Cell rubidium uptake: a method for studying functional heterogeneity in the nephron.

Rubidium uptake into individual tubule cells of rat renal cortex as measured by energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis on freeze dried cryosections was used as an index of potassium transport. Over a 30 second period following intravenous infusion of rubidium (0.5 mmol/kg body wt) rubidium content increased in all cells. After 30 seconds, rubidium contents were (in mmol/kg dry wt): 225 +/- 8 in distal convoluted tubule cells, 156 +/- 7 in connecting tubule cells, 110 +/- 7 in principal cells, 86 +/- 4 in proximal tubule cells and 24 +/- 2 in intercalated cells (mean +/- SEM). When distal sodium and potassium transport were stimulated by hypertonic saline loading, rubidium uptake was selectively increased into distal convoluted tubule cells by 38%, into connecting tubule cells by 36%, and into principal cells by 52%. However, rubidium uptake into proximal tubule and into intercalated cells remained unchanged. The preferential uptake of rubidium into distal convoluted tubule cells, connecting tubule cells, and principal cells correlates well with the known transport functions of sodium and potassium, whereas intercalated cells are distinguished by low sodium and potassium transport activity.