Abstract
The acinar epithelial cells of the lacrimal gland are responsible for the production, packaging and regulated exocytosis of tear proteins into ocular surface fluid. This review summarizes new findings on the mechanisms of exocytosis in these cells. Participating proteins are discussed within the context of different categories of trafficking effectors including targeting and specificity factors (rabs, SNAREs) and transport factors (microtubules, actin filaments and motor proteins). Recent information describing fundamental changes in basic exocytotic mechanisms in the NOD mouse, an animal model of Sjögren's syndrome, is presented.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Review
MeSH terms
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Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism
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Actins / metabolism
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Animals
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Cytoskeleton / metabolism
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Disease Models, Animal
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Exocytosis / physiology*
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Eye Proteins / metabolism
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Guanosine Diphosphate / metabolism
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Guanosine Triphosphate / metabolism
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Lacrimal Apparatus / metabolism*
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Lacrimal Apparatus / ultrastructure
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred NOD
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Microtubules / metabolism
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Models, Biological
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Myosins / metabolism
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Rabbits
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SNARE Proteins / metabolism
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Secretory Vesicles / metabolism*
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Sjogren's Syndrome / metabolism
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Vesicular Transport Proteins / metabolism
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rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
Substances
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Actins
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Eye Proteins
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SNARE Proteins
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Vesicular Transport Proteins
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Guanosine Diphosphate
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Guanosine Triphosphate
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Myosins
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rab GTP-Binding Proteins