Alternative-substrate inhibition of L-lactate transport via the monocarboxylate-specific carrier system in human erythrocytes

The L-lactate/proton symport system of the red blood cell membrane was studied under conditions of alternative-substrate inhibition by glycolate. At constant pH of the medium glycolate caused competitive inhibition of L-lactate transport. In Lineweaver-Burk plots of 1/v against 1/H], on the other hand, glycolate caused an uncompetitive inhibition. These observations indicate, that the monocarboxylate carrier exhibits ordered substrate binding, with the proton binding first.