Biomedical subjects

F H Leibach

Publications and source records attributed to F H Leibach.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

sigma Receptor ligand-induced up-regulation of the H(+)/peptide transporter PEPT1 in the human intestinal cell line Caco-2.

We determined the effects of (+)pentazocine, a selective sigma(1) ligand, on the uptake of glycylsarcosine (Gly-Sar) in the human intestinal cell line Caco-2 which expresses the low affinity/high capacity peptide transporter PEPT1. Confluent Caco-2 cells were treated with various concentrations of (+)pentazocine for desired time (mostly 24 hr). The activity of PEPT1 was assessed by measuring the uptake of [(14)C]Gly-Sar in the presence of a H(+) gradient. (+)Pentazocine increased the uptake of [(14)C]Gly-Sar mediated by PEPT1 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Kinetic analyses have indicated that (+)pentazocine increased the maximal velocity (V(max)) for Gly-Sar uptake in Caco-2 cells without affecting the Michaelis-Menten constant (K(t)). In addition, semi-quantitative RT-PCR revealed that treatment of (+)pentazocine increased PEPT1 mRNA in Caco-2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. These data suggest that sigma(1) receptor ligand (+)pentazocine up-regulates PEPT1 in Caco-2 cells at the level of increased mRNA, causing an increase in the density of the transporter protein in the cell membrane.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Molecular and functional characterization of the intestinal Na+-dependent multivitamin transporter.

We have cloned a Na+-dependent multivitamin transporter from rabbit intestine (riSMVT). The cDNA codes for a protein of 636 amino acids with 12 putative transmembrane domains. When expressed in mammalian cells, the cDNA induces Na+-dependent uptake of the vitamins pantothenate and biotin. Lipoate is also a substrate for the cDNA-induced uptake process. The affinity constant for the cDNA-specific transport of pantothenate and biotin is approximately 2 and approximately 8 microM, respectively. The Na+:vitamin stoichiometry is greater than 1, indicating that the transport process is electrogenic. The SMVT-specific transcripts of 3.2 kbp are equally distributed throughout the small intestine. We have also cloned SMVT from the human intestinal cell line Caco-2. The Caco-2 SMVT cDNA codes for a protein of 635 amino acids which is homologous to riSMVT and is identical to the SMVT expressed in the human choriocarcinoma cell line JAR. Caco-2 SMVT also catalyzes Na+-dependent uptake of pantothenate, biotin, and lipoate. In oocytes expressing Caco-2 SMVT, all three vitamins evoke inward currents, confirming the electrogenicity of the transport process.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Human placental Na+-dependent multivitamin transporter. Cloning, functional expression, gene structure, and chromosomal localization.

We have cloned the human Na+-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT), which transports the water-soluble vitamins pantothenate, biotin, and lipoate, from a placental choriocarcinoma cell line (JAR). The cDNA codes for a protein of 635 amino acids with 12 transmembrane domains and 4 putative sites for N-linked glycosylation. The human SMVT exhibits a high degree of homology (84% identity and 89% similarity) to the rat counterpart. When expressed in HRPE cells, the cDNA-induced transport process is obligatorily dependent on Na+ and accepts pantothenate, biotin, and lipoate as substrates. The relationship between the cDNA-specific uptake rate of pantothenate or biotin and Na+ concentration is sigmoidal with a Na+:vitamin stoichiometry of 2:1. The human SMVT, when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, induces inward currents in the presence of pantothenate, biotin, and lipoate in a Na+-, concentration-, and potential-dependent manner. We also report here on the structural organization and chromosomal localization of the human SMVT gene. The SMVT gene is approximately 14 kilobase pairs in length and consists of 17 exons. The SMVT gene is located on chromosome 2p23 as evidenced by somatic cell hybrid analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Preferential recognition of zwitterionic dipeptides as transportable substrates by the high-affinity peptide transporter PEPT2.

We investigated the interaction of rat PEPT2, a high-affinity peptide transporter, with neutral, anionic, and cationic dipeptides using electrophysiological approaches as well as tracer uptake methods. D-Phe-L-Gln (neutral), D-Phe-L-Glu (anionic), and D-Phe-L-Lys (cationic) were used as representative, non-hydrolyzable, dipeptides. All three dipeptides induced H+-dependent inward currents in Xenopus laevis oocytes heterologously expressing rat PEPT2. The H+:peptide stoichiometry was 1:1 in each case. A simultaneous measurement of radiolabeled dipeptide influx and charge transfer in the same oocyte indicated a transfer of one net positive charge into the oocyte per transfer of one peptide molecule irrespective of the charged nature of the peptide. We conclude that the zwitterionic peptides are preferentially recognized by PEPT2 as transportable substrates and that the proton/peptide stoichiometry is 1 for the transport process.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Identity of the F52F12.1 gene product in Caenorhabditis elegans as an organic cation transporter.

We describe here the cloning and functional characterization of an organic cation transporter from Caenorhabditis elegans (CeOCT1). The CeOCT1 cDNA is 1826 bp long and codes for a protein of 568 amino acids. The oct1 gene is approximately 3.2 kb in size and consists of 12 exons. The location of this gene corresponds to the F52F12.1 gene locus on chromosome I. The predicted protein contains 12 putative transmembrane domains. It exhibits significant homology to mammalian OCTs. When expressed in mammalian cells, CeOCT1 induces the transport of the prototypical organic cation tetraethylammonium. The Michaelis-Menten constant for this substrate is 80+/-16 microM. The substrate specificity of CeOCT1 is broad. This represents the first report on the cloning and functional characteristics of an organic cation transporter from C. elegans.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Human LAT1, a subunit of system L amino acid transporter: molecular cloning and transport function.

We report here on the cloning and functional characterization of human LAT1, a subunit of the amino acid transport system L. The hLAT1 cDNA, obtained from a human placental cDNA library, codes for a protein of 507 amino acids. When functionally expressed in mammalian cells together with the heavy chain of the rat 4F2 antigen (r4F2hc), hLAT1 induces the transport of neutral amino acids. When expressed independently, neither hLAT1 nor r4F2hc was capable of amino acid transport to any significant extent. Thus, the hLAT1-r4F2hc heterodimeric complex is responsible for the observed amino acid transport. The transport process induced by the heterodimer is Na+ independent and is not influenced by pH. It recognizes exclusively neutral amino acids with high affinity. LAT1-specific mRNA is expressed in most human tissues with the notable exception of the intestine.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Primary structure and functional characteristics of a mammalian sodium-coupled high affinity dicarboxylate transporter.

We have cloned a Na+-dependent, high affinity dicarboxylate transporter (NaDC3) from rat placenta. NaDC3 exhibits 48% identity in amino acid sequence with rat NaDC1, a Na+-dependent, low affinity dicarboxylate transporter. NaDC3-specific mRNA is detectable in kidney, brain, liver, and placenta. When expressed in mammalian cells, NaDC3 mediates Na+-dependent transport of succinate with a Kt of 2 microM. The transport function of NaDC3 shows a sigmoidal relationship with regard to Na+ concentration, with a Hill coefficient of 2.7. NaDC3 accepts a number of dicarboxylates including dimethylsuccinate as substrates and excludes monocarboxylates. Li+ inhibits NaDC3 in the presence of Na+. Transport of succinate by NaDC3 is markedly influenced by pH, the transport function gradually decreasing when pH is acidified from 8. 0 to 5.5. In contrast, the influence of pH on NaDC3-mediated transport of citrate is biphasic in which a pH change from 8.0 to 6. 5 stimulates the transport and any further acidification inhibits the transport. In addition, the potency of citrate to compete with NaDC3-mediated transport of succinate increases 25-fold when pH is changed from 7.5 to 5.5. These data show that NaDC3 interacts preferentially with the divalent anionic species of citrate. This represents the first report on the cloning and functional characterization of a mammalian Na+-dependent, high affinity dicarboxylate transporter.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Cannabinoid receptors and their role in the regulation of the serotonin transporter in human placenta.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the expression of cannabinoid receptors in human placenta and BeWo choriocarcinoma cells and study their role in the regulation of the serotonin transporter. STUDY DESIGN: Expression of the 2 types of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) in human placenta and BeWo cells was investigated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot analysis. The involvement of the receptors in the regulation of the serotonin transporter expression was studied by using a cannabinoid receptor agonist (WIN 55212-2). BeWo cells were treated with the agonist in the presence or absence of forskolin, and the serotonin transporter activity was measured by assessing paroxetine-sensitive serotonin transport. Serotonin transporter density in cell membranes was monitored by measuring paroxetine-sensitive binding of RTI-55, a specific high-affinity ligand for the transporter. Agonist-induced changes in intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate were also monitored. RESULTS: Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot analysis demonstrated unequivocally that human placenta and BeWo cells express both types of cannabinoid receptors. Treatment of BeWo cells with the receptor agonist blocked the activity of the constitutive, as well as the forskolin-induced, serotonin transporter without affecting the serotonin transporter density. This effect is not mediated by alterations in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels. CONCLUSION: The results show that cannabinoid receptors are expressed in human placenta and BeWo cells and play a role in the regulation of the serotonin transporter activity. Human placenta is therefore a direct target for cannabinoids, and marijuana use during pregnancy is likely to affect the placental clearance of serotonin through the serotonin transporter.

Benzoxazines↗

PubMed1999

Molecular and ligand-binding characterization of the sigma-receptor in the Jurkat human T lymphocyte cell line.

The sigma binding site present in the Jurkat human T lymphocyte cell line was investigated. Jurkat cell membranes were found to have a single saturable binding site for [3H]haloperidol, a sigma ligand (dissociation constant, 3.9 +/- 0.3 nM). The binding of [3H]haloperidol was inhibited by several sigma ligands. Northern analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction provided evidence for the expression of the recently cloned type 1 sigma-receptor (sigma-R1) in Jurkat cells. The sigma-R1 cDNA cloned from these cells was functional in heterologous expression systems. When expressed in mammalian cells, the cDNA-induced binding was saturable with dissociation constants of 1.9 +/- 0.3 nM for [3H]haloperidol and 12 +/- 2 nM for (+)-pentazocine. The binding of [3H]progesterone, a putative endogenous ligand to sigma-R1, to the Jurkat cell sigma-receptor could be directly demonstrated by using heterologously expressed sigma-R1 cDNA. The binding of [3H]progesterone was saturable, with a dissociation constant of 88 +/- 7 nM. Progesterone and haloperidol interacted with the receptor competitively. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction also produced evidence for the existence of an alternatively spliced sigma-R1 variant in Jurkat cells. This splice variant was found to be nonfunctional in ligand binding assays. This constitutes the first report on the molecular characterization of the sigma-receptor in immune cells.

Alternative Splicing↗

PubMed1999

Interactions of a nonpeptidic drug, valacyclovir, with the human intestinal peptide transporter (hPEPT1) expressed in a mammalian cell line.

The results of previous work performed in our laboratory using an in situ perfusion technique in rats and rabbit apical brush border membrane vesicles have suggested that the intestinal uptake of valacyclovir (VACV) appears to be mediated by multiple membrane transporters. Using these techniques, it is difficult to characterize the transport kinetics of VACV with each individual transporter in the presence of multiple known or unknown transporters. The purpose of this study was to characterize the interaction of VACV and the human intestinal peptide transporter using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells that overexpress the human intestinal peptide transporter (hPEPT1) gene. VACV uptake was significantly greater in CHO cells transfected with hPEPT1 than in cells transfected with only the vector, pcDNA3. The optimum pH for VACV uptake was determined to occur at pH 7.5. Proton cotransport was not observed in hPEPT1/CHO cells, consistent with previously observed results in tissues and Caco-2 cells. VACV uptake was concentration dependent and saturable with a Michaelis-Menten constant and maximum velocity of 1.64 +/- 0.06 mM and 23.34 +/- 0.36 nmol/mg protein/5 min, respectively. A very similar Km value was obtained in hPEPT1/CHO cells and in rat and rabbit tissues and Caco-2 cells, suggesting that hPEPT1 dominates the intestinal transport properties of VACV in vitro. VACV uptake was markedly inhibited by various dipeptides and beta-lactam antibiotics, and Ki values of 12.8 +/- 2.7 and 9.1 +/- 1.2 mM were obtained for Gly-Sar and cefadroxil at pH 7.5, respectively. The present results demonstrate that VACV is a substrate for the human intestinal peptide transporter in hPEPT1/CHO cells and that although transport is pH dependent, proton cotransport is not apparent. Also, the results demonstrate that the hPEPT1/CHO cell system has use in investigating the transport kinetics of drugs with the human intestinal peptide transporter hPEPT1; however, the extrapolation of these transport properties to the in vivo situation requires further investigation.

Acyclovir↗

PubMed1999

Functional characteristics and tissue distribution pattern of organic cation transporter 2 (OCTN2), an organic cation/carnitine transporter.

We have demonstrated in the present study that novel organic cation transporter (OCTN) 2 is a transporter for organic cations as well as carnitine. OCTN2 transports organic cations without involving Na(+), but it transports carnitine only in the presence of Na(+). The ability to transport organic cations and carnitine is demonstrable with human, rat, and mouse OCTN2s. Na(+) does not influence the affinity of OCTN2 for organic cations, but it increases the affinity severalfold for carnitine. The short-chain acyl esters of carnitine are also transported by OCTN2. Two mutations, M352R and P478L, in human OCTN2 are associated with loss of transport function, but the protein expression of these mutants is comparable to that of the wild-type human OCTN2. In situ hybridization in the rat shows that OCTN2 is expressed in the proximal and distal tubules and in the glomeruli in the kidney, in the myocardium, valves, and arterioles in the heart, in the labyrinthine layer of the placenta, and in the cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum in the brain. This is the first report that OCTN2 is a Na(+)-independent organic cation transporter as well as a Na(+)-dependent carnitine transporter and that OCTN2 is expressed not only in the heart, kidney, and placenta but also in the brain.

Acetylcarnitine↗

PubMed1999

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a polyspecific organic anion transporter from Caenorhabditis elegans.

We have cloned a polyspecific organic anion transporter from Caenorhabditis elegans and elucidated its functional characteristics. The C. elegans anion transporter (CeOAT1) codes for a protein of 526 amino acids containing 12 putative transmembrane domains. It exhibits significant homology at the level of amino acid sequence to the C. elegans organic cation transporter and to the mammalian organic cation and anion transporters. The function of CeOAT1 was investigated by expressing the transporter heterologously in mammalian cells. CeOAT1 transports p-aminohippurate (PAH) in a Na(+)-independent manner. The transport mechanism appears to involve anion exchange because CeOAT1-mediated PAH transport is stimulated by a cell-to-medium concentration gradient of alpha-ketoglutarate or fumarate generated by coexpression in the cells of a mammalian Na(+)-coupled dicarboxylate transporter. CeOAT1 exhibits broad specificity, accepting anions such as folate, indomethacin, furosemide, probenecid, and benzylpenicillin as substrates. The Michaelis-Menten constant for the prototypical organic anion PAH is 0.43+/-0.07 mM. This constitutes the first report of the molecular and functional identification of a polyspecific organic anion transporter in C. elegans.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Identity of the organic cation transporter OCT3 as the extraneuronal monoamine transporter (uptake2) and evidence for the expression of the transporter in the brain.

We investigated the transport of cationic neurotoxins and neurotransmitters by the potential-sensitive organic transporter OCT3 and its steroid sensitivity using heterologous expression systems and also analyzed the expression of OCT3 in the brain. When expressed in mammalian cells, OCT3 mediates the uptake of the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) and the neurotransmitter dopamine. Competition experiments show that several cationic neuroactive agents including amphetamines interact with OCT3. When expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, OCT3-mediated MPP+ uptake is associated with inward currents under voltage-clamp conditions. The MPP+-induced currents are saturable with respect to MPP+ concentration, and half-maximal saturation (K0.5) occurs at about 25 microM MPP+ with membrane potential clamped at -50 mV. The K0.5 for MPP+ is markedly influenced by membrane potential. OCT3 is inhibited by several steroids, and beta-estradiol is the most potent inhibitor (Ki approximately 1 microM). The pattern of steroid sensitivity of OCT3 is different from that of OCT1 and OCT2 but correlates significantly with that of the extraneuronal monoamine transporter (uptake2). The transport characteristics and steroid sensitivity provide strong evidence for the molecular identity of OCT3 as uptake2. OCT3 is expressed in the brain as evidenced from Northern blot analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridization using OCT3-specific probes. The molecular identity of the transcript hybridizing to the probe has been established by sequencing the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction product and also by the isolation of the OCT3 cDNA from a brain cDNA library. Regional distribution studies with in situ hybridization show that OCT3 is expressed widely in different brain regions, especially in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex. OCT3 is likely to play a significant role in the disposition of cationic neurotoxins and neurotransmitters in the brain.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium↗

PubMed1998

Direct evidence for peptide transporter (PepT1)-mediated uptake of a nonpeptide prodrug, valacyclovir.

Xenopus laevis oocytes were used as a gene expression system to characterize the carrier-mediated transport of valacyclovir (vacv), the L-valine ester prodrug of the acyclic nucleoside acyclovir (acv). A significant increase in the uptake of [3H]vacv by Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with human intestinal peptide transporter (hPepT1) cRNA compared to the uptake by water injected oocytes indicated that vacv was translocated by hPepT1. Vacv uptake was found to be concentration dependent, saturable (K(m) = 5.94 +/- 1.91 mM and Jmax = 1.68 +/- 0.25 nmoles/hr/oocyte), pH dependent, and inhibited by various known substrates of hPepT1 but not by acv, valine or pentaglycine. Vacv also inhibited the uptake of 14C-glycylsarcosine, a known substrate of hPepT1, in a concentration-dependent manner (Ki = 4.08 +/- 1.02 mM). These results demonstrate that human intestinal peptide transporter hPepT1 has broad specificity since it recognizes vacv as a substrate even though it lacks a typical peptide bond.

Acyclovir↗

PubMed1998

Transport of amino acid aryl amides by the intestinal H+/peptide cotransport system, PEPT1.

Transport of amino acid aryl amides by the intestinal H+/peptide symporter (PEPT1) was studied in Caco-2 cells and in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing human PEPT1. Several amino acid amides were able to inhibit the uptake of [14C]glycylsarcosine in Caco-2 cells. Ala-4-nitroanilide (Ki = 0.08 mM), Phe-4-nitroanilide (Ki = 0.09 mM) and Ala-4-phenylanilide (Ki = 0.03 mM) were accepted as substrates with equal or higher affinity than natural Ala-Xaa dipeptides. Ala-anilide (Ki = 2.9 mM), Ala-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin (Ki = 0.2 mM), Ala-4-chloroanilide (Ki = 0.3 mM) and Ala-4-methylanilide (Ki = 0.3 mM) were also recognized by PEPT1 as substrates. In contrast, alanine, Ala-amide, Phe-amide, Ala-methyl ester, Ala-4-nitrobenzyl ester and Ala-methylamide were not recognized (Ki > 20 mM). In X. laevis oocytes, transport of Ala-4-nitroanilide, Ala-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin, Ala-4-methylanilide and Ala-anilide was associated with transfer of positive charge and the currents were saturable with respect to substrate concentration (K0.5 values: 0.1, 0.2, 0.8 and 3.1 mM, respectively). The currents induced by Ala-4-methylanilide were saturable with respect to the substrate concentration and influenced by the membrane potential. The affinity of the transporter for Ala-4-methylanilide was also found to be influenced by the membrane potential. We conclude that the intestinal H+/peptide cotransport system PEPT1 accepts amino acid aryl amides as substrates.

Amides↗

PubMed1998

Cloning and functional characterization of a potential-sensitive, polyspecific organic cation transporter (OCT3) most abundantly expressed in placenta.

We have isolated a cDNA from rat placenta which, when expressed heterologously, mediates the transport of a wide spectrum of organic cations. The cDNA codes for a protein of 551 amino acids containing 12 putative transmembrane domains. Northern blot analysis indicates that this transporter is expressed most abundantly in the placenta and moderately in the intestine, heart, and brain. The expression is comparatively low in the kidney and lung and is undetectable in the liver. This transporter is distinct from the previously cloned organic cation transporters (OCT1, OCT2, NKT, NLT, RST, and OCTN1). When expressed in HeLa cells, the cDNA induces the transport of tetraethylammonium and guanidine. Competition experiments indicate that this transport process recognizes a large number of organic cations, including the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, as substrates. The cDNA-induced transport is markedly influenced by extracellular pH. However, when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, the cDNA-induced transport is electrogenic, associated with the transfer of positive charge into the oocytes. Under voltage clamp conditions, tetraethylammonium evokes inward currents that are concentration- and potential-dependent. This potential-sensitive organic cation transporter, designated as OCT3, represents a new member of the OCT gene family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Two oligopeptide transporters from Caenorhabditis elegans: molecular cloning and functional expression.

Two novel oligopeptide transporter cDNA clones, CPTA and CPTB, were identified by screening a Caenorhabditis elegans cDNA library using homology hybridization. The transporter proteins deduced from the cDNAs possess multiple transmembrane domains and reveal a moderate similarity to their mammalian counterparts in amino acid sequences. CPTA and CPTB, when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and studied by both radiotracer flux and microelectrode voltage-clamp protocol, displayed a saturable electrogenic transport activity driven by a proton gradient with an overlapping broad spectrum of substrate specificity. Both transporters recognize di-, tri- and tetra-peptides including phenylalanylmethionylarginylphenylalaninamide (FMRFamide) and N-acetylaspartylglutamate, members of a large neuropeptide family commonly found throughout the animal kingdom. Kinetic analysis, however, revealed that CPTA and CPTB differed in their affinity for the peptide substrates, the former being a high-affinity type and the latter a low-affinity type. CPTA and CPTB are encoded by two distinct genes localized on separate chromosomes and are expressed during the whole life span of the organism.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

PubMed1998

cDNA sequence, transport function, and genomic organization of human OCTN2, a new member of the organic cation transporter family.

We have cloned OCTN2, a new member of the organic cation transporter family, from a human placental trophoblast cell line. The hOCTN2 cDNA codes for a protein of 557 amino acids with twelve putative transmembrane domains. The octn2 gene, located on human chromosome 5q31, consists of ten exons. The OCTN2-specific transcript, 3.5 kb in size, is expressed widely in human tissues and in cell lines of human origin. At the level of amino acid sequence, OCTN2 is more closely related to OCTN1 than to OCT1, OCT2 and OCT3. When expressed heterologously in HeLa cells, OCTN2 mediates the transport of tetraethylammonium, a prototypical organic cation, in a pH-dependent manner. Several organic cations, including the neurotoxins 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, and methamphetamine, compete for the OCTN2-mediated transport process.

Amines↗