Predominant expression of beta 1-adrenergic receptor in the thick ascending limb of rat kidney. Absolute mRNA quantitation by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction.

Beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta-ARs) expression in the thick ascending limb of rat kidney was studied at the level of mRNA and receptor coupling to adenylyl cyclase. Absolute quantitation of beta 1- and beta 2-AR mRNAs in microdissected nephron segments was performed with an assay based on reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction, using in vitro transcribed mutant RNAs as internal standards. In the cortical thick ascending limb (CTAL), the number of mRNA molecules/mm of tubular length was 2,806 +/- 328 (n = 12) for beta 1-AR and 159 +/- 26 for beta 2-AR (P < 0.01). Lower levels were obtained in the medullary thick ascending, beta 1-AR mRNA still being predominant. The pharmacological properties of beta-ARS was also studied in the CTAL. Cyclic AMP accumulation was stimulated by beta-agonist with a rank order of potency of isoproterenol > norepinephrine > epinephrine. This observation, and the higher efficiency of a beta 1 than of a beta 2 antagonist to inhibit isoproterenol-induced cAMP accumulation, establish the typical beta 1-AR sensitivity of the CTAL. No detectable contribution of atypical or beta 3-ARs to adenylyl cyclase stimulation could be found. In conclusion, this study, which shows markedly different levels of beta 1- and beta 2-AR mRNAS in the CTAL, provides a molecular basis for the predominant expression of the beta 1 receptor subtype in this nephron segment.