Erythropoietin is produced by tubular cells of the rat kidney.

The cellular site of erythropoietin (epo) production within the mammalian kidney is still not completely understood. In the present study, we examined the expression of epo mRNA in microdissected rat nephron segments by RT-PCR after induction of epo expression with cobalt chloride. Erythropoietin mRNA was not detected in nephron segments from saline injected rats.

Renal reserve: early work and personal reminiscences from the 1940s.

The circumstances under which the author entered the field dealing with the effects of dietary protein intake on renal functions are discussed. The general state of knowledge in this field is outlined as it was in the late 1940s. Personal reminiscences of day-to-day operations of the laboratory, interactions with colleagues, and other thoughts and experiences of the author are described.

Molecular basis for the properties of the thyroxine-binding globulin-slow variant in American blacks.

Thyroxine-binding globulin-slow (TBG-S), a variant found in 4-12% of Black and Pacific Island populations, is inherited as an X-chromosome linked trait. This variant is detected on isoelectric focusing by the characteristic cathodal shift of all its isoforms, suggesting that the difference resides in the core protein. In addition, TBG-S is slightly more thermolabile, which explains why subjects expressing TBG-S have on the average lower serum TBG, and thus reduced T4, concentrations.