Distribution of platelet activating factor receptor mRNA along the rat nephron segments

Platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor mRNA was semi-quantitated in microdissected rat nephron segments by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR), PCR primers were designed from two alternative splicing isoforms of rat PAF receptor cDNA; a homologue of human leukocyte PAF receptor cDNA (p172) and the other with a unique sequence in the 5'-noncoding region upstream of the splice acceptor site (p18). Only the expression of mRNA corresponding to p172 was detectable, which was most abundant in the glomerulus, followed in order by: proximal convoluted tubule > proximal straight tubule > outer medullary and cortical collecting duct, distal convoluted tubuIe > thick ascending limb of Henle's loop. These results suggest the potential physiological roles of PaF in the entire renal tubule as well as in the glomerulus. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.