Immunohistochemical localization of dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV in rat kidney, liver, and salivary glands.

Specific antibodies directed against dipeptidyl aminopeptidase (DAP) IV prepared from rat and pig kidneys were produced in rabbits. Using a peroxidase-labeled or fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled antibody method, localization of DAP IV was investigated in various tissues of the rat (kidney, liver and salivary glands). DAP IV was mainly localized in the brush border of the proximal tubules (kidney), in the cell membrane around bile canaliculi of hepatic cells (liver), and in the cell membrane of serous acinar cells (parotid and submaxillary glands). These results substantiate that DAP IV is a membrane-bound peptidase.