title: Characterization of Na(+)-independent glutamine transport in rat liver.
abstract: In hepatic plasma membrane vesicles (HPMVs) from rat liver, we observed that approximately 40-45% of Na(+)-independent glutamine uptake occurs by a saturable carrier-mediated process. This component of glutamine uptake is mediated by a transport agency distinct from that of previously described systems for the Na(+)-independent transport of amino acids. Transport of glutamine was electroneutral and occurred into an osmotically active space with negligible membrane binding. The model system L substrate 2-amino-2-norbornane-carboxylic acid (BCH) showed no appreciable inhibition of Na(+)-independent glutamine uptake by HPMVs but effectively inhibited the uptake of leucine, a classic system L substrate, in identical vesicle preparations. Further evidence against system L-mediated glutamine transport was provided by the pH dependence and the lack of trans-stimulation of saturable uptake. Competition experiments with selected amino acids revealed a pattern of inhibition of glutamine transport that was inconsistent with assignment of glutamine entry to systems asc, T, or systems for the Na(+)-independent transport of the charged amino acids. This BCH-noninhibitable transport system in HPMVs was highly selective for glutamine, histidine, and, to a lesser extent, asparagine. Inhibition of Na(+)-independent glutamine transport by leucine was noncompetitive in nature. On the basis of Na+ independence, pH sensitivity, absence of trans-stimulation, and an amino acid selectivity similar to that of the previously described hepatic Na(+)-dependent system N, we have provisionally designated the glutamine transport agency described in this article as system "n."
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville 32610.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Pacitti
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: W W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Souba
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005973:Glutamine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D051381:Rats; D012964:Sodium / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D005973:Glutamine; D012964:Sodium