Year: 2009
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Biologically active metabolites of retinol (vitamin A) affect growth, differentiation, and survival of cells.Retinol-binding protein (RBP) is a specific circulatory transport protein for retinol and participates its delivery to cells.Based on evidence for receptor-mediated endocytosis of RBP, experiments were carried out to further characterize (a) the RBP receptor and (b) the fate of endocytosed RBP in a human epithelial cell line.Additional experiments were performed with mice to examine (c) possible age-related changes in tissue accumulation of injected RBP.The results provide the first size characterization of an RBP receptor in these cells, a 157 kDa species, and the first evidence for recycling of endocytosed RBP.Age-related decreases in transport were suggested by a 23-27% decrease in the accumulation of exogenous RBP in old vs. young tissues (early post-injection times).Additional work on related transport mechanisms was carried out for RBP and the iron carrier transferrin.
Source: Summit (Simon Fraser University)
Author: Jie Chen
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1049735123