THE LOCALIZATION OF [3H]ALDOSTERONE AND [3H]CORTISOL WITHIN RENAL TUBULAR CELLS BY ELECTRON MICROSCOPE AUTORADIOGRAPHY

Abstract

SUMMARY: Microgram quantities of tritiated aldosterone or cortisol were injected into the aorta of rats. The kidneys were removed at various times after injection, and examined by light and electron microscope autoradiography. The mineralocorticoids or their metabolites were bound to kidney cells in amounts sufficient to give autoradiographs. Radioactivity occurred mainly in the proximal and distal convoluted tubules. Within these cells it was bound mainly to mitochondria and plasma membranes. The results are discussed in relation to the current theories of mineralocorticoid action.