Alterations of the renal function in the isolated perfused rat kidney system after application of two bacterial RNases, Bacillus intermedius RNase (binase) and ribonuclease produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (barnase), were investigated with two different treatment regimens in comparison with catalytically inactive derivates of the enzymes, photooxidated at the active site His101 binase and inactive mutant His102Gln barnase. For the in vitro approach the test enzymes were dissolved in the perfusion media and applied to the kidney after removal from the animal. Alternatively, the test ribonucleases were administered to rats in vivo and the renal effects were assessed in the isolated perfused rat kidney 1 and 6 h after treatment. In the in vitro regimen both active enzymes induced time- and concentration-dependent nephrotoxicity reflected in enhancement of urinary protein excretion, decline of glucose reabsorption, increase of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and alkaline phosphatase activities in urine. In vivo administration of active binase induced functional impairment of the isolated perfused organ in a similar way. None of the inactive RNases in both regimens and at all concentrations tested altered any renal parameter. The results suggest that RNA degradation may be involved in the nephrotoxic effects of bacillar RNases.