Peptide and protein handling by proteases in the kidney of laboratory rodents.

Nephrons, collecting ducts and blood vessels contain a variety of proteases. They are localized in surface membranes or/and lysosomes either at the same or at different sites and show that not only the different segments of the nephron with its different cells but also their subcellular structures take part in the degradation, activation and modification of peptide and propeptide hormones with different mechanisms. Furthermore, the single cell types and segments of the nephron are specialized as far as the degradation of peptide hormones and the protein degradation in general (Christensen and Maunsbach 1980, Maunsbach et al. 1980, Lit.) are concerned.