Proline uptake by monolayers of human intestinal absorptive (Caco-2) cells in vitro.

Monolayers of the Caco-2 human intestinal cell line exhibit active and passive uptake systems for the imino acid L-proline. The active transport component is saturable and it is responsible for about two thirds of the observed flux over the nanomolar concentration range, at 37 degrees C and pH 7.4. In contrast to L-phenylalanine, specific L-proline uptake has a high degree of sodium dependency and the efficiency of the carrier system is significantly reduced when protein synthesis (cycloheximide), Na+/K(+)-ATPase (ouabain) or cellular metabolism (sodium azide) are inhibited. The expression of the L-proline carrier by Caco-2 cells was under some degree of nutritional control. Glucose deficiency, over the time scale of the experiment, had no effect. The temperature-dependence of the specific uptake process followed the Arrhenius model with an apparent activation energy of 93.5 kJ nmol-1. This pathway also displayed Michaelis-Menten concentration-dependence with a Ksdm of 5.28 mM and a maximal transport flux (Jsdmax) of 835 pmol min-1 (10(6) cells)-1. Although the passive component was unchanged, the pH of the donor phase exerted a profound effect on the active carrier component. Within the physiological pH range a local maximum efficiency was found at pH 7.4 but dramatic increases were noted as pH 5.0 was approached. In competition studies, with 100-fold excess of a second amino acid, strong inhibition of uptake was found with alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, L-alanine and L-serine whereas moderate inhibition was observed with glycine, D-proline and gamma-aminoisobutyric acid. Aromatic and branched amino acids showed weak (L-valine) or no interaction (L-phenylalanine, L-leucine) with the carrier system. These data indicate that the carrier system for the uptake of L-proline has many features in common with the A system for amino acid transport.     

Characterization of L-threonine and L-glutamine transport in murine P388 leukemia cells in vitro. Presence of an N-like amino acid transport system

The transport of L-threonine and L-glutamine into murine P388 leukemia cells has been characterized. Threonine appears to be a specific substrate for a Na+-dependent amino acid transport system similar to system ASC of the HTC hepatoma cell. Threonine transport is uninhibited by 2-aminobicyclo[2,2,1]heptane-2-carboxylic acid and alpha-(methylamino)isobutyric acid, shows a pattern of transport similar to that seen in HTC hepatoma cells over the pH range of 5.5-7.5, and is inhibited by L-serine and L-cysteine. Approximately two-thirds of glutamine transport into P388 cells also appears to enter P388 cells via this ASC-analogous system. However, based upon (a) inhibition studies with threonine (where the K1 of threonine inhibition of glutamine transport was 7-fold the Km of threonine transport), (b) inhibition analysis of glutamine transport with various amino acids and amino acid analogues, and (c) different patterns of transport between threonine and glutamine over the pH range of 5.5-7.5, approximately one-third of glutamine transport can be attributed to a second Na+-dependent amino acid transport system. This system appears to be similar to the system N of rat hepatocytes. Glutamine and threonine do not appear to enter P388 cells via systems A or L to any significant degree. P388 cells do not appear to exhibit 'adaptive regulation' of amino acid transport. Differences in 'adaptive regulation' could therefore not be utilized for comparing threonine and glutamine transport.     

Characterization of tryptophan transport in human placental brush-border membrane vesicles.

The characteristics of tryptophan uptake in isolated human placental brush-border membrane vesicles were investigated. Tryptophan uptake in these vesicles was predominantly Na+-independent. Uptake of tryptophan as measured with short incubations occurred exclusively by a carrier-mediated process, but significant binding of this amino acid to the membrane vesicles was observed with longer incubations. The carrier-mediated system obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with an apparent affinity constant of 12.7 +/- 1.0 microM and a maximal velocity of 91 +/- 5 pmol/15 s per mg of protein. The kinetic constants were similar in the presence and absence of a Na+ gradient. Competition experiments showed that tryptophan uptake was effectively inhibited by many neutral amino acids except proline, hydroxyproline and 2-(methylamino)isobutyric acid. The inhibitory amino acids included aromatic amino acids as well as other system-1-specific amino acids (system 1 refers to the classical L system, according to the most recent nomenclature of amino acid transport systems). The transport system showed very low affinity for D-isomers, was not affected by phloretin or glucose but was inhibited by p-azidophenylalanine and N-ethylmaleimide. The uptake rates were only minimally affected by change in pH over the range 4.5-8.0. Tryptophan uptake markedly responded to trans-stimulation, and the amino acids capable of causing trans-stimulation included all amino acids with system-1-specificity. The patterns of inhibition of uptake of tryptophan and leucine by various amino acids were very similar. We conclude that system t, which is specific for aromatic amino acids, is absent from human placenta and that tryptophan transport in this tissue occurs via system 1, which has very broad specificity.     

Sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transport by human liver plasma membrane vesicles

The activities of several selected Na(+)-dependent amino acid transporters were identified in human liver plasma membrane vesicles by testing for Na(+)-dependent uptake of several naturally occurring neutral amino acids or their analogs. Alanine, 2-(methylamino)isobutyric acid, and 2-aminoisobutyric acid were shown to be almost exclusively transported by the same carrier, system A. Kinetic analysis of 2-(methylamino)isobutyric acid uptake by the human hepatic system A transporter revealed an apparent Km of 0.15 mM and a Vmax of 540 pmol.mg-1 protein.min-1. Human hepatic system A accepts a broad range of neutral amino acids including cysteine, glutamine, and histidine, which have been shown in other species to be transported mainly by disparate carriers. Inhibition analysis of Na(+)-dependent cysteine transport revealed that the portion of uptake not mediated by system A included at least two saturable carriers, system ASC and one other that has yet to be characterized. Most of the glutamine and histidine uptake was Na(+)-dependent, and the component not mediated by system A constituted system N. The largest portion of glycine transport was mediated through system A and the remainder by system ASC with no evidence for system Gly activity. Our examination of Na(+)-dependent amino acid transport documents the presence of several transport systems analogous to those described previously but with some notable differences in their functional activity. Most importantly, the results demonstrate that liver plasma membrane vesicles are a valuable resource for transport analysis of human tissue.     

Glutamine transport by the blood-brain barrier: a possible mechanism for nitrogen removal

Glutamine and glutamate transport activities were measuredin isolated luminal and abluminal plasma membrane vesiclesderived from bovine brain endothelial cells. Facilitativesystems for glutamine and glutamate were almost exclusivelylocated in luminal-enriched membranes. The facilitativeglutamine carrier was neither sensitive to2-aminobicyclo(2,2,1)heptane-2-carboxylic acid inhibition nor did itparticipate in accelerated amino acid exchange; it therefore appearedto be distinct from the neutral amino acid transport system L1. TwoNa-dependent glutamine transporters were found in abluminal-enrichedmembranes: systems A and N. System N accounted for ~80% ofNa-dependent glutamine transport at 100 µM. Abluminal-enriched membranes showed Na-dependent glutamate transport activity. The presence of 1) Na-dependent carrierscapable of pumping glutamine and glutamate from brain into endothelialcells, 2) glutaminase withinendothelial cells to hydrolyze glutamine to glutamate and ammonia, and3) facilitative carriers forglutamine and glutamate at the luminal membrane may provide a mechanismfor removing nitrogen and nitrogen-rich amino acids from brain.

     

Inhibition of sodium-independent amino acid transport by dexamethasone in rat hepatoma cells

We studied the uptake of leucine, phenylalanine, and the amino acid analog, 2-aminonorborane-2-carboxylic acid, by rat hepatoma cells in tissue culture. The uptake of these amino acids was partially mediated by a plasma membrane transport system similar to the L agency described in other cell types in that it does not require extracellular sodium and is subject to trans-stimulation. Initial rates of sodium-independent transport of these amino acids were calculated using mathematical transformations of the uptake time course curves. The glucocorticoid dexamethasone inhibits the activity of this transport system; the initial rates of sodium-independent uptake of leucine, phenylalanine, and 2-aminonorborane-2-carboxylic acid are decreased by approximately one-third (average = 30%, n = 19) after incubation of HTC cells with 0.1 microM dexamethasone. This inhibition requires at least 15 h, reaching a maximum at 24 h of exposure of the cells to the hormone. Dexamethasone has an asymmetrical effect on sodium-independent amino acid transport in that exposure of the cells to the hormone does not inhibit the rates of outflow of leucine or phenylalanine from preloaded cells into medium without sodium. Inhibition of uptake is blocked by 0.1 mM cycloheximide and 4 microM actinomycin D, indicating the need for continuous protein synthesis for dexamethasone action. Insulin, which is known to partially reverse the inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on the A amino acid transport system in HTC cells, does not alter the action of dexamethasone on the L system. Previous investigations have demonstrated inhibition by dexamethasone of at least two distinct sodium-dependent amino acid transport activities in HTC cells. The data presented here, showing inhibition by the glucocorticoid of a sodium-independent transport activity, indicate that the effect of the hormone is independent of the energy source of the amino acid transport systems affected.     

The kinetics of glutamine transport in bovine lymphocytes.

The transport of glutamine was examined in bovine peripheral lymphocytes which had been cultured in the presence or absence of Concanavalin A (Con A). Glutamine transport was mediated by a triphasic transport system in both cell populations. The calculated kinetic parameters were: Km 1.0, 4.7 and 12.7 mM and Vmax 4.5, 6.0 and 9.0 nmol/min per mg protein respectively. Con A augmented the capacity rather than the affinity of the glutamine transport systems (Vmax rates being 8.0, 12.2 and 38.0 nmol/min per mg protein respectively). Transporter I displayed Michaelis-Menton kinetics, while transporters II and III were co-operative carriers possessing Hill coefficients of 2.3 and 9.5 respectively. Preliminary studies using amino acid and ion inhibition studies suggested that transporter I was a system ASC-type carrier, transporter III a system L carrier, while the nature of transporter II was unclear.     

Amiloride inhibits protein synthesis in isolated rat hepatocytes

The effects of amiloride on Na⁺ ion influx, amino acid transport, protein synthesis and RNA synthesis have been studied in isolated rat hepatocytes. The initial rate of ²²Na⁺ uptake and the amount of ²²Na⁺ taken up at later time points were decreased in hepatocytes incubated in the presence of amiloride. Amiloride inhibited by about 25% the influx of α-methylamino[1?¹⁴C]isobutyric acid, a specific substrate for the A (Alanine preferring) system of neutral amino acid transport. By contrast, the activity of system L (Leucine preferring) was not affected by amiloride. Rates of protein synthesis were determined by using high extracellular concentrations of [¹⁴C]valine in order to maintain a constant amino acid precursor pool. Amiloride inhibited protein synthesis by 85% and had no effect on RNA synthesis. Half-maximal inhibition of protein synthesis occurred with amiloride at about 150 μM. In the absence of Na⁺ in the incubation medium, the rate of protein synthesis was reduced by about 35% and no further inhibition was observed with amiloride. These results suggest that in isolated rat hepatocytes protein synthesis is partially dependent on Na⁺, and that amiloride is an efficient inhibitor of protein synthesis.     

Amino acid transport in the rat exocrine pancreas

Summary The two calcium antagonistic agents lanthanum and tetracaine cause severe disturbances in the secretory process of the exocrine pancreas, including inhibition of the rate of protein synthesis and exocytosis. The former effect resulted mainly from the inhibition of amino acid transport. Lanthanum in a concentration up to 1 mM inhibited transport of different species of amino acids in an unspecific way whereas tetracaine interfered specifically with the Na⁺-dependent transport system for neutral amino acids (¹⁴C--amino-isobutyric acid). Na⁺-independent transport of neutral amino acids (³H-leucine) was not affected. Transport inhibition was correlated to the activity of the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase system which was measured in isolated plasma membrane fractions. At higher concentrations (5–10 mM) some uptake of lanthanum into the cells by limited endocytosis was observed. At lower concentrations lanthanum seemed to bind exclusively to certain components of the plasma membrane, mainly at the lateral and basal cell surface. Even at a concentration of 5–10 mM, no binding to the apical surface occurred. Similarly, no binding of lanthanum was observed to the limiting membrane of isolated zymogen granules, while mitochondria, contained in the same fraction, showed considerable binding affinity. The action of lanthanum and tetracaine on membrane carrier systems did not affect the interior organization of the plasma membrane. Particle density and distribution in freeze-fracture replicas as well as the submembrane microfilamentous-microtubular system and the junctional elements remained unaffected.Supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Ke 113/10). The expert technical assistance of Miss Helga Hollerbach and Miss Hiltraud Hosser and the editorial help of Mrs. Gisela Lesch is gratefully acknowledged     

Effectors of amino acid transport processes in animal cell membranes

Various effectors, which act upon ion gradients, protein synthesis, membrane components or cellular functional groups, have been employed to provide insights into the nature of amino acid-membrane transport processes in animal cells. Such effectors, for example, include ions, hormones, metabolites and various organic reagents and their judicious use has allowed the following list of conclusions. Sodium ion has been found to stimulate amino acid transport in a wide variety of cell systems, although depending on the tissue and/or substrate, this ion may have no effect on such transport, or even inhibit it. Amino acid transport can be stimulated in some cell systems by other ions such as K+, Li+, H+ or Cl-. Both H+ and K+ have been found to be inhibitory in other systems. Amino acid transport is dependent in many cell systems upon an inwardly directed Na+ gradient and is stimulated by a membrane potential (negative cell interior). In some cell systems an inwardly directed Cl- and H+ gradient or an outwardly directed K+ gradient can energize transport. Structurally dissimilar effectors such as ouabain, Clostridium enterotoxin, aspirin and amiloride inhibit amino acid transport presumably through dissipation of the Na+ gradient. Inhibition by certain sugars or metabolic intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle may compete with the substrate for the energy of the Na+ gradient or interact with the substrate at the carrier level either allosterically or at a common site. Stimulation of transport by other sugars or intermediates may result from their catabolism to furnish energy for transport. Insulin and glucagon stimulate transport of amino acids in a variety of cell systems by a mechanism which involves protein synthesis. Microtubules may be involved in the regulation of transport by insulin or glucagon. Some reports also suggest that insulin has a direct effect on membranes. In addition, a number of growth hormones and factors have stimulatory effects on amino acid transport which are also mediated by protein synthesis. Steroid hormones have been noted to enhance or diminish transport of amino acids depending on the nature of the hormone. These agents appear to function at the level of protein synthesis. While stimulation may involve increased carrier synthesis, inhibition probably involves synthesis of a labile protein which either decreases the rate of synthesis or increases the rate of degradation of a component of the transport system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Mechanism of cyclic AMP effect on nutrient transport in Chinese hamster ovary cells. A genetic approach

The effect of 8-bromo cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP) on sugar and amino acid transport was investigated in wild-type Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and in mutants selected for resistance to cAMP inhibition of cell growth. In wild type cells, both 3-O-methyl-D-glucose and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid transport were decreased in cells treated for 24 h with 8-Br-cAMP; kinetic analysis indicated that a decrease in Vmax, without a significant change in Km, accounted for the lower transport capacity of 8-Br-cAMP treated cells. Among the different transport systems contributing to amino acid entry, "alanine" preferring transport system (system A) appeared to be specifically affected. The sensitivity of transport processes to 8-Br-cAMP was tested in three cAMP-resistant cell lines. When tested for their capacity to phosphorylate histones in crude extracts, one strain had apparently normal amounts of protein kinase activity, one strain had a decreased enzyme sensitivity to cAMP, and one strain had little or no enzyme activity. In all three mutants, no effect of 8-Br-cAMP on 3-O-methyl glucose and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid transport could be observed, regardless of the level of cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. These data do not indicate whether the effect of cAMP on nutrient transport in CHO cells is the cause or consequence of growth inhibition. However, they support the conclusion that, in CHO cells, the presence of a normally functioning cAMP-dependent protein kinase appears to be necessary but may not be sufficient to observe the effects of cAMP on nutrient transport as well as cell shape and cell growth.     

Effects of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate on amino acid transport and incorporation into protein in the rat aorta.

To assess the effects of cyclic AMP on amino acid transport and incorporation into aortic tissue protein, rat aortic rings were incubated with the cyclic AMP analog, N6-monobutyryl cyclic AMP (MBcAMP), the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (MIX), and radiolabeled amino acids. Subsequently, the aortic rings were homogenized in 5% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and processed for liquid scintillation counting. Radioactivity present in the TCA supernatant following centrifugation was used to estimate amino acid transport. TCA-precipitable radioactivity was used as a measure of amino acid incorporation into protein. MBcAMP induced an increase in the uptake of [3H]alpha-aminoisobutyric acid into aortic rings and an increase in the incorporation of radiolabeled proline and leucine into TCA-precipitable protein. Similar effects were observed with low concentrations of MIX (0.025-0.25 mM); however, at higher concentrations of MIX, there was an attenuation of the effect or frank inhibition. Maximum stimulation of transport was observed within 90-120 min of the addition of MIX or MBcAMP to the incubation medium, whereas the effect on amino acid incorporation was not detectable until after 12 h of exposure to MIX or MBcAMP. The effects of cyclic AMP on transport were observed in both the tunica media and the tunica adventitia, whereas the effects on amino acid incorporation into protein were observed only in the tunica media. These data are consistent with a possible role for cyclic AMP in promoting changes in the tunica media that could lead to the development of vascular hypertrophy.     

l-[3H]Nitroarginine and l-[3H]Arginine Uptake into Rat Cerebellar Synaptosomes: Kinetics and Pharmacology

Abstract: Characteristics of the transport of the nitric oxide synthase substrate l -arginine and its inhibitor, N ^G-nitro- l -arginine ( l -NOARG), into rat cerebellar synaptosomes were studied. Uptake of both l -arginine and l -NOARG was linear with increasing amount of protein (up to 40 µg) and time of incubation (up to 5 min) at 37°C. Uptake of both compounds reached a steady state by 20 min. Maximal uptake of l -NOARG (650 pmol/mg of protein) was three to four times higher than that of l -arginine (170 pmol/mg of protein). l -NOARG uptake showed biphasic kinetics ( K _{m 1} = 0.72 m M , V _{max 1} = 0.98 nmol/min/mg of protein; K _{m 2} = 2.57 m M , V _{max 2} = 16.25 nmol/min/mg of protein). l -Arginine uptake was monophasic with a K _m of 106 µ M and a V _max of 0.33 nmol/min/mg of protein. l -NOARG uptake was selectively inhibited by l -NOARG, N ^G-nitro- l -arginine methyl ester, and branched-chain and aromatic amino acids. l -Alanine and l -serine also inhibited l -NOARG uptake but with less potency. Uptake of l -arginine was selectively inhibited by N ^G-monomethyl- l -arginine acetate and basic amino acids. These studies suggest that in rat cerebellar synaptosomes, l -NOARG is transported by the neutral amino acid carrier systems T and L with high affinity, whereas l -arginine is transported by the basic amino acid carrier system y⁺ with high affinity. These data indicate that the concentration of competing amino acids is an important factor in determining the rates of uptake of l -NOARG and l -arginine into synaptosomes and, in this way, may control the activity of nitric oxide synthase.     

L-threonine transport in pig jejunal brush border membrane vesicles. Functional characterization of the unique system B in the intestinal epithelium.

Uptake and inhibitory kinetics of [3H]L-threonine were evaluated in preparations of pig jejunal brush border membrane vesicles. Uptake of [3H]L-threonine under O-trans, Na+ gradient, and O-trans, Na(+)-free conditions was best described by high affinity transport (Km < 0.01 mM) plus a nonsaturable component. The maximal velocity of transport was 3-fold greater under Na+ gradient conditions. 100 mM concentrations of all of the dipolar amino acids and 2-aminobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylic acid caused complete inhibition of [3H]L-threonine transport under Na+ gradient and Na(+)-free conditions. Imino acids, anionic amino acids, cationic amino acids, and methylamino-isobutyric acid caused significant partial inhibition of L-threonine uptake. Inhibitor concentration profiles for proline and lysine were consistent with low affinity competitive inhibition. The Ki values of alanine and phenylalanine approximated 0.2 and 0.5 mM, respectively, under both Na+ gradient and Na(+)-free conditions. These data indicate that the transport system available for L-threonine in the intestinal brush border membrane (system B) is functionally distinct from other amino acid transport systems. Comparison of kinetics parameters in the presence and absence of a Na+ gradient suggests that both partially and fully loaded forms of the carrier can function to translocate substrate and that Na+ serves to accelerate L-threonine transport by a mechanism that does not involve enhanced substrate binding.     

Effect of pH, temperature, and potassium sorbate on amino acid uptake in Salmonella typhimurium 7136

The effect of sorbate on L-serine and L-histidine uptake in Salmonella typhimurium was studied at various pH levels, temperatures, and amino acid and sorbate concentrations. Low pH had an apparent synergistic effect on amino acid uptake inhibition caused by sorbate. The relationship between sorbate concentration and the amount of amino acid uptake inhibition was not linear. Compared with L-histidine, L-serine uptake was more sensitive to changes in pH, temperature, and sorbate concentration. Various degrees of amino acid uptake inhibition by sorbate may be related to differences between amino acid transport systems. The results of this study suggest that sorbate acts as a noncompetitive inhibitor of amino acid uptake in S. typhimurium.     

Short term physiological implications of NBPT application on the N metabolism of Pisum sativum and Spinacea oleracea

The application of urease inhibitors in conjunction with urea fertilizers as a means of reducing N loss due to ammonia volatilization requires an in-depth study of the physiological effects of these inhibitors on plants. The aim of this study was to determine how the urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) affects N metabolism in pea and spinach. Plants were cultivated in pure hydroponic culture with urea as the sole N source. After 2 weeks of growth for pea, and 3 weeks for spinach, half of the plants received NBPT in their nutrient solution. Urease activity, urea and ammonium content, free amino acid composition and soluble protein were determined in leaves and roots at days 0, 1, 2, 4, 7 and 9, and the NBPT content in these tissues was determined 48 h after inhibitor application. The results suggest that the effects of NBPT on spinach and pea urease activity differ, with pea being most affected by this treatment, and that the NBPT absorbed by the plant caused a clear inhibition of the urease activity in pea leaf and roots. The high urea concentration observed in leaves was associated with the development of necrotic leaf margins, and was further evidence of NBPT inhibition in these plants. A decrease in the ammonium content in roots, where N assimilation mainly takes place, was also observed. Consequently, total amino acid contents were drastically reduced upon NBPT treatment, indicating a strong alteration of the N metabolism. Furthermore, the amino acid profile showed that amidic amino acids were major components of the reduced pool of amino acids. In contrast, NBPT was absorbed to a much lesser degree by spinach plants than pea plants (35% less) and did not produce a clear inhibition of urease activity in this species.     

Effect of pH, temperature, and potassium sorbate on amino acid uptake in Salmonella typhimurium 7136.

The effect of sorbate on L-serine and L-histidine uptake in Salmonella typhimurium was studied at various pH levels, temperatures, and amino acid and sorbate concentrations. Low pH had an apparent synergistic effect on amino acid uptake inhibition caused by sorbate. The relationship between sorbate concentration and the amount of amino acid uptake inhibition was not linear. Compared with L-histidine, L-serine uptake was more sensitive to changes in pH, temperature, and sorbate concentration. Various degrees of amino acid uptake inhibition by sorbate may be related to differences between amino acid transport systems. The results of this study suggest that sorbate acts as a noncompetitive inhibitor of amino acid uptake in S. typhimurium.     

Regulation of placental amino acid transporter activity by mammalian target of rapamycin

The activity of placental amino acid transporters is decreased in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), but the underlying regulatory mechanisms have not been established. Inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway has been shown to decrease the activity of the system L amino acid transporter in human placental villous fragments, and placental mTOR activity is decreased in IUGR. In the present study, we used cultured primary trophoblast cells to study mTOR regulation of placental amino acid transporters in more detail and to test the hypothesis that mTOR alters amino acid transport activity by changes in transporter expression. Inhibition of mTOR by rapamycin significantly reduced the activity of system A (-17%), system L (-28%), and taurine (-40%) amino acid transporters. mRNA expression of isoforms of the three amino acid transporter systems in response to mTOR inhibition was measured using quantitative real-time PCR. mRNA expression of l-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1; a system L isoform) and taurine transporter was reduced by 13% and 50%, respectively; however, mTOR inhibition did not alter the mRNA expression of system A isoforms (sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter-1, -2, and -4), LAT2, or 4F2hc. Rapamycin treatment did not significantly affect the protein expression of any of the transporter isoforms. We conclude that mTOR signaling regulates the activity of key placental amino acid transporters and that this effect is not due to a decrease in total protein expression. These data suggest that mTOR regulates placental amino acid transporters by posttranslational modifications or by affecting transporter translocation to the plasma membrane.     

Imino acid transport in human diploid fibroblasts.

These studies describe the transport of proline and hydroxyproline in human diploid fibroblasts. Inhibition and kinetic analysis demonstrate that proline is actively transported by the “A” neutral amino acid carrier. Proline transport is Na⁺ dependent and is particularly sensitive to sulfhydryl inhibitors and ouabain. Hydroxyproline is also actively transported but its transport is mediated by a system different from those described previously for other neutral amino acids. Hydroxyproline transport requires the presence of Na⁺ and is sensitive to sulfhydryl inhibitors and ouabain. There is little inhibition of hydroxyproline transport in the presence of other amino acids with the exception of methionine. The methionine inhibition of hydroxyproline transport is of the non-competitive type. Little cross-reactivity was exhibited by the systems which transport proline and hydroxyproline. These studies indicate that human skin fibroblasts do not possess an iminoglycine transport system as has been described for many other tissues. The iminoglycine transport system has been identified as the genetic transport defect in iminoglycinuria. Consequently, skin fibroblasts are not an appropriate system for use in diagnosis of this disorder.     

Kinetic, binding and ultrastructural properties of the beef heart adenine nucleotide carrier protein after incorporation into phospholipid vesicles

1. ADP/ATP transport has been reconstituted by incorporation of the purified carrier protein in liposomes filled with ATP. The transport was assayed by uptake of [14C]ADP into the liposomes, and by release of ATP as determined by a luminescence technique. [14C]ADP uptake was strictly dependent on internal ATP. 2. The simplest phospholipid system capable of yielding high rates of ADP/ATP transport was a mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine and cariolipin (92: 8, w/w). 3. ADP/ATP transport in the reconstituted system proceeded by exchange-diffusion with a 1/1 stoichiometry. The specificity for aDP and ATP was absolute. The capacity and the rate of exchange depended on the concentration of ATP present in liposomes. The rate of transport at 20 degrees C, at 20 mM internal ATP, routinely ranged between 300 and 1000 nmol of nucleotide exchanged per min/mg of added carrier protein. The apparent Km value for external ADP was around 10 microM. 4. The ADP/ATP exchange in the reconstituted system was rather stable to ageing. It dropped by only 20% after 1 day of ageing at 20 degrees C. Divalent cations (Mg2+, Mn2+, Ca2+) at concentrations higher than 1 to 2 mM had a deleterious effect on ADP/ATP transport, concomitant with the release of internal ATP and accumulation of multilamellar vesicles. 5. Atractyloside behaved as a competitive inhibitor and carboxyatractyloside as a non-competitive inhibitor. Bongkrekic acid required a slightly acidic pH to be inhibitory. The data concerning atractyloside, carboxyatractyloside and bongkrekic acid were similar to those obtained with whole mitochondria, suggesting that the carrier protein in liposomes has the same asymmetrical arrangement as in the mitochondria. 6. The percentage of competent carrier protein in liposomes was calculated from dose-response data concerning the inhibition of ADP/ATP transport by atractyloside or carboxyatractyloside, and from the amount of bound [3H]-atractyloside removable by ADP. By both methods, 3 to 6% of the added carrier protein was found to be competent in ADP/ATP transport, based on the assumption that the binding of one atractyloside or carboxyatractyloside molecule per 30000 molecular weight carrier unit results in complete inhibition of transport. 7. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy showed that the ADP/ATP carrier protein-lipid preparations are formed by small vesicles, most of which give rise to smooth fracture faces (probably pure lipid vesicles). Only a small percentage of the vesicles (2 to 4% depending on the amount of carrier protein added) were clearly particulated. About 90% of the particulated vesicles showed no more than 2 particles per vesicle and only 5% more than 5 particles per vesicle. The distribution of the particles between convex and concave fracture faces was asymmetric; about 2/3 of the protein molecules were anchored at the external surface of the vesicles and only 1/3 at the internal one...