Expression and function of glutamine transporters SN1 (SNAT3) and SN2 (SNAT5) in retinal Müller cells.
OBJECTIVE
The expression and function of the glutamine transporters ATA1 and ATA2 (isoforms of system A), SN1 and SN2 (isoforms of system N), and LAT1 and LAT2 (isoforms of system L) were investigated in Müller cells in a rat Müller cell line (rMC1) and primary cultures of mouse Müller cells.


METHODS
Glutamine uptake in rMC1 cells and primary Müller cells was measured. The relative contributions of various transport systems to glutamine uptake were determined based on the differential substrate specificities and Na(+) dependence of individual transport systems. RT-PCR was used to analyze the expression of transporter-specific mRNAs.


RESULTS
Three different transport systems participated in glutamine uptake in rMC1 cells: system L (Na(+)-independent), system A (Na(+)-dependent and alpha-(methylamino)isobutyric acid [MeAIB]-sensitive), and system N (Na(+)-dependent and MeAIB-insensitive). System N was the principal contributor (approximately 70%); the contributions of systems A and L were relatively lesser (20% and <10%, respectively). The functional features of Na(+)-dependent and MeAIB-insensitive glutamine uptake were similar to the known characteristics of clones of SN1 and SN2. Glutamine uptake in primary Müller cells behaved in a manner similar to that in rMC1 cells. mRNA transcripts specific for ATA1, ATA2, SN1, SN2, LAT1, and LAT2 were expressed in Müller cells.


CONCLUSIONS
System N (SN1 as well as SN2) is responsible for most of the glutamine uptake in Müller cells. Because system N is capable of mediating the release of glutamine from the cells, its abundant expression in Müller cells is of importance in the handling of glutamine in the retina.
Umapathy
Nagavedi S
NS
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, 30912, USA.
Li
Weiguo
W
Mysona
Barbara A
BA
Smith
Sylvia B
SB
Ganapathy
Vadivel
V
D026924:Amino Acid Transport System A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D027182:Amino Acid Transport System y+ / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D026921:Amino Acid Transport Systems, Neutral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002469:Cell Separation; D027301:Fusion Regulatory Protein 1, Light Chains / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005973:Glutamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D027283:Large Neutral Amino Acid-Transporter 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D000089842:Xenotropic and Polytropic Retrovirus Receptor
D026924:Amino Acid Transport System A; D027182:Amino Acid Transport System y+; D026921:Amino Acid Transport Systems, Neutral; D027301:Fusion Regulatory Protein 1, Light Chains; D027283:Large Neutral Amino Acid-Transporter 1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C424137:SLC38A5 protein, human; C486716:Slc38a1 protein, rat; C412568:Slc38a2 protein, rat; C486582:Slc7a8 protein, rat; D000089842:Xenotropic and Polytropic Retrovirus Receptor; C000715268:Xpr1 protein, mouse; C403222:system N protein 1; D005973:Glutamine