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K+ and Cl- transport by mammary secretory cell apical membrane vesicles isolated from milk

D B Shennan1

  • 1Hannah Research Institute, Ayr, UK.

The Journal of Dairy Research
|August 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Bovine milk membrane vesicles facilitate potassium (K+) and chloride (Cl-) transport, likely through conductance pathways across the apical membrane. This suggests milk vesicles are a valuable model for studying mammary secretory cell transport.

Area of Science:

  • Membrane biology
  • Ion transport
  • Dairy science

Background:

  • Understanding ion transport in mammary glands is crucial for milk production.
  • Bovine milk contains membrane vesicles that may reflect epithelial cell transport functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the transport mechanisms of potassium (K+) and chloride (Cl-) in membrane vesicles from bovine milk.
  • To determine if these vesicles serve as a viable model for studying solute transport in mammary secretory cells.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation of membrane vesicles from bovine milk.
  • Measurement of K+ (Rb+) and Cl- uptake using ion-exchange column chromatography.
  • Assessment of transport sensitivity to Triton X-100 and membrane potential.

Main Results:

  • Vesicle accumulation of K+ (Rb+) and Cl- was time-dependent and sensitive to Triton X-100, indicating active transport.
  • Ion influx was influenced by membrane potential, suggesting conductance pathways.
  • Chloride uptake was not saturable, further supporting a channel-mediated transport mechanism.

Conclusions:

  • K+ (Rb+) and Cl- likely traverse the apical membrane via conductance pathways.
  • Bovine milk membrane vesicles represent a suitable model for studying apical membrane transport in mammary secretory cells.

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