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Functional evidence for UDP-galactose transporter in Saccharomyces cerevisiae through the in vivo galactosylation and in vitro transport assay.

The oligosaccharide profiles in glycoproteins are determined by a series of processing reactions catalyzed by Golgi glycosyltransferases and glycosidases. Recently in vivo galactose incorporation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been demonstrated through the expression of human beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase in an alg1 mutant, suggesting the presence of a UDP-galactose transporter in S. cerevisiae (Schwientek, T., Narimatsu, H., and Ernst, J. F. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 3398-3405). However, this is quite unexpected, because S. cerevisiae does not have galactose residues in its glycoproteins. To address this question we have constructed S. cerevisiae mnn1 mutant strains expressing Schizosaccharomyces pombe alpha-1,2-galactosyltransferase. The mnn1 mutant of S. cerevisiae provides endogenous acceptors for galactose transfer by the expressed alpha-1,2-galactosyltransferase. We present here three lines of evidences for the existence of UDP-galactose transporter in S. cerevisiae. (i) About 15-20% of the total transformed mnn1 cells grown in a galactose medium were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated alpha-galactose-specific lectin, indicating the presence of alpha-galactose residues on the cell surface. (ii) Galactomannan proteins can be precipitated with agarose-immobilized alpha-galactose-specific lectin from a whole cell lysate prepared from transformed mnn1 cells grown in a galactose medium. (iii) The presence of UDP-galactose transporter was demonstrated by direct transport assay. This transport in S. cerevisiae is dependent on time, temperature, and protein concentration and is inhibited by nucleotide monophosphate and Triton X-100. The overall UDP-galactose transport in S. cerevisiae is comparable with that in S. pombe, indicating a more or less similar reaction velocity, while the rate of GDP-mannose transport is higher in S. pombe than in S. cerevisiae.

Biological Transport↗

Restoration of transport activity by co-expression of human reduced folate carrier half-molecules in transport-impaired K562 cells: localization of a substrate binding domain to transmembrane domains 7-12.

Reduced folates such as 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate and classical antifolates such as methotrexate are actively transported into mammalian cells by the reduced folate carrier (RFC). RFC is characterized by 12 stretches of mostly hydrophobic, alpha-helix-promoting amino acids, internally oriented N and C termini, and a large central linker connecting transmembrane domains (TMDs) 1-6 and 7-12. Previous studies showed that deletion of the majority of the central loop domain between TMDs 6 and 7 abolished transport, but this segment could be replaced with mostly non-homologous sequence from the SLC19A2 thiamine transporter to restore transport function. In this report, we expressed RFC from separate TMD1-6 and TMD7-12 RFC half-molecule constructs, each with a unique epitope tag, in RFC-null K562 cells to restore transport activity. Restored transport exhibited characteristic transport kinetics for methotrexate, a capacity for trans-stimulation by pretreatment with leucovorin, and inhibition by N-hydroxysuccinimide methotrexate, a documented affinity inhibitor of RFC. The TMD1-6 half-molecule migrated on SDS gels as a 38-58 kDa glycosylated species and was converted to 27 kDa by N-glycosidase F or tunicamycin treatments. The 40 kDa TMD7-12 half-molecule was unaffected by these treatments. Using transfected cells expressing both TMDs 1-6 and TMDs 7-12 as separate polypeptides, the TMD7-12 half-molecule was covalently radiolabeled with N-hydroxysuccinimide [(3)H]methotrexate. No radioactivity was incorporated into the TMD1-6 half-molecule. Digestion with endoproteinase GluC decreased the size of the radiolabeled 40 kDa TMD7-12 polypeptide to approximately 20 kDa. Our results demonstrate that a functional RFC can be reconstituted with RFC half-molecules and localize a critical substrate binding domain to within TMDs 7-12.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Amino acid transport of y+L-type by heterodimers of 4F2hc/CD98 and members of the glycoprotein-associated amino acid transporter family.

Amino acid transport across cellular membranes is mediated by multiple transporters with overlapping specificities. We recently have identified the vertebrate proteins which mediate Na+-independent exchange of large neutral amino acids corresponding to transport system L. This transporter consists of a novel amino acid permease-related protein (LAT1 or AmAT-L-lc) which for surface expression and function requires formation of disulfide-linked heterodimers with the glycosylated heavy chain of the h4F2/CD98 surface antigen. We show that h4F2hc also associates with other mammalian light chains, e.g. y+LAT1 from mouse and human which are approximately 48% identical with LAT1 and thus belong to the same family of glycoprotein-associated amino acid transporters. The novel heterodimers form exchangers which mediate the cellular efflux of cationic amino acids and the Na+-dependent uptake of large neutral amino acids. These transport characteristics and kinetic and pharmacological fingerprints identify them as y+L-type transport systems. The mRNA encoding my+LAT1 is detectable in most adult tissues and expressed at high levels in kidney cortex and intestine. This suggests that the y+LAT1-4F2hc heterodimer, besides participating in amino acid uptake/secretion in many cell types, is the basolateral amino acid exchanger involved in transepithelial reabsorption of cationic amino acids; hence, its defect might be the cause of the human genetic disease lysinuric protein intolerance.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular characterization of carnitine-dependent transport of acetyl-CoA from peroxisomes to mitochondria in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and identification of a plasma membrane carnitine transporter, Agp2p.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, beta-oxidation of fatty acids is confined to peroxisomes. The acetyl-CoA produced has to be transported from the peroxisomes via the cytoplasm to the mitochondrial matrix in order to be degraded to CO(2) and H(2)O. Two pathways for the transport of acetyl-CoA to the mitochondria have been proposed. The first involves peroxisomal conversion of acetyl-CoA into glyoxylate cycle intermediates followed by transport of these intermediates to the mitochondria. The second pathway involves peroxisomal conversion of acetyl-CoA into acetylcarnitine, which is subsequently transported to the mitochondria. Using a selective screen, we have isolated several mutants that are specifically affected in the second pathway, the carnitine-dependent acetyl-CoA transport from the peroxisomes to the mitochondria, and assigned these CDAT mutants to three different complementation groups. The corresponding genes were identified using functional complementation of the mutants with a genomic DNA library. In addition to the previously reported carnitine acetyl-CoA transferase (CAT2), we identified the genes for the yeast orthologue of the human mitochondrial carnitine acylcarnitine translocase (YOR100C or CAC) and for a transport protein (AGP2) required for carnitine transport across the plasma membrane.

Acetyl Coenzyme A↗

Heme oxygenase 1, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2, and nuclear factor kappaB are involved in hemin inhibition of type 2 cationic amino acid transporter expression and L-Arginine transport in stimulated macrophages.

BACKGROUND: L-Arginine transport mediated by type 2 cationic amino acid transporter (CAT-2) is one crucial mechanism that regulates nitric oxide production mediated by inducible nitric oxide synthase. Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 induction has been reported to significantly attenuate inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and nitric oxide production. The authors sought to explore the effects of HO-1 induction on CAT-2 expression and L-arginine transport. The effects of HO-1 induction on nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) were also investigated. METHODS: Murine macrophages (RAW264.7 cells) were randomized to receive lipopolysaccharide, lipopolysaccharide plus hemin (an HO-1 inducer; 5, 50, or 500 microm), lipopolysaccharide plus hemin (5, 50, or 500 microm) plus tin protoporphyrin (an HO-1 inhibitor), or lipopolysaccharide plus hemin (5, 50, or 500 microm) plus hemoglobin (a carbon monoxide scavenger). Then, cell cultures were harvested and analyzed. RESULTS: Lipopolysaccharide significantly induced Nrf2 activation and HO-1 expression. Lipopolysaccharide also significantly induced NF-kappaB activation, CAT-2 expression, and L-arginine transport. In a dose-dependent manner, hemin enhanced the lipopolysaccharide-induced Nrf2 activation and HO-1 expression. In contrast, hemin, also in a dose-dependent manner, significantly attenuated the lipopolysaccharide-induced NF-kappaB activation, CAT-2 expression, and L-arginine transport. Furthermore, the effects of hemin were significantly reversed by both tin protoporphyrin and hemoglobin. CONCLUSIONS: HO-1 induction significantly inhibited CAT-2 expression and L-arginine transport in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages, possibly through mechanisms involved activation of Nrf2 and inhibition of NF-kappaB. In addition, carbon monoxide mediated, at least in part, the effects of HO-1 induction on CAT-2 expression and L-arginine transport.

Animals↗

Differential expression of sucrose transporter and polyol transporter genes during maturation of common plantain companion cells.

The cDNAs of two sorbitol transporters, common plantain (Plantago major) polyol transporter (PLT) 1 and 2 (PmPLT1 and PmPLT2), were isolated from a vascular bundle-specific cDNA library from common plantain, a dicot plant transporting Suc plus sorbitol in its phloem. Here, we describe the kinetic characterization of these sorbitol transporters by functional expression in Brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and in Xenopus sp. oocytes and for the first time the localization of plant PLTs in specific cell types of the vascular tissue. In the yeast system, both proteins were shown to be uncoupler sensitive and could be characterized as low-affinity and low-specificity polyol symporters. The Km value for the physiological substrate sorbitol is 12 mm for PmPLT1 and even higher for PmPLT2, which showed an almost linear increase in sorbitol transport rates up to 20 mm. These data were confirmed in the Xenopus sp. system, where PmPLT1 was analyzed in detail and characterized as a H+ symporter. Using peptide-specific polyclonal antisera against PmPLT1 or PmPLT2 and simultaneous labeling with the monoclonal antiserum 1A2 raised against the companion cell-specific PmSUC2 Suc transporter, both PLTs were localized to companion cells of the phloem in common plantain source leaves. These analyses revealed two different types of companion cells in the common plantain phloem: younger cells expressing PmSUC2 at higher levels and older cells expressing lower levels of PmSUC2 plus both PLT genes. The putative role of these low-affinity transporters in phloem loading is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Blood-to-retina transport of creatine via creatine transporter (CRT) at the rat inner blood-retinal barrier.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms of blood-to-retina creatine transport across the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) in vivo and in vitro, and to identify the responsible transporter(s). The creatine transport across the BRB in vivo and creatine uptake in an in vitro model of the inner BRB (TR-iBRB2 cells) were examined using [(14)C]creatine. Identification and localization of the creatine transporter (CRT) were carried out by RT-PCR, western blot, and immunoperoxidase electron microscopic analyses. An in vivo intravenous administration study suggested that [(14)C]creatine is transported from the blood to the retina against the creatine concentration gradient that exists between the retina and blood. [(14)C]Creatine uptake by TR-iBRB2 cells was saturable, Na(+)- and Cl(-)-dependent and inhibited by CRT inhibitors, suggesting that CRT is involved in creatine transport at the inner BRB. RT-PCR and western blot analyses demonstrated that CRT is expressed in rat retina and TR-iBRB2 cells. Moreover, using an immunoperoxidase electron microscopic analysis, CRT immunoreactivity was found at both the luminal and abluminal membranes of the rat retinal capillary endothelial cells. In conclusion, CRT is expressed at the inner BRB and plays a role in blood-to-retina creatine transport across the inner BRB.

Animals↗

Transport of celiprolol across human intestinal epithelial (Caco-2) cells: mediation of secretion by multiple transporters including P-glycoprotein.

1. The transepithelial transport of the beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug, celiprolol, was investigated in monolayers of the well differentiated human intestinal epithelial cell line, Caco-2. 2. The basal-to-apical transport (secretion) of [14C]-celiprolol (50 microM) was 5 times higher than apical-to-basal transport (absorption). In the presence of an excess (5 mM) of unlabelled celiprolol the basal-to-apical transport was reduced by more than 80%, whereas the apical-to-basal transport remained unchanged. 3. Net celiprolol secretion obtained in the concentration range 0.01 to 5 mM displayed saturable kinetics with an apparent Km of 1.00 +/- 0.23 mM and Vmax of 113 +/- 11 pmol/10(6) cells min-1. These results are consistent with saturable active secretion and provide an explanation for the dose-dependent bioavailability of celiprolol. 4. The secretion of celiprolol was sensitive to pH, and decreased in the absence of sodium and in the presence of ouabain, suggesting that transport was coupled to proton and sodium gradients. 5. The secretion of celiprolol was inhibited by substrates for P-glycoprotein (vinblastine, verapamil and nifedipine) and either inhibited or stimulated by typical substrates for the renal organic cation-H+ exchanger (cimetidine, N1-methylnicotinamide, tetraethylammonium and choline), suggesting that there are at least two distinct transport systems. 6. The secretion of celiprolol was also inhibited by other beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs (acebutolol, atenolol, metoprolol, pafenolol and propranolol) and by the diuretics, acetazolamide, chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide, suggesting that the clinically observed effect of chlorthalidone on the bioavailability of celiprolol occurs at the level of the intestinal epithelium.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Involvement of human organic anion transporting polypeptide OATP-B (SLC21A9) in pH-dependent transport across intestinal apical membrane.

Some organic anions are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract through carrier-mediated transport mechanism(s), which may include proton-coupled transport, anion exchange transport, and others. However, the molecular identity of the organic anion transporters localized at the apical membrane of human intestinal epithelial cells has not been clearly demonstrated. In the present study, we focused on human organic anion transporting polypeptide OATP-B and examined its subcellular localization and functionality in the small intestine. Localization of OATP-B was determined by immunohistochemical analysis. Transport properties of estrone-3-sulfate and the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitor pravastatin by OATP-B-transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells were measured. OATP-B was immunohistochemically localized at the apical membrane of intestinal epithelial cells in humans. Uptake of [3H]estrone-3-sulfate and [14C]pravastatin by OATP-B at pH 5.5 was higher than that at pH 7.4. [3H]Estrone-3-sulfate transport was decreased by pravastatin, aromatic anion compounds, and the anion exchange inhibitor 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, but not by small anionic compounds, such as lactic acid and acetic acid. The inhibitory effect of pravastatin on the uptake of [3H]estrone-3-sulfate was concentration-dependent, and the IC50 value was 5.5 mM. The results suggested that OATP-B mediates absorption of anionic compounds and its activity may be optimum at the acidic surface microclimate pH of the small intestine. Accordingly, OATP-B plays a role in the absorption of anionic compounds across the apical membrane of human intestinal epithelial cells, although it cannot be decisively concluded that pH-dependent absorption of pravastatin is determined by OATP-B alone.

Biological Transport↗

EEG1, a putative transporter expressed during epithelial organogenesis: comparison with embryonic transporter expression during nephrogenesis.

A screen for genes differentially regulated in a model of kidney development identified the novel gene embryonic epithelia gene 1 (EEG1). EEG1 exists as two transcripts of 2.4 and 3.5 kb that are most highly expressed at embryonic day 7 and later in the fetal liver, lung, placenta, and kidney. The EEG1 gene is composed of 14 exons spanning a 20-kb region at human chromosome 11p12 and the syntenic region of mouse chromosome 2. Six EEG1 exons have previously been assigned to a longer isoform of eosinophil major basic protein termed proteoglycan 2. Another gene distantly related to EEG1, POV1/PB39, is located 88 kb upstream from the EEG1 gene on chromosome 11. Temporal expression of 65 members of the solute carrier (SLC)-class of transport proteins was followed during kidney development using DNA arrays. POV-1 and EEG1, like glucose transporters, displayed very early maximal gene expression. In contrast, other SLC genes, such as organic anion and cation transporters, amino acid permeases, and nucleoside transporters, had maximal expression later in development. Thus, although the bulk of transporters are expressed late in kidney development, a fraction are expressed near the onset of nephrogenesis. The data raise the possibility that EEG1 and POV1 may define a new family of transport proteins involved in the transport of nutrients or metabolites in rapidly growing and/or developing tissues.

Amino Acid Transport System y+L↗

Ornithine transport via cationic amino acid transporter-1 is involved in ornithine cytotoxicity in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: A prior report showed ornithine cytotoxicity in ornithine-delta-aminotransferase (OAT)-deficient human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in an in vitro model of gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina. This study was intended to clarify the mechanism of ornithine cytotoxicity and to determine the responsible amino acid transporters. METHODS: The mRNA expression of amino acid transporters in human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)-RPE cells was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Northern blot analysis. Carrier-mediated ornithine transport via the L-type amino acid transporter (LAT)1, LAT2, cationic amino acid transporter (CAT)-1, and y(+)LAT2 systems was evaluated by short interfering (si)RNA-mediated gene silencing. The cytoprotective effect of CAT-1-specific siRNA on ornithine cytotoxicity was measured using quantitative analysis of cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) at 24 hours after treatment with ornithine in OAT-deficient RPE cells. RESULTS: LAT1, LAT2, CAT-1, and y(+)LAT2 mRNA expression was detected by Northern blot analysis, whereas RT-PCR revealed that LAT1, LAT2, y(+)LAT1, y(+)LAT2, CAT-1, and b(0,+)AT mRNAs were expressed together with the heterodimeric glycoproteins 4F2hc and rBAT in hTERT-RPE cells. l-[(14)C]ornithine uptake in hTERT-RPE cells was decreased by 46.6% and 22.0% by CAT-1 and y(+)LAT2 siRNA, respectively, whereas LAT1 and LAT2 siRNA had no significant effect. Further, CAT-1 silencing by siRNA reduced ornithine cytotoxicity in OAT-deficient RPE cells. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that ornithine transport via CAT-1 may play a crucial role in ornithine cytotoxicity in hTERT-RPE cells. Reduction of the ornithine transport via CAT-1 may be a new target for treatment of gyrate atrophy.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Restoration of insulin responsiveness in skeletal muscle of morbidly obese patients after weight loss. Effect on muscle glucose transport and glucose transporter GLUT4.

A major defect contributing to impaired insulin action in human obesity is reduced glucose transport activity in skeletal muscle. This study was designed to determine whether the improvement in whole body glucose disposal associated with weight reduction is related to a change in skeletal muscle glucose transport activity and levels of the glucose transporter protein GLUT4. Seven morbidly obese (body mass index = 45.8 +/- 2.5, mean +/- SE) patients, including four with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), underwent gastric bypass surgery for treatment of their obesity. In vivo glucose disposal during a euglycemic clamp at an insulin infusion rate of 40 mU/m2 per min was reduced to 27% of nonobese controls (P less than 0.01) and improved to 78% of normal after weight loss of 43.1 +/- 3.1 kg (P less than 0.01). Maximal insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity in incubated muscle fibers was reduced by approximately 50% in obese patients at the time of gastric bypass surgery but increased twofold (P less than 0.01) to 88% of normal in five separate patients after similar weight reduction. Muscle biopsies obtained from vastus lateralis before and after weight loss revealed no significant change in levels of GLUT4 glucose transporter protein. These data demonstrate conclusively that insulin resistance in skeletal muscle of mobidly obese patients with and without NIDDM cannot be causally related to the cellular content of GLUT4 protein. The results further suggest that morbid obesity contributes to whole body insulin resistance through a reversible defect in skeletal muscle glucose transport activity. The mechanism for this improvement may involve enhanced transporter translocation and/or activation.

Adult↗

Delta-aminolevulinic acid transport by intestinal and renal peptide transporters and its physiological and clinical implications.

Delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is the precursor of porphyrin synthesis and has been recently used in vitro and in clinical studies as an endogenous photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy in the treatment of various tumors. For this purpose, ALA is given topically, systemically, or orally. When administered by the oral route, it shows excellent intestinal absorption. ALA is also efficiently reabsorbed in the renal proximal tubule after glomerular filtration. However, the pathways and mechanisms for its transmembrane transport into epithelial cells of intestine and kidney are unknown. Here we demonstrate that ALA uses the intestinal and renal apical peptide transporters for entering into epithelial cells. Kinetics and characteristics of ALA transport were determined in Xenopus laevis ooyctes and Pichia pastoris yeast cells expressing either the cloned intestinal peptide transporter PEPT1 or the renal form PEPT2. By using radiolabeled ALA and electrophysiological techniques in these heterologous expression systems, we established that: (a) PEPT1 and PEPT2 translocate 3H-ALA by saturable and pH-dependent transport mechanisms, (b) that ALA and di-/tripeptides, but not GABA or related amino acids, compete at the same substrate-binding site of the carriers, and (c) that ALA transport is electrogenic in nature as a consequence of H+/ALA cotransport. Reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis performed with specific primers for PEPT1 and PEPT2 in rabbit tissues demonstrates that, in particular, the PEPT2 mRNA is expressed in a variety of other tissues including lung, brain, and mammary gland, which have been shown to accumulate ALA. This suggests that these tissues could take up the porphyrin precusor via expressed peptide transporters, providing the endogenous photosensitizers for efficient photodynamic therapy.

Aminolevulinic Acid↗

Role of mouse organic anion transporter 3 (mOat3) as a basolateral prostaglandin E2 transport pathway.

Renal organic anion transporters play an important role in the handling of a number of endogenous and exogenous anionic substances in the kidney. In this study, we investigated prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) transport properties and intrarenal localization of mouse organic anion transporter 3 (mOat3). When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, mOat3 mediated the time- and concentration-dependent transport of PGE(2) (K(m): 1.48 microM). PGE(2) transport mediated by mOat3 was trans-stimulated by intracellular glutarate injected into the oocytes. PGE(2) efflux via mOat3 was also trans-stimulated by extracellular glutarate. Thus, mOat3 was shown to mediate the bidirectional transport of PGE(2), partly coupled to the dicarboxylate exchange mechanism. Immunohistochemical study revealed that mOat3 protein was localized at the basolateral membrane of renal proximal and distal tubules. Furthermore, diffuse expression of mOat3, including expression in the basolateral membrane in macula densa (MD) cells, was observed. These results indicate that mOat3 plays an important role as a basolateral transport pathway of PGE(2) in the distal nephron including MD cells that may constitute one of the indispensable steps for renin release and regulation of the tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism.

Animals↗

Transepithelial transport of ferulic acid by monocarboxylic acid transporter in Caco-2 cell monolayers.

Our previous study (Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem., 66, 2449-2457 (2002)), suggested that ferulic acid was transported via a monocarboxylic acid transporter (MCT). Transepithelial transport of ferulic acid was examined in this study by directly measuring the rate of its transport across Caco-2 cell monolayers. Ferulic acid transport was dependent on pH, and in a vectorical way in the apical-basolateral direction. The permeation of ferulic acid was concentration-dependent and saturable; the Michaelis constant was 16.2 mM and the maximum velocity was 220.4 nmol min-1 (mg protein)-1. Various substrates for MCTs, such as benzoic acid and acetic acid, strongly inhibited the permeation of ferulic acid, demonstrating that ferulic acid is obviously transported by MCT. Antioxidative phenolic acid compounds from dietary sources like ferulic acid would be recognized and transported by MCT by intestinal absorption.

Antioxidants↗

Structure and transport mechanism of the bacterial oxalate transporter OxlT.

Membrane proteins that belong to the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) are found in organisms across the evolutionary spectrum and mediate the transport of a variety of substrates ranging from small metabolites to neurotransmitters. The oxalate transporter (OxlT) is a representative MFS protein, and exchanges formate for oxalate across the cytoplasmic membrane of the organism Oxalobacter formigenes. Here, we present a structural model for the protein conformational changes that occur during oxalate transport by combining a three-dimensional map of the oxalate-bound, "closed" state of OxlT at 6.5 A determined by cryo-electron microscopy with a model of the "open" state of OxlT based on the atomic structures of the related transporters, glycerol-3-phosphate transporter (GlpT) and lactose permease (LacY). We demonstrate that the principal structural change associated with substrate transport is a concerted rocking movement of the two structurally similar halves of the protein relative to each other. Our structural model places two positively charged residues, Arg-272 and Lys-355 in the central cavity, suggesting that electrostatic interactions between these residues and the oxalate anion is a key step in generating the conformational change between the open and closed states of the transporter.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Activity and genomic organization of human glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9), a novel member of the family of sugar-transport facilitators predominantly expressed in brain and leucocytes.

The GLUT9 gene encodes a cDNA which exhibits significant sequence similarity with members of the glucose transporter (GLUT) family. The gene is located on chromosome 9q34 and consists of 10 exons separated by short introns. The amino acid sequence deduced from its cDNA predicts 12 putative membrane-spanning helices and all the motifs (sugar-transporter signatures) that have previously been shown to be essential for transport activity. A striking characteristic of GLUT9 is the presence of two arginines in the putative helices 7 and 8 at positions where the organic anion transporters harbour basic residues. The next relative of GLUT9 is the glucose transporter GLUT8/GLUTX1 (44.8% amino acid identity with GLUT9). A 2.6-kb transcript of GLUT9 was detected in spleen, peripheral leucocytes and brain. Transfection of COS-7 cells with GLUT9 produced expression of a 46-kDa membrane protein which exhibited reconstitutable glucose-transport activity and low-affinity cytochalasin-B binding. It is concluded that GLUT9 is a novel member of the family of sugar-transport facilitators with a tissue-specific function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs efficiently reduce the transport and cytotoxicity of adefovir mediated by the human renal organic anion transporter 1.

Adefovir is a nucleotide analog with anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity that has been extensively studied in clinical trials. While on prolonged anti-HIV therapy with adefovir, some patients may develop drug-associated nephrotoxicity manifested by changes in laboratory markers of renal tubular functions that are reversible upon drug discontinuation. It has been recently shown that adefovir is efficiently transported by the human renal organic anion transporter 1 (hOAT1), a membrane transport protein localized in the kidney, that presumably mediates the accumulation of adefovir in renal proximal tubules. In an effort to look for novel inhibitors of this transport process, we used a cell line stably expressing hOAT1 to demonstrate that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) efficiently inhibit hOAT1-specific transport of adefovir at clinically relevant concentrations. Diflunisal, ketoprofen, flurbiprofen, indomethacin, naproxen, and ibuprofen were equally or more effective (IC(50) = 0.85-8 microM) than probenecid or betamipron, two known potent inhibitors of hOAT1 (IC(50) = 8 and 6 microM, respectively) with in vivo nephroprotective effects. Importantly, NSAIDs significantly reduced the shift in adefovir cytotoxicity observed upon hOAT1 expression with ketoprofen and naproxen being 2- to 3-times more effective than probenecid. Transport experiments with [(3)H]ketoprofen and [(3)H]ibuprofen revealed that NSAIDs themselves were not efficiently transported by hOAT1. None of the NSAIDs tested showed any interference with the anti-HIV activity of adefovir. In conclusion, these observations suggest that NSAIDs may reduce or delay the emergence of adefovir nephrotoxicity.

Adenine↗