The differential role of Cys-421 and Cys-429 of the Glut1 glucose transporter in transport inhibition by p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid (pCMBS) or cytochalasin B (CB).

Cys-421 and Cys-429 of Glut1 were replaced by site-directed mutagenesis in order to investigate their involvement in basal glucose transport and transport inhibition. Neither of the two cysteine residues was essential for basal 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake in Xenopus oocytes expressing the respective mutant M421 and M429. If applied from the external side, the poorly permeable sulfhydryl-reactive agent pCMBS inhibited 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake of Glut1- and M421-expressing Xenopus oocytes but failed to affect uptake of the Cys-429 mutant. This is in agreement with the proposed two-dimensional model of Glut1 confirming that Cys-429 is the only residue exposed to the surface of the plasma membrane. The replacement of Cys-421 at the exofacial end of helix eleven caused a partial protection of 3-O-methylglucose transport inhibition by CB; this residue may thus be involved in stabilizing an adjacent local tertiary structure necessary for the full activity of this inhibitor.