Concentrative Nucleoside Transporter Research Articles

All-trans-retinoic Acid Promotes Trafficking of Human Concentrative Nucleoside Transporter-3 (hCNT3) to the Plasma Membrane by a TGF-β1-mediated Mechanism

Human concentrative nucleoside transporter-3 (hCNT3) is a sodium-coupled nucleoside transporter that exhibits high affinity and broad substrate selectivity, making it the most suitable candidate for mediating the uptake and cytotoxic action of most nucleoside-derived drugs. The drug of this class most commonly used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the pro-apoptotic nucleoside analog fludarabine (Flu), which enters CLL cells primarily through human equilibrative nucleoside transporters (hENTs). Although CLL cells lack hCNT3 activity, they do express this transporter protein, which is located mostly in the cytosol. The aim of our study was to identify agents and mechanisms capable of promoting hCNT3 trafficking to the plasma membrane. Here, we report that all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), currently used in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), increases hCNT3-related activity through a mechanism that involves trafficking of pre-existing hCNT3 proteins to the plasma membrane. This effect is mediated by the autocrine action of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, which is transcriptionally activated by ATRA in a p38-dependent manner. TGF-beta1 acts through activation of ERK1/2 and the small GTPase RhoA to promote plasma membrane trafficking of the hCNT3 protein.

Vectorial Transport of Nucleoside Analogs from the Apical to the Basolateral Membrane in Double-Transfected Cells Expressing the Human Concentrative Nucleoside Transporter hCNT3 and the Export Pump ABCC4

The identification of the transport proteins responsible for the uptake and the efflux of nucleosides and their metabolites enables the characterization of their vectorial transport and a better understanding of their absorption, distribution, and elimination. Human concentrative nucleoside transporters (hCNTs/SLC28A) are known to mediate the transport of natural nucleosides and some nucleoside analogs into cells in a sodium-dependent and unidirectional manner. On the other hand, several human multidrug resistance proteins [human ATP-binding cassette transporter, subfamily C (ABCC)] cause resistance against nucleoside analogs and mediate transport of phosphorylated nucleoside derivatives out of the cells in an ATP-dependent manner. For the integrated analysis of uptake and efflux of these compounds, we established a double-transfected Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) II cell line stably expressing the human uptake transporter hCNT3 in the apical membrane and the human efflux pump ABCC4 in the basolateral membrane. The direction of transport was from the apical to the basolateral compartment, which is in line with the unidirectional transport and the localization of both recombinant proteins in the MDCKII cells. Recombinant hCNT3 mediated the transport of several known nucleoside substrates, and we identified 5-azacytidine as a new substrate for hCNT3. It is of interest that coexpression of both transporters was confirmed in pancreatic adenocarcinomas, which represent an important clinical indication for the therapeutic use of nucleoside analogs. Thus, our results establish a novel cell system for studies on the vectorial transport of nucleosides and their analogs from the apical to the basolateral compartment. The results contribute to a better understanding of the cellular transport characteristics of nucleoside drugs.

The way forward in treating pancreatic cancer

The way forward in treating pancreatic cancer

Impact of Concentrative Nucleoside Transporter 1 Gene Polymorphism on Oral Bioavailability of Mizoribine in Stable Kidney Transplant Recipients

Mizoribine, an immunosuppressive anti-metabolite, is largely excreted into urine in its unchanged form, and its pharmacokinetics has been considered to be dependent on the glomerular filtration rate. However, the pharmacokinetic disposition of mizoribine has not been fully clarified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic disposition of mizoribine based on polymorphism of concentrative nucleoside transporter (CNT) 1 gene in kidney transplant recipients. Thirty-four Japanese stable recipients receiving an immunosuppressive regimen containing mizoribine for more than four months after transplantation were enrolled. Each recipient had been receiving a fixed dose of mizoribine for at least one month before enrolment. Oral bioavailability of mizoribine was obtained by dividing its amount in 24-hr urine by the daily dose. The median and interquartile range of the dose-normalized plasma concentration of mizoribine at 12 hr (C(12)) were 6.11 and 3.47-10.9 ng/ml per mg, respectively. The median bioavailability of mizoribine was 44.8%, and interindividual variability was also observed (interquartile range, 37.8-61.5%). The correlation coefficient between creatinine clearance and substitute renal clearance (CL(MZ)) estimated from the mizoribine C(12) was 0.65. The CNT1 G565A allele frequency was 51.5%. The mizoribine bioavailability was significantly lower in 565GA and AA than that in GG (median, 42.0%, 41.4% and 62.4%, respectively). No significant differences were observed in the dose-normalized C(12) of mizoribine and substitute CL(MZ) between the G565A genotypes. The mizoribine bioavailability was affected by CNT1 G565A in kidney transplant recipients. CNT1 G565A would contribute to interindividual differences in plasma disposition of mizoribine.

Characterization of ribavirin uptake systems in human hepatocytes

The purpose of this study was to identify the major ribavirin uptake transporter(s) in human hepatocytes and to determine if these previously unidentified transporters are involved in hepatic ribavirin uptake. Furthermore, we aimed to address what causes the difference in uptake levels among human hepatocytes. Profiles of ribavirin uptake and nucleoside transporter mRNA expression in Caucasian hepatocytes (HH268, HH283 and HH291) were characterized by transport assay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The 5'-side of the SLC29A1 gene structure was characterized by determination of transcription start sites and by RT-PCR. Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1)-mediated uptake was exclusively involved in ribavirin uptake in HH268 and HH283 and was responsible for the largest ribavirin uptake fraction in HH291. The level of ENT1-mediated uptake in HH291 was higher than that in HH268 and HH283. Characterization of the SLC29A1 gene structure revealed the existence of several ENT1 mRNA isoforms in the human liver, and the levels of four ENT1 mRNA isoforms in HH291 were higher than those in HH268 or HH283. No ENT2-mediated uptake was observed in any hepatocyte lines. Na(+)-dependent uptake was detected only in HH291; however, mRNA levels of concentrative nucleoside transporters (CNTs) were at trace levels in all hepatocyte lines. ENT1, but not ENT2 or CNTs, is a major ribavirin uptake transporter in human hepatocytes. The different ENT1-mediated ribavirin uptake levels in different hepatocyte lines are associated with different expression levels of specific isoforms of ENT1 mRNAs. Furthermore, an unidentified Na(+)-dependent ribavirin transport system might exist in human hepatocytes.

Xenobiotic, bile acid, and cholesterol transporters: function and regulation.

Transporters influence the disposition of chemicals within the body by participating in absorption, distribution, and elimination. Transporters of the solute carrier family (SLC) comprise a variety of proteins, including organic cation transporters (OCT) 1 to 3, organic cation/carnitine transporters (OCTN) 1 to 3, organic anion transporters (OAT) 1 to 7, various organic anion transporting polypeptide isoforms, sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide, apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter, peptide transporters (PEPT) 1 and 2, concentrative nucleoside transporters (CNT) 1 to 3, equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT) 1 to 3, and multidrug and toxin extrusion transporters (MATE) 1 and 2, which mediate the uptake (except MATEs) of organic anions and cations as well as peptides and nucleosides. Efflux transporters of the ATP-binding cassette superfamily, such as ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), multidrug resistance proteins (MDR) 1 and 2, bile salt export pump, multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRP) 1 to 9, breast cancer resistance protein, and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G members 5 and 8, are responsible for the unidirectional export of endogenous and exogenous substances. Other efflux transporters [ATPase copper-transporting beta polypeptide (ATP7B) and ATPase class I type 8B member 1 (ATP8B1) as well as organic solute transporters (OST) alpha and beta] also play major roles in the transport of some endogenous chemicals across biological membranes. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of these transporters (both rodent and human) with regard to tissue distribution, subcellular localization, and substrate preferences. Because uptake and efflux transporters are expressed in multiple cell types, the roles of transporters in a variety of tissues, including the liver, kidneys, intestine, brain, heart, placenta, mammary glands, immune cells, and testes are discussed. Attention is also placed upon a variety of regulatory factors that influence transporter expression and function, including transcriptional activation and post-translational modifications as well as subcellular trafficking. Sex differences, ontogeny, and pharmacological and toxicological regulation of transporters are also addressed. Transporters are important transmembrane proteins that mediate the cellular entry and exit of a wide range of substrates throughout the body and thereby play important roles in human physiology, pharmacology, pathology, and toxicology.

Expression and functional activity of nucleoside transporters in human choroid plexus

BackgroundHuman equilibrative nucleoside transporters (hENTs) 1-3 and human concentrative nucleoside transporters (hCNTs) 1-3 in the human choroid plexus (hCP) play a role in the homeostasis of adenosine and other naturally occurring nucleosides in the brain; in addition, hENT1, hENT2 and hCNT3 mediate membrane transport of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors that could be used to treat HIV infection, 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine, 2'3'-dideoxycytidine and 2'3'-dideoxyinosine. This study aimed to explore the expression levels and functional activities of hENTs 1-3 and hCNTs 1-3 in human choroid plexus.MethodsFreshly-isolated pieces of lateral ventricle hCP, removed for various clinical reasons during neurosurgery, were obtained under Local Ethics Committee approval. Quantification of mRNAs that encoded hENTs and hCNTs was performed by the hydrolysis probes-based reverse transcription real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR); for each gene of interest and for 18 S ribosomal RNA, which was an endogenous control, the efficiency of PCR reaction (E) and the quantification cycle (Cq) were calculated. The uptake of [3H]inosine by the choroid plexus pieces was investigated to explore the functional activity of hENTs and hCNTs in the hCP.ResultsRT-qPCR revealed that the mRNA encoding the intracellularly located transporter hENT3 was the most abundant, with E-Cq value being only about 40 fold less that the E-Cq value for 18 S ribosomal RNA; mRNAs encoding hENT1, hENT2 and hCNT3 were much less abundant than mRNA for the hENT3, while mRNAs encoding hCNT1 and hCNT2 were of very low abundance and not detectable. Uptake of [3H]inosine by the CP samples was linear and consisted of an Na+-dependent component, which was probably mediated by hCNT3, and Na+-independent component, mediated by hENTs. The latter component was not sensitive to inhibition by S-(4-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioinosine (NBMPR), when used at a concentration of 0.5 μM, a finding that excluded the involvement of hENT1, but it was very substantially inhibited by 10 μM NBMPR, a finding that suggested the involvement of hENT2 in uptake.ConclusionTranscripts for hENT1-3 and hCNT3 were detected in human CP; mRNA for hENT3, an intracellularly located nucleoside transporter, was the most abundant. Human CP took up radiolabelled inosine by both concentrative and equilibrative processes. Concentrative uptake was probably mediated by hCNT3; the equilibrative uptake was mediated only by hENT2. The hENT1 transport activity was absent, which could suggest either that this protein was absent in the CP cells or that it was confined to the basolateral side of the CP epithelium.

Transport characteristics of mouse concentrative nucleoside transporter 1

Concentrative nucleoside transporter 1 (CNT1, SLC28A1) is a key molecule for determining the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile of a candidate compound derived from a pyrimidine nucleoside, but there is no available information on the differences in the functional profile of this ortholog between man and mouse. Here, using a clone of mouse CNT1 (mCNT1), we investigated its transport characteristics and substrate specificity for synthetic nucleoside analogues, and compared them with those of human CNT1 (hCNT1). In mCNT1-transfected Cos-7 cells, pyrimidine, but not purine, nucleosides showed sodium- and concentration-dependent uptake, and uridine uptake was competitively inhibited by uridine analogues, the rank order of the inhibitory effects being 5-bromouridine > 3′-deoxyuridine > 2′-deoxyuridine. cis- and trans-Inhibition studies involving synthetic nucleoside drugs revealed that gemcitabine and zidovudine greatly inhibited [ 3H]uridine uptake mediated by mCNT1 in the both cases, while cytarabine and zalcitabine showed small cis-inhibitory effect, and no trans-inhibitory effect on the uptake. These results demonstrate that the transport characteristics of mCNT1 are almost the same as those of hCNT1, suggesting that mice may be a good animal model in evaluation of pyrimidine nucleoside analogues as to their applicability in human therapy.

Kinetic study of anti-viral ribavirin uptake mediated by hCNT3 and hENT1 in Xenopus laevis oocytes

Transport across the cell membrane is crucial in drug delivery. However, the process is complicated because nucleoside derivatives that are commonly used as anti-viral drugs are transported through two different types of specific transporters: concentrative transporters and equilibrative transporters. Cross-disciplinary approaches involving both biological experiments and theoretical considerations are therefore necessary to study the transport of nucleoside analogues such as ribavirin. Here we constructed an experimental model system using the Xenopus laevis oocyte that expressed examples of both types of transporters: human concentrative nucleoside transporter 3 and human equilibrative transporter 1. We also performed a kinetic study. Experimental results showed that the transport of ribavirin could be reduced by inhibiting one of the two types of transporters, which seems to be counterintuitive. We therefore designed a simple mathematical model of the dynamics of ribavirin uptake and analyzed the model behaviors using a numerical simulation. The theoretical results reproduced the experimentally observed phenomena and suggested a possible mechanism for the process. Based on this mechanism, we predicted some potential methods for the effective uptake of ribavirin from a dynamics point of view.

How does Adenosine Alter Sperm Motility?

Adenosine is a candidate modulator of motility of spermatozoa as they progress through the female reproductive tract. Past work demonstrated that the adenosine analog 2-chloro-deoxyadenosine (Cl-dAdo) accelerates the flagellar beat rate of mouse sperm by a cAMP/PKA-mediated pathway with a pharmacological profile suggestive of a Slc29a (ENT) equilibrative nucleoside transporter. Using qRT-PCR we find in adult mouse testis 160- and 32-fold greater expression of Slc29a1 than of the other surface-membrane ENT transporters Slc29a4 and Slc29a2. However, Slc29a1 protein was not found on mature sperm using immunocytochemistry. Moreover, wildtype and Slc29a1-null mice accelerate at similar rates (1.5-2.0 Hz min−1) in response to Cl-dAdo indicating that Slc29a1 is not required for Cl-dAdo action. Consistent with this observation, the accelerating action of Cl-dAdo resists the Slc29a-selective inhibitor nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBTI; 10 μM). The accelerating action of Cl-dAdo additionally resists replacement of external Na+ with NMDG+ indicating that Slc28a concentrative nucleoside transporters (CNTs) also are not required. Interestingly, the Adenosine A3 receptor-selective agonist Cl-IB-MECA (25 μM) is nearly as effective as Cl-dAdo in accelerating sperm beat frequency, suggesting a possible role for cell surface A3 receptors in Cl-dAdo-mediated increases in sperm motility. Two A3 isoforms are expressed in the mouse Adora3i1 and Adora3i2; Adora3i2 expression is testis specific. Adora3i1 null sperm increase beat frequency in response to both Cl-IB-MECA (25 μM) and Cl-dAdo (25 μM), so this isoform is not needed for sperm response to adenosine. Sperm response to Cl-dAdo and Cl-IB-MECA is diminished after pertussis toxin treatment of cells suggesting the receptor is Gαi/o coupled. We are currently testing functionality of the testis-specific novel Adora3i2 isoform in a heterologous system. Support from U54-HD12629 of the SCCPRR program of NICHD. L.A.B. supported in part by 5-T32-HD007453.

Study on intestinal absorption sites of mizoribine and ribavirin, substrates for concentrative nucleoside transporter(s), in rats

The absorption sites of mizoribine (an imidazole nucleoside) and ribavirin (a purine nucleoside) in the small intestine were evaluated in rats. The intestinal absorption of mizoribine is known to be mediated by rat concentrative nucleoside transporter (CNT)1 and CNT2. In contrast, the absorption mechanism of ribavirin in rats is not yet fully understood. Thus, the intestinal absorption of ribavirin was characterized firstly. In in-situ jejunum loop studies, the absorption percentage of ribavirin at a dose of 25 mg/kg was significantly lower than those after 1 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg doses. Coadministration of adenosine, inosine and mizoribine, but not thymidine and gemcitabine, significantly suppressed the intestinal absorption of ribavirin, indicating that ribavirin absorption is mediated by CNT2 in rats. In in-situ loop studies, mizoribine and ribavirin were absorbed to the same extents both in the proximal and distal small intestine. In vivo study was carried out using mizoribine, in which the gastric emptying rates altered by a subcutaneous injection of metoclopramide or scopolamine butylbromide exerted no significant effects on the values of peak plasma level (Cmax), area under the plasma concentration–time profile from 0 to 6 h (AUC 0–6), and urinary excretion percentage of mizoribine given orally, though the time to reach Cmax (Tmax) of mizoribine was altered by each treatment. In conclusion, mizoribine and ribavirin were found to be absorbed efficiently to the same extents from the whole small intestine. Also, the altered gastric emptying rates exerted no significant effects on the oral bioavailabilities of mizoribine and ribavirin.

Nucleoside Transporter Proteins

Concentrative nucleoside transporters (CNT; SLC28) and equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENT; SLC29) mediate the uptake of natural nucleosides and a variety of nucleoside-derived drugs, mostly used in anticancer therapy. SLC28 and SLC29 families consist in three and four members, respectively, which differ in their substrate selectivity and their energy requirements. Tissue distribution of these transporters is not homogeneous among tissues, and their expression can be regulated. In epithelia, CNT and ENT proteins are mostly localized in the apical and basolateral membranes, respectively, which results in nucleoside and nucleoside-derived drugs vectorial flux. Nucleoside transporters can play physiological roles other than salvages, such as the modulation of extracellular and intracellular adenosine concentrations. Moreover, these transporters also have clinical significance. ENT proteins are target of dipyridamole and dilazep, used as vasodilatory drugs in the treatment of heart and vascular diseases. On the other hand, nucleoside transporters are responsible for the cellular uptake of currently used anticancer nucleoside-derived drugs, thus these membrane proteins might play a significant role in nucleoside-based chemotherapy. Finally, several polymorphisms have been described in CNT and ENT proteins that could affect nucleoside homeostasis, adenosine signalling events or nucleoside-derived drug cytotoxicity or pharmacokinetics.

Interaction of benzopyranone derivatives and related compounds with human concentrative nucleoside transporters 1, 2 and 3 heterologously expressed in porcine PK15 nucleoside transporter deficient cells. Structure–activity relationships and determinants of transporter affinity and selectivity

Unlike the major equilibrative nucleoside transporters, there is a dearth of potent specific inhibitors of concentrative nucleoside transporters (CNTs). We investigated the interaction of benzopyranone derivatives and related compounds with human (h) CNTs in newly established PK15NTD transfectant cells stably expressing hCNT1 or hCNT2, and previously established PK15NTD/hCNT3 cells. Flavones exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against hCNT2 and hCNT3, whereas the most potent selective inhibitor of hCNT1 was a coumarin derivative. hCNT3 was the only transporter that exhibited moderate sensitivity to the chalcones tested. The most active compound was 6-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone, which was hCNT3-specific with an IC50 of 0.57±0.20μM, and over 40-fold more potent than the standard CNT inhibitor, phloridzin (IC50 of 25±3.5μM). The SAR (Structure–Activity Relationship) shows that high potency against all three hCNTs is conferred by the presence of hydroxyl substituents at both the 7- and 8-positions of flavones and isoflavones. CoMFA (Comparative Molecular Field Analysis) and CoMSIA (Comparative Molecular Similarity Indices Analysis) 3D-QSAR (three-Dimensional Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship) modeling indicated that electrostatic and hydrophobic properties were the most influential for interactions between the flavonoids and hCNT1, while electrostatic, hydrophobic and hydrogen bond donor properties were predominate for interactions with hCNT2 and hCNT3. The 3D-QSAR results also suggested possible commonalities in hydrogen bonding interactions of flavonoids and nucleosides, suggesting similarities between the hCNT-binding sites of the two classes of compounds. We report the most potent and selective non-nucleoside CNT inhibitors to date; which may serve as research tools and/or leads for further inhibitor development.

Tissue Distribution, Ontogeny, and Hormonal Regulation of Xenobiotic Transporters in Mouse Kidneys

Kidneys play important roles in the elimination of numerous endogenous and exogenous chemicals. In recent years, at least 37 xenobiotic transporters have been identified in mammalian kidneys. Although much progress has been made, information on 14 of these transporters (ATP-binding cassette [Abc] a1, apical sodium bile acid transporter [Asbt], breast cancer resistance protein, concentrative nucleoside transporter 1, equilibrative nucleoside transporter [Ent] 2, Ent3, sodium-phosphate cotransporter [Npt] 1, Npt2a, Npt2b, Npt2c, organic anion transporter [Oat] 5, organic anion-transporting polypeptide [Oatp] 4c1, peptide transporter 2, and uric acid transporter [Urat] 1) in kidneys is quite limited. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine the tissue distribution, ontogeny, and hormonal regulation of these 14 transporters in kidneys of mice. Other than in kidneys, Npt2b is also highly expressed in liver and lung, Npt2c in liver and colon, Asbt in ileum, and Abca1 in liver, lung, testis, ovary, and placenta of mice. Most of these (13 of 14) transporters are lowly expressed in mouse kidneys until 15 days of age, which in part contributes to the immaturity of excretory function in fetal and newborn kidneys. One exception is Ent2, which is highly expressed before birth and gradually decreases after birth until reaching adult levels at 15 days of age. Gender-divergent expression of male-predominant (Urat1 and Oatp4c1) and female-predominant (Oat5) transporters in mouse kidneys is primarily due to stimulatory effects of androgens and estrogens, respectively. In conclusion, the mRNA expression of xenobiotic transporters in kidneys is determined by tissue, age, and sex hormones.

Expression of the human concentrative nucleotide transporter 1 (hCNT1) gene correlates with clinical response in patients affected by Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia (WM) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) undergoing a combination treatment with 2-chloro-2′-deoxyadenosine (2-CdA) and Rituximab

Purpose Resistance to nucleoside analogues agents is likely to be multifactorial and could involve a number of mechanisms affecting drug penetration, metabolism and targeting. In vitro studies of resistant human cell lines have confirmed that human concentrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hCNT1)-deficient cells display resistance. Experimental design We applied real-time PCR method to assess the mRNA expression of equilibrative and concentrative nucleoside transporter (hENT1, hCNT1), deoxycytidine and deoxyguanosine kinase (dCK, dGK), 5′-nucleotidase (5′-NT), ribonucleotide reductase catalytic and regulatory (RR1, RR2) subunits in bone marrow cells from 32 patients with Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia (WM) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) who received 2CdA-based chemotherapy. Responses to chemotherapy, were then correlated to the expression of these markers. Results All 32 patients enrolled expressed lower levels of hCNT1 as compared to healthy donors. In univariate analysis, lower expression level of hCNT1 ( p = 0.0021) and RR2 ( p = 0.02) correlated with response to chemotherapy. In particular, patients with low levels of hCNT1 achieved inferior clinical response. No significant correlation between these genes expression and age, stage of disease was found. This study suggests that nucleotidase expression levels can be used to identify subgroups of WM and SLL patients who will likely respond differently to a 2CdA-based therapy.

Expression of nucleoside transporters, deoxycitidine kinase, ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunits, and gemcitabine catabolic enzymes in primary ovarian cancer

Gemcitabine (2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine) (GEM) is one of the most actively investigated drugs in ovarian cancer. Many molecular mechanisms have been proposed to be involved in GEM sensitivity/resistance including the equilibrative nucleoside transporter-1 (hENT1), the concentrative nucleoside transporter-1 (hCNT1), and deoxycytidine kinase (dCK). The expression of the ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunits M1 (RRM1) and M2 (RRM2), and the catabolic enzymes 5'nucleotidase (5'NT), and cytidine deaminase (CDA) play also an important role. The aim of the study is to investigate the potential clinical role of hENT1, hCNT1, dCK, RRM1, RRM2, CDA, and 5'NT in a single institutional series of 25 primary ovarian carcinomas. The expression levels of the target genes were assayed by means of real-time quantitative PCR. The clinical role of the expression levels of each parameter was analyzed by Kaplan and Meier method and the Cox's proportional hazards model. hENT1, hCNT1, dCK, CDA, 5'NT, RRM1, and RRM2 gene expression was documented in all samples; undifferentiated and clear cell carcinoma exhibited higher levels of hENT1, dCK, 5'NT, and RRM1 compared to serous ovarian tumors. As of May 2009, the median follow-up was 32 months (range 10-80), and death of disease were observed in 17 cases (68.0%). A statistically significant direct association of RRM2 expression levels and the relative risk of death was observed (Chi (2) = 8.18, P = 0.0043). Moreover, cases with high RRM2 expression had a shorter OS (median OS = 19 months) than cases with low RRM2 levels (median OS = 36 months) (P = 0.0506). We first reported that the most relevant genes involved in gemcitabine metabolism are expressed in ovarian carcinoma, and might be associated with more aggressive histotypes. The assessment of the expression levels of RRM2 as marker of clinical outcome deserves further investigation in a larger series of ovarian cancer patients.

The Role of Nucleoside Transporters in the Erythrocyte Disposition and Oral Absorption of Ribavirin in the Wild-Type and Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporter 1(−/−) Mice

Ribavirin [1-(beta-d-ribofuranosyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide] is the treatment of choice for hepatitis C virus infection. Ribavirin is a substrate of several nucleoside transporters, including the equilibrative nucleoside transporter (Ent) and the concentrative nucleoside transporter 2. To determine the role of Ent1 in ribavirin absorption and erythrocyte distribution, we examined its pharmacokinetics in Ent1-null mice. After intravenous administration, we found that the erythrocyte area under the curve (AUC(0-12 h)) was reduced 3.05-fold along with 2.63-fold reduction of erythrocyte versus plasma AUC ratio in the Ent1(-/-) mice, whereas there was no significant difference in the plasma AUC(0-12 h) between Ent1(+/+) and Ent1(-/-) mice. After 48 h, we found a similar fraction of ribavirin or total radioactivity excreted in the urine between the Ent1(+/+) and Ent1(-/-) mice. After oral administration of three different doses, 0.024, 0.24, and 6.1 mg/kg, we found that the dose-normalized plasma AUC(0-12 h) of ribavirin was 69.7 +/- 12.0, 20.7 +/- 1.5, and 18.3 +/- 2.7 min/l, respectively, in the Ent1(+/+) mice and 18.9 +/- 2.8, 13.0 +/- 0.5, and 12.2 +/- 1.0 min/l, respectively, in the Ent1(-/-) mice. It is interesting that at the highest dose, the dose-normalized plasma AUC(0-30 min), AUC(0-12 h), and C(max) in the Ent1(+/+) mice were decreased 4.0-, 3.8-, and 3.4-fold, respectively, compared with the lowest dose, suggesting absorption was saturated at the highest dose we used. The dose-normalized plasma AUC(0-12 h) was 3.7- and 1.5-fold lower at the lowest and the highest dose, respectively, in the Ent1(-/-) mice compared with those of the Ent1(+/+) mice. Our findings indicate that Ent1 plays a significant role in the oral absorption and erythrocyte distribution of ribavirin.

Red Fluorescent Protein pH Biosensor to Detect Concentrative Nucleoside Transport

Human concentrative nucleoside transporter, hCNT3, mediates Na+/nucleoside and H+/nucleoside co-transport. We describe a new approach to monitor H+/uridine co-transport in cultured mammalian cells, using a pH-sensitive monomeric red fluorescent protein variant, mNectarine, whose development and characterization are also reported here. A chimeric protein, mNectarine fused to the N terminus of hCNT3 (mNect.hCNT3), enabled measurement of pH at the intracellular surface of hCNT3. mNectarine fluorescence was monitored in HEK293 cells expressing mNect.hCNT3 or mNect.hCNT3-F563C, an inactive hCNT3 mutant. Free cytosolic mNect, mNect.hCNT3, and the traditional pH-sensitive dye, BCECF, reported cytosolic pH similarly in pH-clamped HEK293 cells. Cells were incubated at the permissive pH for H(+)-coupled nucleoside transport, pH 5.5, under both Na(+)-free and Na(+)-containing conditions. In mNect.hCNT3-expressing cells (but not under negative control conditions) the rate of acidification increased in media containing 0.5 mm uridine, providing the first direct evidence for H(+)-coupled uridine transport. At pH 5.5, there was no significant difference in uridine transport rates (coupled H+ flux) in the presence or absence of Na+ (1.09 +/- 0.11 or 1.18 +/- 0.32 mm min(-1), respectively). This suggests that in acidic Na(+)-containing conditions, 1 Na+ and 1 H+ are transported per uridine molecule, while in acidic Na(+)-free conditions, 1 H+ alone is transported/uridine. In acid environments, including renal proximal tubule, H+/nucleoside co-transport may drive nucleoside accumulation by hCNT3. Fusion of mNect to hCNT3 provided a simple, self-referencing, and effective way to monitor nucleoside transport, suggesting an approach that may have applications in assays of transport activity of other H(+)-coupled transport proteins.

Convergent evolution and orphan genes in the Fur4p‐like family and characterization of a general nucleoside transporter in Aspergillus nidulans

The function of seven paralogues phylogenetically related to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fur4p together with a number of functionally related transporters present in Aspergillus nidulans has been investigated. After deletion of the cognate genes we checked the incorporation of radiolabelled substrates, utilization of nitrogen sources, resistance to toxic analogues and supplementation of auxotrophies. FurA and FurD encode allantoin and uracil transporters respectively. No function was found for FurB, FurC, FurE, FurF and FurG. As we failed to identify Fur-related transporters for uridine, pyridoxine or thiamine, we deleted other possible candidates for these functions. A FCY2-like gene carrying in its 5' UTR a putative thiamine pyrophosphate riboswitch, and which encodes a protein similar to the pyridoxine transporter of yeast (Tpn1p), does not encode either a major thiamine or a pyridoxine transporter. CntA, a member of the concentrative nucleoside transporter family, is a general nucleoside permease, while no function was found for PnpA, a member of the equilibrative transporter family. Phylogenetic analysis shows that within the ascomycetes, the same transport activity could be catalysed by totally unrelated proteins and that within the Fur subfamily convergent evolution towards uracil and allantoin transport activity has occurred at least three and two independent times respectively.

Substituted Cysteine Accessibility Method Analysis of Human Concentrative Nucleoside Transporter hCNT3 Reveals a Novel Discontinuous Region of Functional Importance within the CNT Family Motif (G/A)XKX3NEFVA(Y/M/F)

The human SLC28 family of integral membrane CNT (concentrative nucleoside transporter) proteins has three members, hCNT1, hCNT2, and hCNT3. Na(+)-coupled hCNT1 and hCNT2 transport pyrimidine and purine nucleosides, respectively, whereas hCNT3 mediates transport of both pyrimidine and purine nucleosides utilizing Na(+) and/or H(+) electrochemical gradients. These and other eukaryote CNTs are currently defined by a putative 13-transmembrane helix (TM) topology model with an intracellular N terminus and a glycosylated extracellular C terminus. Recent mutagenesis studies, however, have provided evidence supporting an alternative 15-TM membrane architecture. In the absence of CNT crystal structures, valuable information can be gained about residue localization and function using substituted cysteine accessibility method analysis with thiol-reactive reagents, such as p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate. Using heterologous expression in Xenopus oocytes and the cysteineless hCNT3 protein hCNT3C-, substituted cysteine accessibility method analysis with p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate was performed on the TM 11-13 region, including bridging extramembranous loops. The results identified residues of functional importance and, consistent with a new revised 15-TM CNT membrane architecture, suggest a novel membrane-associated topology for a region of the protein (TM 11A) that includes the highly conserved CNT family motif (G/A)XKX(3)NEFVA(Y/M/F).