title: Glutamine transport in mouse cerebral astrocytes.
abstract: We measured initial influx and exchange of [14C]glutamine in primary astrocyte cultures in the presence and absence of Na+. Kinetic analysis of transport in Na+ -free solution indicated two saturable Na+ -independent components, one of which was identifiable functionally as system L1 transport. In the presence of Na+, multiple hyperbolic components were not resolvable from the kinetic data. Nevertheless, other evidence supported participation by at least three Na+ -dependent neutral amino acid transporters (systems A, ASC, and N). System A transport of glutamine was usually absent or minimal, based on lack of inhibition by alpha-(methylamino) isobutyric acid. However, vigorous system A-mediated transport emerged after derepression by substrate deprivation. Participation by system ASC was indicated by trans-acceleration of Na+ -dependent uptake, preferential inhibition of an Li+ -intolerant component of uptake by cysteine, and inhibition by cysteine of a component resistant to inhibition by histidine and alpha-(methylamino) isobutyric acid. Because nonsaturable transport of glutamine appeared negligible, and system L transport of glutamine was suppressed in the presence of Na+, low-affinity system ASC transport may be the major route of export of glutamine from astrocytes. At 700 microM glutamine, the primary uptake route was system N transport, identified on the basis of selective inhibition by histidine and asparagine, pH sensitivity, and tolerance of Li+ in place of Na+.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
authors.forename: T N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Nagaraja
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brookes
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000502:physiology; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes / Q000378:metabolism; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology*; D005973:Glutamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007700:Kinetics; D008094:Lithium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D005973:Glutamine; D008094:Lithium; D012964:Sodium