Cytoskeleton organization and submembranous interactions in intestinal and renal bursh borders

Abstract

The first part of this review compares the organization of brush border membranes in both tissues. Because this topic is well analyzed elsewhere we will only briefly describe the hydrolases. However, the existence of membrane microdomains specific to the kidney brush borders will be discussed in some detail. These microdomains and their dynamic state have only recently been revealed. Furthermore it has been shown that certain microdomain-specific membrane proteins are associated with immunological diseases in kidneys. The second part of this review summarizes the organization of the cytoskeleton in intestinal brush borders and compares this organization with what is known of the kidney brush border cytoskeleton. The use of a structural protein (villin) associated with the brush border cytoskeleton as an organ specific and differentiation marker is also discussed.