SYMPOSIUM ON CYTOPLASMIC TRANSPORT OF SMALL MOLECULES - OVERVIEW

Soluble cytoplasmic binding proteins have been associated with a wide range of metabolites, including inorganic and organic anions, lipids a nd numerous xenobiotics. They occur in most tissues oi the body. The f unction of these molecules has been debated since their discovery. New er experimental methods have permitted direct demonstration oi their r ole in catalyzing the intracellular transport oi small molecules. They accomplish this by increasing the concentration of the diffusing spec ies in the aqueous cytosolic phase. Thus, they are most important for molecules that would otherwise have very low concentrations in the cyt osol. Certain binding proteins also interact directly with membranes t o catalyze transfer of their ligands and possibly to target them to in tracellular sites. This symposium summarizes current data and thinking on the mechanisms of cytoplasmic transport, with emphasis on the role of soluble carrier proteins in the overall uptake and metabolism of s mall molecules. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Inc.