The versatile stellate cell - more than just a space-filler.
Most epithelia contain multiple cell types that interact to perform the roles required of the tissue. In insect epithelia, the apical plasma membrane V-ATPase dominates ion-transport models, and (as in vertebrates) is usually found in specialized intercalated cell types or regions. The Malpighian tubules of several insect Orders contain not just a mitochondrion-rich principal cell expressing high levels of V-ATPase, but a smaller, intercalated "type II", "secondary" or "stellate" cell. Recent data show that this cell type plays a key role in control of chloride and water flux across the tissue, but also may play other, still unsuspected dynamic roles.
Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK. julian.dow@glasgow.ac.uk
Julian A T
JA
Dow
D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D007313:Insecta / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology; D014867:Water / Q000502:physiology
D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D014867:Water