guanosine-diphosphate and Sjogren-s-Syndrome

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.

Topics: Actin Cytoskeleton; Actins; Animals; Cytoskeleton; Disease Models, Animal; Exocytosis; Eye Proteins; Guanosine Diphosphate; Guanosine Triphosphate; Lacrimal Apparatus; Mice; Mice, Inbred NOD; Microtubules; Models, Biological; Myosins; rab GTP-Binding Proteins; Rabbits; Secretory Vesicles; Sjogren's Syndrome; SNARE Proteins; Vesicular Transport Proteins