Iron uptake by hepatopancreas brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) of the lobster (Homarus americanus)

Abstract

The uptake of (55)Fe(2+) and solubilized (55)Fe(3+) into brush border membrane vesicles prepared from the hepatopancreas of the Atlantic lobster (Homarus americanus) was investigated. Non-specific surface binding of (55)Fe(2+) at equilibrium to the vesicular surface approximated 57% of total (55)Fe(2+) uptake. (55)Fe(2+) uptake showed temperature sensitivity and was trans-stimulated by a Ca(2+) gradient (at 5mM) directed out. Equilibrated (59)Fe(2+) exchanged for both Cd(2+) and cold Fe(2+). The data obtained in this study are suggestive that at least a portion of ferrous iron absorption may occur by a divalent exchanger mechanism.