Sugar transport in giant barnacle muscle fibres

Properties of the human erythrocyte glucose transport protein are determined by cellular context

Human erythrocyte hexose transfer is mediated by the glucose transport protein GLUT1 and is characterized by a complexity that is unexplained by available hypotheses for carrier-mediated sugar transport [Cloherty, E. K., Heard, K. S., and Carruthers, A. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 10411-10421]. The study presented here examines the possibility that the operational properties of GLUT1 are determined by host cell environment. A glucose transport-null strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (RE700A) was transfected with the p426 GPD yeast expression vector containing DNA encoding the wild-type human glucose transport protein (GLUT1), mutant GLUT1 (GLUT1(338)(-)(A3)), or carboxy-terminal hemagglutinin-polyHis-tagged GLUT1 (GLUT1-HA-H6). GLUT1 and GLUT1-HA-H6 are expressed at the yeast cell membrane and restore 2-deoxy-d-glucose, 3-O-methylglucose, and d-glucose transport capacity to RE700A. GLUT1-HA-H6 confers GLUT1-specific sugar transport characteristics to transfected RE700A, including inhibition by cytochalasin B and high-affinity transport of the nonmetabolized sugar 3-O-methylglucose. GLUT1(338)(-)(A3), a catalytically inactive GLUT1 mutant, is expressed but fails to restore RE700A sugar uptake capacity or growth on glucose. In contrast to transport in human red cells, K(m(app)) for 2-deoxy-d-glucose uptake equals K(i(app)) for 2-deoxy-d-glucose inhibition of 3-O-methylglucose uptake. Unlike transport in human red cells or transport in human embryonic kidney cells transfected with GLUT1-HA-H6, unidirectional sugar uptake in RE700A-GLUT1-HA-H6 is not inhibited by reductant and is not stimulated by intracellular sugar. Net uptake of subsaturating 3-O-methylglucose by RE700A-GLUT1-HA-H6 is a simple, first-order process. These findings support the hypothesis that red cell sugar transport complexity is host cell-specific.

Barnacle muscle: Ca2+, activation and mechanics

In this review, aspects of the ways in which Ca2+ is transported and regulated within muscle cells have been considered, with particular reference to crustacean muscle fibres. The large size of these fibres permits easy access to the internal environment of the cell, allowing it to be altered by microinjection or microperfusion. At rest, Ca2+ is not in equilibrium across the cell membrane, it enters the cell down a steep electrochemical gradient. The free [Ca2+] at rest is maintained at a value close to 200 nM by a combination of internal buffering systems, mainly the SR, mitochondria, and the fixed and diffusible Ca(2+)-binding proteins, as well as by an energy-dependent extrusion system operating across the external cell membrane. This system relies upon the inward movement of Na+ down its own electrochemical gradient to provide the energy for the extrusion of Ca2+ ions. As a result of electrical excitation, voltage-sensitive channels for Ca2+ are activated and permit Ca2+ to enter the cell more rapidly than at rest. It has been possible to determine both the amount of Ca2+ entering by this step, and what part this externally derived Ca2+ plays in the development of force as well as in the free Ca2+ change. The latter can be determined directly by Ca(2+)-sensitive indicators introduced into the cell sarcoplasm. A combination of techniques, allowing both the total and free Ca2+ changes to be assessed during electrical excitation, has provided valuable information as to how muscle cells buffer their Ca2+ in order to regulate the extent of the change in the free Ca2+ concentration. The data indicate that the entering Ca2+ can only make a small direct contribution to the force developed by the cell. The implication here is that the major source of Ca2+ for contraction must be derived from the internal Ca2+ storage sites within the SR system, a view reinforced by caged Ca2+ methods. The ability to measure the free Ca2+ concentration changes within a single cell during activation has also provided the opportunity to analyse, in detail, the likely relations between free Ca2+ and the process of force development in muscle. The fact that the free Ca2+ change precedes the development of force implies that there are delays in the mechanism, either at the site of Ca2+ attachment on the myofibril, or at some later stage in the process of force development that were not previously anticipated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Mechanisms for the facilitated diffusion of substrates across cell membranes

Two classes of theoretical mechanisms for protein-mediated, passive, transmembrane substrate transport (facilitated diffusion) are compared. The simple carrier describes a carrier protein that exposes substrate influx and efflux sites alternately but never both sites simultaneously. Two-site models for substrate transport describe carrier proteins containing influx and efflux sites simultaneously. Velocity equations describing transport by these mechanisms are derived. These equations take the same general form, being characterized by five experimental constants. Simple carrier-mediated transport is restricted to hyperbolic kinetics under all conditions. Two-site carrier-mediated transport may deviate from hyperbolic kinetics only under equilibrium exchange conditions. When both simple- and two-site carriers display hyperbolic kinetics under equilibrium exchange conditions, these models are indistinguishable by using steady-state transport data alone. Seven sugar transport systems are analyzed. Five of these systems are consistent with both models for sugar transport. Uridine, leucine, and cAMP transport by human red cells are consistent with both simple- and two-site models for transport. Human erythrocyte sugar transport can be modeled by simple- and two-site carrier mechanisms, allowing for compartmentalization of intracellular sugars. In this instance, resolution of the intrinsic properties of the human red cell sugar carrier at 20 degrees C requires the use of submillisecond transport measurements.

Analysis of protein-mediated 3-O-methylglucose transport in rat erythrocytes: rejection of the alternating conformation carrier model for sugar transport

3-O-Methylglucose (3OMG) transport in rat erythrocytes (RBCs) is mediated by a low-capacity, facilitated diffusion-type process. This study examines whether the characteristics of sugar transport in rat RBCs are consistent with the predictions of two diametric, theoretical mechanisms for sugar transport. The one-site carrier describes a transport mechanism in which sugar influx and efflux substrate binding sites are mutually exclusive. The two-site carrier describes a transport mechanism in which sugar influx and efflux substrate binding sites can exist simultaneously but may interact in a cooperative fashion when occupied by substrate. Michaelis and velocity parameters for saturable 3OMG transport in rat erythrocytes at 24 degrees C were obtained from initial rate measurements of 3OMG transport. The results are incompatible with the predictions of the one-site carrier but are consistent with the predictions of a symmetric two-site carrier, displaying negligible cooperativity between substrate binding sites. This allows reduction of the two-site carrier transport equations to a form containing fewer constants than the one-site carrier equations without limiting their predictive success. While the available evidence does not prove that rat erythrocyte sugar transport is mediated by a two-site mechanism, we conclude that adoption of the formally more complex one-site model for sugar transport in rat erythrocytes is unnecessary and unwarranted. Counterflow experiments have also been performed in which the time course of radiolabeled 3OMG uptake is measured in cells containing saturating levels of 3OMG. The results of these experiments are consistent with the hypothesis [Naftalin et al. (1985) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 820, 235-249] that exchange of sugar between intracellular compartments (cell water and hemoglobin) can be rate limiting for transport under certain conditions.

Glutamate transport in large muscle fibres of Balanus nubilus

The uptake of glutamate and other acidic amino acids into barnacle single muscle fibres has been characterized. The uptake of glutamate consists of two components, one Na-independent and one Na-dependent. The Na-dependent uptake is saturable (half-maximal at 250 microM external glutamate) and is inhibited by a variety of analogues of which L-cysteate and D- and L-aspartate are the most potent. These amino acids are also transported into the muscle in a Na-dependent manner. The excitatory agonists kainate, quisqualate, and N-methyl-D-aspartate do not inhibit or affect uptake in any way. Progressive replacement of external Na by choline reduces uptake with very little effect on the apparent affinity for glutamate, suggesting that Na and glutamate bind to the transporter independently. The kinetics of activation are consistent with a requirement for at least two Na ions. Na activation of glutamate uptake can be inhibited by guanidinium with kinetics that are consistent with competitive inhibition at the Na binding site. Studies on the efflux of L-glutamate and other analogues have shown that efflux rates are only slightly increased by the removal of Na and do not seem to be affected in any clear manner by external levels of acidic amino acids.

Measurements of amino acid transport in internally dialyzed giant axons

It is shown that the axoplasmic composition of acidic and neutral amino acids can be controlled effectively by the method of internal dialysis. Direct assay for specific binding and measurement of diffusion coefficients in axoplasm show that there is no significant binding or compartmentalization of amino acids. The dependence of amino acid efflux on substrate concentration can be measured under well-defined, true steady-state conditions. The taurine efflux-concentration relation in the Myxicola giant axon conforms to a second-order Hill equation. This fact is consistent with either a cooperative process or a mechanism in which membrane translocation is not the rate-controlling step. The effluxes of taurine and glycine from squid axon are an order of magnitude smaller than in Myxicola. The efflux-concentration relations are essentially linear up to 200 mM substrate concentration. This result may be produced by specific transporters which have very high asymmetry, or by simple diffusive leak in the absence of specific transporters.

Na+-sensitive component of 3-O-methylglucose uptake in frog skeletal muscle

A Na+-sensitive uptake of 3-O-methylglucose (3-O-MG), a nonmetabolized sugar, was characterized in frog skeletal muscle. A removal of Na+ from the bathing solution reduced 3-O-MG uptake, depending on the amount of Na+ removed. At a 3-O-MG concentration of 2 mM, the Na+-sensitive component of uptake in Ringer's solution was estimated to be about 26% of the total uptake. The magnitude of Na+-sensitive component sigmoidally increased with an increase of 3-O-MG in bathing solution, whereas in Na+-free Ringer's solution the uptake was proportional to the concentration. The half saturation of the Na+-sensitive component was at a 3-O-MG concentration of about 13 mM, and the Hill coefficient was 1.4 to 1.6. Phlorizin (5 mM), a potent inhibitor specific for Na+-coupled glucose transport, reduced the uptake in a solution containing Na+ to the level in Na+-free Ringer's solution. Glucose of concentrations higher than 20 mM suppressed 3-O-MG uptake to a level slightly lower than that in Na+-free Ringer's solution. These observations indicate that there are Na+-coupled sugar transport systems in frog skeletal muscle which are shared by both glucose and 3-O-MG.

Hormones and the barnacle muscle fiber as a preparation

This minireview discusses the use of single barnacle muscle fibers as a model system for studying hormonal actions. The response of barnacle muscle fibers to serotonin, proctolin, octopamine, aldosterone and insulin is described. Recent data relating to the actions of these hormones on other invertebrate and vertebrate preparations is touched upon. The use of the barnacle muscle fiber as a preparation to investigate hormone-stimulated protein phosphorylation is emphasized.

Characterization of sugar transport in the pigeon red blood cell

Sugar transport in pigeon red blood cells is mediated by two pathways. One is saturable, shows competition between sugars, is inhibited by phloretin and cytochalasin B, and shows many of the properties of 'carrier-mediated' transport, characterized in the human red blood cell. The other is not saturable, and shows no competition between sugars. The saturable pathway is virtually absent from freshly drawn cells, but may be stimulated by pre-incubation with 2 mM-NaCN, or by Ca and the ionophore A 23187. The non-saturating pathway is stimulated only slightly by CN, but considerably by Ca and A 23187. The inhibition of sugar transport by cytochalasin B is antagonized competitively by sugars acting at the inner surface of the membrane. External sugars have no effect, as in the human red blood cell (Widdas, 1980). The binding of cytochalasin B to the cells shows a limited number of high-affinity sites. These are unrelated to inhibition of sugar transport as binding, but not transport, is prevented by the presence of cytochalasin E.

Insulin regulation of sugar transport in giant muscle fibres of the barnacle

1. Sugar transport in the giant muscle cells of Balanus nubilus is accelerated during contractile activity and exposure to porcine insulin. The characteristics of hexose-transfer regulation in the giant muscle cells have been examined by studying the transport of 3-O-methylglucose (a non-metabolized sugar) in both intact giant fibres and fibres subjected to internal solute control by internal dialysis.2. Sugar transport in barnacle muscle is mediated by a saturable process which is inhibited by both phloretin and cytochalasin B. Insulin increases the capacity of the transport system with little effect on its apparent affinity for sugar. Under the same conditions insulin increases 3-O-methylglucose-displaceable cytochalasin B binding. The effects of insulin on transport are half-maximal at 5 muM-insulin and are abolished by both insulin antibody and phloretin. The intact barnacle releases an insulin-like material in response to a rise in blood glucose levels.3. Insulin increases the cyclic GMP (cGMP) content and reduces the cyclic AMP (cAMP) content of barnacle muscle. Experiments with fibres injected with aequorin show that insulin also lowers cytosolic ionized Ca levels. The changes in cyclic nucleotide levels induced by insulin precede the effects on sugar transport and cytosolic ionized Ca. During repetitive contractile activity, cAMP, cGMP and ionized Ca levels are raised.4. Agents which raise the cAMP content of barnacle muscle normally inhibit sugar transport. Dibutyryl cAMP also inhibits transport. Alterations in cytosolic ionized Ca levels in intact fibres are without effect on sugar transport. Nevertheless, stimulation of transport by insulin is blunted when cytosolic ionized Ca is lowered by intracellular injection of the Ca-chelating agent, EGTA.5. Sugar uptake in the internally dialysed fibre is inhibited by intracellular application of cAMP. Internal application of Ca and cGMP stimulate sugar uptake in the dialysed fibre. Cyclic AMP reduces the capacity of the transport system whereas Ca and cGMP increase the capacity of the saturable transfer system. Cyclic AMP and cGMP act at kinetically independent sites. Internal ATP (2 mM) inhibits sugar uptake in the dialysed fibre by some 40%, possibly through the production of cAMP.6. External insulin stimulates sugar uptake in the dialysed fibre even when ionized Ca levels are buffered using EGTA. Stimulation by insulin requires the presence of cytosolic ATP and is potentiated by internal application of 1 mM-GTP. In the dialysed fibre stimulation of transport by insulin is greater than that brought about by Ca and cGMP.7. The stimulation of transport by insulin in the intact fibre and its inhibition by dibutyryl cAMP are abolished by intracellular injection of Gpp(NH)p. Injection of intact fibres with GTPgammaS potentiates the stimulation of transport by insulin and renders insulin-activation of transport irreversible. Injection of intact fibres with ATPgammaS leads to the irreversible inhibition of transport.8. Injection of intact fibres with cAMP phosphodiesterase lowers cAMP levels close to zero and stimulates sugar transport. Application of insulin to diesterase-injected fibres still stimulates transport in the absence of altered cytosolic cAMP.