Structural basis for substrate specificity of heteromeric transporters of neutral amino acids.

Despite having similar structures, each member of the heteromeric amino acid transporter (HAT) family shows exquisite preference for the exchange of certain amino acids. Substrate specificity determines the physiological function of each HAT and their role in human diseases. However, HAT transport preference for some amino acids over others is not yet fully understood. Using cryo-electron microscopy of apo human LAT2/CD98hc and a multidisciplinary approach, we elucidate key molecular determinants governing neutral amino acid specificity in HATs. A few residues in the substrate-binding pocket determine substrate preference. Here, we describe mutations that interconvert the substrate profiles of LAT2/CD98hc, LAT1/CD98hc, and Asc1/CD98hc. In addition, a region far from the substrate-binding pocket critically influences the conformation of the substrate-binding site and substrate preference. This region accumulates mutations that alter substrate specificity and cause hearing loss and cataracts. Here, we uncover molecular mechanisms governing substrate specificity within the HAT family of neutral amino acid transporters and provide the structural bases for mutations in LAT2/CD98hc that alter substrate specificity and that are associated with several pathologies.

Isoflurane induces Art2-Rsp5-dependent endocytosis of Bap2 in yeast.

Although general anesthesia is indispensable during modern surgical procedures, the mechanism by which inhalation anesthetics act on the synaptic membrane at the molecular and cellular level is largely unknown. In this study, we used yeast cells to examine the effect of isoflurane, an inhalation anesthetic, on membrane proteins. Bap2, an amino acid transporter localized on the plasma membrane, was endocytosed when yeast cells were treated with isoflurane. Depletion of RSP5, an E3 ligase, prevented this endocytosis and Bap2 was ubiquitinated in response to isoflurane, indicating an ubiquitin-dependent process. Screening all the Rsp5 binding adaptors showed that Art2 plays a central role in this process. These results suggest that isoflurane affects Bap2 via an Art2-Rsp5-dependent ubiquitination system.

α-Methyl-l-tryptophan as a weight-loss agent in multiple models of obesity in mice.

α-Methyl-L-tryptophan (α-MLT) is currently in use as a tracer in its 11C-labeled form to monitor the health of serotonergic neurons in humans. In the present study, we found this compound to function as an effective weight-loss agent at pharmacological doses in multiple models of obesity in mice. The drug was able to reduce the body weight when given orally in drinking water (1 mg/ml) in three different models of obesity: normal mice on high-fat diet, Slc6a14-null mice on high-fat diet, and ob/ob mice on normal diet. Only the l-enantiomer (α-MLT) was active while the d-enantiomer (α-MDT) had negligible activity. The weight-loss effect was freely reversible, with the weight gain resuming soon after the withdrawal of the drug. All three models of obesity were associated with hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis; α-MLT reversed these features. There was a decrease in food intake in the treatment group. Mice on a high-fat diet showed decreased cholesterol and protein in the serum when treated with α-MLT; there was however no evidence of liver and kidney dysfunction. Plasma amino acid profile indicated a significant decrease in the levels of specific amino acids, including tryptophan; but the levels of arginine were increased. We conclude that α-MLT is an effective, reversible, and orally active drug for the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

SLC6A14 deficiency is linked to obesity, fatty liver, and metabolic syndrome but only under conditions of a high-fat diet.

SLC6A14 is a Na+/Cl--coupled transporter for neutral/cationic amino acids, expressed in ileum and colon. A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs2011162 (-22,510C > G), in SLC6A14 coding for the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) is associated with obesity in humans. But the impact of this polymorphism on the transporter expression and its connection to obesity are not known. Our objective was to address these issues. The impact of rs2011162 (-22,510C > G) on SLC6A14 expression was monitored using a luciferase reporter. The link between Slc6a14 and obesity was investigated in wild type and Slc6a14-/- mice when fed a normal diet or a high-fat diet. The obesity-associated 3'-UTR polymorphism reduced SLC6A14 expression. With a high-fat diet, Slc6a14-/- mice gained more weight than wild type mice. With normal diet, there was no difference between the two genotypes. The gain in body weight with the high-fat diet in Slc6a14-/- mice was accompanied with metabolic syndrome. With the high-fat diet, Slc6a14-/- mice showed increased food intake, developed fatty liver, and altered plasma amino acid profile. The high-fat diet-associated hepatic steatosis in Slc6a14-/- mice showed male preponderance. We conclude that the 3'-UTR SNP in SLC6A14 associated with obesity decreases the expression of SLC6A14 and that the deficiency of SLC6A14 is linked to obesity. This is supported by the findings that Slc6a14-/- mice develop obesity, fatty liver, and metabolic syndrome. This connection is evident only with a high-fat diet. Therefore, dietary/pharmacologic interventions that induce SLC6A14 expression in the intestinal tract might have potential for obesity prevention.1.

Amino Acids and Their Transporters in T Cell Immunity and Cancer Therapy.

Metabolism reprogramming is critical for both cancer progression and effective immune responses in the tumor microenvironment. Amino acid metabolism in different cells and their cross-talk shape tumor immunity and therapy efficacy in patients with cancer. In this review, we focus on multiple amino acids and their transporters, solute carrier (SLC) members. We discuss their involvement in regulation of immune responses in the tumor microenvironment and assess their associations with cancer immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, and we review their potential as targets for cancer therapy. We stress the necessity to understand individual amino acids and their transporters in different cell subsets, the molecular intersection between amino acid metabolism, and effective T cell immunity and its relevance in cancer therapies.

[SLC6A14, a modifier gene in cystic fibrosis]. / SLC6A14, un gène modificateur dans la mucoviscidose.

Although cystic fibrosis is a monogenic disease, a considerable clinical phenotypic variability is observed in patients with the same CFTR mutations. Thanks to the development of new and powerful tools for carrying out genetic studies, several genes called "modifier genes" have been identified as being associated with the severity of the lung function disorder in cystic fibrosis patients. Among these genes, SLC6A14 may modulate the anti-infective response and epithelial integrity of the airways, thus providing a potential therapeutic target to improve the patient's lung function.

Insights into the transport side of the human SLC38A9 transceptor.

The lysosomal amino acid transporter SLC38A9 is referred to as transceptor, i.e. a transporter with a receptor function. The protein is responsible for coupling amino acid transport across the lysosomal membrane according to the substrate availability to mTORC1 signal transduction. This process allows cells to sense amino acid level responding to growth stimuli in physiological and pathological conditions triggering mTOR regulation. The main substrates underlying this function are glutamine and arginine. The functional and kinetic characterization of glutamine and arginine transport was performed using human SLC38A9 produced in E. coli, purified by affinity chromatography and reconstituted in liposomes. A cooperative behaviour for the wild type protein was revealed for both the substrates. A novel Na+ binding site, namely T453, was described by combined approaches of bioinformatics, site-directed mutagenesis and transport assay. Stimulation by cholesterol of glutamine and arginine transport was observed. The biological function of SLC38A9 relies on the interaction between its N-terminus and components of the mTOR complex; a deletion mutant of the N-terminus tail was produced and transport of glutamine was assayed revealing that this portion does not play any role in the intrinsic transport function of the human SLC38A9. Different features for glutamine and arginine transport were revealed: human SLC38A9 is competent for glutamine efflux, while that of arginine is negligible. In line with these results, imposed ∆pH stimulated glutamine, not arginine transport. Arginine plays, on the contrary, a modulatory function and is able to stimulate glutamine efflux. Interestingly, reciprocal inhibition experiments also supported by bioinformatics, suggested that glutamine and arginine may bind to different sites in the human SLC38A9 transporter.

Augmentation of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Function in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells via SLC6A14-Dependent Amino Acid Uptake. Implications for Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis.

SLC6A14-mediated l-arginine transport has been shown to augment the residual anion channel activity of the major mutant, F508del-CFTR, in the murine gastrointestinal tract. It is not yet known if this transporter augments residual and pharmacological corrected F508del-CFTR in primary airway epithelia. We sought to determine the role of l-arginine uptake via SLC6A14 in modifying F508del-CFTR channel activity in airway cells from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells from lung explants of patients without CF (HBE) and those with CF (CF-HBE) were used for H3-flux, airway surface liquid, and Ussing chamber studies. We used α-methyltryptophan as a specific inhibitor for SLC6A14. CFBE41o-, a commonly used CF airway cell line, was employed for studying the mechanism of the functional interaction between SLC6A14 and F508del-CFTR. SLC6A14 is functionally expressed in CF-HBE cells. l-arginine uptake via SLC6A14 augmented F508del-CFTR function at baseline and after treatment with lumacaftor. SLC6A14-mediated l-arginine uptake also increased the airway surface liquid in CF-HBE cells. Using CFBE41o cells, we showed that the positive SLC6A14 effect was mainly dependent on the nitric oxide (NO) synthase activity, nitrogen oxides, including NO, and phosphorylation by protein kinase G. These finding were confirmed in CF-HBE, as inducible NO synthase inhibition abrogated the functional interaction between SLC6A14 and pharmacological corrected F508del-CFTR. In summary, SLC6A14-mediated l-arginine transport augments residual F508del-CFTR channel function via a noncanonical, NO pathway. This effect is enhanced with increasing pharmacological rescue of F508del-CFTR to the membrane. The current study demonstrates how endogenous pathways can be used for the development of companion therapy in CF.

CD44 variant inhibits insulin secretion in pancreatic ß cells by attenuating LAT1-mediated amino acid uptake.

CD44 variant (CD44v) contributes to cancer stemness by stabilizing the xCT subunit of system xc(-) and thereby promoting its glutamate-cystine antiporter activity. CD44 has also been implicated in autoimmune insulitis and inflammation in diabetic islets, but whether CD44v regulates insulin secretion has remained unclear. Here we show that CD44v inhibits insulin secretion by attenuating amino acid transport mediated by the L-type amino acid transporter LAT1. CD44v expression level was inversely related to insulin content in islets of normal and diabetic model mice. Knockdown of CD44 increased insulin secretion, the intracellular insulin level, and the transport of neutral amino acids mediated by LAT1 in Min6 cells. Attenuation of the uptake of neutral amino acids with a LAT inhibitor reduced insulin secretion and insulin content in Min6 cells, whereas overexpression of LAT1 increased insulin secretion. Moreover, inhibition of LAT1 prevented the increase in insulin secretion and content induced by CD44 depletion in Min6 cells. Our results thus implicate CD44v in the regulation of insulin secretion and reveal that amino acid transport is rate limiting for such secretion. They further suggest that amino acid transport mediated by LAT1 is a potential therapeutic target for diabetes.

Transport of BMAA into Neurons and Astrocytes by System xc.

The study of the mechanism of ß-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) neurotoxicity originally focused on its effects at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. In recent years, it has become clear that its mechanism of action is more complicated. First, there are certain cell types, such as motor neurons and cholinergic neurons, where the dominate mechanism of toxicity is through action at AMPA receptors. Second, even in cortical neurons where the primary mechanism of toxicity appears to be activation of NMDA receptors, there are other mechanisms involved. We found that along with NMDA receptors, activation of mGLuR5 receptors and effects on the cystine/glutamate antiporter (system xc-) were involved in the toxicity. The effects on system xc- are of particular interest. System xc- mediates the transport of cystine into the cell in exchange for releasing glutamate into the extracellular fluid. By releasing glutamate, system xc- can potentially cause excitotoxicity. However, through providing cystine to the cell, it regulates the levels of cellular glutathione (GSH), the main endogenous intracellular antioxidant, and in this way may protect cells against oxidative stress. We have previously published that BMAA inhibits cystine uptake leading to GSH depletion and had indirect evidence that BMAA is transported into the cells by system xc-. We now present direct evidence that BMAA is transported into both astrocytes and neurons through system xc-. The fact that BMAA is transported by system xc- also provides a mechanism for BMAA to enter brain cells potentially leading to misincorporation into proteins and protein misfolding.

Regional differences in glutathione accumulation pathways in the rat cornea: Mapping of amino acid transporters involved in glutathione synthesis.

In this study we have sought to complete the identification and localisation of uptake pathways involved in accumulating precursor amino acids involved in GSH synthesis in the rat cornea. To do this, we performed reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) to identify the Excitatory Amino Acid Transporters (EAAT 1-5) responsible for glutamate uptake, and glycine transporters (GLYT 1-2) at the transcript level. Western blotting was used to verify protein expression, while immunolabelling of sagittal sections was used to localise transporters to the different layers of the cornea. Immunolabelling of en face sections was used to examine the subcellular distribution of proteins in the corneal endothelium. Our findings revealed EAAT 1-5 and GLYT 1-2 to be expressed at the transcript and protein level in the rat cornea. Immunohistochemistry revealed all amino acid transporters to be localised to the epithelium. In the majority of cases, labelling was restricted to the epithelium, and labelling absent from the stroma or endothelium. However, EAAT 4 and GLYT 2 labelling was detected in the stroma with EAAT 4 labelling also present in the endothelium. Overall, the identification of amino acid transporters strongly supports the existence of an intracellular GSH synthesis pathway in the rat corneal epithelium. This suggests that regional differences in GSH accumulation pathways exist, with direct uptake of GSH and intracellular synthesis of GSH restricted to the endothelial and epithelial cell layers, respectively. This information is important in the design of targeted strategies to enhance GSH levels in specific layers of the cornea to prevent against oxidative damage, corneal swelling and loss of corneal transparency.

Exporters for Production of Amino Acids and Other Small Molecules.

Microbes are talented catalysts to synthesize valuable small molecules in their cytosol. However, to make full use of their skills - and that of metabolic engineers - the export of intracellularly synthesized molecules to the culture medium has to be considered. This step is as essential as is each step for the synthesis of the favorite molecule of the metabolic engineer, but is frequently not taken into account. To export small molecules via the microbial cell envelope, a range of different types of carrier proteins is recognized to be involved, which are primary active carriers, secondary active carriers, or proteins increasing diffusion. Relevant export may require just one carrier as is the case with L-lysine export by Corynebacterium glutamicum or involve up to four carriers as known for L-cysteine excretion by Escherichia coli. Meanwhile carriers for a number of small molecules of biotechnological interest are recognized, like for production of peptides, nucleosides, diamines, organic acids, or biofuels. In addition to carriers involved in amino acid excretion, such carriers and their impact on product formation are described, as well as the relatedness of export carriers which may serve as a hint to identify further carriers required to improve product formation by engineering export.

UMAMIT14 is an amino acid exporter involved in phloem unloading in Arabidopsis roots.

Amino acids are the main form of nitrogen transported between the plant organs. Transport of amino acids across membranes is mediated by specialized proteins: importers, exporters, and facilitators. Unlike amino acid importers, amino acid exporters have not been thoroughly studied, partly due to a lack of high-throughput techniques enabling their isolation. Usually Multiple Acids Move In and out Transporters 14 (UMAMIT14) from Arabidopsis shares sequence similarity to the amino acid facilitator Silique Are Red1 (UMAMIT18), and has been shown to be involved in amino acid transfer to the seeds. We show here that UMAMIT14 is also expressed in root pericycle and phloem cells and mediates export of a broad range of amino acids in yeast. Loss-of-function of UMAMIT14 leads to a reduced shoot-to-root and root-to-medium transfer of amino acids originating from the leaves. These fluxes were further reduced in an umamti14 umamit18 double loss-of-function mutant. This study suggests that UMAMIT14 is involved in phloem unloading of amino acids in roots, and that UMAMIT14 and UMAMIT18 are involved in the radial transport of amino acids in roots, which is essential for maintaining amino acid secretion to the soil.

Heteromeric amino acid transporters. In search of the molecular bases of transport cycle mechanisms.

Heteromeric amino acid transporters (HATs) are relevant targets for structural studies. On the one hand, HATs are involved in inherited and acquired human pathologies. On the other hand, these molecules are the only known examples of solute transporters composed of two subunits (heavy and light) linked by a disulfide bridge. Unfortunately, structural knowledge of HATs is scarce and limited to the atomic structure of the ectodomain of a heavy subunit (human 4F2hc-ED) and distant prokaryotic homologues of the light subunits that share a LeuT-fold. Recent data on human 4F2hc/LAT2 at nanometer resolution revealed 4F2hc-ED positioned on top of the external loops of the light subunit LAT2. Improved resolution of the structure of HATs, combined with conformational studies, is essential to establish the structural bases for light subunit recognition and to evaluate the functional relevance of heavy and light subunit interactions for the amino acid transport cycle.

Role of Annular Lipids in the Functional Properties of Leucine Transporter LeuT Proteomicelles.

Recent work has shown that the choice of the type and concentration of detergent used for the solubilization of membrane proteins can strongly influence the results of functional experiments. In particular, the amino acid transporter LeuT can bind two substrate molecules in low concentrations of n-dodecyl ß-d-maltopyranoside (DDM), whereas high concentrations reduce the molar binding stoichiometry to 1:1. Subsequent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of LeuT in DDM proteomicelles revealed that DDM can penetrate to the extracellular vestibule and make stable contacts in the functionally important secondary substrate binding site (S2), suggesting a potential competitive mechanism for the reduction in binding stoichiometry. Because annular lipids can be retained during solubilization, we performed MD simulations of LeuT proteomicelles at various stages of the solubilization process. We find that at low DDM concentrations, lipids are retained around the protein and penetration of detergent into the S2 site does not occur, whereas at high concentrations, lipids are displaced and the probability of DDM binding in the S2 site is increased. This behavior is dependent on the type of detergent, however, as we find in the simulations that the detergent lauryl maltose-neopentyl glycol, which is approximately twice the size of DDM and structurally more closely resembles lipids, does not penetrate the protein even at very high concentrations. We present functional studies that confirm the computational findings, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of experimental conditions, and for cautious interpretation of data in gathering mechanistic information about membrane proteins.

Yes-associated protein 1 and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif activate the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 pathway by regulating amino acid transporters in hepatocellular carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: Metabolic activation is a common feature of many cancer cells and is frequently associated with the clinical outcomes of various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus, aberrantly activated metabolic pathways in cancer cells are attractive targets for cancer therapy. Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) are oncogenic downstream effectors of the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway, which is frequently inactivated in many cancers. Our study revealed that YAP1/TAZ regulates amino acid metabolism by up-regulating expression of the amino acid transporters solute carrier family 38 member 1 (SLC38A1) and solute carrier family 7 member 5 (SLC7A5). Subsequently, increased uptake of amino acids by the transporters (SLC38A1 and SLC7A5) activates mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), a master regulator of cell growth, and stimulates cell proliferation. We also show that high expression of SLC38A1 and SLC7A5 is significantly associated with shorter survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Furthermore, inhibition of the transporters and mTORC1 significantly blocks YAP1/TAZ-mediated tumorigenesis in the liver. These findings elucidate regulatory networks connecting the Hippo pathway to mTORC1 through amino acid metabolism and the mechanism's potential clinical implications for treating hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSION: YAP1 and TAZ regulate cancer metabolism and mTORC1 through regulation of amino acid transportation, and two amino acid transporters, SLC38A1 and SLC7A5, might be important therapeutic targets.

The proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter 1 plays a major role in the intestinal permeability and absorption of 5-aminolevulinic acid.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) has been widely used in photodynamic therapy and immunofluorescence of tumours. In the present study, the intestinal permeability and oral pharmacokinetics of 5-ALA were evaluated to probe the contribution of the proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter 1 (PEPT1) to the oral absorption and systemic exposure of this substrate. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: In situ single-pass intestinal perfusions and in vivo oral pharmacokinetic studies were performed in wildtype and Pept1 knockout mice. Perfusion studies were performed as a function of concentration dependence, specificity and permeability of 5-ALA in different intestinal segments. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed after 0.2 and 2.0 µmoL·g(-1) doses of 5-ALA. KEY RESULTS: The permeability of 5-ALA was substantial in duodenal, jejunal and ileal regions of wildtype mice, but the residual permeability of 5-ALA in the small intestine from Pept1 knockout mice was only about 10% of that in wildtype animals. The permeability of 5-ALA in jejunum was specific for PEPT1 with no apparent contribution of other transporters, including the proton-coupled amino acid transporter 1 (PAT1). After oral dosing, the systemic exposure of 5-ALA was reduced by about twofold during PEPT1 ablation, and the pharmacokinetics were dose-proportional after the 0.2 and 2.0 µmol·g(-1) doses. PEPT1 had a minor effect on the disposition and peripheral tissue distribution of 5-ALA. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Our findings suggested a major role of PEPT1 in the intestinal permeability and oral absorption of 5-ALA. In contrast, another proton-coupled transporter, PAT1, appeared to play a limited role, at best.

Compartment-specific aggregases direct distinct nuclear and cytoplasmic aggregate deposition.

Disruption of the functional protein balance in living cells activates protective quality control systems to repair damaged proteins or sequester potentially cytotoxic misfolded proteins into aggregates. The established model based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae indicates that aggregating proteins in the cytosol of eukaryotic cells partition between cytosolic juxtanuclear (JUNQ) and peripheral deposits. Substrate ubiquitination acts as the sorting principle determining JUNQ deposition and subsequent degradation. Here, we show that JUNQ unexpectedly resides inside the nucleus, defining a new intranuclear quality control compartment, INQ, for the deposition of both nuclear and cytosolic misfolded proteins, irrespective of ubiquitination. Deposition of misfolded cytosolic proteins at INQ involves chaperone-assisted nuclear import via nuclear pores. The compartment-specific aggregases, Btn2 (nuclear) and Hsp42 (cytosolic), direct protein deposition to nuclear INQ and cytosolic (CytoQ) sites, respectively. Intriguingly, Btn2 is transiently induced by both protein folding stress and DNA replication stress, with DNA surveillance proteins accumulating at INQ. Our data therefore reveal a bipartite, inter-compartmental protein quality control system linked to DNA surveillance via INQ and Btn2.