title: Human placental brush-border membrane Na(+)-biotin cotransport.
abstract: Membrane transport pathways for transplacental transfer of the water-soluble vitamin biotin were investigated by assessing the possible presence of a Na(+)-biotin cotransport mechanism in the maternal-facing membrane of human placental epithelial cells. The presence of Na(+)-biotin cotransport was determined from radiolabeled tracer flux measurements of biotin uptake using preparations of purified brush-border membrane vesicles. The imposition of an inwardly directed Na+ gradient stimulated vesicle uptake of biotin to levels approximately 25-fold greater than those observed at equilibrium. The voltage sensitivity of Na+ gradient-driven biotin uptake suggested Na(+)-biotin cotransport is electrogenic occurring with net transfer of positive charge. A kinetic analysis of the activation of biotin uptake by increasing Na+ was most consistent with an interaction of Na+ at 2 sites in the transport protein. Static head determinations used to identify the magnitude of opposing driving forces bringing flux through the cotransport mechanism to equilibrium indicated a coupling ratio of 2 Na+ per biotin. Substrate specificity studies using chemical analogues of biotin suggested both the terminal carboxylic acid of the valeric acid side chain and a second nucleus of anionic charge were important determinants for substrate interaction with the cotransport protein. Initial rate determinations of biotin uptake indicate biotin interacts with a single saturable site (Km = 21 microM) with a maximal transport rate of 4.5 nmol/mg/min. The results of this study provide evidence for an electrogenic Na(+)-biotin cotransport mechanism in the maternal-facing membrane of human placental epithelial cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, State University of New York Health Science Center, Syracuse 13210.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Grassl
mesh_terms: D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D001710:Biotin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002458:Cell Fractionation; D005260:Female; D006096:Gramicidin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008871:Microvilli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D006096:Gramicidin; D001710:Biotin; D012964:Sodium