The mechanism by which amino acids are absorbed is conceptually identical to that of monosaccharides. The lumenal plasma membrane of the absorptive cell bears at least four sodium-dependent amino acid transporters - one each for acidic, basic, neutral and amino acids. These transporters bind amino acids only after binding sodium. The fully loaded transporter then undergoes a conformational change that dumps sodium and the amino acid into the cytoplasm, followed by its reorientation back to the original form.Thus, absorption of amino acids is also absolutely dependent on the electrochemical gradient of sodium across the epithelium. Further, absorption of amino acids, like that of monosaccharides, contributes to generating the osmotic gradient that drives water absorption.The basolateral membrane of the enterocyte contains additional transporters which export amino acids from the cell into blood. These are not dependent on sodium gradients.
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