Neutral amino acid transport systems of microvillous membrane of human placenta

1988 ◽  
Vol 254 (6) ◽  
pp. C773-C780 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. W. Johnson ◽  
C. H. Smith

Placental transport produces concentrations of amino acids in fetal blood greater than those of maternal blood. Competitive inhibition studies of zwitterionic amino acid transport in isolated vesicles from the microvillous (maternal facing) plasma membranes of syncytiotrophoblast defined three transport systems: 1) a sodium-dependent system that supports methylaminoisobutyric acid (MeAIB) transport and has the characteristics of an A system; 2) a sodium-independent system with a high affinity for leucine and other amino acids with branched or aromatic side chains; and 3) a sodium-independent system with a preference for alanine as a substrate. The two sodium-independent systems could be further discriminated by marked specificity for trans stimulation with alanine or with leucine. System ASC, known to be present in whole placenta, and the neutral brush-border or imino systems of other polarized epithelia were apparently absent. Kinetic characteristics of the A system make it the probable primary driving force for concentrative transfer of its substrate amino acids to the fetus. Characteristics of the high-affinity leucine system demonstrated that it is saturated by normal serum leucine concentrations. Regulation of either system has the potential to alter placental amino acid uptake and transfer to the fetus.

2004 ◽  
Vol 287 (1) ◽  
pp. E136-E141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Miller ◽  
David Chinkes ◽  
David A. MacLean ◽  
Dennis Gore ◽  
Robert R. Wolfe

We have tested the hypothesis that transit through the interstitial fluid, rather than across cell membranes, is rate limiting for amino acid uptake from blood into muscle in human subjects. To quantify muscle transmembrane transport of naturally occurring amino acids, we developed a novel 4-pool model that distinguishes between the interstitial and intracellular fluid compartments. Transport kinetics of phenylalanine, leucine, lysine, and alanine were quantified using tracers labeled with stable isotopes. The results indicate that interstitial fluid is a functional compartment insofar as amino acid kinetics are concerned. In the case of leucine and alanine, transit between blood and interstitial fluid was potentially rate limiting for muscle amino acid uptake and release in the postabsorptive state. For example, in the case of leucine, the rate of transport between blood and interstitial fluid compared with the corresponding rate between interstitial fluid and muscle was 247 ± 36 vs. 610 ± 95 nmol·min−1·100 ml leg−1, respectively ( P < 0.05). Our results are consistent with the process of diffusion governing transit from blood to interstitial fluid without selectivity, and of specific amino acid transport systems with varying degrees of efficiency governing transit from interstitial fluid to muscle. These results imply that changes in factors that affect the transit of amino acids from blood through interstitial fluid, such as muscle blood flow or edema, could play a major role in controlling the rate of muscle amino acid uptake.


1975 ◽  
Vol 228 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Phang ◽  
DL Valle ◽  
L Fisher ◽  
A Granger

In fetal rat calvaria, puromycin selectively inhibited the uptake of certain groups of amino acids. Puromycin treatment decreased the uptake of glycine, L-proline, and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid but was without effect on the active uptake of all other amino acids tested. In studies of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid uptake, puromycin decreased the maximal transport velocity by 70% but had no effect on the affinity of the transport system for the amino acid. With puromycin treatment, the fall-off in rates of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid uptake was first order with a half-life of 68 min. Insulin treatment increased this half-life to 118 min. These findings suggest that protein components of specific transport systems are degraded at varying rates after puromycin blockade of protein synthesis. Hormones that stimulate amino acid transport (e.g., insulin) may decrease the rate of degradation of these protein components.


1994 ◽  
Vol 196 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Palacín

The currently identified cDNA clones of mammalian amino acid transporters can be grouped into five different families. One family is composed of the proteins rBAT and the heavy chain (hc) of the cell surface antigen 4F2. RNAs encoding these two proteins induce a system b(o,+)-like (rBAT) and a system y+L-like (4F2hc) activity in Xenopus oocytes. Surprisingly, rBAT and 4F2hc do not seem to be pore-forming proteins. This finding supports the hypothesis that rBAT and 4F2hc are subunits or modulators of the corresponding amino acid transport systems. Expression of rBAT in oocytes induces high-affinity transport of cystine, which is shared with transport of cationic and zwitterionic amino acids. The rBAT gene is expressed mainly in kidney and small intestine. The rBAT protein is localized to the microvilli of proximal straight tubules of the kidney and mucosa from the small intestine. This finding is consistent with the involvement of rBAT in a high-affinity resorption system for cystine in the proximal straight tubule of the nephron. All of these characteristics suggest that rBAT is a good candidate for a cystinuria gene. Cystinuria is an inheritable defect in high-affinity transport of cystine, shared with cationic amino acids, through epithelial cells of the renal tubule and intestinal tract. Very recently, point missense mutations have been found in the rBAT gene of cystinuria patients. The most frequent rBAT mutation, M467T (threonine substitution of methionine at residue 467) nearly abolished the amino acid transport activity elicited by rBAT in oocytes. This result offers convincing evidence that rBAT is a cystinuria gene. Biochemical, cytological and genetic approaches are now needed to delineate the mechanism of action of rBAT and 4F2hc in the transport of amino acids.


1975 ◽  
Vol 53 (9) ◽  
pp. 975-988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danny P. Singh ◽  
Hérb. B. LéJohn

Transport of amino acids in the water-mould Achlya is an energy-dependent process. Based on competition kinetics and studies involving the influence of pH and temperature on the initial transport rates, it was concluded that the 20 amino acids (L-isomers) commonly found in proteins were transported by more than one, possibly nine, uptake systems. This is similar to the pattern elucidated for some bacteria but unlike those uncovered for all fungi studied to date. The nine different transport systems elucidated are: (i) methionine, (ii) cysteine, (iii) proline, (iv) serine–threonine, (v) aspartic and glutamic acids, (vi) glutamine and asparagine, (vii) glycine and alanine, (viii) histidine, lysine, and arginine, and (ix) phenylalanine–tyrosine–tryptophan and leucine–isoleucine–valine as two overlapping groups. Transport of all of these amino acids was inhibited by azide, cyanide, and its derivatives and 2,4-dinitrophenol. These agents normally interfere with metabolism at the level of the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. Osmotic shock treatment of the cells released, into the shock fluid, a glycopeptide that binds calcium as well as tryptophan but no other amino acid. The shocked cells are incapable of concentrating amino acids, but remain viable and reacquire this capacity when the glycopeptide is resynthesized.Calcium played more than a secondary role in the transport of the amino acids. When bound to the membrane-localized glycopeptide, it permits concentrative transport to take place. However, excess calcium can inhibit transport which can be overcome by chelating with citrate. Calculations show that the concentration of free citrate is most important. At low citrate concentrations (less than 1 mM) in the absence of exogenously supplied calcium, enhancement of amino acid transport occurs. At high concentrations (greater than 5 mM), citrate inhibits but this effect can be reversed by titrating with calcium. Evidently, the glycopeptide acts as a calcium sink to regulate the concentration of calcium made available to the cell for its membrane activities.N6-(Δ2-isopentenyl) adenine (a plant growth 'hormone') and analogues mimic the inhibitory effect of citrate and bind to the glycopeptide as well. Replot data for citrate and N6-(Δ2-isopentyl) adenine inhibition indicate that both agents have no more than one binding constant. These results implicate calcium, glycopeptide, and energy-dependent transport of solutes in some, as yet undefinable, way.


1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (6) ◽  
pp. C1321-C1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Moe

Normal fetal growth and development depend on a continuous supply of amino acids from the mother to the fetus. The placenta is responsible for the transfer of amino acids between the two circulations. The human placenta is hemomonochorial, meaning that the maternal and fetal circulations are separated by a single layer of polarized epithelium called the syncytiotrophoblast, which is in direct contact with maternal blood. Transport proteins located in the microvillous and basal membranes of the syncytiotrophoblast are the principal mechanism for transfer from maternal blood to fetal blood. Knowledge of the function and regulation of syncytiotrophoblast amino acid transporters is of great importance in understanding the mechanism of placental transport and potentially improving fetal and newborn outcomes. The development of methods for the isolation of microvillous and basal membrane vesicles from human placenta over the past two decades has contributed greatly to this understanding. Now a primary cultured trophoblast model is available to study amino acid transport and regulation as the cells differentiate. The types of amino acid transporters and their distribution between the syncytiotrophoblast microvillous and basal membranes are somewhat unique compared with other polarized epithelia. These differences may reflect the unusual circumstance of this epithelium that is exposed to blood on both sides. The current state of knowledge as to the types of transport systems present in syncytiotrophoblast, their regulation, and the effects of maternal consumption of drugs on transport are discussed.


2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (2) ◽  
pp. C290-C303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiziano Verri ◽  
Cinzia Dimitri ◽  
Sonia Treglia ◽  
Fabio Storelli ◽  
Stefania De Micheli ◽  
...  

Information regarding cationic amino acid transport systems in thyroid is limited to Northern blot detection of y+LAT1 mRNA in the mouse. This study investigated cationic amino acid transport in PC cell line clone 3 (PC Cl3 cells), a thyroid follicular cell line derived from a normal Fisher rat retaining many features of normal differentiated follicular thyroid cells. We provide evidence that in PC Cl3 cells plasmalemmal transport of cationic amino acids is Na+ independent and occurs, besides diffusion, with the contribution of high-affinity, carrier-mediated processes. Carrier-mediated transport is via y+, y+L, and b0,+ systems, as assessed by l-arginine uptake and kinetics, inhibition of l-arginine transport by N-ethylmaleimide and neutral amino acids, and l-cystine transport studies. y+L and y+ systems account for the highest transport rate (with y+L > y+) and b0,+ for a residual fraction of the transport. Uptake data correlate to expression of the genes encoding for CAT-1, CAT-2B, 4F2hc, y+LAT1, y+LAT2, rBAT, and b0,+AT, an expression profile that is also shown by the rat thyroid gland. In PC Cl3 cells cationic amino acid uptake is under TSH and/or cAMP control (with transport increasing with increasing TSH concentration), and upregulation of CAT-1, CAT-2B, 4F2hc/y+LAT1, and rBAT/b0,+AT occurs at the mRNA level under TSH stimulation. Our results provide the first description of an expression pattern of cationic amino acid transport systems in thyroid cells. Furthermore, we provide evidence that extracellular l-arginine is a crucial requirement for normal PC Cl3 cell growth and that long-term l-arginine deprivation negatively influences CAT-2B expression, as it correlates to reduction of CAT-2B mRNA levels.


1988 ◽  
Vol 255 (3) ◽  
pp. 963-969 ◽  
Author(s):  
A R Quesada ◽  
J D McGivan

A rapid method for the functional reconstruction of amino acid transport from liver plasma-membrane vesicles using the neutral detergent decanoyl-N-glucamide (‘MEGA-10’) is described. The method is a modification of that previously employed in this laboratory for reconstitution of amino acid transport systems from kidney brush-border membranes [Lynch & McGivan (1987) Biochem. J. 244, 503-508]. The transport activities termed ‘System A’, ‘System N’, and ‘System L’ are all reconstituted. The reconstitution procedure is rapid and efficient and is suitable as an assay for transport activity in studies involving membrane fractionation. By using this reconstitution procedure, System A transport activity was partially purified by lectin-affinity chromatography.


1991 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 355 ◽  
Author(s):  
BV Sastry

There are increasing numbers of reports on the tobacco smoking and ingestion of abused drugs (e.g. morphine, cocaine) by pregnant women and the effects of the substances on the developing fetus and newborn infant. The passage of drugs and chemicals from the mother to the fetus is influenced by the placental transport and metabolism of the substances. Further, these drugs and chemicals affect the nutrient transport systems in the placenta. The three major drugs of abuse-nicotine, morphine and cocaine-depress both active amino-acid uptake by human placental villi and transplacental amino-acid transport by reason of the drugs' influence on placental cholinergic and opiate systems. Part of this depression (10-16%) is not reversible. Nicotine blocks the cholinergic receptor and thus blocks acetylcholine (ACh)-facilitated amino-acid transport. Morphine stimulates opiate kappa receptors and depresses ACh release. Cocaine blocks Ca2+ influx and thus blocks ACh release. ACh causes dilation of blood vessels and maintains placental blood flow by the activation of endothelial muscarinic receptors. By interfering with ACh release and placental blood flow, the three drugs of abuse may depress the diffusion of amino acids and other nutrients from the trophoblast into the placental circulation. Three regulatory systems are delineated for amino-acid uptake by the placenta: placental ACh, phospholipid N-methyltransferase, and the gammaglutamyl cycle. These systems operate in concert with one another and are dependent on cellular formation of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP). Placental hypoxia induced by carbon monoxide and other tobacco gases depresses the energy-dependent processes and thus the ATP levels of placental cells. Maternal tobacco smoking and drug abuse cause placental insufficiencies for amino-acid transport, which may partially explain the fetal intrauterine growth retardation caused by these substances. Part of the amino-acid deficits may be compensated for by the induction of new amino-acid transport systems. Specific receptors or drug-binding proteins for the three drugs of abuse are present in the placenta. A DNA adduct selective for maternal smoking has been demonstrated in the placenta. DNA adducts selective for cocaine, morphine and other environmental chemicals have yet to be demonstrated ins the placenta.


1994 ◽  
Vol 267 (6) ◽  
pp. F1015-F1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Boon ◽  
P. J. Blommaart ◽  
A. J. Meijer ◽  
W. H. Lamers ◽  
A. C. Schoolwerth

To examine further the role of the liver in acid-base homeostasis, we studied hepatic amino acid uptake and urea synthesis in rats in vivo during acute acidosis and alkalosis, induced by infusion of 1.8 mmol of HCl or NaHCO3 over 3 h. Amino acids and NH4+ were measured in portal vein, hepatic vein, and aortic plasma, and arteriovenous differences of amino acids and urinary urea and NH4+ excretion were measured. In acidosis, urinary urea excretion was reduced 36% (P < 0.01), whereas urinary NH4+ excretion increased ninefold (P < 0.01), but the sum of urea and NH4+ excretion was unchanged. Total hepatic amino acid uptake, as determined from arteriovenous differences, was decreased by 63% (P < 0.01) in acidosis, with the major effect being noted with alanine and glycine. Only glutamine was released in both acidosis and alkalosis but was not significantly different in the two conditions. Since intracellular concentrations of readily transportable amino acids were not different at low pH despite accelerated protein degradation, these results indicate that hepatic amino acid transport was inhibited markedly and sufficiently to explain the observed decrease in urea synthesis. Total hepatic vein amino acid content was greater in acidosis than alkalosis (P < 0.01). Directly or indirectly, by conversion to glutamine elsewhere, these increased amino acids were degraded in kidney and accounted for the ninefold increase in urinary NH4+ excretion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


1989 ◽  
Vol 257 (3) ◽  
pp. R494-R500 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Giordana ◽  
V. F. Sacchi ◽  
P. Parenti ◽  
G. M. Hanozet

Experiments with intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles from lepidopteran larvae disclosed the occurrence of unique cotransporter proteins that use K+ as the driver cation for the transmembrane transfer of amino acids across the luminal border of midgut enterocytes. Six apical membrane amino acid transport systems have been identified. These systems are 1) a neutral amino acid transporter with a broad spectrum of interactions with most neutral amino acids, which is highly concentrative, strongly K+- and electrical potential-dependent, poorly stereospecific, and recognizes histidine, but not proline, glycine, or alpha-(methylamino)isobutyric acid (MeAIB); 2) a specific system for L-proline; 3) a specific system for glycine with a higher affinity for Na+ than for K+; 4) a specific system for L-lysine, which is dependent on membrane potential, is highly sensitive to external K+, and does not interact with L-arginine or neutral amino acids; 5) a specific K+-dependent process for glutamic acid, which does not recognize aspartic acid; and last, 6) an apparently unique K+- driven mechanism for D-alanine, which is potential-dependent and strongly stereospecific.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document