Chapter 16 Effects of Antimitotic Agents on Ultrastructure and Intracellular Transport of Protein in Pancreatic Acini

Abstract

This chapter discusses the effects of antimitotic agents in the preparation of pancreatic acini and reviews the combined studies of ultrastructure, enzyme secretion, and intracellular transport of the newly synthesized protein. Pancreatic acini retain both structures and function and are exquisitely sensitive to hormones and neurotransmitters. The chapter also describes the relative importance of microtubules in intracellular transport and release of secretory materials. In the pancreas, the preformed secretory product exists as zymogen granules, and release of digestive enzymes such as amylase is not dependent on the new protein synthesis. In contrast, when the release of the newly synthesized protein is studied, intracellular transport and the final release process are measured. Thus, if an inhibitor simultaneously blocks the release of both amylase and the newly synthesized protein, the release process is affected; however, if amylase secretion is not reduced but that of the newly synthesized protein is, it can be concluded that intracellular transport is affected.