Temperature dependence of amino acid transport in Ehrlich ascites cells: with results which bear on the A-L distinction

The effect of the intracellular sodium level on the activity of amino acid transport systems L and A in SV40 3T3 cells

The rate of transport of phenylalanine and leucine, pertinent amino acids of System L, has been measured in SV40 3T3 cells as a function of the presence of Na+ ions during the reloading phase that precedes the influx determination. The presence of Na+ ions during the reloading phase resulted in an increase of the subsequent substrate influx through System L. This effect was related to the intracellular Na+ level and was found to be independent by the presence of a chemical sodium gradient outside-inside during influx determination; furthermore, this effect could not be ascribed to a difference between control and Na+-treated cells in the internal levels of those amino acids that participate in the exchange phenomena of transport System L. The transport of phenylalanine appeared to have the ability to accept Li+ for Na+ substitution in the 'trans' position. The presence of Na+ ions in the 'trans' position was not required to optimize the transport of System A-reactive substrates, whose influxes are dependent on the presence of the cation in 'cis' position. Analysis of the relationship between influx and substrate concentration indicated that the Na+-dependent increase of substrate influx was associated with an enlarged capacity of the high-affinity component of transport System L.

Rate equations and kinetics of uptake of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid by mouse cerebrum slices incubated in media containing L(+)-lactate or a mixture of succinate, L-malate, and pyruvate as the energy source

Influx of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by mouse cerebrum slices incubated with L-lactate or a mixture of succinate, L-malate, and pyruvate (SMP) as the energy source follows the phenomenological rate equation for influx from pyruvate and glucose media: v = Vmax/(1 + Kt/S) + kuS, where v is rate and S is concentration of amino acid. There are two kinetically distinct, parallel components for concentrative uptake, one saturable, and one unsaturable. Rates are less with lactate than with pyruvate and still less with SMP (only GABA was studied), disproving the hypotheses that lower rates with pyruvate compared to glucose are due to an abnormal redox state in the tissue or to a Krebs cycle unbalanced by input at only one point. The carriers for AIB and GABA are qualitatively different. In lactate medium the capacity of each AIB carrier is unchanged but its affinity is reduced to one-third. In lactate and SMP media, the capacity of the saturable GABA carrier is diminished although its affinity is increased. Rates from these media with added glucose or a glucose analog confirm that amino acid and glucose fluxes are not coupled.

Multiple transport pathways for neutral amino acids in rabbit jejunal brush border vesicles

Amino acids enter rabbit jejunal brush border membrane vesicles via three major transport systems: (1) simple passive diffusion; (2) Na-independent carriers; and (3) Na-dependent carriers. The passive permeability sequence of amino acids is very similar to that observed in other studies involving natural and artificial membranes. Based on uptake kinetics and cross-inhibition profiles, at least two Na-independent and three Na-dependent carrier-mediated pathways exist. One Na-independent pathway, similar to the classical L system, favors neutral amino acids, while the other pathway favors dibasic amino acids such as lysine. One Na-dependent pathway primarily serves neutral L-amino acids including 2-amino-2-norbornanecarboxylic acid hemihydrate (BCH), but not beta-alanine or alpha-methylaminoisobutyric acid (MeAIB). Another Na-dependent route favors phenylalanine and methionine, while the third pathway is selective for imino acids and MeAIB. Li is unable to substitute for Na in these systems. Cross-inhibition profiles indicated that none of the Na-dependent systems conform to classical A or ACS paradigms. Other notable features of jejunal brush border vesicles include (1) no beta-alanine carrier, and (2) no major proline/glycine interactions.

Alpha-aminoisobutyric acid uptake in primary cultures of astrocytes

Homotypically pure cultures of rat brain astrocytes were used to examine some aspects of non-neuronal A-system (alanine preferring) amino acid uptake. The A-system specific probe, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid is transported rapidly, and a steady state distribution ratio of 9-25 is reached after 30 minute incubations. Kinetic estimates derived from uptake progress curves indicated a Km of 1.35 mM and a Vmax of 133 nmol/min/mg protein. Uptake is reduced in the absence of either Na+ or K+. Elevations in extracellular K+, a putative metabolic modulator of neuroglia, did not affect uptake.

Influence of serum and amino acids on the accumulation of aminoisobutyrate by rat hepatoma cells. A dedifferentiation of transport routes?

Rat hepatoma cells accumulate considerably less 2-aminoisobutyrate after cultivating in the absence of serum--the change in rate of aminoisobutyrate uptake takes place within 1 h of serum starvation. Starvation of amino acids by contrast raises aminoisobutyrate uptake in the presence or absence of serum, but the cells are much less responsive to amino acid supply than to availability of serum. Phosphate (10 mM) reduced aminoisobutyrate uptake by cells grown in serum to that exhibited by serum-starved cells. Aminoisobutyrate uptake by cells grown in serum was reduced by glycine, proline, alanine, serine, glutamine, methylaminoisobutyrate and 2-aminonorbornane-2-carboxylate, the effects of methylaminoisobutyrate and 2-aminonorbornane-2-carboxylate being additive. However, similar inhibition phenomena were not seen for cells deprived of serum where aminoisobutyrate uptake tended to a relatively constant level insensitive to inhibitory influences, yet substantially greater than that arising by simple diffusion. The comparative insensitivity of our hepatoma line when starved of serum to competition and repression phenomena is in contrast to findings of others. Our results also suggest a lack of clear delineation of specificities for the A and L transport systems as usually defined.

The involvement of the membrane oxidoreduction system in stimulating amino acid uptake in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

The addition of 5 mM ascorbate plus 0.09 mM phenazine methosulfate stimulated 2- to 3-fold the initial rate of 2-aminoisobutyric acid transport into Ehrlich cells. This was observed under the conditions in which glycolysis and mitochondrial electron transport were blocked by iodoacetate and KCN, and the cellular ATP level was maintained below 0.1 mM. Proton conductors, carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone and SF6847 did not affect the stimulation of 2-aminoisobutyric acid uptake caused by ascorbate plus phenazine methosulfate. Ascorbate was replaced by NADH but not by NADPH, and phenazine methosulfate was the only effective acceptor in stimulating 2-aminoisobutyric acid uptake. The stimulating effect of ascorbate plus phenazine methosulfate was due to an increase in the V value for 2-aminoisobutyric acid but not in the Km value. This effect required the presence of an Na+ gradient and was accompanied by an increase in 22Na+ influx. The molar ratio of 2-aminoisobutyric acid to Na+ uptake enhanced by ascorbate plus phenazine methosulfate was calculated to be 1 : 1. Quinacrine, an inhibitor of NADH oxidoreductase in the plasma membrane, inhibited both the enhanced rate of 2-aminoisobutyric acid and Na+ transport without affecting the basal transport activity. The stimulatory effect of ascorbate plus phenazine methosulfate was also observed with other amino acids, alanine, glycine, proline and cycloleucine which are known to be transported via an Na+-dependent system but not with leucine and threonine. These results suggest that a redox system in the plasma membrane participates in energy coupling for amino acid transport by increasing the rate of cotransport with Na+.

Kinetics of and rate equations for the uptake of alpha-amino-isobutyric aicd and gamma-aminobutyric acid by mouse brain slices incubated in a glucose-free medium containing pyruvate as the energy source

Mouse cerebrum slices were incubated in a medium containing pyruvate instead of glucose as the energy source. After a preincubation period alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was added, and the rate of uptake by the slices was measured. AIB and GABA are taken up to above their concentration in the medium. Although influx is slower, the rate equation is the same as that for influx from a glucose medium; namely v = Vmax/1 x Kt/S) + kuS, where v = rate of uptake, S = concentration of AIB or GABA in the medium, and Vmax, Kt, and Ku are constants. The equation shows two parallel pathways for concentrative uptake, one saturable and one unsaturable. The uptake systems for AIB and GABA are qualitatively different. The maximum rate of uptake of AIB by the saturable component is the same in both media even though, in the pyruvate medium, AIB is bound less strongly to the 'carriers'. The maximum rate of uptake of GABA by the saturable component is less in the pyruvate medium although GABA is bound somewhat more strongly to the 'carriers'. The temperature coefficients of the kinetic parameters and their corresponding energies were determined for GABA. Going from glucose to pyruvate medium has little effect on the Arrhenius activation energy (Ea) associated with Vmax and the heat of reaction (delta H) associated with Kt but increases Ea associated with Ku by 1140%.

Effects of temperature on L-leucine transport in toadfish liver in vivo

The effect of body temperature in the 4--30 degrees C range on L-leucine uptake by toadfish liver in vivo was examined by means of a single-injection pulse technique. The ratio of [14C]leucine to [3H]mannitol or [3H]inulin in blood leaving the liver was measured as a function of time after hepatic portal vein injection. Recoveries of the two isotopes in liver and [14C]leucine incorporation into protein were determined. The Q10 value for influx was 3.8, that for efflux 2.8. At all temperatures, the leucine influx was 8--10-times higher than its incorporation into protein. The directly energy-linked reactions appear to be the main site of increased temperature sensitivity at low temperatures.

The complete rate equation, including the explicit dependence on Na+ ions, for the influx of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid into mouse brain slices

The rate equation, including dependence on Na+-ion concentration for the influx of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid into mouse brain slices incubated in isotonic glucose medium at 37 degrees C, is v = 0.402 S/(1.02(1 + 788/[Na+]2)+S)+0.0477S, where v = influx in mu mol/min, g final wet wt of slices; [Na+] = concentbutyric acid in medium, in mM. This equation shows two kinetically independent, parallel pathways of concentrative uptake: one, saturable and dependent on Na+; the other, unsaturable and independent of Na+. Influx is independent of ionic strength, Cl- ion per se, and a moderate increase in tonicity. The binding of substrate to the saturable carrier depends on the Na+ concentration; the maximum capacity of this carrier does not. For transport, 2 Na+ ions must interact with each saturable transport site. This does not imply coupling between the flux of Na+ and the flux of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid.

Interaction of tritium-labeled H2DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyano-1,2,diphenyl ethane-2,2'disulfonic acid) with the Ehrlich mouse ascites tumor cell

The experiments reported in this paper were undertaken to explore the interaction of tritiated H2DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyano-1,2,diphenyl ethane-2,2'-disulfonic acid) with Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Addition of (3H)H2DIDS to tumor cell suspension at 21 degrees C, pH 7.3, resulted in: (i) rapid reversible binding which increased with time and (ii) inhibition of sulfate transport. Tightly bound H2DIDS i.e., reagent not removed by cell washing, also increased with time. Binding of 0.02 nmol H2DIDS/mg dry mass or less did not affect sulfate transport, but, at greater than 0.02 nmol and up to 0.15 nmol the relationship between tight binding and inhibition of transport is linear. The fact that H2DIDS could bind to the cell and yet not affect anion transport suggests that binding sites exist unrelated to those concerned with the regulation of anion permeability. Support for this is the observation that H2DIDS is spontaneously released from cells even after extensive washings by a temperature-sensitive process. The most important source of released H2DIDS is the cell surface coat which labels rapidly (within 1 min) and is then spontaneously released into the medium. A second source is derived from H2DIDS that slowly entered the cells. Consequently, at least four modes of interaction exist between H2DIDS and ascites tumor cells. These include both reversible and irreversible binding to membrane components which regulate anion permeability, irreversible binding to cell surface proteins or glycocalyx, and finally incorporation of H2DIDS into the intracellular phase.

Mercurial perturbation of brush border membrane permeability in rabbit ileum

The sulfhydryl reagents Hg++ and p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate (PCMBS) at millimolar concentrations reduced the mucosal entry of sugars and amino acids to 80-90% of control levels within several minutes. Based on 50% levels of inhibition, Hg++ proved to be 20 and 10 times as potent as PCMBS in blocking sugar and amino acid transport, respectively; both systems were equally sensitive to Hg++. Concomitant measurements of 203Hg-PCMBS demonstrated a progressive tissue uptake, which, unlike inhibition, did not saturate with increasing times of exposure, thus suggesting appreciable epithelial entry with prolonged exposures (less than 30 min at 1 mM). At similar dose levels, no significant change in mucosal Na+ entry was detected. Inhibition was not reversed by 30-min washes in cholinesalt solutions; however, 10-min exposures to dithiothreitol [10 mM] reversed Hg++ and PCMBS inhibition by 40 and 100%, respectively. Alanine and galactose influx kinetics measured at concentrations of 0-100 mM exhibited a linear or diffusional entry component in addition to the usual saturable component for both control and Hg++-treated ileum. The presence of a diffusional term in the flux equation resulted in two sets of parameters giving nearly equal fits to these measurements. It was shown that this ambiguity could be resolved by determining the change in diffusional entry with Hg++ treatment. A 20-min exposure to 0.5 mM Hg++ caused an increase from 0.050 and 0.045 to 0.064 and 0.070 cm/hr in the coefficient of diffusional entry for alanine and galactose, respectively. On the basis of this increase, it is argued that Hg++ causes a decrease in Jmax and little change in Km for both transport mechanisms. This analysis has a general bearing on kinetic measurements of transport in which passive fluxes are comparable to those mediated by specific pathways. The alanine results are consistent with bimolecular reactions between mercurial and two membrane inhibitory sites, each producing approximately 40% reduction in membrane translocation rate. The estimated reaction rate constants were 5.0 and 0.4 mM min.

A comparison of the rate equations, kinetic parameters, and activation energies for the initial uptake of L-lysine, L-valine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid by mouse brain slices

At substrate concentrations, in medium, of 0.2 to 20 mM and at temperatures of 25 and 37 degrees C, the initial concentrative influx of the amino acids L-lysine (30 and 37 degrees C), L-valine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid into incubated mouse-cerebrum slices follows the rate equation for the initial influx of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Cohen, J. Physiol. 228:105, 1973), v equals Vmax/(1+Kt/S)+kuS. Kinetic constants at 37 degrees C are: Vmax equals 0.089 mumoles/g final wet wt of slices, min, Kt equals 0.69 mM, ku equals 0.037 mumoles/g final wet wt, mM-substrate, min for L-lysine; Vmax equals 0.60, Kt equals 1.30, ku equals 0.067 for L-valine; and Vmax equals 1.71, Kt equals 1.58, ku equals 0.094 for gamma-aminobutyric acid. The linear term, kuS, is due to an unsaturable process of concentrative uptake, not diffusion. Comparison of temperature coefficients reveals a "reference" pattern for typical low affinity transport of amino acids into brain slices. Its characteristics are: Activation energies associated with Vmax and ku are in range 14 to 20 kcal/mole; K, varies only slightly with temperature, L-Lysine and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid fit this pattern; L-valine and gamma-aminobutyric acid deviate in part. The Akedo-Christensen plot (J. Biol. Chem. 237:118, 1962) does not distinguish between the rateequation v equals Vmax/(1+Kt/S)+kuS for saturable uptake plus first-order unsaturable concentrative uptake, and the rate equation v equals Vmax/(1 + Kt/S)+kd(S minus Si) for saturable uptake plus first-order nonconcentrative "passive diffusion".

One-way fluxes of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Trans effects and effects of sodium and potassium

One-way fluxes in the steady state and one-way influxes at zero intracellular concentrations were measured for alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells at 32 degrees C. The one-way fulxes show trans effects in the concentration of AIB and are dependent on sodium levels. The one-way fluxes for initial influx and for the steady state were fitted with the equations derived for the frequently used two-state carrier model. Estimates of the parameters of these equations were obtained with use of nonlinear least squares. These gave relatively good fits of the flux data and the data on steady-state distribution ratios. The two-state carrier model predicted a trans inhibition of one-way influx and a trans stimulation of one-way efflux. The former phenomenon has been demonstrated for AIB transport in Ehrlich ascites cells and there is evidence, through less firm, for the latter.

The rate equation and activation energies for the uptake of -aminoisobutyric acid by mouse brain slices

1. The initial influx of the amino acid analogue AIB at medium concentrations of 0.05-20 mM into mouse cerebrum slices incubated at temperatures from 20 to 45 degrees C follows the rate law v = V(max)/(1 + K(t)/S)+k(u)S. The linear term k(u)S arises from an unsaturable process of concentrative uptake.2. At 37 degrees C the kinetic constants are K(t) = 1.12 mM; V(max) = 0.39 mumole AIB/g final wet wt. of slices. min; and k(u) = 0.054 mumole AIB/g final wet wt. of slices. mM-AIB. min.3. At infinitesmal substrate concentrations 13% of influx is via the unsaturable process. This rises to 73% for 20 mM substrate.4. K(t) is independent of temperature. The other constants increase rapidly with temperature. Arrhenius activation energies are 14.1 kcal/mole for V(max) and 17.4 kcal/mole for k(u).

Solute concentration gradients in frog muscles at 0 degree C: active transport or adsorption?

In isolated frog muscle that has been incubated for 7 days at 0 degrees C invitro K(+) and Na(+) remain at normal concentrations. Amino acids are accumulated against a concentration gradient at this temperature; for example, glycine accumulates in muscle to a concentration ten times that in the external solution. The amount of cycloleucine accumulated is greater at 0 degrees C than at 25 degrees C. These findings, which are difficult to explain on the basis of metabolically linked active transport, are Consiststent with the view that solute accumulation by cell is the result of adsorption on spesific sites.