the different PG-synthases is a prerequisite for the formation of prostanoids, our data suggest that PGD2 is mainly formed in the thick ascending limb and in the collecting duct, while PGE2 appears to be mainly generated by the collecting ducts. Probably no formation of PGI2 occurs within the nephron. Whether TXA2 can be formed by nephron segments remains questionable.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007527	Isoenzymes	Structurally related forms of an enzyme. Each isoenzyme has the same mechanism and classification, but differs in its chemical, physical, or immunological characteristics.	Alloenzyme,Allozyme,Isoenzyme,Isozyme,Isozymes,Alloenzymes,Allozymes
D008297	Male		Males
D008565	Membrane Proteins	Proteins which are found in membranes including cellular and intracellular membranes. They consist of two types, peripheral and integral proteins. They include most membrane-associated enzymes, antigenic proteins, transport proteins, and drug, hormone, and lectin receptors.	Cell Membrane Protein,Cell Membrane Proteins,Cell Surface Protein,Cell Surface Proteins,Integral Membrane Proteins,Membrane-Associated Protein,Surface Protein,Surface Proteins,Integral Membrane Protein,Membrane Protein,Membrane-Associated Proteins,Membrane Associated Protein,Membrane Associated Proteins,Membrane Protein, Cell,Membrane Protein, Integral,Membrane Proteins, Integral,Protein, Cell Membrane,Protein, Cell Surface,Protein, Integral Membrane,Protein, Membrane,Protein, Membrane-Associated,Protein, Surface,Proteins, Cell Membrane,Proteins, Cell Surface,Proteins, Integral Membrane,Proteins, Membrane,Proteins, Membrane-Associated,Proteins, Surface,Surface Protein, Cell
D009399	Nephrons	The functional units of the kidney, consisting of the glomerulus and the attached tubule.	Nephron
D011451	Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases	Enzyme complexes that catalyze the formation of PROSTAGLANDINS from the appropriate unsaturated FATTY ACIDS, molecular OXYGEN, and a reduced acceptor.	Fatty Acid Cyclo-Oxygenase,PGH Synthase,Prostaglandin H Synthase,Prostaglandin Synthase,Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthase,Arachidonic Acid Cyclooxygenase,Cyclo-Oxygenase,Cyclooxygenase,Cyclooxygenases,Hydroperoxide Cyclase,PGH2 Synthetase,Prostaglandin Cyclo-Oxygenase,Prostaglandin Cyclooxygenase,Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Synthetase,Prostaglandin G-H Synthase,Prostaglandin H2 Synthetase,Prostaglandin Synthetase,Cyclase, Hydroperoxide,Cyclo Oxygenase,Cyclo-Oxygenase, Fatty Acid,Cyclo-Oxygenase, Prostaglandin,Cyclooxygenase, Arachidonic Acid,Cyclooxygenase, Prostaglandin,Endoperoxide Synthetase, Prostaglandin,Fatty Acid Cyclo Oxygenase,G-H Synthase, Prostaglandin,Prostaglandin Cyclo Oxygenase,Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Synthases,Prostaglandin G H Synthase,Synthase, PGH,Synthase, Prostaglandin,Synthase, Prostaglandin G-H,Synthase, Prostaglandin H,Synthase, Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide,Synthases, Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide,Synthetase, PGH2,Synthetase, Prostaglandin,Synthetase, Prostaglandin Endoperoxide,Synthetase, Prostaglandin H2
D011453	Prostaglandins	A group of compounds derived from unsaturated 20-carbon fatty acids, primarily arachidonic acid, via the cyclooxygenase pathway. They are extremely potent mediators of a diverse group of physiological processes.	Prostaglandin,Prostanoid,Prostanoids
D011464	Epoprostenol	A prostaglandin that is a powerful vasodilator and inhibits platelet aggregation. It is biosynthesized enzymatically from PROSTAGLANDIN ENDOPEROXIDES in human vascular tissue. The sodium salt has been also used to treat primary pulmonary hypertension (HYPERTENSION, PULMONARY).	Prostacyclin,Prostaglandin I2,Epoprostanol,Epoprostenol Sodium,Epoprostenol Sodium Salt, (5Z,9alpha,11alpha,13E,15S)-Isomer,Flolan,Prostaglandin I(2),Veletri
D002462	Cell Membrane	The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.	Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D005978	Glutathione	A tripeptide with many roles in cells. It conjugates to drugs to make them more soluble for excretion, is a cofactor for some enzymes, is involved in protein disulfide bond rearrangement and reduces peroxides.	Reduced Glutathione,gamma-L-Glu-L-Cys-Gly,gamma-L-Glutamyl-L-Cysteinylglycine,Glutathione, Reduced,gamma L Glu L Cys Gly,gamma L Glutamyl L Cysteinylglycine
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia