Comprehensive analysis of aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis in Aspergillus flavus via transcriptome-wide m6A methylome response to cycloleucine

Aspergillus flavus and its toxic aflatoxins secondary metabolites contaminate food and grains, posing a severe threat to human health and leading to liver cancer. Here, we demonstrated that cycloleucine blocked aflatoxin B1 synthesis by inhibiting N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation modification of messenger RNA (mRNA). m6A Methylation Immunoprecipitation Sequencing (m6A MeRIP-Seq)-based comprehensive transcriptome-wide m6A profiling identified 102 differentially expressed genes that underwent m6A modification, of which 22 hypermethylated genes were downregulated and 49 hypomethylated genes were upregulated, suggesting a negative correlation between m6A methylation and gene expression. Notably, cycloleucine inhibited aflatoxin B1 production via multiple targets. The m6A sites of several key genes involved in the aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis pathway were significantly enriched in the coding sequence and around the stop codon, resulting in their downregulation. Furthermore, m6A methylation on genes related to the aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis pathway led to reduced mRNA stability. Cycloleucine inhibition of aflatoxin B1 production highlights its potential as an agent for removing mycotoxins in environmental pollution. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: Aflatoxins, highly carcinogenic secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus, frequently contaminate crops such as peanut, corn, wheat and sesame leading to irreversible loss in the quality and yield of agricultural products and posing serious threats to food safety. Aflatoxins has also been linked to developmental delays and liver cancer in humans. In our study, 'monitoring aflatoxin concentrations and its bioaccumulation in organisms' has been conducted. The results demonstrated that aflatoxin production in A. flavus was completely blocked after cycloleucine treatment. Additionally, we demonstrated that inhibition of aflatoxin was linked to N6-methyladenosine methylation of multiple genes in aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway.

Amino acid transport in isolated hepatocytes: effect of glucagon

Amino acid transport was studied in freshly isolated adult rat hepatocytes using non-metabolizable alpha-amino-1-[14C] isobutyric acid and 1-aminocyclopentane-1-[14C] carboxylic acid. In the presence of sodium, hepatocytes concentrated alpha-aminoisobutyric acid; this concentrative component of the transport had properties similar to transport system A. The sodium-independent transport of aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid had properties similar to transport system L (facilitated diffusion). Glucagon stimulated the influx of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid into hepatocytes. The glucagon effect (a) occurred rapidly, but its full expression required two hours of exposure of the cells to hormone; (b) involved new protein (and possibly RNA) synthesis; and (c) occurred at low concentrations of glucagon (50% effect with 0.4 nm). Glucagon stimulated only system A. Cyclic AMP also stimulated the transport of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. Freshly isolated hepatocytes appear conveniently suited to the investigation of various aspects of the regulation of liver amino acid transport in normal and pathophysiological states.

Modulation of endotoxin stimulated interleukin-6 production in monocytes and Kupffer cells by S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe)

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine having primarily anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects. Recent reports have documented that IL-6 plays a key role in liver regeneration. Intracellular deficiency of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is a hallmark of toxin-induced liver injury. Although the administration of exogenous SAMe attenuates liver injury, its mechanisms of action are not fully understood. Here we investigated the effects of exogenous SAMe on IL-6 production in monocytes and Kupffer cells. RAW 264.7 cells, a murine monocyte cell line, and isolated rat Kupffer cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the absence or presence of exogenous SAMe. IL-6 production was assayed by ELISA and intracellular SAMe concentrations were measured by HPLC. We have found that exogenous SAMe administration enhanced both IL-6 protein production and gene expression in LPS-stimulated monocytes and Kupffer cells. Cycloleucine (CL), an inhibitor for extrahepatic methionine adenosyltransferases (MAT), inhibited LPS-stimulated IL-6 production. The enhancement of LPS-stimulated IL-6 production by SAMe was inhibited by ZM241385, a specific antagonist of adenosine (A2) receptor. Our results demonstrate that SAMe administration may exert its anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects, at least in part, by enhancing LPS-stimulated IL-6 production.

Assessment of treatment response by autoradiography with (14)C-aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid, (67)Ga-DTPA, and (18)F-FDG in a herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir brain tumor model

Assessments of herpes simplex virus 1 thymidine kinase (HSV-tk)/ganciclovir (GCV) treatment response, early in the course of therapy, are important in the evaluation and clinical management of patients. This study addresses whether imaging amino acid transport, glucose utilization, and passive vascular permeability provides an early indication of treatment response and can predict long-term outcome.

METHODS

Fischer 344 rats with intracerebral HSV-tk transduced RG2TK+ xenografts were studied. GCV-treated (50 mg/kg twice daily) and saline-treated control animals were compared; triple-label quantitative autoradiography was performed 3 d after initiating treatment, and long-term survival was determined. Autoradiograms of (18)F-FDG, (67)Ga-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid ((67)Ga-DTPA), and (14)C-aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid ((14)C-ACPC) were obtained; measurements of (14)C-ACPC and (67)Ga-DTPA plasma clearance (K(1)), (14)C-ACPC transport ( partial differential K(1)), relative glucose utililization (R), and normalized radioactivity (% dose/g) were obtained in tumor and brain tissues. Adjacent sections were stained to detect apoptotic cells, microvessels, and type L neutral amino acid transporter in tumor and normal brain.

RESULTS

GCV treatment reduced partial differential K(1) and % dose/g of (14)C-ACPC in RG2TK+ xenografts to approximately 30% of that in nontreated animals (from 34 +/- 9 [mean +/- SD] to 9.5 +/- 2.7 microL/min/g and from 0.28 +/- 0.09 to 0.11 +/- 0.04 % dose/g, respectively). GCV had a significant but substantially smaller effect than toxicity on glucose utilization and little or no effect on passive vascular permeability of RG2TK+ xenografts. These differences could not be explained by differences in plasma amino acid or glucose concentration at the time of the study. Histology revealed a large fraction of dead tumor cells and only a sparse distribution of apoptotic cells in GCV-treated tumors. Many CD34-positive endothelial cells in GCV-treated tumors showed only weak or marginal LAT1 staining, whereas CD98 staining remained unchanged. Survival was significantly increased by GCV treatment from 18 +/- 4 to 56 +/- 17 d.

CONCLUSION

(14)C-ACPC influx, K(1)(ACPC), facilitated transport, partial differential K(1)(ACPC), and % dose/g (ACPC) are good indicators of early treatment response after HSV-tk/GCV gene therapy. The parametric images and changes in K(1)(ACPC), partial differential K(1)(ACPC), and % dose/g (ACPC) are substantial and are better than the corresponding measures obtained in the same animals and in the same tissue (tumor) regions with (67)Ga-DTPA and (18)F-FDG. Amino acid transport imaging may be a good surrogate paradigm to monitor treatment response of brain tumors.

Acamprosate inhibits the binding and neurotoxic effects of trans-ACPD, suggesting a novel site of action at metabotropic glutamate receptors

BACKGROUND

Several reported effects of acamprosate within the glutamatergic system could result from interactions with metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). The following experiments were performed to determine whether acamprosate could compete with trnas-ACPD (+/--1-aminocyclopentane-trans-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, an equimolecular mixture of 1S, 3R and 1R, 3S-ACPD and an agonist at both group I and group II mGluRs) sensitive binding sites and protect against trans-ACPD-induced neurotoxicity in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures.

METHODS

A P2 membrane preparation of cortices, cerebellums, and hippocampi of adult, male Sprague Dawley rats was used to determine the abilities of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) and trans-ACPD to displace [3H]glutamate in both the absence and the presence of the sodium salt of acamprosate (sodium mono N-acetyl homotaurine or Na-acamprosate). A comparison of the effects of 100 microM guanosine 5'-triphosphate on unlabeled glutamate, trans-ACPD, and Na-acamprosate was performed in the same paradigm. For the neurotoxicity studies, organotypic hippocampal slice cultures from male and female 8-day-old neonatal rats were exposed to either 500 microM -ACPD or 50 microM NMDA for 24 hr in normal culture medium containing serum on day 20 in vitro. The effects of Na-acamprosate and 2-methyl-6-(2-phenylethenyl)pyridine (SIB-1893), a noncompetitive antagonist at metabotropic type 5 receptors (mGluR5s), were assessed by determining differences in propidium iodide uptake as compared with neurotoxic challenges alone.

RESULTS

Na-acamprosate displaced 31% of [3H]glutamate but did not compete with NMDA for [3H]glutamate binding sites. Na-acamprosate displayed total competition with trans-ACPD. The presence of 100 microM guanosine 5'-triphosphate differentially altered the displacing capabilities of the two mGluR agonists, unlabeled glutamate and trans-ACPD, as compared with Na-acamprosate. Na-acamprosate (200-1000 microM) and SIB-1893 (20-500 microM) both were neuroprotective against trans-ACPD induced neurotoxicity that likely results from mGluR potentiation of NMDARs. In turn, Na-acamprosate and SIB-1893 had no direct effects on NMDA-induced neurotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Na-acamprosate demonstrates the binding and functional characteristics that are consistent with a group I mGluR antagonist. The functional similarities between Na-acamprosate and SIB-1893 support an interaction of Na-acamprosate at mGluR5s. The neuroprotective properties of acamprosate and possibly its ability to reduce craving in alcohol-dependent patients may result from its alterations in glutamatergic transmission through mGluRs.

Cycloleucine fluxes during rat vasa recta and loop microinfusions in vivo and loop microperfusions in vitro

Amino acids are apparently recycled between loops of Henle and vasa recta in rat papilla in vivo. To examine this process in the absence of metabolism, we performed continuous microinfusions of rat renal papillary ascending thin limbs (ATLs) and vasa recta in vivo, and microperflusions of isolated rat renal papillary descending thin limbs (DTLs) and ATLs in vitro using the nonmetabolizable, synthetic, neutral amino acid cycloleucine. Like naturally occurring amino acids, approximately = 25% of radiolabeled cycloleucine microinfused into ATLs in vivo was reabsorbed by a process that was not saturable or inhibitable. Also, like naturally occurring amino acids, approximately = 47% (relative to inulin) of radiolabeled cycloleucine microinfused into ascending vasa recta in vivo was transferred directly into ipsilateral tubular structures (probably DTLs) by a saturable and inhibitable process. In DTLs perfused in vitro, unidirectional bath-to-lumen fluxes (Jbl) tended to exceed unidirectional lumen-to-bath fluxes (Jlb), whereas in ATLs perfused in vitro Jlb tended to exceed Jbl, but the differences were not statistically significant. Moreover, none of the unidirectional fluxes was saturable or inhibitable, an observation compatible with apparent reabsorption from ATLs in vivo but incompatible with apparent movement from vasa recta to DTLs in vivo. These in vitro observations are like those made previously for the naturally occurring neutral amino acid L-alanine. The lack of saturation and inhibition, like the previous data on L-alanine, suggest that transepithelial movement of amino acids in thin limbs of Henle's loop may occur via a paracellular route and that regulation of amino acid movement in vivo may involve vasa recta, not DTLs. They also suggest that cycloleucine is a good nonmetabolizable surrogate for the study of neutral amino acid transport in the kidney.

Molecular and pharmacological characterization of recombinant rat/mice N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subtypes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The genes encoding the ionotropic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits NR1a, NR2B and NR2D were cloned in the multi-copy yeast-Escherichia coli shuttle vectors pMBO1 and pMB02. The protease-deficient yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae c13-ABYS-86 (leu-, ura-, his-) was transformed with the recombinant plasmids pMBNR1a (leu+), pMBNR1a/pMBNR2D (ura+), pMBNR1a/pMBNR2D/ pMBNR2B (his+) or pMBNR1a/pMBNR2A/pMBNR2B, respectively, and was used to express the different NMDA receptor subunit genes. Western-blotting analysis with the specific NMDA receptor antibodies showed a clear but differently strong expression of the recombinant receptor proteins which were found to be only partially glycosylated in the cell membranes of the recombinant yeast strains. By immunofluorescence microscopy using the specific subunit antibodies and fluorescence-labeled secondary antibodies, the distinctly expressed NR1a and NR2D subunits could be located in the plasma membrane of the transformed yeast cells. Pharmacological characterization of crude membrane preparations of the recombinant yeast cells expressing 1-3 NMDA receptor subunits showed saturable binding of the glycine antagonist [3H]MDL105,519 with different Kd values of 56.88+/-5.38 nM (NR1a), 1365.11+/-76 nM (NR1a/NR2D), 22.97+/-3.37 nM for NR1a/NR2B/NR2D and 7.4+/-1.2 nM for NR1a/NR2A/NR2B. The bound capacities were 13.07+/-0.92 (NRla), 14.63+/-0.50 (NR1a/NR2D), 12.85+/-1.68 (NR1a/NR2B/NR2D) and 8.3+/-0.7 (NR1a/NR2A/NR2B) pmol/mg membrane protein. The [3H]MDL105,519 binding was inhibited by the glycine antagonist 5,7-dichlorokynurenate (DCKA), ethyl-2-carboxy-4.6-dichloro-3-indoleacetate (ECDI) and itself, but not by glycine, D-serine and 1-amino-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (ACPC). Each of these recombinant receptor proteins consisting both of NR1 and NR2 subunits also showed a specific binding site for the NMDA agonist glutamate when using L-[3H]glutamate as a radioligand. Analysis of saturation experiments revealed that this ligand binds to a specific site with Kd values of 536+/-43, 688+/-60, and 856+/-48 nM for NR1a/NR2B, NR1a/NR2D, and NR1a/NR2B/NR2D respectively.

Uptake and transport by the ovine placenta of neutral nonmetabolizable amino acids with different transport system affinities

Placental uptake and transport of three nonmetabolizable amino acids with different reactivities for transport systems were studied in sheep under normal physiologic conditions. Methylaminoisobutyric acid (MeAIB), which has specific affinity for the sodium-dependent A system transporters, demonstrated placental concentrative uptake from the uterine and the umbilical circulations, but virtually no transport from mother to fetus. By contrast, aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) and aminocyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid (ACP), which have affinity for both sodium-dependent and sodium-independent transporters, demonstrated both concentrative uptake and transport from mother to fetus. ACP transport rate to the fetus was approximately twice the AIB transport rate. It is concluded that a neutral amino acid which interacts almost exclusively with the weakly reversible system A transporters may be transported rapidly into the placenta and may attain high concentrations within this organ but cannot escape from placenta to fetus down its own concentration gradient because the exit route is controlled by reversible amino acid transporters at the fetal surface of the placenta. Conversely, high affinity for reversible Na-independent transporters may be a necessary condition for the rapid transport of an amino acid from placenta to fetus.

Predictive study by molecular modeling to promote specific probes of glutamate receptors, using methylated cyclic glutamic acid derivatives (trans- and cis-ACPD). Comparison with specific agonists

Two classes of glutamate receptors (metabotropic and ionotropic) and their subclasses (groups I-III and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA), kainic acid (KA)), respectively, are characterized by the binding of a L-glutamate moiety in a specific conformation. The conformations may be grouped by the two backbone torsion angles, chi1 [alpha-CO2-C(2)-C(3)-C4)] and chi2 [+NC(2)-C(3)-C(4)-gamma-CO2] and by the two characteristic distances between the potentially active functional groups, alpha-N+-gamma-CO2 (d1) and alpha-CO2-gamma-CO2 (d2). The conformational preferences of 2,3,4-methyl(a and b)-cis and trans-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylate are discussed in the light of the physical features known for specific metabotropic (groups I-II) and specific ionotropic (NMDA, KA) agonists, respectively. The spatial orientation of the perceived functional groups was elucidated in cyclic derivatives which contain an embedded L-glutamate moiety in a particularly restricted conformation (relative to the C(2)-C(3)-C(4) bond) using a combination of NMR experimental results and mechanics and dynamics calculations. One important conclusion of the study is that a single glutamate receptor is privileged for each theoretical model considered by molecular dynamics. This study showed clearly what would be conformational preferences of cyclic glutamate derivatives following the geometrical isomerism of the methyl group.

Imaging experimental brain tumors with 1-aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid: comparison to fluorodeoxyglucose and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid in morphologically defined tumor regions

The goal of this study was to evaluate the differences and define the advantages of imaging experimental brain tumors in rats with two nonmetabolized amino acids, 1-aminocyclopentane carboxylic (ACPC) acid and alpha-aminoisobutyric (AIB) acid compared with imaging with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) or the gallium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid chelate (Ga-DTPA). 1-aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid, AIB, and FDG autoradiograms were obtained 60 minutes after intravenous injection to simulate positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, whereas the Ga-DTPA autoradiograms were obtained 5 or 10 minutes after injection to simulate gadolinium (Gd)-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) images. Three experimental tumors were studied (C6, RG2, and Walker 256) to provide a range of tumor types. Triple-label quantitative autoradiography was performed, and parametric images of the apparent distribution volume (Va, mL/g) for ACPC or AIB, relative glucose metabolism (R, micromol/100 g/min), vascular permeability to Ga-DTPA (K1, microL/min/g), and histology were obtained from the same tissue section. The four images were registered in an image array processor, and regions of interest in tumor and contralateral brain were defined on morphologic criteria (histology) and were transferred to the autoradiographic images. A comparative analysis of all measured values was performed. The location and morphologic characteristics of the tumor had an effect on the images and measurements of Va, R, and K1. Meningeal extensions of all three tumors consistently had the highest amino acid uptake (Va) and vascular permeability (K1) values, and subcortical portions of the tumors usually had the lowest values. Va and R (FDG) values generally were higher in tumor regions with high-cell density and lower in regions with low-cell density. Tumor areas identified as "impending" necrosis on morphologic criteria consistently had high R values, but little or no change in Va or K1. Tumor necrosis was seen consistently only in the larger Walker 256 tumors; low values of R and Va for AIB (less for ACPC) were measured in the necrotic-appearing regions, whereas K1 was not different from the mean tumor value. The highest correlations were observed between vascular permeability (K1 for Ga-DTPA) and Va for AIB in all three tumors; little or no correlation between vascular permeability and R was observed. The advantages of ACPC and AIB imaging were most convincingly demonstrated in C6 gliomas and in Walker 256 tumors. 1-aminocyclopentane was substantially better than FDG or Ga-DTPA for identifying tumor infiltration of adjacent brain tissue beyond the macroscopic border of the tumor; ACPC also may be useful for identifying low-grade tumors with an intact blood-brain barrier. Contrast-enhancing regions of the tumors were visualized more clearly with AIB than with FDG or Ga-DTPA; viable and necrotic-appearing tumor regions could be distinguished more readily with AIB than with FDG. [11C]-labeled ACPC and AIB are likely to have similar advantages for imaging human brain tumors with PET.

Free amino acids reflect impact of selenite-dependent stress on primary metabolism in rat lens

PURPOSE

A decrease in phase separation temperature, prior to nuclear cataract, has been correlated with elevated free amino acid content. Hence, we determined how selenite-induced stress alters free amino acid pools in the rat lens, following a single subcutaneous dose of sodium selenite (30 nmol g-1 body weight) in 10- to 14-day-old Sprague Dawley rats.

RESULT

Oxidative stress was evident in lenses 24 h after rats were treated with selenite. Glutathione content was decreased by 60% in the lens cortex and nucleus; the flux of glucose through the pentose phosphate pathway was increased; and glycerol-3-phosphate content was elevated. Amino acid transport, evaluated as 14C-cycloleucine uptake, was not altered, although 14C-glutamine was oxidized at a slower rate. Lenses from treated animals displayed, among the free amino acids, increased glutamine, proline, serine, glycine and the branched chain amino acids, while aspartate, glutamate, and taurine were less.

CONCLUSIONS

A systemic delivery of sodium selenite caused oxidative stress in the rat lens. Direct effects on primary metabolism altered free amino acid pools that may contribute to transient and permanent changes in lens transparency.

Mice lacking metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 show impaired learning and reduced CA1 long-term potentiation (LTP) but normal CA3 LTP

Class I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) have been postulated to play a role in synaptic plasticity. To test the involvement of one member of this class, we have recently generated mutant mice that express no mGluR5 but normal levels of other glutamate receptors. The CNS revealed normal development of gross anatomical features. To examine synaptic functions we measured evoked field EPSPs in the hippocampal slice. Measures of presynaptic function, such as paired pulse facilitation in mutant CA1 neurons, were normal. The response of mutant CA1 neurons to low concentrations of (1S,3R)-1-amino-cyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (ACPD) was missing, which suggests that mGluR5 may be the primary high affinity ACPD receptor in these neurons. Long-term potentiation (LTP) in mGluR5 mutants was significantly reduced in the NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent pathways such as the CA1 region and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, whereas LTP remained intact in the mossy fiber synapses on the CA3 region, an NMDAR-independent pathway. Some of the difference in CA1 LTP could lie at the level of expression, because the reduction of LTP in the mutants was no longer observed 20 min after tetanus in the presence of 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate. We propose that mGluR5 plays a key regulatory role in NMDAR-dependent LTP. These mutant mice were also impaired in the acquisition and use of spatial information in both the Morris water maze and contextual information in the fear-conditioning test. This is consistent with the hypothesis that LTP in the CA1 region may underlie spatial learning and memory.

Characterization of metabotropic glutamate receptors in rat C6 glioma cells

Metabotropic glutamate receptors in rat C6 glioma cells have been characterized by pharmacological and kinetic binding experiments, using both L-[3H]glutamate and [3H(+/-)-1-aminocyclopentane-trans-1,3-dicarboxylic acid ([3H](+/-)-trans-ACPD) radioligands. Saturation experiments revealed a single binding site with a Kd = 1250 +/- 101 nM and Bmax = 12.1 +/- 1.8 pmol/mg protein when the assays were performed with L-[3H]glutamate as radioligand in the presence of AMPA, kainate, NMDA and DL-threo-beta-hydroxyaspartic acid. When [3H](+/-)-trans-ACPD was used as radioligand, the kinetic parameters obtained were Kd = 2605 +/- 1042 nM and Bmax = 13.66 +/- 5.01 pmol/mg protein. Pharmacological characterization indicated that specific binding of L-[3H]glutamate was sensitive to different agonists of mGlu receptors, showing a rank order of affinity L-glutamate > L-quisqualic acid > (+/-)-1-aminocyclopentane-trans-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (trans-ACPD) > ibotenic acid >>> (2S, 'S,2'S)-2-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (L-CCG-I). Specific binding of L-[3H]glutamate to mGlu receptors is regulated by guanine nucleotides. Guanylyl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) causes an affinity shift on the L-glutamate dose-response curve, increasing the IC50 value. These results support the evidence that metabotropic glutamate receptors are present in rat C6 glioma cells and they are coupled to a G-protein.

Tumour growth and fetal uptake of amino acids in the pregnant rat

The aim of the present investigation was to determine the effects of maternal tumour burden on fetal growth and to relate them to amino acid availability to the fetus. A fast-growing tumour, the Yoshida AH-130 ascites hepatoma, was inoculated into rats during pregnancy. Late pregnant rats bearing a rapidly-growing tumour presented a normal conceptus mass while the tumour cell content was unaffected by gestation. In addition, no changes were found in fetal uptake of amino acids as measured by the fetal accumulation of [14C]aminoisobutyrate and [14C] cycloleucine. However, increased alanine and leucine concentrations in the fetal circulation of the tumour-bearing rats suggest an enhanced fetal amino acid availability which does not seem to be the result of changes in placental or fetal relative blood flow, as indicated by the tissue accumulation of [14C]DDT, which were actually lower in the tumour-bearing rats. It may be suggested that tumour burden induces changes in placental amino acid transport systems.

Selective photodynamic inactivation of a multidrug transporter by a cationic photosensitising agent

We have characterised sites of photodamage catalysed by the cationic photosensitiser tetrabromorhodamine 123, using P388 murine leukaemia cells and a subline (P388/ADR) which has a multidrug resistance phenotype and hyperexpresses mdr1 mRNA for P-glycoprotein. Fluorescence emission spectra were consistent with sensitiser localisation in hydrophobic regions of the P388 cell, and in more aqueous loci in P388/ADR. Subsequent irradiation resulted in photodamage to the P388 cells, resulting in loss of viability. In contrast, P388/ADR cells were unaffected except for an irreversible inhibition of P-glycoprotein, leading to enhanced accumulation of daunorubicin and rhodamine 123 and a corresponding increase in daunorubicin cytotoxicity. These results are consistent with the premise that substrates for P-glycoprotein are confined to membrane loci associated with the transporter, and indicate a very limited migration of cytotoxic photo-products in a cellular environment.

Glutamate modulates [Ca2+]i and gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion in immortalized hypothalamic GT1-7 neurons

Glutamate and its receptors are present in the hypothalamus and have been proposed to participate in neuroendocrine regulation, including the control of GnRH secretion. To address the mechanism of glutamate action, we measured [Ca2+]i, inositol phosphate, and secretory responses to glutamate receptor subtype agonists and antagonists in the immortalized GT1-7 cell line of GnRH-secreting hypothalamic neurons. Glutamate, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), kainate, and trans-(+/-)-1-amino-(1S,3R)-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid increased GnRH secretion. In monolayer cultures of GT1-7 cells, L- but not D-glutamate induced a moderate, concentration-dependent rise in [Ca2+]i. The action of glutamate on [Ca2+]i was mimicked by NMDA, alpha-amino-2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-oxo-4-isoxazolepropanoic acid (AMPA), and kainate. Responses to NMDA were potentiated by the coagonist, glycine, and were inhibited by an antagonist of the glycine site on the NMDA receptor, 5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid (DCKA). NMDA-induced [Ca2+]i responses were also inhibited by Mg2+ and by the NMDA receptor antagonist, (5R,10S)-(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,1 0-imine hydrogen maleate (MK-801), but not by the AMPA/kainate antagonist, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX). In contrast, responses to AMPA and kainate were inhibited by CNQX but not by Mg2+, DCKA, or MK-801. Responses to glutamate were more inhibited by MK-801 plus CNQX than by either antagonist alone. All [Ca2+]i responses were nearly abolished in Ca(2+)-free solution. None of the agonists stimulated inositol phosphate formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Co-administration of (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid and arachidonic acid potentiates synaptic transmission in rat hippocampal slices

Perfusion of the 1S,3R isomer of trans-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (t-ACPD, 50 microM), or arachidonic acid (10 microM), for 5 min produced only depression of the field excitatory postsynaptic potential recorded in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices from which the CA3 region had been removed. However, perfusion of t-ACPD and arachidonic acid in combination induced a rapid potentiation of the response which in 4/6 slices was maintained for at least 90 min.

Subtypes of metabotropic excitatory amino acid receptor distinguished by stereoisomers of the rigid glutamate analogue, 1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylate

The 1R,3R- and 1R,3S-isomers of 1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylate (ACPD) failed to stimulate phosphoinositide turnover or modify A2b adenosine receptor-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in guinea-pig cerebral cortical slices. In contrast, both 1S,3R- and 1S,3S-ACPD elicited concentration-dependent stimulations of phosphoinositide turnover (EC50 values 35 and 97 microM, respectively) and potentiated A2b-stimulated cAMP formation (17 and 58 microM, respectively). When forskolin was used to elevate cyclic AMP levels, however, all four isomers elicited concentration-dependent inhibitions of cyclic AMP formation to the same extent (approximately 90% inhibition). For this response the rank order of potencies were (IC50 values): 1S,3S-(0.9 microM) > 1S,3R-(2.1 microM) > 1R,3R-(237 microM) > 1R,3S-ACPD (approximately 1 mM). These data suggest the presence in guinea-pig cerebral cortex of two distinct subtypes of ACPD receptor coupled to phosphoinositide hydrolysis (and the potentiation of A2b receptor-stimulated cAMP formation) and the inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation. Furthermore, our results indicate the usefulness of 1S,3S-ACPD as a tool to selectively activate one of these subtypes.

Effect of starvation on neutral amino acid transport in isolated small-intestinal cells from guinea pigs

The effects of starvation on neutral amino acid transport were examined in isolated enterocytes. Starvation stimulated L-alanine transport by the Na(+)-dependent system A and the Na(+)-independent system L without producing any changes in either the Na(+)-dependent systems ASC or the passive non-mediated uptake. Starvation produces a twofold increase in Vmax of system A without any change in Kt. Starvation produces an increase in Vmax of system L of 1.7 times without any change in Kt. Activation of systems A and L by starvation was reversible with subsequent refeeding. The effects of a series of amino acids on systems A and L were evaluated. A different inhibition pattern was found in starved animals as compared to controls. Starvation increases Na(+)-dependent L-alanine uptake and Na(+)-independent cycloleucine uptake by small-intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles. These results suggest that starvation stimulates amino acid transport across the apical plasma membrane of the enterocytes by inducing specific carrier units.

Quisqualate resolves two distinct metabotropic [3H]glutamate binding sites

Metabotropic receptor subtypes have been proposed based on pharmacological, signal transduction and cDNA sequence data. We assessed potential metabotropic binding site subtypes with in vitro quantitative [3H]glutamate autoradiography in adult rat brains in the presence of saturating concentrations of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and (RS)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazoleproprionate (AMPA). Quisqualate (QUIS) competition curves resolved two differentially distributed binding sites (KIhigh = 17 nM; KIlow = 62 microM). Trans-1-amino-cyclopentane- 1,3-dicarboxylic acid (t-ACPD) and 1S,3R-ACPD displaced [3H]glutamate binding both in the absence and presence of a quisqualate concentration (2.5 microM) that saturates the high affinity sites, suggesting that both sites are linked to metabotropic receptors. We conclude that two metabotropic binding sites with different distributions and pharmacological profiles can be detected with selective [3H]glutamate binding assays.

Anti-Candida activity of cispentacin: the active transport by amino acid permeases and possible mechanisms of action

Cispentacin tranport into Candida albicans CCH442 was via a specific inducible proline permease and other amino acid permeases. Drug entry was also dependent upon the proton motive force. The apparent Km and Vmax for drug uptake under induced conditions were 0.4 mM and 7 nmol/microliter/min, respectively, with cellular accumulation in the mM range. Cispentacin uptake was competitively inhibited by L-proline with an apparent Ki of 75 microM. Cispentacin did not charge to transfer-RNA or incorporate into protein; however, the compound did inhibit in vivo incorporation of [14C]lysine into protein and [3H]adenine into RNA as well as in vitro [14C]proline charging to transfer-RNA. Cispentacin did not inhibit amino acid biosynthesis in vivo but did elevate levels of several amino acids possibly by interfering with self-regulatory mechanisms.

Glutamate uptake system in the presynaptic vesicle: glutamic acid analogs as inhibitors and alternate substrates

A variety of naturally occurring amino acids, their isomers, and synthetic analogs were tested for their ability to inhibit uptake of [3H]glutamate into presynaptic vesicles from bovine cerebral cortex. Strongest inhibition (Ki < 1mM) was observed for trans-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (t-ACPD) and erythro-4-methyl-L-glutamic acid (MGlu), while 4-methylene-L-glutamic acid (MeGlu) was only moderately inhibitory (Ki = approximately 3mM), indicating that the synaptic vesicle glutamate translocator has higher affinity for trans-ACPD and MGlu than for glutamate. A few other amino acids, e.g., 4-hydroxyglutamic acid, S-carboxyethyl cysteine, and 5-fluorotryptophan, were slightly inhibitory; all L- and DL-isomers of protein amino acids and longer chain acidic amino acids were without measurable inhibition. Potassium tetrathionate and S-sulfocysteine exhibited strong to moderate noncompetitive or irreversible inhibition. Inhibition by t-ACPD, MGlu, or MeGlu was competitive with glutamic acid. Each of these competitive inhibitors was also taken up by the vesicle preparation in an ATP-dependent manner, as indicated by their being recovered unchanged from filtered vesicles. Similar results were obtained with reconstituted vesicles, while glutamate uptake by partially purified rat synaptosomes was inhibited only by MGlu. These results indicate that the glutamate translocator of presynaptic vesicles has stringent structural requirements distinct from those of the plasma membrane translocator and the metabotropic type of postsynaptic glutamate receptor. They further suggest possible structural requirements of pharmacologically significant compounds that can substitute for glutamic acid in the presynaptic side of glutamatergic synapses, thus serving to moderate or control glutamate excitation and associated excitotoxic effects in these neurons.

Photosensitization by anticancer agents. 11. Mechanisms of photosensitization of human leukemic cells by diaminoanthraquinones: singlet oxygen and radical reactions

The synthesis of several aminoanthraquinone derivatives (AAQs), designed to suppress the dark toxicity and to promote more efficient cancer cell photosensitization for potential use in photodynamic therapy (PDT), is described. The following AAQs were synthesized: 1-NH2-4,5-(MeO)2-AQ (1), 1,5-(NH2)2-4,8-(MeO)2-AQ (2), 1,8-(NH2)2-4,5-(MeO)2-AQ (3), and 1,5-(NHPhMe)2-4,8-(MeO)2-AQ (8). The agents exhibit strong absorption in the region 480-620 nm. Possible mechanisms of photosensitization were studied by measuring 1O2 phosphorescence at 1270 nm, detecting superoxide radicals employing an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)-spin trapping technique, and measuring oxygen consumption during the photo-oxidation of a representative biological electron donor, NADH. Strong phosphorescence from 1O2 was observed upon illumination of 2 and 3 in C6H6 (quantum yield of 0.25 and 0.5 respectively), and in EtOH (quantum yield of 0.23 and 0.34). The 1-amino-AQ (1) was the weakest 1O2 sensitizer, with quantum yield of 0.13 in benzene. No phosphorescence was observed in EtOH. A superoxide radical was detected as a spin adduct of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) in irradiated benzene solutions of 1, 2 or 3 and DMPO. AAQs 2 and 3 sensitized photo-oxidation of NADH in H2O/EtOH mixture with the intermediacy of singlet oxygen as judged by the effect of sodium azide on the photostimulated oxygen consumption. Evolution of O2 upon addition of catalase to the illuminated solution confirmed the ultimate formation of hydrogen peroxide. These findings suggested that the (di)amino-dimethoxyanthraquinones might exert photosensitization via both Type I and Type II mechanisms. The AAQs were tested for their ability to photosensitize K562 human chronic myeloid leukemic cells in culture. Viability was measured using the 3,4,5-diethylthiazol-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium blue assay, and DNA and possible membrane damage were assessed. The results from illuminating cells with light > 475 nm show that for the 1,5-compounds, the presence of methoxy substituents at 4,8 positions reduces the dark toxicity from ID50 of 23 to 250 microM and for the 1,8-compounds correspondingly from ID50 of 53 to > 300 microM. In the 1,5-series this decrease of the dark toxicity is accompanied by an increase in light-induced dose modification from 8.85 to 14.4. Differences exist in the mechanisms of cytotoxicity between the prototype phenolic AAQs and their methoxy counterparts. It appears that the cytotoxic action of the latter causes cell damage by the formation of a high proportion of alkali labile sites in addition to frank strand breaks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Intrastriatal injection of a selective metabotropic excitatory amino acid receptor agonist induces contralateral turning in the rat

The consequence of in vivo activation of the phosphoinositide-coupled (metabotropic) excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptor subtype was investigated. We report that unilateral intrastriatal injection of 1S,3R-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (1S,3R-ACPD), a selective metabotropic EAA receptor agonist, produced turning behavior (rotations) contralateral to the site of injection. This effect peaked at 5 to 8 hr after injection and was dose-related (EC50 = 0.59 mumol), producing a maximal effect at 1 mumol (32 +/- 4 rotations per 5 min). 1S,3R-ACPD-induced rotations were not mimicked by intrastriatal injection of vehicle (2 microliters of normal saline) or up to 2 mumol of 1R,3S-ACPD, the inactive ACPD isomer at the metabotropic EAA receptor. The selective competitive N-methyl-Daspartate receptor antagonist LY27461 4 (up to 5 mg/kg i.p) did not significantly affect 1S,3R-ACPD-induced rotations. However, coinjection of the metabotropic EAA receptor antagonist L-2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid (1 mumol) significantly reduced 1S,3R-ACPD-induced contralateral rotations. 1S,3R-ACPD at a dose which produced maximal contralateral rotations did not produce any loss of striatal gamma-aminobutyric acid neurons as indexed by glutamic acid decarboxylase enzyme activity in the injected striatum. In contrast to 1S,3R-ACPD, a dose of N-methyl-D-aspartate (0.2 mumol), which only very modestly induces contralateral rotations results in highly significant neuronal degeneration (50% loss of glutamic acid decarboxylase activity), and is associated with other excitatory behaviors such as clonic convulsions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Possible heterogeneity of metabotropic glutamate receptors induced in Xenopus oocytes by rat brain mRNA

Pharmacological properties of metabotropic glutamate receptors were studied in Xenopus oocytes injected with rat brain mRNA. trans-1-Amino-cyclopentyl-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (t-ACPD), a conformationally restricted analog of glutamate, induced oscillatory inward currents in mRNA-injected oocytes. These t-ACPD responses showed several characteristics identical to those of the other metabotropic responses including the metabotropic glutamate responses stimulated by quisqualate. D,L-2-Amino-3-phophonopropionate (D,L-AP3) effectively suppressed the t-ACPD and ibotenate responses. However, quisqualate responses were not affected substantially by D,L-AP3. These findings suggest that the metabotropic glutamate receptors in the oocytes may be classified into at least two subtypes according to their pharmacological properties: one preferentially activated by quisqualate and insensitive to AP3, and the other activated by t-ACPD and ibotenate and antagonized by AP3.

Insulin-induced phospho-oligosaccharide stimulates amino acid transport in isolated rat hepatocytes

The ability of the insulin-induced phospho-oligosaccharide to stimulate amino acid transport was studied in isolated rat hepatocytes. At low alpha-aminoisobutyric acid concentrations (0.1 mM), both 100 nM-insulin and 10 microM-phospho-oligosaccharide doubled amino acid uptake after 2 h of incubation. This stimulation was prevented by 0.1 mM-cycloheximide or 5 micrograms of actinomycin D/ml, indicating that the phospho-oligosaccharide, like insulin, was acting via the synthesis of a high-affinity transport component. The effects of the phospho-oligosaccharide and of insulin were blocked by Ins2P (2.5 mM), but not by myo-inositol, inositol hexaphosphoric acid or several monosaccharides such as mannose, glucosamine and galactose. Both the temporal effect on amino acid entry and the extent of stimulation of this process by the phospho-oligosaccharide indicate that this molecule mimics, and may mediate, some of the long-term actions of insulin. However, the effects of phospho-oligosaccharide and insulin were not exactly the same, since the effect of insulin, but not of the phospho-oligosaccharide, was additive with that of glucagon.

Site of uptake of nonfiltered amino acid in the rabbit kidney

During passage from renal artery to vein, nonfiltered amino acids are known to be extracted by the kidney, an observation generally attributed to their basolateral uptake by tubular epithelium. This attribution is here tested in the rabbit, using the nonmetabolizable analogue cycloleucine as test compound. Uptake of cycloleucine is diffusion limited and could be maximized by lengthening its artery-to-vein transit time by short aortic occlusion. The transient anoxia did not abolish active solute transport in the kidney; the technique permits acute loading of the kidney with, for instance, a nephrotoxicant without excessive exposure of the whole animal. The major portion of cycloleucine taken up by nonfiltering kidneys during occlusion returned to renal venous plasma with a mean delay of 45 sec, as if it had accumulated in the same cellular transport pool through which reabsorbed cycloleucine has to pass. A fraction of the amino acid taken up also reached the tubular lumen. These results support the suggested role of tubule cells in the extraction of amino acids from postglomerular blood.

The transport of leucine and aminocyclopentanecarboxylate across the intact, energy-depleted rat blood-brain barrier

The transport across the blood-brain barrier of the large neutral amino acid leucine and the nonmetabolised aminocyclopentanecarboxylate (ACPC), of similar molecular size, was studied in the perfused, energy-depleted rat brain. It was found that when both leucine and ACPC were perfused for periods of up to 10 min their accumulation in the brain increased in a linear fashion. The ratio of perfusate radioactivity per milliliter and tissue radioactivity per gram (Rt/Rp) rose to above unity for both leucine and ACPC, indicating continued uptake against a concentration gradient of the radiolabel within the CNS. When the effect of increasing the concentration of the amino acid upon its influx into the brain was studied, it was found that under these conditions the kinetics of transport for both leucine and ACPC were of a similar order of magnitude to those reported previously in vivo. The values for the Michaelis constant for transport (Km), maximum rate of transport (Vmax), and the constant for the apparently linear, nonsaturable component (Kd) for leucine into the cerebrum were 84.5 +/- 29.0 microM, 45.5 +/- 1.5 nmole/min/g, and 2.62 +/- 0.15 microliters/min/g, respectively, and for ACPC 381 +/- 64 microM, 54.0 +/- 1.5 nmole/min/g and 0.35 +/- 0.10 microliter/min/g, respectively. Comparing this data with previously reported values it is suggested that the transport of leucine into the central nervous system from a perfusate or bolus where no other competing amino acids are present, is flow dependent. Furthermore, ACPC enters the brain almost entirely by a carrier-mediated process, with little or no nonsaturable influx despite a similar oil/water partition coefficient as leucine.

Echinococcus granulosus (Cestoda): uptake of L-amino acids by secondary hydatid cysts

The uptake of cycloleucine, L-proline, L-alanine and L-threonine by secondary hydatid cysts of Echinococcus granulosus (U.K. horse strain 3-8 mm in diameter, derived from Balb/c mice infected 300-400 days previously) occurs by passive diffusion into the cyst wall (laminated layer plus germinal layer) and by mediated mechanisms into the fluid-filled interior. The maximal concentrations of these compounds are achieved after incubation for 2 h in vitro and approach those in vivo. Kt and Vmax values describing the uptake of these compounds are given. The flux rates for these compounds are extremely slow compared to those obtained with the protoscolex. A rationale for standardizing the experimental method for uptake studies with hydatid cysts is described.

Interactions among amino acid transport systems in snail Helix aspersa intestine

Interactions among the transport of diverse amino acids in everted intestine of snail Helix aspersa have been studied. The uptake of 0.5 mM methionine is clearly inhibited by high concentrations (40 mM) of leucine, and not by proline or lysine, whereas the last two amino acids inhibit cycloleucine uptake. Methionine strongly inhibits proline and lysine uptake, which is significantly inhibited by their analogs hydroxiproline and arginine, respectively. Results suggest that in Helix intestine the transport systems for basic amino acids and iminoacids are shared with high affinity by methionine whereas the neutral amino acids transport systems do not seem to be shared, or are so very weakly, by the basic ones or by the imino acids.

Role of basolateral cell membranes in organic solute reabsorption in rabbit kidneys

The present work explores the contributions of basolateral carrier systems in tubular reabsorption of organic solutes. Reabsorption of sugars and amino acids, as previously shown, can be represented by a three-compartment linear model that predicts that 1) if basolateral transport contributes to sugar reabsorption, alpha-methylglucoside reabsorption compared with that of glucose should be characterized by a longer transepithelial transit time (TET) and a correspondingly increased cellular transport pool (S), and 2) saturation of basolateral amino acid carriers, or presence of competing amino acids or other basolateral transport inhibitors, should prolong TET of a test amino acid, and increase S above the expected value. Both predictions were fully confirmed. Heavy metal intoxication not only inhibits transport of amino acids at the brush border, but also prolongs their TET and increases the size of S for a given reabsorbed load. Basolateral extrusion of amino acids is more sensitive to metals than is uptake across the brush border. Although basolateral carriers accelerate return of reabsorbed solute to blood, their contribution to reabsorption does not seem to be mandatory.

Changes in 2-aminoisobutyric acid and cycloleucine uptake produced by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in Chinese hamster ovary cells

The effect of dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on the transport of two non-metabolizable amino acids, 2-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) and cycloleucine (CL) was studied in chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The herbicide did not exert any direct effect on the AIB transport. However, when the pesticide was in contact with the cells for 24 h an inhibition of the uptake was observed. Removal of the pesticide from the culture medium restored the influx of the amino acids which reached maximum values 1 h before cell division. The transport kinetics showed changes in Vmax but no variations in Km. These results may indicate that 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid produces a decrease in the carrier number but without modification of the affinity.

Clinical comparison of 11C-ACPC (aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid) and 13N-ammonia as tumour tracers

Positron emission tomography is a potential method for exploring the biochemical behaviour of tumours. In 28 patients with known neoplastic lesions a comparison was made between two agents which are known to be accumulated in malignant tumours, viz. 13N-ammonia and 11C-aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid (ACPC). Absolute concentration of both agents in various tumoural tissues and normal organs was calculated. As a rule a parallelism was found between the two tracers as to their accumulation in a given tumour, although the concentration was often higher for ACPC. In normal tissues the ACPC accumulation was either lower or at most equal to NH3 levels. As tumour tracer ACPC is superior to NH3 because of its higher absolute accumulation in many neoplastic lesions and its lower uptake in various non-tumorous tissues. ACPC concentration in tumours seems to be largely independent of blood flow.

Tumor localization of the metabolically trapped radiolabeled substrates 2-deoxy-D-glucose and aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid in human melanoma heterotransplants

Analysis of the accumulation of metabolically trapped radiolabeled substrates in normal and malignant tissues may be useful for studying biochemical processes in vivo with positron emission tomography (PET). If labeled with the short-lived, positron-emitting radionuclide carbon-11 (T1/2 = 20.4 min), the glucose analog, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), and the synthetic amino acid, aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid (ACPC), may be useful for studying glucose utilization and amino acid transport in vivo. This study evaluated the biodistribution of the C-14 labeled analogues of these compounds in nude mice bearing human malignant melanoma heterotransplants. The data suggest that both 2-DG and ACPC accumulate in tumor tissue within 45 min.

System ASC and sodium-independent neutral amino acid transport in muscle of uremic rats

Neutral amino acids are transported by systems A, ASC, and L. In the previous companion study we demonstrated that 2-(methylamino) isobutyrate (MeAIB) is a specific substrate for system A in muscle and that stimulation of system A by physiological concentrations of insulin is preserved in acute uremia (ARF). Insulin-stimulated uptake of the nonspecific probes cycloleucine and alpha-aminoisobutyrate (AIB) is reportedly blunted by uremia; the cause of this and whether transport by systems ASC and L is defective are unknown. In this study we examined these questions using incubated epitrochlearis muscles from normal fed, ARF, and sham-operated control (SO) rats. System ASC was studied by measuring AIB and cycloleucine uptake in the presence of inhibitors of systems A and L, MeAIB and 2-amino-2-norbornane carboxylic acid (BCH), respectively. System L was defined as sodium-independent uptake suppressible by BCH. Excess MeAIB completely inhibited insulin-stimulated AIB and cycloleucine uptake, indicating that system A is the only insulin-responsive neutral amino acid carrier in muscle. In ARF and SO mucles both AIB and cycloleucine uptake were indistinguishable in the absence or presence of insulin. Moreover, ARF caused no detectable abnormality in transport by systems ASC and L.

Renal tubular transport of delta-aminolevulinic acid in rat

delta-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) interferes with cell membrane and metabolic functions in a variety of tissues. To determine if ALA interacts with renal tubular transport functions, we examined concentrative transport of this heme precursor in rat kidneys. ALA was accumulated against a concentration gradient in rat renal cortical slices. Section freeze-dry autoradiography demonstrated selective accumulation in cells of proximal tubules. Concentrative uptake of ALA was inhibited by KCN, probenecid and p-aminohippurate (PAH). ALA inhibited slice uptake of PAH but failed to block slice accumulation of galactose, cycloleucine, lysine, glycine, proline, or alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and did not alter O2 utilization. Massive intraperitoneal injection of ALA did not increase 24 hr fractional excretion of amino acids in vivo. Concentrative transport of ALA in proximal tubules does not lead to generalized renal tubular transport defects but ALA appears to share the organic acid secretory system in rat kidney.

Echinococcus granulosus: absorption of cycloleucine and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid by protoscoleces

Protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus absorb the amino acids cycloleucine and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) by a combination of mediated uptake and diffusion. After correcting for the latter, values for Kt and Vmax of 0.124 mM and 0.947 nmoles/mg protein/2 min for cycloleucine were calculated; corresponding values for AIB were 0.039 mM and 0.139 nmoles/mg protein/2 min. Both amino acids were accumulated against a concentration gradient and a comparison of Kt and Ki values determined in mutual inhibition experiments suggested that both cycloleucine and AIB share a common uptake locus (loci). Cycloleucine uptake was pH-dependent and could be inhibited by a variety of other amino acids. Neither D- nor L-proline inhibited cycloleucine absorption but D-methionine, D-alanine, D-leucine, D-valine and D-serine were much more effective inhibitors than their L-counterparts.

Steady-state distribution of cycloleucine and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid

Estimates of the steady-state distribution ratios of two nonmetabolizable amino acids, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid (cycloleucine), between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid were made with a view to establishing whether or not the low values found with metabolizable amino acids, such as glycine or leucine, could be accounted for by uptake and metabolism by the brain. The estimates, based on the ratios found after i.p. injections either in bolus form or by implantation of "osmotic pumps" containing the labeled amino acids, were comparable with those found for metabolizable amino acids.

Amino acid absorption in jejunum of rats in vivo--a kinetic comparison of distal resection effects

Jejunal absorption of leucine and cycloleucine by sham and 50% distal resected rats in vivo was studied by measuring the passive component and the active transport. After 5 months postresection the total amino acid absorption was increased. The mass-transfer coefficients of the passive process (obtained in presence of methionine) were higher in remnant jejunum than that in control rats, whereas the active transport remained unaltered after resection. When the kinetic constants of the saturable and non-saturable components were corrected for the unstirred water layer effects, the "real KD" increased in the resected group, whilst similar values for the "real Km and Jmax" were obtained.

Tubular reabsorption delay of amino acids in the rabbit kidney

Estimates were obtained both with a rapid-transient technique and under steady-state conditions of the average time required for filtered solutes in the intact rabbit kidney to cross tubular epithelium from tubular lumen into the peritubular inulin space. This interval, defined as the transepithelial passage time, was relatively short (about 15 s) for glucose, in agreement with earlier results in the dog. In contrast, several amino acids required an average transepithelial passage time of about 40 s. Values for aspartate could only be obtained when its large basolateral uptake was inhibited by excess succinate. The long transepithelial passage time may be due to the slow extrusion of reabsorbed amino acids across basolateral cell membranes. This hypothesis was supported by the extent of tissue accumulation of amino acids during reabsorption. Even though basolateral transfer may thus limit the linear rate of movement of filtered amino acids across the epithelium, the step determining fractional absorption from the lumen is situated at the brush border.

Identification of amino acid transport systems stimulated by FSH in rat testes

Testes of 12-day-old rats preincubated (90 min) and incubated (60 min) with FSH in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer (KRB) increased their uptake of [14C]methylaminoisobutyric acid and [14C]aminoisobutyric acid. The hormone was ineffective in sodium-free KRB. Transport of [14C]aminoisobutyric acid in the presence of methylaminoisobutyric acid (MeAIB; 30 mmol/l) was not stimulated by FSH, and uptake of [14C]cycloleucine was not increased by FSH in any of the experimental conditions used. It was concluded that in immature rat testes FSH affects only the sodium-dependent system which permits the transport of MeAIB (transport system A) and has no effect on the sodium-independent system which prefers leucine (system L) or the sodium-dependent system which does not transport MeAIB (system ASC).

Hymenolepis diminuta (Cestoda): uptake of cycloleucine by metacestodes

Cycloleucine uptake by metacestodes of H. diminuta of various ages was investigated. Absorption occurs by active mediated transport, mean Kt = 0.28 mM. Vmax values are age-related, and can be correlated to developmental changes. Cycloleucine uptake in the metacestode is very similar to that in the adult worm and the implications of this are discussed.

The effects of estradiol and triiodothyronine on protein synthesis by hepatocytes of juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

A method was developed for studying the in vitro metabolism of radiolabeled amino acids by dispersed salmon hepatocytes. Radioactivity accumulated in trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-precipitable and -soluble fractions of cells and in TCA-precipitable fractions of incubation medium was measured. Estradiol (E2) or triiodothyronine (T3) stimulated the amount of radioactivity in the TCA-precipitable fraction of cells in a dose-dependent manner. T3 caused an increase in TCA-soluble radioactivity of cells that were incubated with [14C]serine, [14C]glycine or the nonmetabolizable amino acid [14C]cycloleucine. E2 had either no effect or caused a decrease in TCA-soluble radioactivity in cells that were incubated with [14C]serine or [14C]glycine. E2 increased TCA-soluble radioactivity in cells that were incubated with [14C]cycloleucine. E2 but not T3 caused an increase in TCA-precipitable radioactivity in the medium from incubation of hepatocytes with metabolizable radioactive amino acids. These results suggest that protein metabolism by salmon hepatocytes is stimulated by both E2 and T3 with differing kinetic patterns.

Requirement of methionine for the replication of canine distemper virus in Vero cells

The replication of canine distemper virus (CDV) in Vero cells was found to require certain amino acids such as arginine, methionine and valine. The deprivation of methionine caused the most marked reduction in virus yield. In cells cultured in medium deprived of methionine, the early processes of viral replication such as adsorption, penetration and uncoating of virus occurred at normal rates, but the syntheses of viral RNA and protein were markedly reduced. The addition of S-adenosylmethionine to methionine-free medium resulted in the growth of CDV to the level obtained in cells with complete medium. Moreover, cycloleucine, which is known to reduce the methylation of mRNA by inhibiting the synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine, also inhibited the growth of CDV, and the addition of methionine or S-adenosylmethionine reversed the inhibitory effect of cycloleucine. The possibility of an inhibition of methylation of mRNA in methionine-deprived cells is discussed.

The selective action of nickel on tubule function in rabbit kidneys

Two days after intraperitoneal injection of NiCl2 (20 mumol/kg) into rabbits the same apparently uncompetitive inhibition of aspartate reabsorption is seen as was previously observed following acute exposure to other metals. This dose of Ni reduced the calculated maximum tubular transport rate for aspartate (Tm) and the apparent affinity constant (KM) by over 50%, but exerted no effect on either Tm or KM of cycloleucine or glucose reabsorption. The relative selectivity of the nephrotoxic action of Ni and other metals is reviewed; it raises the question whether the acute effects observed are appropriately described as a Fanconi-like syndrome.

Characteristics of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid transport in rat skeletal muscles

alpha-Aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) transport into the intracellular compartment of extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles was measured (in vitro) after allowance for the equilibration of the amino acid in the extracellular space. The latter was determined with three markers, [14C]inulin, 60Co-EDTA and [3H]mannitol. Net transport of AIB was subsequently divided into its two components, i.e. influx and efflux. Rates of influx were measured as the intracellular accumulation of [14C]AIB after a short incubation (5 min), and efflux was measured as the release of AIB with time (up to maximum of 50 min) from muscles that had previously been preloaded with AIB. This intracellular efflux was resolved into two phases, which probably represent two separate components of exit. The influence of extracellular Na+ on the transport of this neutral amino acid (representing the A system) was investigated. Na+ depletion resulted in lower accumulations of AIB, the effects becoming more pronounced with progressive depletions of external Na+. These changes arose from an inhibition of AIB influx, concomitant with an enhancement of its efflux. In contrast, all components of tyrosine transport (representing the L system) were unaffected by lowering external Na+ concentrations. The net accumulation of AIB was also suppressed by cortisol. This inhibitory effect was, however, Na+-dependent and resulted solely from the steroid's enhancement of AIB efflux, the hormone being without effect on AIB influx.

Food proteins and gut mucosal barrier I. Binding and uptake of cow's milk proteins by adult rat jejunum in vitro

To study small intestinal binding, breakdown, and uptake of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and beta-lactoglobulin ( BLG ), radiolabeled with 125I or 14C, the rat everted gut sac technique was used as a model of intestinal protein handling. Binding and uptake were found to be nonspecific and nonsaturable. There was a close correlation between both processes (r = 0.8). A consistent difference between BSA and BLG was shown in that more BLG was bound and taken up between 1 and 30 min than was BSA (P less than 0.001). As shown by trichloroacetic acid precipitation and gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 and Bio-Gel P-2, this difference was due to differential protein breakdown that takes place during protein attachment and transport across the intestinal mucosa. High-molecular-weight fragments were generated from BSA, whereas the molecular weight of most fragments generated from BLG was very low (mol wt less than 500). Size and structure of these food protein fragments might not only influence their intestinal binding and uptake characteristics but might also play a role in the physiological induction of tolerance and their relative antigenic potential.

Autoregulation by iodine of thyroid protein synthesis: influence of iodine on amino acid transport in cultured thyroid cells

Studies were conducted to determine whether the inhibitory effect of iodine on thyroid protein synthesis could be explained by a reduction in intracellular amino acid transport. The nonmetabolizable amino acid [14C]cycloleucine was used as a probe for the L system of neutral amino acid transport in dog thyroid cells during the initial 24 h of primary culture. Uptake of cycloleucine was linear for up to 30 min. At all time points, cycloleucine transport was reduced in cells preincubated for 3 h in NaI (10(-4) M). Inhibition (in a typical experiment) by NaI of cycloleucine transport (10 min) was 19%, 42%, and 69% at 10(-6), 10(-5), and 10(-4) M iodide, respectively. Methimazole (3 mM) together with iodide abolished the inhibitory effect of iodide on cycloleucine transport, implying the necessity of iodide organification. Methimazole itself did not significantly alter cycloleucine transport. T3, T4, MIT, and DIT similarly did not inhibit cycloleucine transport. NaI did not inhibit cycloleucine transport in cells lacking a mechanism for iodide organification. Double reciprocal plots of cycloleucine influx at different substrate concentrations indicated that NaI decreases the maximum velocity of cycloleucine transport (2.1 vs. 4.0 nmol min-1 mg protein-1) without affecting the Km (1 mM). In contrast to influx, iodine did not affect cycloleucine efflux. The inhibitory action of iodine on cycloleucine transport was reversible after removal of extracellular iodide, with full recovery occurring within 24 h. Iodine similarly inhibited the cellular uptake of [14C] alpha-methylaminoisobutyric acid as well as [14C] alpha-aminoisobutyric acid in the presence of 30 mM methyl-alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, that is of specific probes for the A and ASC transport systems of neutral amino acids, respectively. These data indicate that autoregulation by iodine of thyroid protein synthesis occurs, at least in part, by regulation of the maximum velocity of neutral amino acid uptake via the A, ASC, and L transport systems.

Guaran effect on rat intestinal absorption. A perfusion study

Among the components of dietary fiber, the soluble polysaccharides, primarily guaran and pectin, have been found to impair intestinal absorption. Little is known, however, about the mechanism of this effect. The direct action of guaran on small intestinal absorption was evaluated by a single-pass perfusion technique. Guaran in the perfusate (1-7 g/L) inhibited small intestinal absorption of actively transported compounds, such as alpha-methyl-D-glucoside, cycloleucine, and taurocholate, and also of the passively permeating solutes 2-deoxy-D-glucose and urea. Viscosity-related inhibition by guaran was found to depend on the rate of perfusion and was only detectable at perfusion rates below 0.4-0.5 ml/min. Higher perfusion rates abolished and even reversed the inhibitory effect. The observed alterations of absorption rates caused by guaran were completely reversible after switching to a guaran-free perfusate. The concentration-dependent absorption of D-glucose and alpha-methyl-D-glucoside at perfusion rates of 0.4 and 0.2 ml/min, respectively, revealed an increase in the transport constant and essentially unaltered maximal transport capacity in the presence of guaran. Additionally, net water absorption changed to secretion upon addition of guaran. When pectin and carrageenan were used in solutions of comparable viscosity, their effect was similar to that of guaran. The results suggest a general mechanism by which soluble, viscosity-enhancing polysaccharides influence the intestinal absorption of nutrients. The most likely explanation appears to be an increase in the unstirred layer resistance to diffusion. Under our experimental conditions, this occurred at low perfusion rates, but was increasingly counteracted by raising the rate of perfusion.