Award details

Molecular mechanism of urea transport in the mammalian colon

ReferenceD10935
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Dr Craig Smith
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Institution The University of Manchester
DepartmentLife Sciences
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 233,760
StatusCompleted
TypeResearch Grant
Start date 01/01/2000
End date 31/05/2003
Duration41 months

Abstract

Salvaging of urea nitrogen is an important means of nitrogen conservation in mammals. Urea circulating in the blood enters the colon where it is hydrolysed by resident microflora, liberating CO2 and ammonia. Ammonia is then absorbed and becomes available for a variety of biosynthetic processes, including synthesis of amino acids. A major influence on the recycling pathway is the rate at which urea diffuses across the colonic epithelium. Specialised transporter proteins regulate urea diffusion in the kidney and we have identified homologues of these proteins in colon. Our hypothesis is that these proteins form part of the mechanism regulating urea diffusion into the colon. We aim to identify and characterise colonic urea transporters in both mouse and human and to study their regulation in response to altered diet and water intake.

Summary

unavailable
Committee Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research TopicsX – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research PriorityX – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative X - not in an Initiative
Funding SchemeX – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
terms and conditions of use (opens in new window)
export PDF file