MEMBRANE-BOUND CARBONIC-ANHYDRASE CA-IV IN THE HUMAN KIDNEY

The distribution of membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase, CA IV, was studied in human kidneys by an indirect immunoperoxidase method using a rabbit polyclonal antibody directed against human kidney CA IV. Clear staining of CA IV was found in the apical cell borders of some cells in the cortical and medullary segments of the collecting ducts, presumably the A type of intercalated cells. Weak staining for CA IV was located in the interior of a number of collecting duct cells and in the basolateral regions of the proximal convoluted tubules. However, no staining was found in the brush border of the same tubules. This is a surprising finding, since evidence for carbonic anhydrase activity has been found biochemically and histochemically both in isolated brush-border and baso-lateral membranes. Further work is needed to clarify this matter. The endothelium of the peritubular capillaries also stained for CA IV.