Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
04:40
Demonstration of Membrane Transport of Histidine using Goat Intestinal Inverted Sacs: An Experiential Pedagogical Tool for Undergraduates
Published on: October 4, 2024
Ion transport in the intestine
Pawel R Kiela1, Fayez K Ghishan
1Department of Pediatrics, Steele Children's Research Center, University of Arizona Health Science Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
Current Opinion in Gastroenterology
|June 17, 2009
Summary
Recent advances in intestinal physiology reveal new insights into ion transport mechanisms. Studies highlight the interplay of transporters and their role in gut health and inflammation-associated diarrhea.
Area of Science:
- Intestinal Physiology
- Molecular Biology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Significant progress in understanding intestinal ion transport proteins and their genes.
- Focus on physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review recent advances in small intestinal ion transport mechanisms.
- Integrate function and structure of intestinal transport processes.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing mouse models deficient in key genes encoding ion transporters and adapter proteins.
- Analyzing in-vivo findings to complement in-vitro data.
- Examining data from patients and mouse models of intestinal inflammation.
Main Results:
- Integration of function and structure in intestinal transport processes, including bicarbonate secretion.
- Identification of scaffolding PDZ proteins interacting with intestinal transporters.
- Evidence for the role of ion transporters in inflammation-associated diarrhea and epithelial integrity.
Conclusions:
- Mouse models provide crucial insights into intestinal transport, revising existing paradigms.
- Interdependent functions of multiple transporters enhance understanding of gut transport complexity.
- New data improve comprehension of pathophysiology in inflammation-associated diarrhea.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Transcellular Transport of Solutes
Transcellular transport of solutes is the movement of substances like monosaccharides and amino acids through polarized cells. This transport mechanism is primarily seen in epithelial and endothelial cells aided by membrane transport proteins such as channels and transporters. The tight junctions between these cells confine the membrane proteins to the two sides of the cell. The epithelial cells have distinct apical and basolateral domains. In contrast, the endothelial cells show the luminal...
01:06Carrier-Mediated Transport
Carrier-mediated transport is a pivotal process in drug absorption, particularly for lipid-insoluble drugs, and encompasses facilitated diffusion and active transport. Facilitated diffusion allows drugs to move along their concentration gradient without energy expenditure, while active transport utilizes ATP to drive drug movement against this gradient.
Active transport involves two types of membrane-spanning transporters: uptake and efflux. Uptake transporters are expressed in the small...
Active transport involves two types of membrane-spanning transporters: uptake and efflux. Uptake transporters are expressed in the small...
01:26Glucose Absorption Into the Small Intestine
Complex carbohydrates consumed cannot be absorbed into the small intestine in their original form. First, they must be hydrolyzed to a monosaccharide form such as glucose or galactose. These monosaccharides are then transported across the intestinal membrane and into the blood via transcellular transport. The intestinal epithelial cells allow the movement of these monosaccharides with a defined 'entry' through membrane transporter proteins present on their apical membrane and 'exit' via the...
01:19Absorption of Nutrients
Absorption refers to taking dietary nutrients from the intestinal lumen for transportation throughout the body. After digestion in the small intestine, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are broken down into simpler forms. These essential macronutrients and other vital substances, such as vitamins, minerals, and water, are then prepared for absorption into the bloodstream.
Enterocytes, which are specialized polar epithelial cells, line the mucosa of the small intestinal walls. These cells...
Enterocytes, which are specialized polar epithelial cells, line the mucosa of the small intestinal walls. These cells...
01:27Mineral, Vitamin and Water Absorption
Electrolytes are essential minerals and ions primarily obtained from the diet and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Most electrolytes are absorbed in the small intestine. While the absorption of iron and calcium primarily occurs in the duodenum, calcium is also absorbed in the jejunum and ileum. In these regions, passive diffusion contributes to its absorption alongside active transport mechanisms in the duodenum. These ions can exit the enterocytes through specialized active...
01:31Membrane Transporters
Transporters are essential membrane transport proteins with functions related to cell nutrition, homeostasis, communication, etc. Approximately 7% of all genes in the human genome code for transporters or transporter-related proteins.
Transporters are mainly composed of alpha-helices, built from bundles of ten or more helices traversing the plasma membrane. The solute-binding sites are located midway, where some of the helices are broken or distorted, making space for the binding site through...
Transporters are mainly composed of alpha-helices, built from bundles of ten or more helices traversing the plasma membrane. The solute-binding sites are located midway, where some of the helices are broken or distorted, making space for the binding site through...