Cnicin promotes functional nerve regeneration.

BACKGROUND: The limited regenerative capacity of injured axons hinders functional recovery after nerve injury. Although no drugs are currently available in the clinic to accelerate axon regeneration, recent studies show the potential of vasohibin inhibition by parthenolide, produced in Tanacetum parthenium, to accelerate axon regeneration. However, due to its poor oral bioavailability, parthenolide is limited to parenteral administration. PURPOSE: This study investigates another sesquiterpene lactone, cnicin, produced in Cnicus benedictus for promoting axon regeneration. RESULTS: Cnicin is equally potent and effective in facilitating nerve regeneration as parthenolide. In culture, cnicin promotes axon growth of sensory and CNS neurons from various species, including humans. Neuronal overexpression of vasohibin increases the effective concentrations comparable to parthenolide, suggesting an interaction between cnicin and vasohibin. Remarkably, intravenous administration of cnicin significantly accelerates functional recovery after severe nerve injury in various species, including the anastomosis of severed nerves. Pharmacokinetic analysis of intravenously applied cnicin shows a blood half-life of 12.7 min and an oral bioavailability of 84.7 % in rats. Oral drug administration promotes axon regeneration and recovery after nerve injury in mice. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the potential of cnicin as a promising drug to treat axonal insults and improve recovery.

SLC22A11 Inserts the Uremic Toxins Indoxyl Sulfate and P-Cresol Sulfate into the Plasma Membrane.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health concern affecting millions worldwide. One of the critical challenges in CKD is the accumulation of uremic toxins such as p-cresol sulfate (pCS) and indoxyl sulfate (IS), which contribute to systemic damage and CKD progression. Understanding the transport mechanisms of these prominent toxins is essential for developing effective treatments. Here, we investigated whether pCS and IS are routed to the plasma membrane or to the cytosol by two key transporters, SLC22A11 and OAT1. To distinguish between cytosolic transport and plasma membrane insertion, we used a hyperosmolarity assay in which the accumulation of substrates into HEK-293 cells in isotonic and hypertonic buffers was measured in parallel using LC-MS/MS. Judging from the efficiency of transport (TE), pCS is a relevant substrate of SLC22A11 at 7.8 ± 1.4 µL min-1 mg protein-1 but not as good as estrone-3-sulfate; OAT1 translocates pCS less efficiently. The TE of SLC22A11 for IS was similar to pCS. For OAT1, however, IS is an excellent substrate. With OAT1 and p-aminohippuric acid, our study revealed an influence of transporter abundance on the outcomes of the hyperosmolarity assay; very high transport activity confounded results. SLC22A11 was found to insert both pCS and IS into the plasma membrane, whereas OAT1 conveys these toxins to the cytosol. These disparate transport mechanisms bear profound ramifications for toxicity. Membrane insertion might promote membrane damage and microvesicle release. Our results underscore the imperative for detailed structural inquiries into the translocation of small molecules.

In vitro validation of an in vivo phenotyping drug cocktail for major drug transporters in humans.

PURPOSE: Cocktails of transporter probe drugs are used in vivo to assess transporter activity and respective drug-drug interactions. An inhibitory effect of components on transporter activities should be ruled out. Here, for a clinically tested cocktail consisting of adefovir, digoxin, metformin, sitagliptin, and pitavastatin, inhibition of major transporters by individual probe substrates was investigated in vitro. METHODS: Transporter transfected HEK293 cells were used in all evaluations. Cell-based assays were applied for uptake by human organic cation transporters 1/2 (hOCT1/2), organic anion transporters 1/3 (hOAT1/3), multidrug and toxin extrusion proteins 1/2K (hMATE1/2K), and organic anion transporter polypeptide 1B1/3 (hOATP1B1/3). For P-glycoprotein (hMDR1) a cell-based efflux assay was used whereas an inside-out vesicle-based assay was used for the bile salt export pump (hBSEP). All assays used standard substrates and established inhibitors (as positive controls). Inhibition experiments using clinically achievable concentrations of potential perpetrators at the relevant transporter expression site were carried out initially. If there was a significant effect, the inhibition potency (Ki) was studied in detail. RESULTS: In the inhibition tests, only sitagliptin had an effect and reduced hOCT1- and hOCT2- mediated metformin uptake and hMATE2K mediated MPP+ uptake by more than 70%, 80%, and 30%, respectively. The ratios of unbound Cmax (observed clinically) to Ki of sitagliptin were low with 0.009, 0.03, and 0.001 for hOCT1, hOCT2, and hMATE2K, respectively. CONCLUSION: The inhibition of hOCT2 in vitro by sitagliptin is in agreement with the borderline inhibition of renal metformin elimination observed clinically, supporting a dose reduction of sitagliptin in the cocktail.

Isotope-labeled ergothioneine clarifies the mechanism of reaction with singlet oxygen.

Recently we have uncovered a non-enzymatic multi-step cycle for the regeneration of ergothioneine (ET), after reaction with noxious singlet oxygen (1O2), by glutathione (GSH). When living cells were loaded with ET labeled with deuterium and N-15 atoms (D5-ET) and exposed to light in the presence of a photosensitizer, no loss of deuterium at position 5 of the imidazole ring was observed, in contradiction to our previous mechanistic proposal. Therefore, it was necessary to reexamine the in vitro products of ET and 1O2 by liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry. Pure 1O2 was generated by thermolysis at 37 °C of the endoperoxide DHPNO2. The use of D5-ET enabled us to revise and extend the reaction scheme. On the main pathway, 1O2 attacks the imidazole ring, and the hydroperoxide intermediates are reduced rapidly by ET or GSH via different mechanisms. The intramolecular water elimination from the 5-hydroperoxide described previously is slower and not a part of the cycle. On another side path, 1O2 attacks the sulfur of ET to form a sulfine (S-oxide). The reduction of the sulfine also allows for the complete regeneration of ET. Experiments with methanol instead of water as solvent revealed that, in the absence of GSH, ET was attacked 6 times more frequently at the ring than at the sulfur. In the presence of 1 mM GSH or higher, both side paths were abandoned. ET efficiently captures 1O2 with its ring and can then be regenerated to a large extent by GSH, without enzyme involvement.

Metformin Prevents Key Mechanisms of Obesity-Related Complications in Visceral White Adipose Tissue of Obese Pregnant Mice.

With the gaining prevalence of obesity, related risks during pregnancy are rising. Inflammation and oxidative stress are considered key mechanisms arising in white adipose tissue (WAT) sparking obesity-associated complications and diseases. The established anti-diabetic drug metformin reduces both on a systemic level, but only little is known about such effects on WAT. Because inhibiting these mechanisms in WAT might prevent obesity-related adverse effects, we investigated metformin treatment during pregnancy using a mouse model of diet-induced maternal obesity. After mating, obese mice were randomised to metformin administration. On gestational day G15.5, phenotypic data were collected and perigonadal WAT (pgWAT) morphology and proteome were examined. Metformin treatment reduced weight gain and visceral fat accumulation. We detected downregulation of perilipin-1 as a correlate and observed indications of recovering respiratory capacity and adipocyte metabolism under metformin treatment. By regulating four newly discovered potential adipokines (alpha-1 antitrypsin, Apoa4, Lrg1 and Selenbp1), metformin could mediate anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress-modulating effects on local and systemic levels. Our study provides an insight into obesity-specific proteome alterations and shows novel modulating effects of metformin in pgWAT of obese dams. Accordingly, metformin therapy appears suitable to prevent some of obesity's key mechanisms in WAT.

Does Intracellular Metabolism Render Gemcitabine Uptake Undetectable in Mass Spectrometry?

The ergothioneine transporter ETT (formerly OCTN1; human gene symbol SLC22A4) is a powerful and highly specific transporter for the uptake of ergothioneine (ET). Recently, Sparreboom et al. reported that the ETT would transport nucleosides and nucleoside analogues such as cytarabine and gemcitabine with the highest efficiency. In our assay system, we could not detect any such transport. Subsequently, Sparreboom suggested that the intracellular metabolization of the nucleosides occurs so fast that the original compounds cannot be detected by LC-MS/MS after inward transport. Our current experiments with 293 cells disprove this hypothesis. Uptake of gemcitabine was easily detected by LC-MS/MS measurements when we expressed the Na+/nucleoside cotransporter CNT3 (SLC28A3). Inward transport was 1280 times faster than the intracellular production of gemcitabine triphosphate. The deoxycytidine kinase inhibitor 2-thio-2'-deoxycytidine markedly blocked the production of gemcitabine triphosphate. There was no concomitant surge in intracellular gemcitabine, however. This does not fit the rapid phosphorylation of gemcitabine. Uptake of cytarabine was very slow, but detection by MS was still possible. When the ETT was expressed and incubated with gemcitabine, there was no increase in intracellular gemcitabine triphosphate. We conclude that the ETT does not transport nucleosides.

Organic Cation Transporter-Mediated Accumulation of Quinolinium Salts in the LV Myocardium of Rodents.

PURPOSE: Quaternary ammonium salts have demonstrated marked accumulation in the left ventricular (LV) myocardium of rodents and swine. To investigate the mechanism underlying this uptake, the present study examined the interaction of [18F]fluoroethylquinolinium ([18F]FEtQ) with the family of organic cation transporters (OCTs). PROCEDURES: The cellular uptake of [18F]FEtQ into HEK293 cells, expressing human OCT1, -2, or -3 (HEK293-hOCT), and its inhibition by corticosterone was evaluated in vitro. The inhibitory effect of decynium 22 (D 22) in vivo was also studied, using PET/CT of HEK293-hOCT tumor-bearing mice. Furthermore, the distribution kinetics of [18F]FEtQ were determined in rats, with and without pre-administration of corticosterone, and following administration to a non-human primate (NHP). RESULTS: The accumulation of [18F]FEtQ in HEK293-hOCT cells was 15-20-fold higher than in control cells and could be inhibited by corticosterone. in vivo, the uptake of [18F]FEtQ in the LV myocardium of corticosterone-treated rats was significantly reduced compared to that of untreated animals. Similarly, following administration of D 22 to HEK293-hOCT tumor-bearing mice, the peak tumor uptake of [18F]FEtQ was reduced by 40-45 % compared to baseline. Contrary to the distinct accumulation of [18F]FEtQ in the LV myocardium of rats, no cardiac uptake was observed following its administration to a NHP. CONCLUSIONS: The quinolinium salt derivative [18F]FEtQ interacts with the family of OCTs, and this interaction could account, at least in part, for the increased uptake in the LV myocardium of rodents. Nonetheless, its low affinity for hOCT3 and the results of PET/CT imaging in a NHP indicate a limited clinical applicability as a radiopharmaceutical for cardiac and/or OCT imaging.

The ergothioneine transporter (ETT): substrates and locations, an inventory.

In all vertebrates including mammals, the ergothioneine transporter ETT (obsolete name OCTN1; human gene symbol SLC22A4) is a powerful and highly specific transporter for the uptake of ergothioneine (ET). ETT is not expressed ubiquitously and only cells with high ETT cell-surface levels can accumulate ET to high concentration. Without ETT, there is no uptake because the plasma membrane is essentially impermeable to this hydrophilic zwitterion. Here, we review the substrate specificity and localization of ETT, which is prominently expressed in neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages, and developing erythrocytes. Most sites of strong expression are conserved across species, but there are also major differences. In particular, we critically analyze the evidence for the expression of ETT in the brain as well as recent data suggesting that the transporter SLC22A15 may also transport ET. We conclude that, to date, ETT remains the only well-defined biomarker for intracellular ET activity. In humans, the ability to take up, distribute, and retain ET depends principally on this transporter.

Hyperosmolarity stimulates transporter-mediated insertion of estrone sulfate into the plasma membrane, but inhibits the uptake by SLC10A1 (NTCP).

Many drugs are largely hydrophobic molecules; a transporter might conceivably insert these into the plasma membrane. At least 18 transporters from diverse families have been reported to transport the model compound estrone sulfate alias estrone-3-sulfate (E3S). Out of these, we recently examined SLC22A11 (OAT4). We concluded from a comparison of E3S and uric acid transport that SLC22A11 does not translocate E3S into the cytosol, but into the plasma membrane. Here we present a hyperosmolarity alias hypertonicity assay to differentiate transport mechanisms. Human transporters were expressed heterologously in 293 cells. Solute uptake into intact cells was measured by LC-MS. Addition of mannitol or sucrose led to rapid cell shrinkage, but cell viability after 60 min in hyperosmolar buffer was not impaired. A decrease in substrate accumulation with increasing osmolarity as observed here for several substrates and the transporters SLC22A11, ETT (SLC22A4), OCT2 (SLC22A2), OAT3 (SLC22A8), and MATE1 (SLC47A1) suggests regular substrate translocation into the cytosol. An increase as observed for E3S transport by SLC22A11, OAT3, MATE1, SLC22A9, and SLC10A6 implies insertion into the membrane. In marked contrast to the other E3S transporters, the bile acid transporter SLC10A1 (NTCP, Na+ taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide) showed a decrease in the accumulation of E3S in hyperosmolar buffer; the same was observed with taurocholic acid. Indeed, our data from several functional assays strongly suggest that the transport mechanism is identical for both substrates. Apparently, a unique transport mechanism has been established for SLC10A1 by evolution that ensures the transport of amphipathic, detergent-like molecules into the cytosol.

Transporter tandems: precise tools for normalizing active transporter in the plasma membrane.

The transport efficiency (TE) describes the performance of a transport protein for a specific substrate. To compare the TE of different transporters, the number of active transporters in the plasma membrane must be monitored, as it may vary for each transporter and experiment. Available methods, like LC-MS quantification of tryptic peptides, fail to discriminate inactive intracellular transporters or, like cell-surface biotinylation followed by affinity chromatography and Western blotting, are imprecise and very laborious. We wanted to normalize active transporters by the activity of a second transporter. A transporter tandem, generated by joining two transporter cDNAs into a single open reading frame, should guarantee a 1 : 1 stoichiometry. Here we created a series of tandems with different linkers between the human ergothioneine (ET) transporter ETT (gene symbol SLC22A4) and organic cation transporter OCT2 (SLC22A2). The linker sequence strongly affected the expression strength. The stoichiometry was validated by absolute peptide quantification and untargeted peptide analysis. Compared with wild-type ETT, the normalized ET clearance of the natural variant L503F was higher (f = 1.34); G462E was completely inactive. The general usefulness of the tandem strategy was demonstrated by linking several transporters with ETT; every construct was active in both parts. Transporter tandems can be used - without membrane isolation or protein quantification - as precise tools for transporter number normalization, to identify, for example, relevant transporters for a drug. It is necessary, however, to find suitable linkers, to check the order of transporters, and to verify the absence of functional interference by saturation kinetics.

Total Synthesis and Functional Characterization of Selenoneine.

The N-α-trimethyl 2-selenohistidine selenoneine is the selenium isolog of the natural antioxidant ergothioneine. Sulfur-to-selenium substitutions are known to endow proteins and nucleic acids with special activities. In contrast, secondary metabolites that exploit selenium-specific chemistry are rare. Selenoneine therefore provides a unique opportunity to study how natural organoselenides interact with cellular processes. In this report we describe the chemical synthesis of selenoneine and other 2-selenoimidazoles. With synthetic selenoneine at hand we discovered a set of reactivities that distinguish selenoneine from ergothioneine, showing that the two compounds can fill distinct functional niches. Synthetic access to 2-selenoimidazoles should pave the way to explore the pharmaceutical potential and physiological function of this heretofore inaccessible class of compounds.

Regeneration of ergothioneine after reaction with singlet oxygen.

Ergothioneine (ET), an imidazole-2-thione derivative of histidine betaine, is generally considered an antioxidant. Important antioxidants are typically regenerated from their oxidized products, to prevent the interceptors from being lost after a single chemical reaction with a reactive oxygen species. However, no mechanism for the complete regeneration of ET has yet been uncovered. Here we define a non-enzymatic multi-step cycle for the regeneration of ET after reaction with singlet oxygen (1O2). All reaction steps were verified by density functional theory computations. Four molecules of GSH are used per turn to detoxify 1O2 to water. Pure 1O2 was generated by thermolysis at 37 °C of the endoperoxide DHPNO2. Addition of 1 mM ET to 10 mM DHPNO2 and 10 mM GSH increased the production of oxidized GSH (GSSG), measured by LC-MS/MS, by a factor of 26 (water) and 28 (D2O), respectively. In the same assay, the ring of ET alone was able to drive the cycle at equal speed; thus, the zwitterionic amino acid backbone was not involved. Our data suggest that ET reacts at least 4-fold faster with 1O2 than ascorbic acid. ET must now be viewed as tightly linked with the GSH/GSSG redox couple. The necessary thiol foundation is present in all mammalian and vertebrate cells, and also in all species that generate ET, such as cyanobacteria, mycobacteria, and fungi. Regeneration provides a decisive advantage for ET over other reactive, but non-recoverable, compounds. Our findings substantiate the importance of ET for the eradication of noxious 1O2.

Substrate Selectivity Check of the Ergothioneine Transporter.

The candidate vitamin ergothioneine (ET) is a unique antioxidant. Expression of the ET transporter (ETT) (gene symbol SLC22A4) in distinct cells is thought to signal intracellular ET activity, since we have previously shown that the ETT is highly selective for ET. Unfortunately, some continue to hold the ETT as a relevant drug transporter, using the misleading functional name OCTN1, novel organic cation transporter. The present study was provoked by two recent reports in which new ETT substrates were declared. Astonishingly, the transport efficiencies (TEs) of ETT for saracatinib and some nucleoside drugs were as high as the TE for ET. Here we examined, based on regulated expression of ETT from human and rat in 293 cells and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry quantification, the transport of several drugs. With the nucleosides cytarabine, gemcitabine, 2'-deoxycytidine, and 2'-deoxyadenosine, and the drugs saracatinib, ipratropium, metformin, and oxaliplatin, the uptake into cells expressing ETT was not increased over control cells. ETT-mediated uptake of gabapentin was detectable, but the TE was approximately 100-fold lower than the TE for ergothioneine (50-200 µl/min per milligram of protein). In conclusion, the ETT remains highly specific for its physiologic substrate ergothioneine. Our results contradict several reports on additional substrates. The ETT does not provide multiple substrate specificities, and it is not a transporter of cationic drugs. Only compounds that are related to ET in substructure-for example, gabapentin, carnitine, and TEA-can be transported, but with very low efficiency. Thus, ETT persists as a specific molecular indicator of ET activity.

Ergothioneine stands out from hercynine in the reaction with singlet oxygen: Resistance to glutathione and TRIS in the generation of specific products indicates high reactivity.

The candidate vitamin ergothioneine (ET), an imidazole-2-thione derivative of histidine betaine, is generally considered an antioxidant. However, the precise physiological role of ET is still unresolved. Here, we investigated in vitro the hypothesis that ET serves specifically to eradicate noxious singlet oxygen (1O2). Pure 1O2 was generated by thermolysis at 37°C of N,N'-di(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-1,4-naphthalenedipropanamide 1,4-endoperoxide (DHPNO2). Assays of DHPNO2 with ET or hercynine (= ET minus sulfur) at pH 7.4 were analyzed by LC-MS in full scan mode to detect products. Based on accurate mass and product ion scan data, several products were identified and then quantitated as a function of time by selected reaction monitoring. All products of hercynine contained, after a [4+2] cycloaddition of 1O2, a carbonyl at position 2 of the imidazole ring. By contrast, because of the doubly bonded sulfur, we infer from the products of ET as the initial intermediates a 4,5-dioxetane (after [2+2] cycloaddition) and hydroperoxides at position 4 and 5 (after Schenck ene reactions). The generation of single products from ET, but not from hercynine, was fully resistant to a large excess of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS) or glutathione (GSH). This suggests that 1O2 markedly favors ET over GSH (at least 50-fold) and TRIS (at least 250-fold) for the initial reaction. Loss of ET was almost abolished in 5mM GSH, but not in 25mM TRIS. Regeneration of ET seems feasible, since some ET products - by contrast to hercynine products - decomposed easily in the MS collision cell to become aromatic again.

Ergothioneine and related histidine derivatives in the gas phase: tautomer structures determined by IRMPD spectroscopy and theory.

l-Ergothioneine (ET) is a sulfur-containing derivative of the amino acid histidine that offers unique antioxidant properties. The enzyme independent redox-chemistry of ET relies on the availability of the thiol tautomer to allow oxidative formation of disulfide bridges, i.e., the tautomeric equilibrium. To study the intrinsic properties of ET the tautomeric equilibrium is studied in the gas-phase by infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy. The IR ion spectra of isolated molecular ions of ET and of the biosynthetic precursors of ET, i.e., hercynine and Nε-methyl-hercynine are acquired. The analyte structures are independently investigated by density functional theory (DFT) and computed linear IR-spectra of tautomer ion structures are compared with the gas-phase spectra for identification. For the molecular ion of ET the simulated IR spectra of thione and thiol structures match the recorded IRMPD spectrum and that prevents an individual structure assignment. On the other hand, theory suggests that ET adopts a thione tautomer in MeOH solution which could be carried over from the condensed phase to gas phase and could be kinetically trapped after effective electrospray phase transfer and desolvation. Such a non-thermal behavior is also found for the molecular ions of protonated hercynine and Nε-methyl-hercynine. Contrary to that, the sodium complex ions of ET, hercynine and Nε-methyl-hercynine adopt the respective ground structures predicted by theory, which are reliably identified spectroscopically. For ET the thione tautomer is by far the most stable isomer in the sodium complex molecular ion.

Metformin causes a futile intestinal-hepatic cycle which increases energy expenditure and slows down development of a type 2 diabetes-like state.

OBJECTIVE: Metformin, the first line drug for treatment of type 2 diabetes, suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis and reduces body weight in patients, the latter by an unknown mechanism. METHODS: Mice on a high fat diet were continuously fed metformin in a therapeutically relevant dose, mimicking a retarded formulation. RESULTS: Feeding metformin in pharmacologically relevant doses to mice on a high fat diet normalized HbA1c levels and ameliorated glucose tolerance, as expected, but also considerably slowed down weight gain. This was due to increased energy expenditure, since food intake was unchanged and locomotor activity was even decreased. Metformin caused lactate accumulation in the intestinal wall and in portal venous blood but not in peripheral blood or the liver. Increased conversion of glucose-1-13C to glucose-1,6-13C under metformin strongly supports a futile cycle of lactic acid production in the intestinal wall, and usage of the produced lactate for gluconeogenesis in liver. CONCLUSIONS: The reported glucose-lactate-glucose cycle is a highly energy consuming process, explaining the beneficial effects of metformin given continuously on the development of a type 2 diabetic-like state in our mice.

Loss of organic cation transporter 3 (Oct3) leads to enhanced proliferation and hepatocarcinogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Organic cation transporters (OCT) are responsible for the uptake of a broad spectrum of endogenous and exogenous substrates. Downregulation of OCT is frequently observed in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is associated with a poor outcome. The aim of our current study was to elucidate the impact of OCT3 on hepatocarcinogenesis. METHODS: Transcriptional and functional loss of OCT was investigated in primary murine hepatocytes, derived from Oct3-knockout (Oct3-/-; FVB.Slc22a3tm1Dpb ) and wildtype (WT) mice. Liver tumors were induced in Oct3-/- and WT mice with Diethylnitrosamine and Phenobarbital over 10 months and characterized macroscopically and microscopically. Key survival pathways were investigated by Western Blot analysis. RESULTS: Loss of Oct3-/- in primary hepatocytes resulted in significantly reduced OCT activity determined by [3H]MPP+ uptake in vivo. Furthermore, tumor size and quantity were markedly enhanced in Oct3-/- mice (p<0.0001). Oct3-/- tumors showed significant higher proliferation (p<0.0001). Ki-67 and Cyclin D expression were significantly increased in primary Oct3-/- hepatocytes after treatment with the OCT inhibitors quinine or verapamil (p<0.05). Functional inhibition of OCT by quinine resulted in an activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (Jnk), especially in Oct3-/- hepatocytes. CONCLUSION: Loss of Oct3 leads to enhanced proliferation and hepatocarcinogenesis in vivo.

A novel mode of operation of SLC22A11: Membrane insertion of estrone sulfate versus translocation of uric acid and glutamate.

Estrone sulfate alias estrone-3-sulfate (E3S) is considerably larger and much more hydrophobic than typical substrates of SLC22 transporters. It is puzzling that many otherwise unrelated transporters have been reported to transport E3S. Here we scrutinized the mechanism of transport of E3S by SLC22A11 (alias OAT4), by direct comparison with uric acid (UA), an important physiological substrate. Heterologous expression of SLC22A11 in human 293 cells gave rise to a huge unidirectional efflux of glutamate (Glu) and aspartate, as determined by LC-MS/MS. The uptake of E3S was 20-fold faster than the uptake of UA. Yet, the outward transport of Glu was inhibited by extracellular E3S, but not by UA. The release of E3S after preloading was trans-stimulated by extracellular dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), but neither by UA nor 6-carboxyfluorescein (6CF). The equilibrium accumulation of E3S was enhanced 3-fold by replacement of chloride with gluconate, but the opposite effect was observed for UA. These results establish that SLC22A11 provides entirely different transport mechanisms for E3S and UA. Therefore, E3S must not be used as a substitute for UA to assay the function of SLC22A11. In equilibrium accumulation experiments, the transporter-mediated uptake was a linear function of the concentration of UA and 6CF. By contrast, in the same concentration range the graph for E3S was hyperbolic. This suggests that SLC22A11 inserts E3S into a small volume with limited capacity, the plasma membrane. Our data support the notion that the reverse process, extraction from the membrane, is also catalyzed by the carrier.

Knockout of the ergothioneine transporter ETT in zebrafish results in increased 8-oxoguanine levels.

Ergothioneine (ET) is a natural compound that humans and other vertebrates must absorb from dietary sources. In general, ET is considered an intracellular antioxidant. However, the precise physiological purpose of ET and the consequences of ET deficiency are still unclear. The ergothioneine transporter ETT (human gene symbol SLC22A4) is a highly specific transporter for the uptake of ET. Here, we sought to identify and knock out ETT from zebrafish (Danio rerio) to determine the function of ET. We cloned and assayed three related proteins from zebrafish, only one of which catalyzed the uptake of ET. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the protein is strongly expressed in the skin, brain, kidney, intestine, and eye. In ETT-knockout animals generated by retroviral insertion into exon 1, ET content was reduced by more than 1000-fold compared to the wild type. Thus, ETT is the sole transporter responsible for uptake of ET into zebrafish. ETT-knockout fish did not exhibit obvious differences in morphology or behavior. In whole-fish homogenates, an increase in 4-hydroxy-2,3-trans-nonenal and malondialdehyde was observed, but only after stress caused by incubation with Pb(2+) or Cu(2+). Comparison of unstressed fish at the level of small molecules by LC-MS difference shading revealed a 3.8-fold increase in 8-oxoguanine (8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine) in the skin of ETT-knockout animals. Our knockout represents a new model for examining the consequences of complete absence of ET. Based on the phenotype observed here, we hypothesize that the specific purpose of ET could be to eliminate singlet oxygen.

Inhibition of human organic cation transporters by the alkaloids matrine and oxymatrine.

Human organic cation transporters (hOCTs; SLC22) are expressed in many organs, including intestine, liver, kidney, heart and brain, where they contribute to the absorption, distribution, and elimination of endogenous and exogenous substances. The alkaloids matrine and oxymatrine are widely used in herbal medicine for the treatment of cancer, as well as viral, and cardiac diseases. Their physicochemical properties indicated that they are potential inhibitors for hOCTs, leading to drug-drug interactions in vivo. Therefore, we assessed the inhibitory effects of matrine and oxymatrine on the function of hOCT1 (SLC22A1), hOCT2 (SLC22A2) and hOCT3 (SLC22A3) using stably transfected transporter-expressing cells. At 100-fold excess, oxymatrine exhibited marked inhibition of hOCT1-mediated substrate uptake (p<0.05), while matrine failed to produce significant inhibition on hOCT1. The IC50 value for oxymatrine on hOCT1 was estimated as 513±132 µM. While there was no significant inhibition of hOCT2 or hOCT3 at 100-fold excess, oxymatrine and matrine showed 42% and 88% inhibition of hOCT3-mediated substrate uptake at 3 and 6mM, respectively. Considering the potential intestinal lumen and reported plasma concentrations of matrine and oxymatrine, these data suggest that drug-drug interactions may occur during hOCT1-mediated hepatic and renal uptake and during hOCT3-mediated intestinal absorption.