We have determined the influence of glucose (Glc)-free medium on the growth and differentiation of rabbit kidney proximal tubule cells (PTC) in primary cultures. The specific growth rates and the protein-to-volume ratios are shown to be independent of the culture conditions. In contrast, the functional expression of four brush-border membrane enzyme markers was found to decline steadily and in the same way from day 3 in culture up to late confluence in Glc-containing medium, and different evolution patterns and high expression levels were observed up to confluence in a Glc-free glutamine (Gln)-supplemented medium. Electron microscopy clearly showed, however, that the functional and morphological differentiation of the brush-border membrane is not correlated. Finally, by use of an indirect immunofluorescent technique in combination with flow cytometry, it is demonstrated that confluent cells grown in Glc and Gln media form homogeneous cell populations of PTC. It is thus concluded that the functional differentiation of rabbit kidney PTC in primary cultures is strongly dependent upon the energy source present in the culture medium.