A Role for Cytoplasmic Structural Proteins in the Transport of Water and Salts in the Intestine.

Abstract

This contract supports basic research to test the hypothesis that the mechanism of the movement of water and salts across the intestinal epithelium depends not only on the properties of cellular membranes and membrane bound enzymes, but also includes a role for the structural proteins of the cytoplasm. The research plan tests the effect of drugs, which alter the conformational state of the cytoskeletal actin filaments and microtubules, on the transport of water and salts in the rat small intestine. In Year 1, an in vivo open perfused intestine model was used to screen drugs for their effect on transport. The results showed that cytochalasin B, a drug which causes the depolymerization of actin filaments, can inhibit the transport of water and sodium across the living intestine at doses from 10-100 micrograms/ml. Another drug, colchicine, which depolymerizes microtubules inside cells, also inhibited transport at 0.5-2.5 mM doses. Both drugs at higher doses could induce a secretory phenomenon that was not explainable on the basis of tissue breakdown. In addition, the tissue culture medium L-15 was found to support in vivo and in vitro intestinal cell function. In Year 1, four journal papers, two chapters in books, and three abstracts credited support from the contract.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 28, 1982
Accession Number
ADA120532

Entities

People

  • Paula T. Beall

Organizations

  • Baylor College of Medicine

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biological Sciences
  • Cells
  • Cytoplasm
  • Cytoplasmic Structures
  • Cytoskeleton
  • Digestive System Processes
  • Electron Microscopes
  • Epithelium
  • Filaments
  • Intestines
  • Microscopes
  • Neoplasms
  • Relaxation Time
  • Small Intestine
  • Systems Biology
  • Tissues
  • Transport Ships

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Toxicology/Environmental Toxicology