The dopamine D3 receptor (D3R), intensively studied in neuroscience, also plays an important role in the regulation of renal and cardiovascular function. In contrast to functional findings, less information is available on its localization in the kidney. Neither RT-PCR studies nor radioligand binding assays are suitable to selectively determine the distribution of renal D3R at the level of cellular or even subcellular structures. We studied the renal D3R distribution in Sprague-Dawley rats by a polyclonal antiserum directed against an epitope in the third intracytoplasmic loop. D3R immunoreactivity was detected by indirect immunofluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy. D3R staining was confined to the renal cortex and occurred in proximal convoluted tubules near or in direct connection with the urinary pole of the glomeruli. The fluorescent spots were restricted to the subapical portion of the proximal tubular cells. Double staining with the F-actin marker phalloidin revealed a localization of the D3R below the brush border region. However, staining by anti-beta1/beta2-adaptins, recognizing clathrin-coated compartments, did not correspond to the distribution of the D3R signal. This is the first description of a D3R accumulation in a cytoplasmic pool in the kidney, probably corresponding to a recycling mechanism or storage compartment.
