Progressive enzyme changes within anatomically defined segments of rabbit nephron: demonstration with a new technique.

The kidney is an extremely heterogeneous organ, with morphological, physiological, and metabolic changes occurring from segment to segment along each nephron. To determine the heterogeneity that might exist within discrete anatomical segments of rabbit nephron, we developed a technique for making quantitative enzyme assays in serial samples, about 100 micron long, along identified segments of the nephron. Results for three enzymes in proximal convoluted and straight tubules show that adenylate kinase, an enzyme of high-energy phosphate metabolism, gradually decreases along the S1 and S2 segments of the proximal tubule, with no abrupt changes. Fructose bisphosphatase, a gluconeogenic enzyme, is high along the major portion of the proximal tubule but plummets along the final millimeter of S3. Conversely, phosphofructokinase, a glycolytic enzyme, is very low along the proximal tubule but increases sharply within the final millimeter. These data underscore the biochemical heterogeneity of the nephron, illustrating the enzyme levels may change markedly even within anatomically defined regions. They also suggest the importance of further studies of this type and demonstrate a practical means for such studies.