Distribution of Carbonic Anhydrase in the Frog Nephron

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Abstract
The distribution of carbonic anhydrase in the kidney of the frog (Rana temporaria) was studied by the histochemical method of Hansson, using light and electron microscope. In all cells showing enzyme activity, the staining deposits seemed to be diffusely distributed without any consistent local accumulation. The proximal tubule contained no or little enzyme. Some part of the distal tubule showed high enzyme activity, whereas the remainder was inactive. In the initial collecting tubule a mosaic pattern of stained and unstained cells was found, the stained cells being identical with the so called canaliculi cells. The collecting duct contained some stained cells, too. The renal corpuscle, the neck and the intermediate segment were inactive. Apparently the enzyme is less widely distributed along the kidney tubules of the frog compared to the tubules of man and rat, where enzyme activity is found in the convoluted part of the proximal tubule, the whole distal tubule and in many cells in the collecting duct. These differences in enzyme distribution as well as certain physiological data might indicate differences in the localization of the urinary acidification between the frog and these mammals.

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