Bile flow, vesicular trafficking, and interactions of cytoskeleton with the canalicular domain of hepatocyte plasma membrane

Liver is an epithelial organ which removes many substances from the blood, metabolizes them, and secretes back into circulation or directly into the bile. Liver parenchymal cells (hepatocytes) are involved in the overall detoxification of the organism through the bile. These highly polarized cells are unique among others due to the domain structure of their plasma membrane, organization of their cytoskeleton connected to the canalicular region of plasmalemma, and the specific distribution of various transport systems involved in detoxification phase III. In this mini-review the possible influence of canalicular motility modulated by cytoskeleton on the bile flow is discussed. In addition, the role of annexins, calcium- and phospholipid-binding proteins exhibiting high expression level in liver, in vesicular trafficking leading to the transport of some of biliary components is also postulated.