Asymmetry of the Na+-succinate cotransporter in rabbit renal brush-border membranes

Identification of conformationally sensitive amino acids in the Na(+)/dicarboxylate symporter (SdcS)

The Na(+)/dicarboxylate symporter (SdcS) from Staphylococcus aureus is a homologue of the mammalian Na(+)/dicarboxylate cotransporters (NaDC1) from the solute carrier 13 (SLC13) family. This study examined succinate transport by SdcS heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, using right-side-out (RSO) and inside-out (ISO) membrane vesicles. The K(m) values for succinate in RSO and ISO vesicles were similar, approximately 30 microM. The single cysteine of SdcS was replaced to produce the cysteine-less transporter, C457S, which demonstrated functional characteristics similar to those of the wild type. Single-cysteine mutants were made in SdcS-C457S at positions that are functionally important in mammalian NaDC1. Mutant N108C of SdcS was sensitive to chemical labeling by MTSET {[2-(trimethylammonium)ethyl]methanethiosulfonate} from both the cytoplasmic and extracellular sides, depending on the conformational state of the transporter, suggesting that Asn-108 may be found in the translocation pore of the protein. Mutant D329C was sensitive to MTSET in the presence of Na(+) but only from the extracellular side. Finally, mutant L436C was insensitive to MTSET, although changes in its kinetic properties indicate that this residue may be important in substrate binding. In conclusion, this work identifies Asn-108 as a key residue in the translocation pathway of the protein, accessible in different states from both sides of the membrane. Functional characterization of SdcS should provide useful structural as well as functional details about mammalian transporters from the SLC13 family.

The transport properties of the human renal Na(+)- dicarboxylate cotransporter under voltage-clamp conditions

The transport properties of the human Na(+)-dicarboxylate cotransporter, (hNaDC-1), expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes were characterized using the two-electrode voltage clamp technique. Steady-state succinate-evoked inward currents in hNaDC-1 were dependent on the concentrations of succinate and sodium, and on the membrane potential. At -50 mV, the half-saturation constant for succinate (K(0.5)(succinate)) was 1.1 mM and the half-saturation constant for sodium (K(0.5)(sodium)) was 65 mM. The Hill coefficient was 2.3, which is consistent with a transport stoichiometry of 3 Na(+):1 divalent anion substrate. The hNaDC-1 exhibits a high-cation selectivity. Sodium is the preferred cation and other cations, such as lithium, were not able to support transport of succinate. The preferred substrates of hNaDC-1 are fumarate (K(0.5) 1.8 mM) and succinate, followed by methylsuccinate (K(0.5) 2.8 mM), citrate (K(0. 5) 6.8 mM) and alpha-ketoglutarate (K(0.5) 16 mM). The hNaDC-1 may also transport sodium ions through an uncoupled leak pathway, which is sensitive to phloretin inhibition. We propose a transport model for hNaDC-1 in which the binding of three sodium ions is followed by substrate binding.

Sodium-coupled transporters for Krebs cycle intermediates

Krebs cycle intermediates such as succinate, citrate, and alpha-ketoglutarate are transferred across plasma membranes of cells by secondary active transporters that couple the downhill movement of sodium to the concentrative uptake of substrate. Several transporters have been identified in isolated membrane vesicles and cells based on their functional properties, suggesting the existence of at least three or more Na+/dicarboxylate cotransporter proteins in a given species. Recently, several cDNAs, called NaDC-1, coding for the low-affinity Na+/dicarboxylate cotransporters have been isolated from rabbit, human, and rat kidney. The Na+/dicarboxylate cotransporters are part of a distinct gene family that includes the renal and intestinal Na+/sulfate cotransporters. Other members of this family include a Na(+)- and Li(+)-dependent dicarboxylate transporter from Xenopus intestine and a putative Na+/dicarboxylate cotransporter from rat intestine. The current model of secondary structure in NaDC-1 contains 11 transmembrane domains and an extracellular N-glycosylated carboxy terminus.

Coupling between sodium and succinate transport across renal brush border membrane vesicles

The coupling between Na+ and succinate transport through the renal brush border Na+-dicarboxylate cotransporter was examined in a vesicle preparation. Initial rates of Na+ and succinate uptake were measured simultaneously using radioactive isotopes under zero-trans (Na+ and succinate-free intravesicular solutions) and voltage-clamped conditions (p.d. = 0 mV). The coupling coefficient is defined as the ratio of the succinate-dependent Na+ flux to the Na+-dependent succinate flux. The cis Na+ and succinate concentrations were varied from 0.05-5 mM succinate and 25-150 mM Na+. The coupling coefficient was approximately 3 and was independent of the succinate and Na+ concentrations tested. These results suggest that only the free carrier and the fully loaded carrier (carrier + 3 Na+ + succinate2-) are able to cross the brush border membrane; i.e., there is little evidence of slippage in the coupling between Na+ and succinate fluxes through the membrane via this carrier. A coupling coefficient of 3 is consistent with the electrogenic nature of the Na-dicarboxylate cotransporter.

Transport of L-ascorbic acid and dehydro-L-ascorbic acid across renal cortical basolateral membrane vesicles

The uptake of L-ascorbic acid and dehydro-L-ascorbic acid into renal cortical basolateral membrane vesicles has been characterized. The uptake systems for both solutes demonstrate saturation kinetics. The presence of structural analogs of L-ascorbic acid and dehydro-L-ascorbic acid results in cis-inhibition and trans-stimulation. Uptake of each substrate is Na+-independent, proceeding to an endpoint of substrate equilibrium across the vesicular membrane. The transport mechanism(s) for L-ascorbic acid and dehydro-L-ascorbic acid appears to be facilitated diffusion.

Na+-independent dehydro-L-ascorbic acid uptake in renal brush-border membrane vesicles

A membrane preparation enriched in the brush-border component of the plasma membrane was isolated from rat renal superficial cortex by a divalent cation precipitation procedure. Uptake of dehydro-L-ascorbic acid, the oxidized form of L-ascorbic acid, by the brush-border membrane vesicles was studied. The uptake mechanism was found to be sodium-independent and insensitive to the trans-membrane electrical potential difference. Uptake was saturable and subject to cis-inhibition. Concentrative uptake was demonstrated only under conditions of trans-stimulation by structural analogs. The results suggest a mechanism of facilitated diffusion for the uptake of dehydro-L-ascorbic acid in renal brush-border membranes.