Ions, transport into cells

An essential requirement for diffusion of Na+ ions is the creation of a concentration gradient for sodium between the filtrate and intracellular fluid of the epithelial cells. This is accomplished by the active transport ofNa+ ions through the basolateral membrane of the epithelial cells (see Figure 19.4). Sodium is moved across this basolateral membrane and into the interstitial fluid surrounding the tubule by the Na+, K+-ATPase pump. As a result, the concentration of Na+ ions within the epithelial cells is reduced, facilitating the diffusion of Na+ ions into the cells across the luminal membrane. Potassium ions transported into the epithelial cells as a result of this pump diffuse back into the interstitial fluid (proximal tubule and Loop of Henle) or into the tubular lumen for excretion in the urine (distal tubule and collecting duct). 

The above discussion provides only a brief overview of how fluorescence techniques can be used to study the interactions of ligands with their receptors. We have focused on the quantitation of the binding parameters and compared the data with that which may be obtained with those from radiolabelled ligand binding studies. The number of applications of fluorescence in the study of neurochemistry and molecular biology is ever increasing. Outside the scope of this review is, for example, the use of fluorescence microscopy to monitor cell surface expression and targeting of receptors or the use of fluorescence probes to monitor ion transport into and out of cells. 

Figure 8.5 Act/Ve amino add transport into cells. Amino acids are transported into cells against their concentration gradient coupled to Na ion transport down its concentration gradient. The Na ion is transported out in exchange for K -ions, via the NayK ATPase, Chapter 5).

Mechanism of Action Aproton pump inhibitor that is converted to active metabolites that irreversibly bind to and inhibit hydrogen-potassium adenosine triphosphates, an enzyme on the surface of gastricparietal cells. Inhibits hydrogen ion transport into gastric lumen. Therapeutic Effect Increases gastricpH, reducing gastric acid production. 

In contrast to the ion exchange theory, much evidence indicates that cells have an active ion pump that removes Na+ from cells and introduces K+. For example, the cytoplasm of the giant axons of nerves of squid can be squeezed out and replaced by ionic solutions. Erythrocyte ghosts can be allowed to reseal with various materials inside. Ion transport into or out of cells has been demonstrated with such preparations and also with intact cells of many types. Such transport is blocked by such inhibitors as cyanide ion, which prevents nearly all oxidative metabolism. However, the cyanide block can be relieved by introduction into the cells of ATP and other phosphate compounds of high group-transfer potential. 

Martinez-Maldonado Cordova 1990, Rose 1989, 1991, Wilcox 1991). In the absence of a loop diuretic, sodium ions transported into the cell are translocated into the peritubular capillary by the action of the Na, K -ATPase pump. Chloride ions are translocated out of the cell by two pathways a selective chloride channel and an electroneutral K, Cr-cotransporter. These processes maintain low intracellular sodium and chloride ion concentrations and favor continued entry of sodium and chloride from the tubular lumen. In contrast, potassium ion concentrations in the tubular fluid and within the cell are lower and higher, respectively, compared with sodium and chloride. Although these potassium ion concentrations would seem to inhibit the action of the Na, K, 2Cr-cotrans-porter, this problem is overcome by the recycling of much of the reabsorbed potassium (that does... 

Many transmembrane transporter proteins, termed secondary transporters, use the discharge of an ionic gradient to power the uphill translocation of a solute molecule across membranes. Couphng solute movement to ion transport enables these secondary transporters to concentrate solutes by a factor of 10 with a solute flux 10 faster than by simple diffusion. We have already encountered the co-transport of leucine and Na+ by LeuT, but there are many other examples. Sugars and amino acids can be transported into cells by Na+-dependent symports. Dietary glucose is concentrated in the epithelial cells of the small intestine by a Na -dependent symport, and is then... 

We also need to know how metals are transported into cells and stored. Iron has been investigated most intensively. Mammals bind and transport iron by the serum protein transferrin and store it in ferritin. One protein can bind around 4500 Fe ions. Copper is taken up by the serum protein ceruloplasmin. Also albumin can bind and transport metal ions. The cystein-rich protein metallothioneine is formed in cells if toxic Cd and are present. This aprotein protects cells against the toxic effects of such metal ions. 

Cystic fibrosis, a disease of the Caucasian population, is associated with defective CL regulation and is essentially a disorder of epithehal cells (113,114). The defect arises at several levels in the CL ion transporter, ie, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulation (CFTR), and is associated with defective CL transport and defective processing, whereby the protein is not correctiy incorporated into the cell membrane. The most common mutation, affecting approximately 60% of patients, is termed F 608 and designates the loss of phenylalanine at this position. This mutation appears to be at least 50,000 years old, which suggests that its survival may have had evolutionary significance (115). 

FIGURE 10.16 The H+,lO-ATPase of gastric mucosal cells mediates proton transport into the stomach. Potassimn ions are recycled by means of an associated K /Cl cotransport system. The action of these two pnmps results in net transport of and Cl into the stomach. 

Synaptic Transmission. Figure 1 Synaptic transmission. The presynaptic terminal contains voltage-dependent Na Superscript and Ca2+ channels, vesicles with a vesicular neurotransmitter transporter VNT, a plasmalemmal neurotransmitter transporter PNT, and a presynaptic G protein-coupled receptor GPCR with its G protein and its effector E the inset also shows the vesicular H+ pump. The postsynaptic cell contains two ligand-gated ion channels LGIC, one for Na+ and K+ and one for Cl-, a postsynaptic GPRC, and a PNT. In this synapse, released transmitter is inactivated by uptake into cells. 

Solid mixed ionic-electronic conductors (MIECs) exhibit both ionic and electronic (electron-hole) conductivity. Naturally, in any material there are in principle nonzero electronic and ionic conductivities (a i, a,). It is customary to limit the use of the term MIEC to those materials in which a, and 0, 1 do not differ by more than two orders of magnitude. It is also customary to use the term MIEC if a, and Ogi are not too low (o, a i 10 S/cm). Obviously, there are no strict rules. There are processes where the minority carriers play an important role despite the fact that 0,70 1 exceeds those limits and a, aj,i< 10 S/cm. In MIECs, ion transport normally occurs via interstitial sites or by hopping into a vacant site or a more complex combination based on interstitial and vacant sites, and electronic (electron/hole) conductivity occurs via delocalized states in the conduction/valence band or via localized states by a thermally assisted hopping mechanism. With respect to their properties, MIECs have found wide applications in solid oxide fuel cells, batteries, smart windows, selective membranes, sensors, catalysis, and so on. 

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