Transcellular

Transcellular transport is the process by which substances are moved through a cell via a vesicle. This process is used to move substances within a cell and across a barrier, such as the epithelium. Transcellular transport is an important part of many biological processes, including absorption, secretion, and transcytosis.

Mechanism

Transcellular transport involves the movement of substances through the interior of a cell. This is in contrast to paracellular transport, which involves the movement of substances between cells. In transcellular transport, a substance is engulfed by the cell membrane in a process known as endocytosis. The substance is then transported across the cell in a vesicle, which is a small, membrane-bound compartment. The vesicle fuses with the opposite side of the cell membrane, releasing the substance in a process known as exocytosis.

Role in Absorption and Secretion

Transcellular transport plays a key role in the absorption and secretion of substances in the body. For example, in the intestine, nutrients are absorbed from the lumen into the bloodstream via transcellular transport. Similarly, in the kidney, waste products are secreted from the bloodstream into the urine via transcellular transport.

Role in Transcytosis

Transcytosis is a specialized form of transcellular transport that involves the movement of macromolecules from one side of a cell to the other. This process is important in many biological processes, including the transport of immunoglobulins across the placenta, the transport of insulin across the blood-brain barrier, and the transport of LDL particles into cells.

See Also

• Endocytosis
• Exocytosis
• Paracellular transport
• Transcytosis

Transcellular Resources
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