Further Observations on Asymmetrical Solute Movement across Membranes |
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Authors: | T J Franz William R Galey and J T Van Bruggen |
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Institution: | From the Department of Biochemistry, University of Oregon Medical School, Portland, Oregon 97201. |
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Abstract: | The permeability of frog skin under the influence of urea hyperosmolarity has been studied. Flux ratio asymmetry has been demonstrated again for tracer mannitol. The inhibitors DNP, CN-, and ouabain have been used to eliminate active sodium transport and it was found that urea hyperosmolarity produces asymmetrical mannitol fluxes on frog skins having no short-circuit current. These findings suggest that flux ratio asymmetry is due to solute interaction and is unrelated to sodium transport. Studies with a synthetic membrane show clearly that bulk flow of fluid can produce a "solvent drag" effect and change flux ratios. When bulk flow is blocked and solute gradients allowed their full expression, then solute interaction "solute drag" is easily demonstrable in a synthetic system. |
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