ABSTRACT
The enterocyte that forms a continuous sheet of cells over the small intestinal surface is a highly differentiated cell which has enormous capacity to perform the essential role of not only absorption of the final monospecific nutrients, but also the penultimate steps of surface digestion of oligomeric nutrients. The oligosaccharidases of the intestinal brush border surface membrane, it is important to take into account the dynamic features of the intestinal surface cell. Oligosaccharidase activity is first identified when the cells become positioned on the sides of villi and is maintained at a maximum throughout most of the life of the villous cell until it is near the villous tip where senescent cells are extruded into the lumen. The chapter outlines the mechanisms of carbohydrate digestion and absorption and emphasizes the role of the oligosaccharidases in these processes. Oligosaccharidases of the intestinal brush border membrane are large glycoproteins containing approximately 80% protein and 20% carbohydrate.
