Biomaterial Database

Lysosome distribution and cathepsin B and L activity along the rabbit proximal tubule. 1987

K M Madsen, and C H Park

Division of Nephrology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville 32610-0224.

The lysosomal-vacuolar system in the proximal tubule is responsible for reabsorption and degradation of proteins from the glomerular filtrate. In this study we mapped the activity of the lysosomal proteinases, cathepsins B and L, along the rabbit proximal tubule and compared cathepsin activities with the volume of lysosomes and endocytic vacuoles in the three segments of the proximal tubule. Individual tubules were dissected and assayed fluorometrically using two synthetic substrates, one specific for cathepsin B and a second for cathepsins B and L. The distribution of cathepsin activity along the proximal tubule was the same with each substrate, but there was a two- to threefold difference in the level of activity when expressed per millimeter of tubule. Enzyme activities were high in the initial 4-5 mm corresponding to the S1 segment and decreased in the pars recta to approximately 20% of the S1 value. Morphometric analysis revealed that the volumes of lysosomes and endocytic vacuoles per millimeter of tubule were significantly greater in the S1 segment than in the S2 and S3 segments. These findings suggest that the main site of protein degradation in the rabbit kidney under normal conditions is the initial 4-5 mm of the proximal tubule which corresponds to the S1 segment and is known to be a major site of protein reabsorption.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007687	Kidney Tubules, Proximal	The renal tubule portion that extends from the BOWMAN CAPSULE in the KIDNEY CORTEX into the KIDNEY MEDULLA. The proximal tubule consists of a convoluted proximal segment in the cortex, and a distal straight segment descending into the medulla where it forms the U-shaped LOOP OF HENLE.	Proximal Kidney Tubule,Proximal Renal Tubule,Kidney Tubule, Proximal,Proximal Kidney Tubules,Proximal Renal Tubules,Renal Tubule, Proximal,Renal Tubules, Proximal,Tubule, Proximal Kidney,Tubule, Proximal Renal,Tubules, Proximal Kidney,Tubules, Proximal Renal
D007700	Kinetics	The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D008247	Lysosomes	A class of morphologically heterogeneous cytoplasmic particles in animal and plant tissues characterized by their content of hydrolytic enzymes and the structure-linked latency of these enzymes. The intracellular functions of lysosomes depend on their lytic potential. The single unit membrane of the lysosome acts as a barrier between the enzymes enclosed in the lysosome and the external substrate. The activity of the enzymes contained in lysosomes is limited or nil unless the vesicle in which they are enclosed is ruptured or undergoes MEMBRANE FUSION. (From Rieger et al., Glossary of Genetics: Classical and Molecular, 5th ed).	Autolysosome,Autolysosomes,Lysosome
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D010450	Endopeptidases	A subclass of PEPTIDE HYDROLASES that catalyze the internal cleavage of PEPTIDES or PROTEINS.	Endopeptidase,Peptide Peptidohydrolases
D011817	Rabbits	A burrowing plant-eating mammal with hind limbs that are longer than its fore limbs. It belongs to the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, and in contrast to hares, possesses 22 instead of 24 pairs of chromosomes.	Belgian Hare,New Zealand Rabbit,New Zealand Rabbits,New Zealand White Rabbit,Rabbit,Rabbit, Domestic,Chinchilla Rabbits,NZW Rabbits,New Zealand White Rabbits,Oryctolagus cuniculus,Chinchilla Rabbit,Domestic Rabbit,Domestic Rabbits,Hare, Belgian,NZW Rabbit,Rabbit, Chinchilla,Rabbit, NZW,Rabbit, New Zealand,Rabbits, Chinchilla,Rabbits, Domestic,Rabbits, NZW,Rabbits, New Zealand,Zealand Rabbit, New,Zealand Rabbits, New,cuniculus, Oryctolagus
D002401	Cathepsin B	A lysosomal cysteine proteinase with a specificity similar to that of PAPAIN. The enzyme is present in a variety of tissues and is important in many physiological and pathological processes. In pathology, cathepsin B has been found to be involved in DEMYELINATION; EMPHYSEMA; RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, and NEOPLASM INVASIVENESS.	Cathepsin B-Like Proteinase,Cathepsin B1,Cathepsin B Like Proteinase,Proteinase, Cathepsin B-Like
D002403	Cathepsins	A group of lysosomal proteinases or endopeptidases found in aqueous extracts of a variety of animal tissues. They function optimally within an acidic pH range. The cathepsins occur as a variety of enzyme subtypes including SERINE PROTEASES; ASPARTIC PROTEINASES; and CYSTEINE PROTEASES.	Cathepsin
D003546	Cysteine Endopeptidases	ENDOPEPTIDASES which have a cysteine involved in the catalytic process. This group of enzymes is inactivated by CYSTEINE PROTEINASE INHIBITORS such as CYSTATINS and SULFHYDRYL REAGENTS.
D005260	Female		Females