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The expression of amino acid transporters in small intestine epithelia of human newborns has not been studied yet. It is further not known whether the maturation of imino acid (proline) transport is delayed as in the kidney proximal tubule. The possibility to obtain small intestinal tissue from patients undergoing surgery for jejunal or ileal atresia during their first days after birth was used to address these questions. As control, adult terminal ileum tissue was sampled during routine endoscopies. Gene expression of luminal imino and amino acid transporter SIT1 (SLC6A20) was approximately threefold lower in newborns versus adults. mRNA levels of all other luminal and basolateral amino acid transporters and accessory proteins tested were similar in newborn mucosa compared with adults. At the protein level, the major luminal neutral amino acid transporter B0AT1 (SLC6A19) and its accessory protein angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 were shown by immunofluorescence to be expressed similarly in newborns and in adults. SIT1 protein was not detectable in the small intestine of human newborns, in contrast to adults. The morphology of newborn intestinal mucosa proximal and distal to the obstruction was generally normal, but a decreased proliferation rate was visualized distally of the atresia by lower levels of the mitosis marker Ki-67. The mRNA level of the 13 tested amino acid transporters and accessory proteins was nonetheless similar, suggesting that the intestinal obstruction and interruption of amniotic fluid passage through the small intestinal lumen did not affect amino acid transporter expression. NEW & NOTEWORTHY System IMINO transporter SIT1 is not expressed in the small intestine of human newborns. This new finding resembles the situation in the proximal kidney tubule leading to iminoglycinuria. Lack of amniotic fluid passage in small intestinal atresia does not affect amino acid transporter expression distal to intestinal occlusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutamine (Gln) is the most concentrated amino acid in blood and considered conditionally essential. Its requirement is increased during physiological stress, such as malnutrition or illness, despite its production by muscle and other organs. In the malnourished state, Gln has been suggested to have a trophic effect on the exocrine pancreas and small intestine. However, the Gln transport capacity, the functional relationship of these two organs, and the potential role of the Gln-glutamate (Glu) cycle are unknown. We observed that pancreatic acinar cells express lower levels of Glu than Gln transporters. Consistent with this expression pattern, the rate of Glu influx into acinar cells was approximately sixfold lower than that of Gln. During protein restriction, acinar cell glutaminase expression was increased and Gln accumulation was maintained. Moreover, Glu secretion by acinar cells into pancreatic juice and thus into the lumen of the small intestine was maintained. In the intestinal lumen, Glu absorption was preserved and Glu dehydrogenase expression was augmented, potentially providing the substrates for increasing energy production via the TCA cycle. Our findings suggest that one mechanism by which Gln exerts a positive effect on exocrine pancreas and small intestine involves the Gln metabolism in acinar cells and the secretion of Glu into the small intestine lumen. The exocrine pancreas acinar cells not only avidly accumulate Gln but metabolize Gln to generate energy and to synthesize Glu for secretion in the pancreatic juice. Secreted Glu is suggested to play an important role during malnourishment in sustaining small intestinal homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Novel sensory inputs for the control of food intake and gastrointestinal ( GI) function are of increasing interest due to the rapid increase in nutrition-related diseases. The essential amino acid L-lysine was demonstrated to have a selective impact on food intake, gastric emptying, and intestinal transit in rats, thus indicating a potential novel direct sensory input to assess dietary protein content and quality. The aim of this study was to assess translational aspects of this finding and to investigate the dose-dependent effect of L-lysine on human and rat GI function. Methods L-lysine doses from 0-800 mg in rats and 0.5-7.5 g in humans were analyzed for their effect on gastric emptying and GI secretion. Human GI function was assessed non-invasively using magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI), rat data were acquired using standard lethal measurement methods. L-lysine dose dependently delayed gastric emptying and stimulated GI secretion in rats as reflected by residual phenol red content and increased gastric wet weight. Key Results The dose-dependent delay in gastric emptying observed in rats was confirmed in humans with an increase in halftime of gastric emptying of 4 min/g L-lysine, p < 0.01. Moreover, a dose-dependent increase in intestinal fluid accumulation was observed (0.4 mL/min/g L-lysine, p < 0.0001). No effect on alkaline tide, glucose concentration, hematocrit, or visceral sensations was detected. Conclusions & Inferences This translational study demonstrates comparable dose-dependent effects of intragastric L-lysine on GI function in humans and rats and suggests a broader role for individual amino acids in the control of GI motility and secretion in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rate of Na+ (re)absorption across tight epithelia such as in distal kidney nephron and colon is to a large extent controlled at the level of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC). In kidney, antidiuretic hormone (ADH, vasopressin) stimulates the expression/activity of this channel by a cAMP/protein-kinase-A- (PKA-) mediated pathway. However, a clear upregulation of ENaC function by cAMP could not be reproduced with cloned channel subunits in the Xenopus oocyte expression system, suggesting the hypothesis that an additional factor is missing. In contrast, we show here that membrane-permeant cAMP can activate ENaC expressed in Xenopus oocytes (3.8-fold) upon replacement of the rat α-subunit by a new α-subunit cloned from guinea-pig colon (gpα). This α-subunit is 76% identical with its rat orthologue originating from ADH-insensitive rat colon. The biophysical fingerprints of the hybrid ENaC formed by this guinea-pig α-subunit together with rat β- and γ-subunits are indistinguishable from those of rat ENaC (rENaC). Injection of the PKA inhibitor PKI-(6–22)-amide into the oocyte had no effect on the basal activity of rat ENaC but inhibited the activity of gpα-containing hybrid ENaC and greatly decreased its stimulation by cAMP. This suggests that, unlike for rat ENaC, tonic PKA activity is required for basal function of gpα-containing ENaC and that PKA mediates its cAMP-induced activation. This regulatory behaviour is not common to all ENaCs containing an α-subunit cloned from an ADH-responsive tissue since xENaC, which was cloned from the ADH-sensitive Xenopus laevis A6 epithelia, is, when expressed in oocytes, resistant to cAMP, similar to rat ENaC. This study demonstrates that the PKA sensitivity of ENaC can depend on the nature of the ENaC α-subunit and raises the possibility that cAMP can stimulate ENaCs by different mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The L-type amino acid transporter LAT1 has recently been identified as being a disulfide-linked "light chain" of the ubiquitously expressed glycoprotein 4F2hc/CD98. Several LAT1-related transporters have been identified, which share the same putative 12-transmembrane segment topology and also associate with the single transmembrane domain 4F2hc protein. They display differing amino acid substrate specificities, transport kinetics and localizations such as, for instance, y(+)LAT1 which is localized at the basolateral membrane of transporting epithelia, and the defect of which causes lysinuric protein intolerance. The b(0,+)AT transporter which associates with the 4F2hc-related rBAT protein to form the luminal high-affinity diamino acid transporter defective in cystinuria, belongs to the same family of glycoprotein-associated amino acid transporters (gpaATs). These glycoprotein-associated transporters function as amino acid exchangers. They extend the specificity range of vectorial amino acid transport when located in the same membrane as carriers that unidirectionally transport one of the exchanged substrates. gpaATs belong to a phylogenetic cluster within the amino acid/polyamine/choline (APC) superfamily of transporters. This cluster, which we designate the LAT family (named after its first vertebrate member), includes some members from nematodes, yeast and bacteria. The latter of these proteins presumably lack association with a second subunit. In this review, we focus on the animal members of the LAT cluster that form, together with some of the nematode members, the family of glycoprotein-associated amino acid transporters (gpaAT family). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

35 parkinsonian patients have been treated over 3 years with L-Dopa combined with benserazide. After an impressive improvement during the first months of treatment a slow but significant deterioration of the patients' condition was observed. At the end of the observation period however their condition was still significantly better than before starting the treatment. A reduced mean L-Dopa dosage was ruled out as the cause of this deterioration. Withdrawal of the L-Dopa therapy for a few days in 13 patients provided strong evidence that it is due to the progression of the disease and to a partial loss of L-Dopa efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a previous report we documented an increased Na(+)-dependent transport of inorganic phosphate (P(i)) in Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with mRNA isolated from rabbit duodenum (Yagci et al., Pfluegers Arch. 422:211-216, 1992; ref 24). In the present study we have used expression cloning in oocytes to search for the cDNA/mRNA involved in this effect. The identified cDNA (provisionally named PiUS; for P(i)-uptake stimulator) lead to a 3-4-fold stimulation of Na(+)-dependent P(i)-uptake (10ng cRNA injected, 3-5 days of expression). Na(+)-independent uptake of P(i) was also affected but transport of sulphate and L-arginine (in the presence or absence of sodium) remained unchanged. The apparent K(m)-values for the induced Na(+)-dependent uptake were 0.26 +/- 0.04 mM for P(i) and 14.8 +/- 3.0 mM for Na+. The 1796 bp cDNA codes for a protein of 425 amino acids. Hydropathy analysis suggests a lack of transmembrane segments. In vitro translation resulted in a protein of 60 kDa and provided no evidence of glycosylation. In Northern blots a mRNA of approximately 2 kb was recognized in various tissues including different intestinal segments, kidney cortex, kidney medulla, liver and heart. Homology searches showed no similarity to proteins involved in membrane transport and its control. In conclusion, we have cloned from a rabbit small intestinal cDNA library a novel cDNA encoding a protein stimulating P(i)-uptake into Xenopus laevis oocytes, but which is not a P(i)-transporter itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of adenosine regulation on sodium and chloride transport was examined in cultured A renal epithelial cells. Adenosine and its analogue N-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) had different effects on short-circuit current ( I ) depending on the side of addition. Basolateral CPA addition induced an approximately threefold increase of the I that reached a maximum effect 20 min after addition and was completely inhibited by preincubation with either an A selective antagonist, CSC, or the sodium channel blocker, amiloride. Apical CPA addition induced a biphasic I response characterized by a rapid fourfold transient increase over its baseline followed by a decline and a plateau phase that were amiloride insensitive. The A adenosine antagonist, CPX, completely prevented this response. This I response to apical CPA was also strongly reduced in Cl-free media and was significantly inhibited either by basolateral bumetanide or apical DPC preincubation. Only basolateral CPA addition was able to induce an increase in cAMP level. CPA, added to cells in suspension, caused a rapid rise in [Ca] that was antagonized by CPX, not affected by CSC and prevented by thapsigargin preincubation. These data suggest that basolateral CPA regulates active sodium transport via A adenosine receptors stimulating adenylate cyclase while apical CPA regulates Cl secretion via A receptor-mediated changes in [Ca]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of adenosine regulation on sodium and chloride transport was examined in cultured A6 renal epithelial cells. Adenosine and its analogue N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) had different effects on short-circuit current (Isc) depending on the side of addition. Basolateral CPA addition induced an approximately threefold increase of the Isc that reached a maximum effect 20 min after addition and was completely inhibited by preincubation with either an A2 selective antagonist, CSC, or the sodium channel blocker, amiloride. Apical CPA addition induced a biphasic Isc response characterized by a rapid fourfold transient increase over its baseline followed by a decline and a plateau phase that were amiloride insensitive. The A1 adenosine antagonist, CPX, completely prevented this response. This Isc response to apical CPA was also strongly reduced in Cl--free media and was significantly inhibited either by basolateral bumetanide or apical DPC preincubation. Only basolateral CPA addition was able to induce an increase in cAMP level. CPA, added to cells in suspension, caused a rapid rise in [Ca2+]i that was antagonized by CPX, not affected by CSC and prevented by thapsigargin preincubation. These data suggest that basolateral CPA regulates active sodium transport via A2 adenosine receptors stimulating adenylate cyclase while apical CPA regulates Cl- secretion via A1 receptor-mediated changes in [Ca2+]i. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH; 2.5 × 10 m vasotocin) produces a stimulation of apical fluid phase endocytosis, protein secretion and NaCl reabsorption in Xenopus laevis A6 distal nephron cell epithelia pretreated with aldosterone (10 m). The increase of NaCl transport is mediated by a sequential opening of apical Cl and Na conductances. The aim of this study was to characterize the actin and tubulin cytoskeleton of A6 cells and to assess the impact of its disruption on baseline and ADH-induced apical vesicular membrane movements and ion transport to test for possible functional links. The microfilament (MF) and microtubule (MT) networks and their disruption were visualized by confocal laser microscopy. Conditions of depolimerization were selected, by cytochalasin D or cold and nocodazole, respectively. MF disruption produced an increase in baseline apical protein secretion (exocytic movements) (plus 18%) and a decrease of its induction by ADH (minus 35%). MF disruption also increased baseline horseradish peroxidase uptake (endocytic movements) (plus 21%), however, without affecting its ADH-induced increase. In the case of MT disruption, the ADH-induced stimulation of both protein secretion and fluid phase endocytosis was decreased by 70 and 44%, respectively. At the ion transport level, MF and MT disruption only insignificantly affected the ADH-induced Cl conductance, while they decreased the ADH-induced stimulation of Na transport (amiloride-sensitive short-circuit current and conductance) by a factor of 2 to 4. In conclusion, both MT and MF disruption decrease ADH-induced apical protein secretion and Na conductance, while the ADH-induced apical Cl conductance is not significantly affected. Taken together the data support the hypothesis that the modulation of Na channel expression by apical vesicular membrane movements plays a role in Na transport expression and its regulation by ADH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH; 2.5 x 10(-8) M vasotocin) produces a stimulation of apical fluid phase endocytosis, protein secretion and NaCl reabsorption in Xenopus laevis A6 distal nephron cell epithelia pretreated with aldosterone (10(-6) M). The increase of NaCl transport is mediated by a sequential opening of apical Cl and Na conductances. The aim of this study was to characterize the actin and tubulin cytoskeleton of A6 cells and to assess the impact of its disruption on baseline and ADH-induced apical vesicular membrane movements and ion transport to test for possible functional links. The microfilament (MF) and microtubule (MT) networks and their disruption were visualized by confocal laser microscopy. Conditions of depolimerization were selected, by cytochalasin D or cold and nocodazole, respectively. MF disruption produced an increase in baseline apical protein secretion (exocytic movements) (plus 18%) and a decrease of its induction by ADH (minus 35%). MF disruption also increased baseline horseradish peroxidase uptake (endocytic movements) (plus 21%), however, without affecting its ADH-induced increase. In the case of MT disruption, the ADH-induced stimulation of both protein secretion and fluid phase endocytosis was decreased by 70 and 44%, respectively. At the ion transport level, MF and MT disruption only insignificantly affected the ADH-induced Cl conductance, while they decreased the ADH-induced stimulation of Na transport (amiloride-sensitive short-circuit current and conductance) by a factor of 2 to 4. In conclusion, both MT and MF disruption decrease ADH-induced apical protein secretion and Na conductance, while the ADH-induced apical Cl conductance is not significantly affected. Taken together the data support the hypothesis that the modulation of Na channel expression by apical vesicular membrane movements plays a role in Na transport expression and its regulation by ADH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The model for the adrenal steroid action on Na transport in tight epithelia as depicted in Fig. 3 A and B dissociates two phases: an early phase during which the pre-existing Na transport machinery is activated and a late phase during which the transport capacity of the machinery is increased. These two sequential phases have been distinguished based on differences in functional aspects of the induced transport, on selective effects of agents interfering with transcriptional regulation and on a correlation of the late response phase with an increase in transport protein synthesis and expression [26, 45, 46, 98, 99, 124]. These observations suggest that a bimodal stimulation of Na transport could involve two different gene networks which are directly (in the physiological meaning) and independently stimulated by the action of the hormone-receptor complex and the following 'molecular' cascades ( see section Molecular and Physiological Cascades). The relatively clear temporal dissociation of the responses found in experimental situations is probably the consequence of inherent properties of the two networks. Indeed, to generate rapid functional changes, the genes involved in the early response must encode products which have relatively short half-lifes at the mRNA and protein levels. In contrast, the constitutive elements of the Na transport machinery that are increased during the late phase of adrenal steroid action have, as shown for the Na,K-ATPase [82], relatively long half-lifes. Consequently, even though changes in transcription may take place early in the course of the hormonal treatment, they impact on protein synthesis and pools only slowly and after a substantial lag period. On the one hand, ongoing research will soon provide more information on the nature, time course and hormone/receptor specificity of adrenal-steroid-regulated genes. On the other hand, the availability of new technical and molecular tools to study the proteins of the Na transport machinery greatly increases the possibilities for studying its regulation by adrenal steroids. Consequently, it will be a fascinating challenge to relate the data emerging from both approaches, and it appears that only a combination of methods and tools will allow to progressively fill the gap of understanding which still lies between the transcriptional effects and the transport regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of antidiuretic hormone on transepithelial Na and Cl transport and its modulation by aldosterone (10 m) was studied in the Xenopus laevis distal nephron cell line A6-C1 by measuring transepithelial electrophysiological parameters and bidirectional anion fluxes. Vasotocin (or vasopressin) induced a biphasic increase in transepithelial short-circuit current ( I). Early and late effects were potentiated by aldosterone and could be mimicked by forskolin and BrcAMP, implicating cAMP as a mediator. The early increase in I (maximum 1-2 min after hormone addition) was resistant to 50 μ m amiloride. Electrophysiological experiments with apical ion substitutions or basolateral bumetanide (0.5 m m), as well as flux studies with I or C1, indicated that this current represented Cl secretion. The late increase in I appeared with a lag of 2-5 min and was maximal after 15-25 min. It corresponded to an increase in Na reabsorption, since it was amiloride sensitive. Bidirectional C1 flux measurements in aldosterone-treated monolayers maintained under open-circuit conditions showed that the large vasotocin-induced increase in Cl permeability led, in these conditions, to a threefold increase of a baseline Cl reabsorption. This study shows that vasotocin induces in A6-C1 cells both a rapid increase in Cl permeability and a slower increase in Na transport. The Cl permeability, which leads to Cl secretion under short-circuit conditions, contributes, under the more physiological open-circuit conditions, to the transport of Na by allowing its co-reabsorption with Cl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of antidiuretic hormone on transepithelial Na+ and Cl- transport and its modulation by aldosterone (10(-6) M) was studied in the Xenopus laevis distal nephron cell line A6-C1 by measuring transepithelial electrophysiological parameters and bidirectional anion fluxes. Vasotocin (or vasopressin) induced a biphasic increase in transepithelial short-circuit current (Isc). Early and late effects were potentiated by aldosterone and could be mimicked by forskolin and BrcAMP, implicating cAMP as a mediator. The early increase in Isc (maximum 1-2 min after hormone addition) was resistant to 50 microM amiloride. Electrophysiological experiments with apical ion substitutions or basolateral bumetanide (0.5 mM), as well as flux studies with 125I- or 36Cl-, indicated that this current represented Cl- secretion. The late increase in Isc appeared with a lag of 2-5 min and was maximal after 15-25 min. It corresponded to an increase in Na+ reabsorption, since it was amiloride sensitive. Bidirectional 36Cl- flux measurements in aldosterone-treated monolayers maintained under open-circuit conditions showed that the large vasotocin-induced increase in Cl- permeability led, in these conditions, to a threefold increase of a baseline Cl- reabsorption. This study shows that vasotocin induces in A6-Cl cells both a rapid increase in Cl- permeability and a slower increase in Na+ transport. The Cl- permeability, which leads to Cl- secretion under short-circuit conditions, contributes, under the more physiological open-circuit conditions, to the transport of Na+ by allowing its co-reabsorption with Cl-. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have used a well-differentiated A6-cell preparation (A6-C1) to study cellular location and vasopressin control of Na/H-exchange activity. After cell acidification, cell pHi (measured by BCECF-fluorescence) only recovered by the addition of Na medium to the basolateral cell surface; this pHi recovery was inhibited by dimethylamiloride (2 microM) consistent with basolateral location of Na/H-exchange activity. Addition of vasopressin produced stimulation of Na/H-exchange activity and increased the affinity of the exchanger for Na+. Stimulation of Na/H exchange was mimicked by pharmacological activation of protein kinase A (forskolin, 8-Br-cAMP) and not by pharmacological activation of protein kinase C (TPA). It is concluded that basolaterally located Na/H-exchange in A6-C1 cells is activated by vasopressin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polarity of cell-surface membrane movements and their regulation by adrenal steroid hormones (10(-6) M aldosterone) and vasopressin or vasotocin were studied in A6 cells. This cell line is derived from the Xenopus laevis distal nephron and displays regulated Na+ reabsorption but is devoid of regulated water transport. Apical and basolateral membrane movements and their hormonal regulation were characterized by measuring the uptake of the fluid phase marker horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and the secretion of proteins on both sides of cell monolayers cultured on filters. The intracellular accumulation of HRP was visualized by electron microscopy and quantified by the measure of cell-associated peroxidase activity. The rate of intracellular HRP accumulation corresponded to 0.01 nl/minute/filter (4.7 cm2) from the apical side and was 20-32 times faster from the basolateral side. In contrast, the level of protein secretion was 3.5 times higher apically than basolaterally. Among the secreted proteins some were found to be secreted essentially apically, and others basolaterally. Vasotocin increased apical endocytosis (1.88-fold) and apical protein secretion (1.49-fold) in cells pretreated with aldosterone. Basolaterally, only the endocytosis was increased, and to a smaller extent (1.36-fold). These effects of vasotocin depended on aldosterone pretreatment and could be mimicked with forskolin and 8-bromoadenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (BrcAMP). Measurements of intracellular cAMP levels showed that there was a rankorder correlation between the induced level of intracellular cAMP and that of apical endocytosis. This study shows that vasotocin has a polarized stimulatory action on apical endocytosis and protein secretion in A6 cells, and that the mediation of this action by cAMP is aldosterone dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]