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Cellular arsenic transport pathways in mammals
Barbara A Roggenbeck1, Mayukh Banerjee1, Elaine M Leslie2
1Department of Physiology and Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2H7, Canada.
Journal of Environmental Sciences (China)
|December 24, 2016
Summary
Millions are exposed to toxic arsenic in drinking water, a proven carcinogen causing various cancers and other health issues. Understanding arsenic transport is key to mitigating its harmful effects on human health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Arsenic contamination of drinking water poses a global health risk, exposing millions to unacceptable levels of this carcinogen.
- Chronic arsenic exposure is linked to various cancers (skin, lung, bladder) and adverse effects on multiple organ systems.
- Individual susceptibility to arsenic toxicity varies, with transport mechanisms playing a crucial role in its cellular and body levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of membrane transport proteins in the cellular uptake, distribution, and elimination of arsenic species.
- To discuss known arsenic transporters in key organs involved in arsenic metabolism and excretion.
- To highlight the importance of transport pathways in understanding inter-individual variability in arsenic toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of experimental studies on membrane proteins involved in arsenic transport.
- Analysis of data on phosphate transporters, aquaglyceroporin channels, solute carrier proteins, and ATP-binding cassette transporters.
- Examination of arsenic transport in organs responsible for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination.
Main Results:
- Identified various membrane proteins (e.g., phosphate transporters, aquaglyceroporins, SLCs, ABC transporters) that facilitate the passage of inorganic, methylated, and glutathionylated arsenic species across cell membranes.
- Described the function of arsenic transporters in organs critical for arsenic homeostasis, including absorption, distribution, and metabolism.
- Highlighted the contribution of transport pathways to arsenic elimination from the body.
Conclusions:
- Membrane transport proteins are critical regulators of arsenic's cellular, tissue, and body levels.
- Understanding these transport pathways is essential for explaining variations in arsenic susceptibility and toxicity.
- Further research into arsenic transporters can inform strategies for mitigating arsenic-induced health risks.
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