The distal nephron of rat kidney: a target site for glucagon.

Glucagon-sensitive adenylate cyclase [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1] activity was measured in nine different portions of the rat nephron. Each sample contained a single piece of tubule isolated by microdissection from collagenase-treated kidney tissue. As compared to basal activity, 1 microM porcine glucagon stimulated adenylate cyclase 60-fold in the medullary portion and 40-fold in the cortical portion of the thick ascending limb, 23-fold in the early distal convoluted tubule, 11-rold in the cortical collecting tubule, and 8-fold in the medullary collecting tubule. No stimulation was observed in proximaly tubules and thin segments of the loop of Henle. Half-maximal stimulations were obtained with about 10 nM glucagon in the responsive nephron portions.