Physical properties of the rat renal brush border membrane during growth.

The biophysical properties of rat renal brush border membranes were examined during neonatal development and following unilateral nephrectomy by sensitive fluorescence techniques. Differences in the fluorescence anisotropy of 1,6 diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) following unilateral nephrectomy were not apparent; by contrast, the luminal membrane becomes more rigid as animals age. Although growth of the kidneys is common to both states examined, fundamental differences are apparent at the level of the luminal membrane.