Summary
A space-filling model of the inulin molecule, based solely on physico-chemical data in the literature, indicates that the gross shape of the solvated molecule is a cylinder having semi-length 25 Å and radius 10 Å. The axial dimensions of this model very nearly equal the equivalent estimates (25 and 10.5 Å) previously determined by studying restricted passage of inulin through artificial membranes of known pore size (E. Middleton,J. Membrane Biol. 20:347, 1975). The good agreement between these independentin-vitro studies-neither of which depends on ultrafiltration theory-strongly suggests that glomerular pore size is considerably greater than predicted by the theory.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ackers, G.K., Steere, R.L. 1967. Molecular sieve methods.In: Methods in Virology. K. Maramorosch and H. Koprowski, editors. p. 341. Academic Press Inc., New York & London
Aspinall, G.O., Percival, E., Rees, D.A., Rennie, M. 1967. Oligosaccharides, polysaccharides and related compounds.In: Rodd's Chemistry of Carbon Compounds. S. Coffey, editor. p. 687. Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam, London & New York
Bean, C.P. 1972. The physics of porous membranes-neutral pores.In: Membranes. Vol. 1, Macroscopic Systems and Models. G. Eisenman, editor. Marcel Dekker, New York
Bianchi, C. 1972. Measurement of glomerular filtration rate.Prog. Nucl. Med. 2:21
Bott, P.A. 1952. Renal excretion of creatinine inNectures.. A reinvestigation by the direct analysis of glomerular and tubular fluid for creatinine and inulin.Am. J. Physiol. 168:107
Chang, R.L.S., Ueki, I.F., Troy, J.L., Deen, W.M., Robertson, C.R., Brenner, B.M. 1975. Permselectivity of the glomerular capillary wall to macromolecules. II. Experimental studies in rats using neutral dextran.Biophys. J. 15:887
Giebisch, G. 1956. Measurement of pH, chloride and inulin concentration in proximal tubule fluid ofNecturus.Am. J. Physiol. 185:171
Harris, C.A., Baer, P.G., Chirito, E., Dirks, J.H. 1974. Composition of mammalian glomerular filtrate.Am. J. Physiol. 227:972
Hendrix, J.P., Westfall, B.P., Richards, A.N. 1936. Quantitative studies of the composition of glomerular urine. XIV. The glomerular excretion of inulin in frogs andNecturi.J. Biol. Chem. 116:735
Hirst, E.L., Mcgilvray, D.I., Percival, E.G.V. 1950. Studies of fructosans. Part I. Inulin from dahlia tubers.J. Chem. Soc. p. 1297
Horowitz, S.B., Moore, L.C. 1974. The nuclear permeability, intracellular distribution, and diffusion of inulin in the amphibian oocyte.J. Cell Biol. 60:405
Jacobs, S. 1974. Ultrafilter membranes in biochemistry.In: Methods of Biochemical Analysis. D. Glick, editor, p. 330. John Wiley & Sons, New York, London, Syndney & toronto
Kagawa, Y. 1974. Dissociation and reassembly of the inner mitochondrial membrane.In: Methods in Membrane Biology. E.D. Korn, editor. p. 224. Plenum Press, New York & London
Landis, E.M., Pappenheimer, J.R. 1963. Exchange of substances through the capillary walls.In: Handbook of Physiology. W.F. Hamilton and P. Dow, editors. Sect. 2, Circulation. American Physiological Society Washington, D.C.
Lange, N.A. 1973. Atomic and molecular structure.In: Lange's Handbook of Chemistry. J.A. Dean, editor. Ch. 3, p. 120. McGraw-Hill, New York
Lassiter, W.E. 1975. Kidney.Annu. Rev. Physiol. 37:371
Lindberg, B., Lonngren, J., Thompson, J.L. 1973. Methylation studies on levans.Acta Chem. Scand. 27:1819
Materson, B.J. 1971. Measurement of glomerular filtration rate. CRC Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences. p. 1
Middleton, E. 1975. Passage of inulin andp-aminohippuric acid through artificial membranes: Implications for measurement of renal function.J. Membrane Biol. 20:347
Nozaki, Y., Schechter, N.M., Reynolds, J.A., Tanford, C. 1976. Use of gel chromatography for the determination of the Stokes radii of proteins in the presence and absence of detergents. A reexamination.Biochemistry 15:3884
Phelps, C.F. 1965. The physical properties of inulin solutions.Biochem. J. 95:41
Renkin, E.M., Gilmore, J.P. 1973. Glomerular filtration.In: Handbook of Physiology. J. Orloff and R.W. Berliner, editors. Sect. 8, Renal Physiology. American Physiological Society, Washington, D.C.
Wesson, L.G. 1969. Physiology of the Human Kidney. pp. 82–93. Grune & Stratton, New York & London
West, E.S., Todd, W.R., Mason, H.S., Van Druggen, J.T. 1966. Carbohydrates, or the saccharides.In: Textbook of Biochemistry. p. 246. Macmillan, New York; Collier-Macmillan, London
Yang, J.T. 1961. The viscosity of macromolecules in relation to molecular conformation.In: Advances in Protein Chemistry. C.B. Anfinsen, M.L. Anson, K. Bailey and J.T. Edsall, editors. p. 323. Academic Press, New York & London
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Middleton, E. The molecular configuration of inulin: Implications for ultrafiltration theory and glomerular permeability. J. Membrain Biol. 34, 93–101 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01870295
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01870295