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Distribution of α1‐adrenoceptor subtype mRNAs in human renal cortex
Author(s) -
Kurooka,
Moriyama,
Nasu,
Kameyama,
Fukasawa,
Yano,
Kawabe
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1046/j.1464-410x.1999.00904.x
Subject(s) - renal cortex , cortex (anatomy) , in situ hybridization , kidney , biology , staining , pathology , nephrectomy , messenger rna , medicine , endocrinology , gene , biochemistry , neuroscience
Objective To determine the quantity and distribution of α1‐adrenoceptor subtype mRNAs in human renal cortex. Materials and methods Specimens of renal cortex tissue were obtained at the time of radical nephrectomy or total nephroureterectomy from 46 patients (mean age 59.0 years, sd 14.7) with renal cell carcinoma, renal pelvic or ureteric tumour. Using the reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), the RNase protection assay and in situ hybridization, the presentation, quantity and distribution of α1‐adrenoceptor subtype mRNAs were determined. Results Expression of the three α1‐adrenoceptor subtype mRNAs (α1a, α1b and α1d) was confirmed in the arteries of the renal cortex (arciform, interlobular, arteriole), but among the three subtypes, the α1b was less apparent by in situ hybridization. Intense α1‐mRNA staining was apparent especially in the smooth muscle of arterial walls. In both proximal and distal renal tubules, each of the α1‐mRNAs was less marked in cytoplasm than in the arteries. In the glomeruli weak staining was detected in the endothelium but there was no obvious staining in the veins. RT‐PCR showed all three subtypes of α1‐adrenoceptor. The RNase protection assay showed that the predominant α1‐adrenoceptor subtype mRNA in human renal cortex was α1a. However, the abundance of α1a‐mRNA in human kidney was much less than in the prostate. Conclusion Three α1‐adrenoceptor subtype mRNAs were recognized in human renal cortex and detected particularly in the smooth muscle of the arteries. There was more α1a‐adrenoceptor subtype in human renal cortex than the other subtypes. It is not known how each subtype operates against adrenergic stimulation; further studies are needed to examine receptor density or receptor function.