Search

Purpose. The objective of this research was to investigate the substrate specificity of large neutral amino acid carrier (LNAA) and di/tripeptide (hPEPTl) transporters with respect to PD 158473, an NMDA antagonist. Methods. Cellular uptake studies were carried out using two types of Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO). CHO-K1 cells represent the wild type with inherent large neutral amino acid (LNAA) activity. CHO-PEPT1 cells were generated by stable transfection of hPEPTl gene into CHO cells. Therefore, these cells possess both LNAA activity and di/tripeptide transporter activities as a result of the transfection. Cellular uptake of PD 158473 was quantified using a HPLC method previously developed in our laboratory. Results. The utility of the CHO-PEPT1 cell model was demonstrated by determining the uptake kinetics of Gly-Sar, a prototypical dipeptide transporter substrate. Uptake kinetics of PD 158473 displayed two carrier-mediated transport components in CHO-PEPT1 cells, while in CHO-K1 cells the relationship was consistent with classic one component Michaelis-Menten kinetics. These results confirmed the affinity of PD 158473 for both LNAA and di/tripeptide transporters. Further, results from inhibition experiments using these two cell types indicate that the high affinity-low capacity system was the LNAA carrier and the low affinity-high capacity carrier was the di/tripeptide transporter. Conclusions. This study demonstrates overlapping substrate specificity between LNAA carrier and di/tripeptide transporter (hPEPTl) for PD 158473, an amino acid analog. Establishing Structure Transport Relationship (STR) for this overlap will aid in a design strategy for increasing oral absorption or targeting specific drugs to selected tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. General use of nucleoside analogues in the treatment of viral infections and cancer is often limited by poor oral absorption. Valacyclovir, a water soluble amino acid ester prodrug of acyclovir has been reported to increase the oral bioavailability of acyclovir but its absorption mechanism is unknown. This study characterized the intestinal absorption mechanism of 5′-amino acid ester prodrugs of the antiviral drugs and examined the potential of amino acid esters as an effective strategy for improving oral drug absorption. Methods. Acyclovir (ACV) and Zidovudine (AZT) were selected as the different sugar-modified nucleo-side antiviral agents and synthesized to L-valyl esters of ACV and AZT (L-Val-ACV and L-Val-AZT), D-valyl ester of ACV (D-Val-ACV) and glycyl ester of ACV (Gly-ACV). The intestinal absorption mechanism of these 5′-amino acid ester prodrugs was characterized in three different experimental systems; in siturat perfusion model, CHO/hPEPTl cells and Caco-2 cells. Results. Testing 5′-amino acid ester prodrugs of acyclovir and AZT, we found that the prodrugs increased the intestinal permeability of the parent nucleoside analogue 3- to 10-fold. The dose- dependent permeation enhancement was selective for the L-amino acid esters. Competitive inhibition studies in rats and in CHO cells transfected with the human peptide transporter, hPEPTl, demonstrated that membrane transport of the prodrugs was mediated predominantly by the PEPT1 H+/dipeptide cotransporter even though these prodrugs did not possess a peptide bond. Finally, transport studies in Caco-2 cells confirmed that the 5′-amino acid ester prodrugs enhanced the transcellular transport of the parent drug. Conclusions. This study demonstrates that L-amino acid-nucleoside chimeras can serve as prodrugs to enhance intestinal absorption via the PEPT1 transporter, providing a novel strategy for improving oral therapy of nucleoside drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. A cDNA encoding the H-coupled peptide transporter, hPEPTl, has previously been cloned from human ileum (8). The objective of this study was to establish a stably transfected cell line expressing hPEPTl in mammalian cell culture. Methods. The hPEPTl cDNA was subcloned into an expression vector carrying the CMV promoter and a neomycin resistance gene. This vector, pCDNA3-PEPT1, was transiently transfected into several cell lines to identify those capable of expressing PEPT1 transport function. CHO cells were selected and stably transfected with PEPT1 (CHO-PEPT1). Dipeptide transport activity was measured with H-Gly-Sar, in the presence and absence of inhibitors. Results. The clonal cell line, CHO-PEPT1, displayed high transport activity. Dipeptide transport was sensitive to pH and specific for dipeptides and other small peptides. Peptidomimetic antibiotics, such as cephalexin, were competitors for peptide transport. Conclusions. The stably transfected cell line, CHO-PEPT1 exhibits enhanced transport over that of cell lines with native expression of PEPT1, and therefore, represents a useful tool for rapid screening of drugs that utilize the peptide transporter in the human intestine for absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]