Distribution of Peroxisomes (microbodies) in the Nephron of the Rat

The distribution of peroxisomes (microbodies) in the rat nephron was studied cytochemically, using glutaraldehyde- or formaldehyde-fixed tissue, by means of alpha-hydroxy acid oxidase activity in light microscopy or oxidation of 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) at pH 9 in both light and electron microscopy.The two cytochemical methods show peroxisomes to be nearly sperical particles found only in cells of the proximal convoluted tubule. Lysosomes were identified in the same or parallel sections, with beta-glycerophosphate or 5'-cytidylic acid as substrate. They are found in all cells of the nephron. These cytochemical methods visualize the two organelles for light microscopy; they also permit unequivocal differentiation of all kidney peroxisomes from lysosomes in electron micrographs. Peroxisomes are larger and more reactive in the cells of the pars descendens (P(3) segment) of the proximal convolution, located in the outer medulla and medullary rays, than in the cells of the pars convoluta (P(1) and P(2) segments), situated in the cortex. In contrast, lysosomes are much smaller in the P(3) segment and larger and more reactive in the P(1) and P(2) segments. In all cells of the proximal convolution, peroxisomes tend to be concentrated nearer the base of the cells than do lysosomes. Mitochondria in P(3) cells also show low levels of DAB oxidation at pH 6, in contrast to those in P(1) and P(2) cells. The possibility is discussed that P(3) cells possess an extramitochondrial means of oxidation in which peroxisome oxidases play an important role.