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Intracellular Trafficking of Membrane Proteins in Renal Epithelia
APS Cross Sectional Symposium
Paul A. Welling and Michael Caplan
M. Caplan, P.A. Welling, O. Weisz and E. Rodriguez-Boulan
Exciting new and emerging discoveries in the
"Intracellular trafficking" field are providing fresh insights into our
understanding of the cellular organization and regulation of transporters
and channels in renal epithelia. Polarized trafficking mechanisms, involving
cargo-dependent sorting operations, vectorial delivery and membrane-specific
fusion and retention, give rise to membrane asymmetry, the key underpinning
of vectorial transport in epithelia. These trafficking processes are also
engaged to modulate the surface expression of transport proteins and thereby
alter their function in concert with physiological demands. It has becoming
increasingly evident that defects in these intracellular trafficking
processes can lead to renal disease, further underscoring relevance. The
molecular mechanisms involved in these processes have recently been the
target of extensive study, revealing trafficking signals and the
intracellular machinery that acts on them. Combined with advances in
live-cell fluorescent microscopy, permitting direct visualization of
trafficking processes, fundamental mechanistic insights into these
once-elusive trafficking phenomena are emerging.
Accordingly, it is timely for symposium that will
provide effective communication, free discussion and debate of the latest
advances in this rapidly evolving and important area of physiology. To do
so, this symposium will highlight late breaking and emerging discoveries,
including 1) the identification and mechanisms of novel sorting and
retention machinery (Caplan and Welling); 2) emerging regulatory mechanisms
(Caplan, Weisz, Welling), 3) Three-dimensional analysis of post-Golgi
carrier exocytosis in epithelial cells by live-cell fluorescent microscopy
(Rodriguez-Boulan). Speakers were specifically chosen because of their
recent ground-breaking work in this area. In addition, each has an excellent
reputation as being an organized, informative and engaging lecturer.
Considering the relevance to physiology and disease as well as to
cellular and molecular biology, we feel that the symposium will be of
interest to a wide audience. Because it should be of particular interest to
the Renal and Epithelial Transport Community, we propose that Renal and
Epithelial Transport sections jointly sponsored by the symposium.
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