Evidence of glutathione transporter in rat brain synaptosomal membrane vesicles |
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Authors: | Teresa Iantomasi Fabio Favilli Maria T Vincenzini |
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Institution: | Department of Biochemical Sciences, University of Firenze, viale Morgagni 50, Firenze, 50134 Italy |
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Abstract: | Glutathione (GSH) transport was studied in synaptosomal membrane vesicles (SMV) of rat cerebral cortex. The present study shows that GSH uptake into SMV occurs very quickly in a time-dependent manner into an osmotically active intravesicular space. The initial rate of transport followed Michealis-Menten saturation kinetics with a Km 4.5±0.8 μM that shows a high affinity of the transporter for GSH. Therefore GSH uptake in SMV occurs by a mediated transport system which can be activated by either an inward gradient of cations, like Na+ or K+, or membrane depolarization. These results, together with those obtained by valinomycin-induced K+ diffusion potential, indicate that GSH synaptosomal transport is electrogenic by a negative charge transfer. The increase of GSH uptake measured by trans-stimulation experiments confirms a GSH bidirectional mediated transport which seems susceptible of modulation by changes in ionic fluxes and in the membrane potential. These results may indicate a possible involvement of this transporter in the role suggested for GSH in synaptic neurotransmission; also considering that GSH precursor of neuroactive aminoacids (glyeine, glutamate), may contribute to regulate their level in synapses. Finally, a GSH transporter in synaptosomes may contribute to maintaining the GSH homeostasis in cerebral cortex, where decreases of GSH levels have been related to susceptibility to neuropathologies. |
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Keywords: | synaptosome intracellular transport carrier protein |
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