Sugar transporters for intercellular exchange and nutrition of pathogens.

Sugar efflux transporters are essential for the maintenance of animal blood glucose levels, plant nectar production, and plant seed and pollen development. Despite broad biological importance, the identity of sugar efflux transporters has remained elusive. Using optical glucose sensors, we identified a new class of sugar transporters, named SWEETs, and show that at least six out of seventeen Arabidopsis, two out of over twenty rice and two out of seven homologues in Caenorhabditis elegans, and the single copy human protein, mediate glucose transport. Arabidopsis SWEET8 is essential for pollen viability, and the rice homologues SWEET11 and SWEET14 are specifically exploited by bacterial pathogens for virulence by means of direct binding of a bacterial effector to the SWEET promoter. Bacterial symbionts and fungal and bacterial pathogens induce the expression of different SWEET genes, indicating that the sugar efflux function of SWEET transporters is probably targeted by pathogens and symbionts for nutritional gain. The metazoan homologues may be involved in sugar efflux from intestinal, liver, epididymis and mammary cells.

Facilitative plasma membrane transporters function during ER transit.

Although biochemical studies suggested a high permeability of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane for small molecules, proteomics identified few specialized ER transporters. To test functionality of transporters during ER passage, we tested whether glucose transporters (GLUTs, SGLTs) destined for the plasma membrane are active during ER transit. HepG2 cells were characterized by low-affinity ER transport activity, suggesting that ER uptake is protein mediated. The much-reduced capacity of HEK293T cells to take up glucose across the plasma membrane correlated with low ER transport. Ectopic expression of GLUT1, -2, -4, or -9 induced GLUT isoform-specific ER transport activity in HEK293T cells. In contrast, the Na(+)-glucose cotransporter SGLT1 mediated efficient plasma membrane glucose transport but no detectable ER uptake, probably because of lack of a sufficient sodium gradient across the ER membrane. In conclusion, we demonstrate that GLUTs are sufficient for mediating ER glucose transport en route to the plasma membrane. Because of the low volume of the ER, trace amounts of these uniporters contribute to ER solute import during ER transit, while uniporters and cation-coupled transporters carry out export from the ER, together potentially explaining the low selectivity of ER transport. Expression levels and residence time of transporters in the ER, as well as their coupling mechanisms, could be key determinants of ER permeability.

Dynamic analysis of cytosolic glucose and ATP levels in yeast using optical sensors.

Precise and dynamic measurement of intracellular metabolite levels has been hampered by difficulties in differentiating between adsorbed and imported fractions and the subcellular distribution between cytosol, endomembrane compartments and mitochondria. In the present study, genetically encoded FRET (Förster resonance energy transfer)-based sensors were deployed for dynamic measurements of free cytosolic glucose and ATP with varying external supply and in glucose-transport mutants. Moreover, by using the FRET sensors in a microfluidic platform, we were able to monitor in vivo changes of intracellular free glucose in individual yeast cells. We demonstrate the suitability of the FRET sensors for gaining physiological insight by demonstrating that free intracellular glucose and ATP levels are reduced in a hxt5Δ hexose-transporter mutant compared with wild-type and other hxtΔ strains.

Nanosensor detection of an immunoregulatory tryptophan influx/kynurenine efflux cycle.

Mammalian cells rely on cellular uptake of the essential amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan sequestration by up-regulation of the key enzyme for tryptophan degradation, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), e.g., in cancer and inflammation, is thought to suppress the immune response via T cell starvation. Additionally, the excreted tryptophan catabolites (kynurenines) induce apoptosis of lymphocytes. Whereas tryptophan transport systems have been identified, the molecular nature of kynurenine export remains unknown. To measure cytosolic tryptophan steady-state levels and flux in real time, we developed genetically encoded fluorescence resonance energy transfer nanosensors (FLIPW). The transport properties detected by FLIPW in KB cells, a human oral cancer cell line, and COS-7 cells implicate LAT1, a transporter that is present in proliferative tissues like cancer, in tryptophan uptake. Importantly, we found that this transport system mediates tryptophan/kynurenine exchange. The tryptophan influx/kynurenine efflux cycle couples tryptophan starvation to elevation of kynurenine serum levels, providing a two-pronged induction of apoptosis in neighboring cells. The strict coupling protects cells that overproduce IDO from kynurenine accumulation. Consequently, this mechanism may contribute to immunosuppression involved in autoimmunity and tumor immune escape.

GLUT1 and GLUT9 as major contributors to glucose influx in HepG2 cells identified by a high sensitivity intramolecular FRET glucose sensor.

Genetically encoded FRET glucose nanosensors have proven to be useful for imaging glucose flux in HepG2 cells. However, the dynamic range of the original sensor was limited and thus it did not appear optimal for high throughput screening of siRNA populations for identifying proteins involved in regulation of sugar flux. Here we describe a hybrid approach that combines linker-shortening with fluorophore-insertion to decrease the degrees of freedom for fluorophore positioning leading to improved nanosensor dynamics. We were able to develop a novel highly sensitive FRET nanosensor that shows a 10-fold higher ratio change and dynamic range (0.05-11 mM) in vivo, permitting analyses in the physiologically relevant range. As a proof of concept that this sensor can be used to screen for proteins playing a role in sugar flux and its control, we used siRNA inhibition of GLUT family members and show that GLUT1 is the major glucose transporter in HepG2 cells and that GLUT9 contributes as well, however to a lower extent. GFP fusions suggest that GLUT1 and 9 are preferentially localized to the plasma membrane and thus can account for the transport activity. The improved sensitivity of the novel glucose nanosensor increases the reliability of in vivo glucose flux analyses, and provides a new means for the screening of siRNA collections as well as drugs using high-content screens.

Fluxomics: mass spectrometry versus quantitative imaging.

The recent development of analytic high-throughput technologies enables us to take a bird's view of how metabolism is regulated in real time. We have known for a long time that metabolism is highly regulated at all levels, including transcriptional, posttranslational and allosteric controls. Flux through a metabolic or signaling pathway is determined by the activity of its individual components. Fluxomics aims to define the genes involved in regulation by following the flux. Two technologies are used to monitor fluxes. Pulse labeling of the organism or cell with a tracer, such as 13C, followed by mass spectrometric analysis of the partitioning of label into different compounds provides an efficient tool to study flux and to compare the effect of mutations on flux. The second approach is based on the use of flux sensors, proteins that respond with a conformational change to ligand binding. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) detects the conformational change and serves as a proxy for ligand concentration. In contrast to the mass spectrometry assays, FRET nanosensors monitor only a single compound. Both methods provide high time resolution. The major advantages of FRET nanosensors are that they yield data with cellular and subcellular resolution and the method is minimally invasive.

Quantitative imaging for discovery and assembly of the metabo-regulome.

Little is known about regulatory networks that control metabolic flux in plant cells. Detailed understanding of regulation is crucial for synthetic biology. The difficulty of measuring metabolites with cellular and subcellular precision is a major roadblock. New tools have been developed for monitoring extracellular, cytosolic, organellar and vacuolar ion and metabolite concentrations with a time resolution of milliseconds to hours. Genetically encoded sensors allow quantitative measurement of steady-state concentrations of ions, signaling molecules and metabolites and their respective changes over time. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) sensors exploit conformational changes in polypeptides as a proxy for analyte concentrations. Subtle effects of analyte binding on the conformation of the recognition element are translated into a FRET change between two fused green fluorescent protein (GFP) variants, enabling simple monitoring of analyte concentrations using fluorimetry or fluorescence microscopy. Fluorimetry provides information averaged over cell populations, while microscopy detects differences between cells or populations of cells. The genetically encoded sensors can be targeted to subcellular compartments or the cell surface. Confocal microscopy ultimately permits observation of gradients or local differences within a compartment. The FRET assays can be adapted to high-throughput analysis to screen mutant populations in order to systematically identify signaling networks that control individual steps in metabolic flux.

Evidence for high-capacity bidirectional glucose transport across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane by genetically encoded fluorescence resonance energy transfer nanosensors.

Glucose release from hepatocytes is important for maintenance of blood glucose levels. Glucose-6-phosphate phosphatase, catalyzing the final metabolic step of gluconeogenesis, faces the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen. Thus, glucose produced in the ER has to be either exported from the ER into the cytosol before release into circulation or exported directly by a vesicular pathway. To measure ER transport of glucose, fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based nanosensors were targeted to the cytosol or the ER lumen of HepG2 cells. During perfusion with 5 mM glucose, cytosolic levels were maintained at approximately 80% of the external supply, indicating that plasma membrane transport exceeded the rate of glucose phosphorylation. Glucose levels and kinetics inside the ER were indistinguishable from cytosolic levels, suggesting rapid bidirectional glucose transport across the ER membrane. A dynamic model incorporating rapid bidirectional ER transport yields a very good fit with the observed kinetics. Plasma membrane and ER membrane glucose transport differed regarding sensitivity to cytochalasin B and showed different relative kinetics for galactose uptake and release, suggesting catalysis by distinct activities at the two membranes. The presence of a high-capacity glucose transport system on the ER membrane is consistent with the hypothesis that glucose export from hepatocytes occurs via the cytosol by a yet-to-be-identified set of proteins.

Functional properties of multiple isoforms of human divalent metal-ion transporter 1 (DMT1).

DMT1 (divalent metal-ion transporter 1) is a widely expressed metal-ion transporter that is vital for intestinal iron absorption and iron utilization by most cell types throughout the body, including erythroid precursors. Mutations in DMT1 cause severe microcytic anaemia in animal models. Four DMT1 isoforms that differ in their N- and C-termini arise from mRNA transcripts that vary both at their 5'-ends (starting in exon 1A or exon 1B) and at their 3'-ends giving rise to mRNAs containing (+) or lacking (-) the 3'-IRE (iron-responsive element) and resulting in altered C-terminal coding sequences. To determine whether these variations result in functional differences between isoforms, we explored the functional properties of each isoform using the voltage clamp and radiotracer assays in cRNA-injected Xenopus oocytes. 1A/IRE+-DMT1 mediated Fe2+-evoked currents that were saturable (K(0.5)(Fe) approximately 1-2 microM), temperature-dependent (Q10 approximately 2), H+-dependent (K(0.5)(H) approximately 1 muM) and voltage-dependent. 1A/IRE+-DMT1 exhibited the provisional substrate profile (ranked on currents) Cd2+, Co2+, Fe2+, Mn2+>Ni2+, V3+>>Pb2+. Zn2+ also evoked large currents; however, the zinc-evoked current was accounted for by H+ and Cl- conductances and was not associated with significant Zn2+ transport. 1B/IRE+-DMT1 exhibited the same substrate profile, Fe2+ affinity and dependence on the H+ electrochemical gradient. Each isoform mediated 55Fe2+ uptake and Fe2+-evoked currents at low extracellular pH. Whereas iron transport activity varied markedly between the four isoforms, the activity for each correlated with the density of anti-DMT1 immunostaining in the plasma membrane, and the turnover rate of the Fe2+ transport cycle did not differ between isoforms. Therefore all four isoforms of human DMT1 function as metal-ion transporters of equivalent efficiency. Our results reveal that the N- and C-terminal sequence variations among the DMT1 isoforms do not alter DMT1 functional properties. We therefore propose that these variations serve as tissue-specific signals or cues to direct DMT1 to the appropriate subcellular compartments (e.g. in erythroid cells) or the plasma membrane (e.g. in intestine).

Marked disturbance of calcium homeostasis in mice with targeted disruption of the Trpv6 calcium channel gene.

UNLABELLED: We report the phenotype of mice with targeted disruption of the Trpv6 (Trpv6 KO) epithelial calcium channel. The mice exhibit disordered Ca(2+) homeostasis, including defective intestinal Ca(2+) absorption, increased urinary Ca(2+) excretion, decreased BMD, deficient weight gain, and reduced fertility. Although our Trpv6 KO affects the closely adjacent EphB6 gene, the phenotype reported here is not related to EphB6 dysfunction. INTRODUCTION: The mechanisms underlying intestinal Ca(2+) absorption are crucial for overall Ca(2+) homeostasis, because diet is the only source of all new Ca(2+) in the body. Trpv6 encodes a Ca(2+)-permeable cation channel responsible for vitamin D-dependent intestinal Ca(2+) absorption. Trpv6 is expressed in the intestine and also in the skin, placenta, kidney, and exocrine organs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To determine the in vivo function of TRPV6, we generated mice with targeted disruption of the Trpv6 (Trpv6 KO) gene. RESULTS: Trpv6 KO mice are viable but exhibit disordered Ca(2+) homeostasis, including a 60% decrease in intestinal Ca(2+) absorption, deficient weight gain, decreased BMD, and reduced fertility. When kept on a regular (1% Ca(2+)) diet, Trpv6 KO mice have deficient intestinal Ca(2+) absorption, despite elevated levels of serum PTH (3.8-fold) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (2.4-fold). They also have decreased urinary osmolality and increased Ca(2+) excretion. Their serum Ca(2+) is normal, but when challenged with a low (0.25%) Ca(2+) diet, Trpv6 KO mice fail to further increase serum PTH and vitamin D, ultimately developing hypocalcemia. Trpv6 KO mice have normal urinary deoxypyridinoline excretion, although exhibiting a 9.3% reduction in femoral mineral density at 2 months of age, which is not restored by treatment for 1 month with a high (2%) Ca(2+) "rescue" diet. In addition to their deranged Ca(2+) homeostasis, the skin of Trpv6 KO mice has fewer and thinner layers of stratum corneum, decreased total Ca(2+) content, and loss of the normal Ca(2+) gradient. Twenty percent of all Trpv6 KO animals develop alopecia and dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Trpv6 KO mice exhibit an array of abnormalities in multiple tissues/organs. At least some of these are caused by tissue-specific mechanisms. In addition, the kidneys and bones of Trpv6 KO mice do not respond to their elevated levels of PTH and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. These data indicate that the TRPV6 channel plays an important role in Ca(2+) homeostasis and in other tissues not directly involved in this process.

Functional characterization of adenosine transport across the BBB in mice.

We investigated transport characteristics of adenosine across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in mice. Uptake clearance across the BBB was measured by using an in situ mouse brain perfusion technique and cultured mouse brain capillary endothelial cell line (MBEC4 cells). Nucleoside transporter was cloned by RT-PCR and expressed on Xenopus laevis oocyte. Both in situ and in vitro studies revealed that the adenosine uptake is concentration-dependent, Na(+)-independent and S-(p-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioinosine (NBMPR)-sensitive. The K(t) values of in situ and in vitro studies were 31.7 +/- 13.8 microM and 11.9 +/- 2.84 microM, respectively. A good correlation was found for the inhibitory effects of nucleoside analogs to adenosine uptake between in situ and in vitro studies. RT-PCR revealed the expression of RNA of mouse equilibrative nucleoside transporter (mENT1) in mouse brain capillary and MBEC4 cells. In mENT1 expressed on X. laevis oocyte, K(t) value of adenosine transport was 6.9 +/- 2.7 microM (and comparable to those in situ and in vitro studies). In conclusion, we characterized the adenosine transport across the BBB in mice by using in situ brain perfusion technique and MBEC4 cells and found that these transports share common characteristics with mENT1-mediated transport. Transport of adenosine across the BBB in mice may be attributable to mENT1.

New approaches to in vitro models of blood-brain barrier drug transport.

The pharmaceutical industry has been searching for an in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model that preserves in vivo transporter functions in CNS drug discovery and development. The application of conditionally immortalized cell lines derived from transgenic animals harboring temperature-sensitive SV40 large T-antigen gene, is a rational and promising approach to such a workable in vitro BBB model. The established brain capillary endothelial cell lines retain the in vivo transport rate of several compounds and various forms of gene expression. Furthermore, this new approach has enabled the development of stable and reproducible co-culture models with a pericyte cell line and/or an astrocyte cell line.

Calcium transporter 1 and epithelial calcium channel messenger ribonucleic acid are differentially regulated by 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the intestine and kidney of mice.

We examined the expression of calcium transporter 1 (CaT1) and epithelial calcium channel (ECaC) mRNA in the duodenum and kidney of mice. Intestinal CaT1 mRNA level increased 30-fold at weaning, coincident with the induction of calbindin-D(9k) expression. In contrast, renal CaT1 and ECaC mRNA expression was equal until weaning when ECaC mRNA is induced and CaT1 mRNA levels fall 70%. Long- and short-term adaptation to changes in dietary calcium (Ca) level and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] injection strongly regulated duodenal calbindin D(9k) and CaT1 mRNA. Following a single dose of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), induction of CaT1 mRNA occurred rapidly (within 3 h, peak at 6 h of 9.6 +/- 0.8-fold) and preceded the induction of intestinal Ca absorption (significantly increased at 6 h, peak at 9 h). Neither renal CaT1 nor ECaC mRNA were strongly regulated by dietary calcium level or 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) injection. Our data indicate that CaT1 and ECaC mRNA levels are differentially regulated by 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in kidney and intestine and that there may be a specialized role for CaT1 in kidney in fetal and neonatal development. The rapid induction of intestinal CaT1 mRNA expression by 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), and the marked induction at weaning, suggest that CaT1 is critical for 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-mediated intestinal Ca absorption.

Rat organic anion transporter 3 (rOAT3) is responsible for brain-to-blood efflux of homovanillic acid at the abluminal membrane of brain capillary endothelial cells.

The mechanism that removes homovanillic acid (HVA), an end metabolite of dopamine, from the brain is still poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to identify and characterize the brain-to-blood HVA efflux transporter at the rat blood-brain barrier (BBB). Using the Brain Efflux Index method, the apparent in vivo efflux rate constant of [3H]HVA from the brain, k(eff), was determined to be 1.69 x 10(-2) minute(-1). This elimination was significantly inhibited by para-aminohippuric acid (PAH), benzylpenicillin, indoxyl sulfate, and cimetidine, suggesting the involvement of rat organic anion transporter 3 (rOAT3). rOAT3-expressing oocytes exhibited [3H]HVA uptake (K(m) = 274 micromol/L), which was inhibited by several organic anions, such as PAH, indoxyl sulfate, octanoic acid, and metabolites of monoamine neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters themselves did not affect the uptake. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis suggested that rOAT3 is localized at the abluminal membrane of brain capillary endothelial cells. These results provide the first evidence that rOAT3 is expressed at the abluminal membrane of the rat BBB and is involved in the brain-to-blood transport of HVA. This HVA efflux transport system is likely to play an important role in controlling the level of HVA in the CNS.

The blood-brain barrier creatine transporter is a major pathway for supplying creatine to the brain.

Although creatine plays a pivotal role in the storage of phosphate-bound energy in the brain, the source of cerebral creatine is still unclear. The authors examined the contribution made by the creatine transporter (CRT) at the blood-brain barrier in supplying creatine to the brain from blood. An intravenous administration study suggested that creatine is continuously transported from the blood to the brain against the creatine concentration gradient that exists between brain and blood. Conditionally immortalized mouse brain capillary endothelial cells (TM-BBB) exhibited creatine uptake, which is Na+ and Cl- dependent and inhibited by CRT inhibitors, such as beta-guanidinopropionate and guanidinoacetate. Northern blot and immunoblot analyses demonstrated that CRT is expressed in TM-BBB cells and isolated mouse brain microvessels. Moreover, high expression of CRT was observed in the mouse brain capillaries by confocal immunofluorescent microscopy. These results suggest that CRT plays an important role in supplying creatine to the brain via the blood-brain barrier.

Induction of xCT gene expression and L-cystine transport activity by diethyl maleate at the inner blood-retinal barrier.

PURPOSE: In this study, the expression and regulation of the L-cystine transporter, system x(-)(c), at the inner blood-retinal barrier (inner BRB) was investigated using a conditionally immortalized rat retinal capillary endothelial cell line (TR-iBRB2) as an in vitro model. METHODS: For the uptake study, TR-iBRB2 cells were cultured at 33C in the presence or absence of diethyl maleate (DEM), and the uptake rate of [(14)C]L-cystine was measured at 37C. The mRNA levels of system x(-)(c), which consists of xCT and 4F2hc, were determined by quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis with specific primers. RESULTS: The xCT and 4F2hc mRNAs were expressed in TR-iBRB2 cells. The [(14)C]L-cystine uptake by TR-iBRB2 cells appeared to be mediated through a saturable Na(+)-independent process. The corresponding Michaelis-Menten constant was 9.18 microM. At 100 microM DEM, the xCT mRNA level and L-cystine uptake activity in TR-iBRB2 cells were enhanced in a time-dependent manner. Concomitantly, the glutathione concentration in TR-iBRB2 cells was increased. In contrast, the 4F2hc mRNA level was unchanged up to 24 hours and was induced for more than 24 hours by DEM treatment. Under both normal and DEM treatment conditions, the uptake of [(14)C]L-cystine was strongly inhibited by L-glutamic acid, L-alpha-aminoadipic acid, L-homocysteic acid, and L-quisqualic acid, whereas L-aspartic acid and L-arginine had no effect, which is evidence of the induction of system x(-)(c). CONCLUSIONS: System x(-)(c)-mediated L-cystine uptake appears to be present at the inner BRB. DEM induces L-cystine transport through system x(-)(c) at the inner BRB by enhanced transcription of the xCT gene.

Retinal selectivity of gene expression in rat retinal versus brain capillary endothelial cell lines by differential display analysis.

PURPOSE: The retina is a neural tissue especially differentiated for vision and, thus, the inner blood-retinal barrier (inner BRB) specific molecules may play an essential role in maintaining neural functions in the retina. The purpose of the present study was to identify selectively expressed genes at the inner blood-retinal barrier compared with the blood-brain barrier (BBB). METHODS: A comparison of expressed genes between conditionally immortalized rat retinal (TR-iBRB) cell lines and brain capillary endothelial (TR-BBB) cell lines was performed using mRNA differential display analysis and quantitative real time PCR analysis. The rat M-cadherin gene was cloned by performing 5' RACE, and its protein expression was detected by immunoblot analysis. RESULTS: Eight clones were identified as highly expressed genes in TR-iBRB cells including GATA-binding protein-3 (GATA-3), cytosolic branched chain amino transferase (BCATc), and M-cadherin (cadherin-15). The rat M-cadherin gene was cloned from TR-iBRB cells, for the first time, and has >86% amino acid sequence identity to the previously cloned mammalian M-cadherins. Rat M-cadherin expression in TR-iBRB cells was much greater than that in TR-BBB cells as far as mRNA and protein levels were concerned. CONCLUSIONS: M-cadherin, GATA-3, and BCATc are highly expressed in TR-iBRB cells compared with TR-BBB cells and may indeed be involved in unique functions at the inner BRB.

Localization of norepinephrine and serotonin transporter in mouse brain capillary endothelial cells.

Monoamines function as a vasoactive modulator in the central nervous system (CNS) and are believed to regulate blood-brain barrier (BBB) function. Although monoamine transport is an essential process for regulating the extracellular monoamine concentration, the transport systems for monoamines at the BBB are poorly understood. mRNA expression of norepinephrine transporter (NET) and serotonin transporter (SERT) has been detected in a conditionally immortalized mouse brain capillary endothelial cell line (TM-BBB4) used as an in vitro model of the BBB, whereas no dopamine transporter (DAT) was detected. Western blot analysis showed the expression of NET and SERT protein in the membrane fraction of mouse brain capillaries and TM-BBB4 cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that NET and SERT are localized at the brain capillaries in the mouse cerebral cortex, and suggests that NET is localized at the abluminal side of brain capillary endothelial cells, and SERT is localized at the luminal and abluminal sides. NET and SERT expressed at the BBB may be involved in the inactivation of monoamines released from neurons around the BBB.

Tolbutamide uptake via pH- and membrane-potential-dependent transport mechanism in mouse brain capillary endothelial cell line.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to investigate the transport mechanism of tolbutamide across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) using MBEC4 cells as an in vitro BBB model. METHODS: The BBB transport of tolbutamide was studied by using a mouse brain capillary endothelial cell line, MBEC4, cultured on dishes with their luminal membrane facing the culture medium. RESULTS: The uptake of [14C]tolbutamide by MBEC4 cells was dependent on temperature and energy. The uptake coefficient of [14C]tolbutamide increased markedly with decreasing pH of the external medium from neutral to acidic. Valinomycin and replacement of chloride with sulfate or gluconate significantly increased the initial uptake of [14C]tolbutamide, while replacement with nitrate significantly decreased it. The uptake was significantly reduced by a proton ionophore, FCCP, and an anion-exchange inhibitor, DIDS. The initial uptake of [14C]tolbutamide was saturable with Kt of 0.61+/-0.03 mM (pH 7.4) and 1.76+/-0.19 mM (pH 6.5). At pH 6.5, the initial uptake of [14C]tolbutamide was significantly reduced by several sulfa drugs, salicylic acid, valproic acid and probenecid, and was competitively inhibited by sulfaphenazole (Ki=3.47+/-0.50 mM) and valproic acid (Ki=2.29+/-0.43 mM). CONCLUSION: These observations indicate the existence of a pH- and membrane-potential-dependent anion exchange and/or proton-cotransport system(s) for concentrative uptake of tolbutamide and sulfa drugs in MBEC4 cells.

Contribution of P-glycoprotein to efflux of ramosetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, across the blood-brain barrier.

In-situ rat and mouse brain perfusion data indicated that the brain distribution of ramosetron (R-ramosetron), a 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist, was extremely low compared with that expected from its lipophilicity. We hypothesized the involvement of an efflux system(s) and investigated the contribution of P-glycoprotein to efflux transport of ramosetron across the blood-brain barrier by means of an in-vitro uptake study in cell lines that over-express P-glycoprotein. We examined the contributions of mdr1a, mdr1b and MDR1 P-glycoprotein by using LV500 cells, MBEC4 cells and LLC-GA5-COL300 cells, which over-express mdr1a P-glycoprotein, mdr1b P-glycoprotein and MDR1 P-glycoprotein, respectively. The uptake of [14C]ramosetron by LV500 cells and LLC-GA5-COL300 cells was significantly lower than that by the respective parental cells. Next, we studied the effects of P-glycoprotein inhibitors, verapamil and ciclosporin, on uptake of [14C]ramosetron by these cell lines. The uptake of [14C]ramosetron by LV500 cells and LLC-GA5-COL300 cells was significantly increased in the presence of verapamil or ciclosporin, while verapamil did not affect the uptake of [14C]ramosetron by MBEC4 cells. These results indicate that the efflux of [14C]ramosetron is partly mediated by mdr1a P-glycoprotein, but not by mdr1b P-glycoprotein, and that there is a difference in substrate specificity between mdr1a P-glycoprotein and mdr1b P-glycoprotein. Further, [14C]ramosetron was confirmed to be effluxed by human MDR1 P-glycoprotein. We conclude that the limited distribution of ramosetron to the brain is due, at least in part, to efflux mediated by the P-glycoprotein at the blood-brain barrier.