Entry Of Glutamine Research Articles

Abstract P3-01-01: Targeting glutamine metabolism in breast cancer for therapy

Abstract Metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells is observed in different types of tumors including breast. Oncogenic signals aid changes in metabolism that provide selective advantage to the cancer cells to meet their energy requirements to accomplish rapid proliferation. The increased dependence on the glycolytic pathway for energy called the “Warburg effect” was reported by Otto Warburg several decades ago. Our recent understanding of cancer metabolism has thrown light on alternative energy sources, especially glutamine and other branched chain amino acids. The role of glutamine in breast cancer cell growth has not yet been studied extensively. In this study we found that a number of breast cancer cell lines, especially those negative for ER, PR, HER2, display a high dependence on glutamine for their survival and growth. Interestingly, most of these glutamine-dependent cell lines express high levels of c-myc protein. Consistent with their growth dependency on glutamine, transaminases responsible for entry of glutamine into the tricarboxylic acid cycle are transcriptionally up regulated under low glutamine conditions. Consequently, growth of these cancer cell lines was found to be specifically inhibited by the transaminase inhibitor, amino oxyacetate (AOA). Moreover, the AOA mediated cytotoxic effect was partially c-myc dependent. Through 1H-NMR studies of AOA-treated cells we show that in addition to glutamine, AOA treatment decreases the aspartate and alanine content in the cells. In line with these findings, exogenous supplementation with aspartate partially rescued the cells from the growth inhibitory effects of AOA. Flow cytometry analysis showed that AOA causes cell cycle arrest in the S phase. AOA also had significant inhibitory effect on in vivo growth of rapidly growing SUM 149 and SUM159 xenografts in immunodeficient mice. When combined with chemotherapeutic agents, doxorubicin and carboplatin, AOA inhibited growth of MDA-MB-231 xenograft tumors more effectively than AOA alone. Lastly we present evidence that the cytotoxic effect of AOA is mediated through activation of the ER stress pathway, combined with depletion of key amino acids and likely, a reduction in the nucleoside pool in the cells. Our preclinical studies, both in vitro and in vivo, combined with development of intermediate markers of response, provide a strong rationale for testing AOA for therapy in Phase 0 clinical trials. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P3-01-01.

Leptin regulates sugar and amino acids transport in the human intestinal cell line Caco‐2

Studies in rodents have shown that leptin controls sugars and glutamine entry in the enterocytes by regulating membrane transporters. Here, we have examined the effect of leptin on sugar and amino acids absorption in the human model of intestinal cells Caco-2 and investigated the transporters involved. Substrate uptake experiments were performed in Caco-2 cells, grown on plates, in the presence and the absence of leptin, and the expression of the different transporters in brush border membrane vesicles was analysed by Western blot. Leptin inhibited 0.1 mm α-methyl-D-glucoside uptake after 5 or 30 min treatment and decreased SGLT1 protein abundance in the apical membrane. Uptake of 20 μm glutamine and 0.1 mm phenylalanine was also inhibited by leptin, indicating sensitivity to the hormone of the Na(+) -dependent neutral amino acid transporters ASCT2 and B(0) AT1. This inhibition was accompanied by a reduction in the transporters expression at the brush border membrane. Leptin also inhibited 1 mm proline and β-alanine uptake in Na(+) medium at pH 6, conditions for optimal activity of the H(+) -dependent neutral amino acid transporter PAT1. In this case, abundance of PAT1 in the brush border membrane after leptin treatment was not modified. Interestingly, leptin inhibitory effect on β-alanine uptake was reversed by the PKA inhibitor H-89 suggesting involvement of PKA pathway in leptin's regulation of PAT1 activity. These data show in human intestinal cells that leptin can rapidly control the activity of physiologically relevant transporters for rich-energy molecules, that is, D-glucose (SGLT1) and amino acids (ASCT2, B(0) AT1 and PAT1).

Glutamine and glutathione counteract the inhibitory effects of mediators of sepsis in neonatal hepatocytes

Background/Purpose: Surgical neonates are at risk of sepsis-associated liver dysfunction. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO) are important mediators of sepsis, which impair neonatal hepatic metabolism. Glutamine has been shown to have beneficial effects on hepatocyte metabolism during neonatal sepsis. However, the molecular basis of these effects are unknown. The aim of this study was to test the hypotheses that (1) glutamine and its dipeptides counteract the inhibitory effect of septic mediators on neonatal hepatocyte oxygen consumption and (2) the effects of glutamine are specific and not shared by other amino acids. In addition, we wished to determine the metabolic pathways and mediators involved in the action of glutamine. Methods: Hepatocytes were isolated from suckling rats, and O2 consumption measured polarographically. Study A: the ability of 10 mmol/L glutamine to reverse the inhibitory effects of 1.5 mmol/L H2O2 and 300 μmol/L S-Nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP; a nitric oxide donor) on O2 consumption was examined. Study B: the ability of other amino acids and dipeptides of glutamine to reverse the effects of H2O2 was examined. Study C: various concentrations of glutamine were tested for their ability to reverse the H2O2 inhibition of O2 consumption. Study D: the mechanism of action of glutamine was examined by incubating hepatocytes with either an inhibitor of entry into the Krebs cycle or an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis. Study E: the ability of glutathione to reverse the inhibitory effects of H2O2 was examined. Results: Study A: glutamine reversed the inhibition of hepatocyte O2 consumption exerted by either H2O2 or NO. Study B: glutamine dipeptides reversed the inhibition of hepatocyte O2 consumption by H2O2, but other amino acids did not. Study C: the counteracting effect of glutamine was proportional to the dose administered. Study D: blocking entry of glutamine into the Krebs cycle did not abolish the effects of glutamine, but blocking glutathione synthesis completely abolished the effect of glutamine. Study E: exogenous glutathione reversed the inhibitory effect of H2O2 on hepatocyte O2 consumption. Conclusions: This study found that glutamine and its dipeptides are unique in reversing the effects of septic mediators on neonatal rat liver oxidative metabolism. The effectiveness of glutamine appears to be mediated via glutathione synthesis. Addition of glutamine, glutamine dipeptides, or glutathione to total parenteral nutrition (TPN) may be beneficial in preventing liver damage in neonatal sepsis. J Pediatr Surg 36:282-286. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.

Rate at which glutamine enters TCA cycle influences carbon atom fate in intestinal epithelial cells.

Glutamine carbon entry into the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle was assessed in small intestinal epithelial cells by measuring CO2 production from [1-14C]glutamine, and these data together with [U-14C]glutamine data were used to calculate fractional oxidation rates for glutamine. CO2 production from either [1-14C]glutamine or [U-14C]glutamine showed saturation kinetics, and the concentration needed to achieve the half-maximal rate of CO2 production was 0.7 and 0.4 mmol/l, respectively. Maximal rate for [1-14C]glutamine was twice that for [U-14C]glutamine. Increasing glutamine concentration did not cause proportional increases in glutamine entry into the TCA cycle and glutamine oxidation. Consequently, fractional oxidation of glutamine decreased with increasing glutamine concentration. Fractional oxidation could be predicted from the rate at which glutamine carbon entered the TCA cycle. (Aminooxy)acetic acid, an aminotransferase inhibitor, reduced entry of glutamine into the TCA cycle and increased fractional oxidation of glutamine. Glutamate carbon entered the TCA cycle at about one-half the rate of glutamine-derived glutamate carbon and had a higher fractional oxidation rate when provided at equivalent concentrations to glutamine. These differences in the rate of entry predictably account for the differences in the metabolic fate of glutamine vs. glutamate carbon.

Absence of glutamine isotopic steady state: implications for the assessment of whole-body glutamine production rate

1.During infusion of [5-15N]glutamine in patients with gastrointestinal cancer we unexpectedly observed a gradual decrease in time of the appearance rate (Ra) of glutamine in plasma. Here we investigate whether the failure to achieve a plateau isotopic enrichment in plasma is, among other factors, due to incomplete equilibration of the glutamine tracer with the large intramuscular free glutamine pool. 2.Plasma and intramuscular glutamine enrichment were measured during 6–11 ;h infusions of L-[5-15N]glutamine and L-[1-13C]glutamine in post-absorptive patients admitted to hospital for elective abdominal surgery. L-[1-13C]Leucine and L-[ring-2H5]phenylalanine were infused to measure the proportion of glutamine appearing in plasma directly due to its release from protein. 3.The glutamine tracer entered muscle, but the rise in intramuscular glutamine enrichment was small, presumably as a result of the enormous size of the intramuscular glutamine pool and the limited speed of entry of glutamine into muscle. In each patient the intramuscular glutamine enrichment was lower than that in plasma (P < 0.001), and both increased with tracer infusion time (P < 0.001), indicating incomplete equilibration of the glutamine tracer. 4.A comparison of the results obtained by the two glutamine tracers indicated that recycling of the nitrogen label contributed to about 15% of the decrease in Ra. 5.There was a gradual reduction in the glutamine release from proteolysis, which contributed to 16–21% of the decline in Ra. 6.We conclude that slow equilibration of the glutamine tracer with the large muscle glutamine pool significantly contributes to the absence of isotopic steady state. Consequently, the appearance rate of glutamine in plasma measured during short tracer infusion periods (hours) considerably overestimates the whole-body glutamine flux.

Absence of glutamine isotopic steady state: implications for the assessment of whole-body glutamine production rate

1. During infusion of [5-15N]glutamine in patients with gastrointestinal cancer we unexpectedly observed a gradual decrease in time of the appearance rate (Ra) of glutamine in plasma. Here we investigate whether the failure to achieve a plateau isotopic enrichment in plasma is, among other factors, due to incomplete equilibration of the glutamine tracer with the large intramuscular free glutamine pool.2. Plasma and intramuscular glutamine enrichment were measured during 6-11 h infusions of L-[5-15N]glutamine and L-[1-13C]glutamine in post-absorptive patients admitted to hospital for elective abdominal surgery. L-[1-13C]Leucine and L-[ring-2H5]phenylalanine were infused to measure the proportion of glutamine appearing in plasma directly due to its release from protein.3. The glutamine tracer entered muscle, but the rise in intramuscular glutamine enrichment was small, presumably as a result of the enormous size of the intramuscular glutamine pool and the limited speed of entry of glutamine into muscle. In each patient the intramuscular glutamine enrichment was lower than that in plasma (P<0.001), and both increased with tracer infusion time (P<0.001), indicating incomplete equilibration of the glutamine tracer.4.A comparison of the results obtained by the two glutamine tracers indicated that recycling of the nitrogen label contributed to about 15% of the decrease in Ra.5. There was a gradual reduction in the glutamine release from proteolysis, which contributed to 16-21% of the decline in Ra.6. We conclude that slow equilibration of the glutamine tracer with the large muscle glutamine pool significantly contributes to the absence of isotopic steady state. Consequently, the appearance rate of glutamine in plasma measured during short tracer infusion periods (hours) considerably overestimates the whole-body glutamine flux.

Identification of a system N-like Na(+)-dependent glutamine transport activity in rat brain neurons.

Glutamine is a primary precursor for the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitters glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid. It is proposed that glutamine, synthesized and released by astrocytes, is transported into the neuron for subsequent conversion to neurotransmitters. To provide a more complete characterization of this process, we have delineated the transport systems for glutamine uptake in primary cultures of brain neuronal cells from 1-day-old rats. The Na(+)-dependent glutamine entry is mediated by system A, system ASC, and a third, previously unidentified, activity that has been tentatively designated as system Nb. System Nb activity can be monitored by assaying Na(+)-dependent [3H]glutamine uptake in the presence of 2 mM concentrations of both 2-(methylamino) isobutyric acid and threonine to block uptake by systems A and ASC, respectively. The newly identified transport activity exhibits an apparent substrate specificity that is unique compared with the hepatic system N, because it is inhibited by glutamine and asparagine, but not by histidine. Also, the affinity of system Nb for glutamine, as estimated from K(m) values, is significantly greater than that observed for the hepatic and muscle Na(+)-dependent glutamine transporters, systems N and Nm. In sharp contrast to the hepatic system N transporter, system Nb exhibits a relative insensitivity to pH and does not permit Li+ substitution for Na+ as the cosubstrate. The substrate specificity, kinetic analysis, pH sensitivity, and cation dependence of this transport activity indicate that it represents a glutamine transport system not previously identified.

Transamination processes promote incomplete glutamine oxidation in small intestine epithelial cells

The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of glucose on glutamine medabolism by intestinal epithelial cells. Cells were isolated from the proximal, mid, and distal small intestine of male, fed rats. The oxidation of [U- 14C]glutamine was greatest in the proximal small intestine, and the stimulatory effect of glucose on glutamine oxidation was most pronounced in this segment also. Amino-oxyacetate, an aminotransferase inhibitor, did not influence the oxidation of glucose when present alone, but increased glucose oxidation when present simultaneously with glutamine. Glutamine oxidation was suppressed by amino-oxyacetate in both the presence and absence of exogenous glucose. In particular, CO 2 production from glutamine was reduced by 48 and 79% in the absence and presence of glucose, respectively; succinate CO 2 ratios (CO 2 from [1,4- 14C]succinate/[2,3- 14C]succinate, unlabeled substrate as specified) were reduced 59 and 71%, respectively, and the probability was doubled that glutamine carbon, which enters the TCA cycle, would complete a full turn of the cycle. These experiments confirmed earlier findings that glutamine carbon entering the TCA cycle is not entirely oxidized and showed that processes of transamination are essential for high rates of glutamine entry into the TCA cycle. Transamination appears also to be essential for efflux of intermediates from the TCA cycle and the synthesis of new compounds. Thus, transamination processes apparently facilitate the incomplete oxidation of glutamine in intestinal cells. These studies showed also that carbon that leaves the cycle re-enters predominantly via pyruvate dehydrogenase, rather than via pyruvate carboxylase, along the length of the small intestine.

Characterization of Na(+)-independent glutamine transport in rat liver

In hepatic plasma membrane vesicles (HPMVs) from rat liver, we observed that approximately 40-45% of Na(+)-independent glutamine uptake occurs by a saturable carrier-mediated process. This component of glutamine uptake is mediated by a transport agency distinct from that of previously described systems for the Na(+)-independent transport of amino acids. Transport of glutamine was electroneutral and occurred into an osmotically active space with negligible membrane binding. The model system L substrate 2-amino-2-norbornane-carboxylic acid (BCH) showed no appreciable inhibition of Na(+)-independent glutamine uptake by HPMVs but effectively inhibited the uptake of leucine, a classic system L substrate, in identical vesicle preparations. Further evidence against system L-mediated glutamine transport was provided by the pH dependence and the lack of trans-stimulation of saturable uptake. Competition experiments with selected amino acids revealed a pattern of inhibition of glutamine transport that was inconsistent with assignment of glutamine entry to systems asc, T, or systems for the Na(+)-independent transport of the charged amino acids. This BCH-noninhibitable transport system in HPMVs was highly selective for glutamine, histidine, and, to a lesser extent, asparagine. Inhibition of Na(+)-independent glutamine transport by leucine was noncompetitive in nature. On the basis of Na+ independence, pH sensitivity, absence of trans-stimulation, and an amino acid selectivity similar to that of the previously described hepatic Na(+)-dependent system N, we have provisionally designated the glutamine transport agency described in this article as system "n."

Metabolism of glutamine and glutamate in monkey lens

In rat and bovine lenses, the primary source of intracellular glutamate has been shown to be glutamine transported from the surrounding fluids, whereas extracellular glutamate is less readily utilized. For comparison, glutamine and glutamate metabolism were studied in a primate. Fresh, intact lenses from Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were incubated in balanced salt medium containing [15N]glutamate (Group A) or amino-labeled [15N]glutamine (Group B). In contrast to other species, the monkey lenses metabolized the glutamate more rapidly than the glutamine, although glutamine entered the lenses more rapidly than glutamate. Formation of labeled aspartate, alanine, proline, and serine was more rapid in Group A than in Group B, but labeling of the lenticular glutamate + glutamine pool was more rapid in Group B. This indicated that, in monkey lenses, deamidation of glutamine is sufficiently slow to limit the entry of glutamine into pathways requiring or preferring glutamate. The difference in rates of deamidation of glutamine in intact monkey lenses and rat lenses was confirmed by measuring the rate of ammonia release by lenses incubated with glutamine.

Renal ammonium production--une vue canadienne.

The purpose of this review is to examine the factors regulating ammonium production in the kidney and to place these factors in the perspective of acid-base balance. Renal ammonium production and excretion are required to maintain acid-base balance. However, only a portion of renal ammonium production is specifically stimulated by metabolic acidosis. One should examine urinary ammonium excretion at three levels: distribution of ammonium between blood and urine, augmented glutamine metabolism, and an energy constraint due to ATP balance considerations. With respect to the biochemical regulation of acid-base renal ammonium production, an acute stimulation of alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase by a fall in pH seems to be important but this may not be the entire story. In chronic metabolic acidosis augmented glutamine entry into mitochondria (dog) or increased phosphate-dependent glutaminase activity (rat) become critical to support a high flux rate. Metabolic alterations, which diminish the rate of oxidation of alternate fuels, might also be important. The above principles are discussed in the ketoacidosis of fasting, the clinically important situation of high rates of renal ammonium production.

Characterization of glutamine transport by liver plasma membrane vesicles.

Plasma membrane vesicles were prepared from livers of fed normal and diabetic rats and used to characterize the membrane transport process responsible for glutamine uptake by the liver cell. In vesicles from normal rats the initial velocity of glutamine uptake was fourfold more rapid (0.20 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.05 +/- 0.02 nmol X mg protein-1 X 10 s-1) when Na+ replaced K+ in the extravesicular buffer. In the presence of a Na+-gradient glutamine uptake by vesicles was saturable, with a Km of 1.3 +/- 0.5 mM and a Vmax of 10 +/- 2.3 nmol X mg-1 X min-1. Lithium could fully substitute for Na+ in stimulating glutamine entry. In the presence of an imposed K+-gradient glutamine uptake was a linear function of its extravesicular concentration. In accord with the sodium-stimulated uptake of glutamine occurring via a sodium symport process, we observed that glutamine stimulated the initial rate of 22Na+ entry into vesicles by four- to fivefold. We further observed that glutamine entry was more rapid when lipophilic anions accompanied sodium in the incubation buffer, suggesting that Na+-glutamine flux is electrogenic. Preloading of vesicles with glutamine did not effect subsequent entry of labeled glutamine (no transstimulation), whereas intravesicular alanine did enhance alanine but not glutamine entry. Alloxan diabetes, which is known to stimulate the Na+-alanine cotransporter in these vesicles did not increase glutamine entry at any concentration tested.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Renal mitochondrial glutamine metabolism during K+ depletion.

We studied changes in renal mitochondrial glutamine metabolism during the development of and recovery from K+ depletion in rats. Significant increase in mitochondrial NH3 production was noted after 3 days of K+-free diet. Ammoniagenesis in K+-depleted animals reached maximal level within 2 wk of K+ deprivation when there was 64% increase in NH3 production. In contrast to the pattern of changes in mitochondrial ammoniagenesis, phosphate-dependent glutaminase (PDG) activity increased within the first 48 h of K+ deprivation, before there was any increase in NH3 production, and did not plateau even after 2 wk of K+-free diet. The disparity between NH3 production and PDG activity cannot be explained by the difference in matrix glutamate level, thus raising the possibility that mitochondrial glutamine entry may be a rate-limiting step for ammoniagenesis during K+ depletion. Recovery from K+ depletion was studied in animals prefed with K+-free diet for 2 wk prior to the initiation of K+-supplemented diet. Muscle K+ content of K+-depleted animals returned to normal after 1 wk of K+ replacement. Mitochondrial NH3 production decreased concomitantly with the attenuation in K+ deficit but did not reach the base-line value even after K+ deficit was completely corrected. Additional experiments with isolated cortical tubules also showed persistent increase in NH3 production after the correction of K+ deficit. Thus, unlike earlier studies in rats during the recovery from metabolic acidosis, which showed only increased ammoniagenesis in isolated mitochondria but not in cortical slices, animals recovered from K+ depletion demonstrated augmented NH3 production both in isolated mitochondria and intact renal tissues.

Maleate-induced stimulation of glutamine metabolism in the intact dog kidney.

Studies were performed in anesthetized normal dogs to evaluate the effects of maleate on renal metabolism. Intravenous administration of maleate (50 mg/kg) markedly increased urinary excretion of glutamine, glutamate, alpha-ketoglutarate, alanine, lactate, pyruvate, and citrate. Despite a fourfold rise in renal cortical concentration of alpha-ketoglutarate, glutamine utilization expressed per 100 ml glomerular filtration rate almost doubled following maleate administration, whereas total ammonia production increased threefold, most of this ammonia being diverted into the renal vein. The renal production of alpha-ketoglutarate rose in a spectacular fashion and was almost equal to the renal utilization of glutamine, indicating a metabolic block at the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase step. Maleate reduced renal alanine production but did not change lactate utilization. These findings suggest that 1) in the intact dog the mitochondrial entry of glutamine is not regulated only by alpha-ketoglutarate; 2) the deamination of glutamate into alpha-ketoglutarate is accelerated by maleate, probably through an impaired mitochondrial NADH production; 3) the resulting decrement in intramitochondrial glutamate concentration deinhibits the phosphate-dependent glutaminase.

Glutamine metabolism in metabolic acidosis.

In chronic metabolic acidosis in the rat, there is increased ammoniagenesis, gluconeogenesis and renal extraction of glutamine with induction of renal phosphate-dependent glutaminase (PDG). Because the stimulus for these changes is not yet clear and also because acute acidosis is the more common clinical problem, the present study deals mainly with the metabolism of glutamine in acute metabolic acidosis. When acute metabolic acidosis is produced in rats by administration of mineral acid or by causing them to swim, thus inducing a severe lactic acidosis, a factor is found in the plasma which stimulates renal glutamine uptake and ammoniagenesis in vivo as well as in vitro. Acute acidosis does not induce synthesis of PDG in the kidney but causes a change in enzyme kinetics. The plasma factor not only enhances glutamine entry into cells, but apparently causes a conformational change in PDG, as shown by an increase in V1.0mM/Vmax. Intestinal metabolism of glutamine is also stimulated in vivo and in vitro by the plasma factor of acute acidosis.

Renal metabolite concentrations and the activities of glutaminase and glutamate dehydrogenase during recovery from metabolic acidosis in the rat.

Metabolite content was determined in freeze-clamped kidneys to elucidate the rate-controlling steps which are responsible for the inhibition of renal ammoniagenesis that occurs when rats are allowed to recover from metabolic acidosis. After 1 day of recovery from acidosis there were increased renal contents of glutamate, glutamine, alpha-ketoglutarate, citrate, lactate, and malate. The calculated cytoplasmic concentration of oxaloacetate was also increased. The renal content of phosphoenolpyruvate, 3-phosphoglycerate, and ammonia decreased during recovery. No changes were observed in the renal content of the adenine nucleotides or of inorganic phosphate. The activities of phosphate-dependent glutaminase and glutamate dehydrogenase were elevated even after 7 days of recovery although the renal contents of glutamate and alpha-ketoglutarate had returned to control levels by this time. The changes in oxaloacetate and phosphoenolpyruvate are consistent with the fall in the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase observed by Parry and Brosnan. The increased levels of alpha-ketoglutarate and of glutamate are considered to be a consequence of a primary change in the activity of alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. These results are discussed in the light of the known effects of these metabolites on glutaminase activity and on glutamine entry into renal mitochondria.

Characteristics of an amino acid transport system in rat liver for glutamine, asparagine, histidine, and closely related analogs.

In the rat hepatocyte, whether freshly separated or in primary culture, we do not find L-glutamine entry by Systems A and ASC as seen in cells previously studied. Instead the mediated entry of glutamine appears to occur exclusively by a Na+-dependent system ("N") apparently specific to amino acid amides and L-histidine; however, a portion of asparagine uptake occurs by System A. The simplest evidence for the separateness of the added system is the failure of model substrates for System A (e.g. N-methylalanine) to inhibit glutamine uptake significantly, and the failure of glutamine to inhibit the uptake of L-cysteine, model substrate for System ASC, at least in this cell. As is the case for cysteine, glutamine inhibits transport by System A (although not competitively), even though showing no transport by that system. Our finding confirms an earlier inference that glutamine uptake by this cell may follow a route not taken by alanine or serine, and explains the apparently erroneous companion inference that glutamine also shares a route with these two amino acids. Its uptake has now been characterized to show a series of differences from Systems A and ASC. Especially significant in view of the importance of glutamine metabolism are an insensitivity of the new system to stimulation by either insulin or glucagon, and its distinct enhancement (not as large as that for System A) on starvation of the cells with respect to amino acids. Hence, a second system has been found to show adaptive regulation.

Ammonia metabolism.

The pathways responsible for an the mechanisms underlying the adaptive increase in ammonia production in response to acidosis are considered. It seems unlikely that the cytosolic pathways (glutamine synthetase, glutaminase II, phosphate-independent glutaminase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase) are of primary importance in the adaptive process, but the role of the purine nucleotide cycle has not been resolved. The intramitochondrially located phosphate-dependent glutaminase pathway is generally believed to be of primary importance. Adaptation involved either enhanced glutamine entry into the mitrochondria and/or activation of phosphate-dependent glutaminase, but the relative importance of each has not been resolved definitively. The overall adaptive response is probably modulated by factors regulating alpha-ketoglutarate metabolism to phosphoenolpyruvate, and possibly also by metabolism of TCA cycle intermediates. It seems unlikely that a decrease in systemic pH is the direct effector for the acidosis-induced increase in ammonia formation; however, the resulting decrease in urine pH may play a critical role. Other potential messengers, including potassium, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, cyclic AMP, and calcium probably do not serve a primary function, but the importance of other circulating factor(s) is unclear.

Glutamine and glutamic acid uptake by rat renal brushborder membrane vesicles.

Glutamine uptake by rat renal brushborder vesicles occurred via two distinct saturable processes with Km values of 0.145 and 8.5 mM which were stimulated by both ionic and sodium gradients with a pH optimum of 6.8--7.1. Glutamic acid uptake also occurred by a two-component system with Km values of 0.016 and 3.60 mM. Both components were stimulated specifically by a sodium gradient. The low Km system for glutamic acid had a pH optimum of 7.2--7.4. Glutamine entry at 0.06 mM was inhibited by a variety of amino acids at 3 mM, including dibasic amino acids, glycine, valine, and phenylalanine. Glutamic acid entry at 0.06 mM was inhibited 20--30% by 3 mM phenylalanine, valine, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, and glutamine. No metabolic alteration of glutamic acid was observed on incubation with membrane vesicles, but glutamine was significantly hydrolyzed to glutamic acid upon prolonged incubation. Hydrolysis of glutamine was negligible at 15 sec incubation which was employed for measurement of initial rate of entry. These studies provide support for the existence of an uptake system in the brushborder of the renal proximal tubule cell capable of handling the reabsorption of glutamine normally present in glomerular filtrate.

Effect of pH on ammonia production by renal mitochondria.

NH3 production by renal cortical mitochondria was studied under conditions of metabolic acidosis induced in vivo and with pH manipulations of the media bathing mitochondria from normal rats. A HCO3- medium equilibrated with O2 and CO2 was utilized with glutamine concentrations of either 10 or 0.5 mM. With chronic acidosis NH3 production increased significantly at either substrate concentration. Similar results were obtained with rotenone in the media, both with chronic acidosis and with acidosis of 3 h duration, indicating that increased glutamine entry and/or phosphate-dependent glutaminase (PDG) activity accounts for the increased ammoniagenesis. In contrast to acidosis induced in vivo, mitochondria from normal rats subjected to a diminution in medium pH, either by manipulation of HCO3 concentration or PCO2, significantly decrease NH3 production. Mitochondrial studies with rotenone, as well as studies of solubilized PDG, suggest that a low pH diminishes NH3 production by directly altering PDG activity. Furthermore, regardless of the specifics of the mechanism, these studies indicate that adaptation to metabolic acidosis is not the immediate, direct result of a change in pH.