basolateraalsels

Basolateraalsels is not a standard term in mainstream biology. It may be a misspelling or a Dutch compound combining basolateral and sel (cell). This article describes the basolateral aspect of epithelial cells and related concepts rather than a distinct biological entity called basolateraalsels.

Basolateral refers to the portion of an epithelial cell’s surface that faces the basement membrane and adjacent cells, encompassing the basal and lateral domains while excluding the apical surface that faces the lumen or external environment.

Cell polarity is a central concept in this area. Epithelial cells establish apical-basal polarity, organizing distinct membrane proteins and lipids to the apical versus basolateral surfaces. Tight junctions seal the apical domain from the basolateral domain, while adherens junctions and desmosomes support lateral adhesion and tissue integrity.

Functionally, the basolateral membrane hosts many transporters, channels, and enzymes that mediate uptake of nutrients, ion balance, and signaling. For instance, the Na+/K+-ATPase is typically enriched on the basolateral surface in many epithelia and drives vectorial transport; glucose and amino acid transporters are distributed to support transcellular movement.

Examples can be found in the kidney proximal tubule and intestinal epithelium, where basolateral transporters coordinate with apical transporters to move substances from the lumen into the bloodstream. In hepatocytes, basolateral membranes interact with sinusoidal blood to exchange metabolites and maintain liver function.

See also: epithelial polarity, tight junction, basolateral membrane, apical membrane.