Peptide Transporter PepT1 Research Articles

Tenapanor administration and the activity of the H+‐coupled transporter PepT1 in healthy volunteers

AimTenapanor (RDX5791/AZD1722), an inhibitor of gastrointestinal Na+/H+ exchanger NHE3, is being evaluated for the treatment of patients with constipation‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome and the treatment of hyperphosphataemia in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis. By reducing intestinal H+ secretion, inhibition of NHE3 by tenapanor could indirectly affect H+‐coupled transporter activity, leading to drug–drug interactions. We investigated the effect of tenapanor on the activity of the H+‐coupled peptide transporter PepT1 via assessment of the pharmacokinetics of cefadroxil – a compound transported by PepT1 – in healthy volunteers.MethodsIn this open‐label, two‐period crossover, phase 1 study (NCT02140281), 28 volunteers received in random order: a single dose of cefadroxil 500 mg for 1 day; and tenapanor 15 mg twice daily over 4 days followed by single doses of both cefadroxil 500 mg and tenapanor 15 mg on day 5. There was a 4‐day washout between treatment periods.ResultsCefadroxil exposure was similar when administered alone or in combination with tenapanor {geometric least‐squares mean ratios [(cefadroxil + tenapanor)/cefadroxil] (90% confidence interval): area under the concentration–time curve 93.3 (90.6–96.0)%; maximum concentration in plasma 95.9 (89.8–103)%}. Tenapanor treatment caused a softening of stool consistency and an increase in stool frequency, consistent with its expected pharmacodynamic effect. No safety concerns were identified and tenapanor was not detected in plasma.ConclusionsThese results suggest that tenapanor 15 mg twice daily does not have a clinically relevant impact on the activity of the H+‐coupled transporter PepT1 in humans. This may guide future research on drug–drug interactions involving NHE3 inhibitors.

Dietary protein complexity modulates growth, protein utilisation and the expression of protein digestion-related genes in Senegalese sole larvae

Given its complex metamorphosis and digestive system ontogeny, Senegalese sole larvae capacity to digest and utilize dietary protein is likely to change throughout development. In the present study, we hypothesized that the manipulation of dietary protein complexity may affect Senegalese sole larvae capacity to digest, absorb and retain protein during metamorphosis, as well as the mRNA expression of genes encoding for the precursors of proteolytic enzymes of the digestive tract and the enterocyte peptide transporter PepT1, which may have further impact on somatic growth. Three diets were formulated using approximately the same practical ingredients, except for the main protein source. The Intact diet protein content was mostly based on intact plant protein where the target peptide molecular weight (MW) would be >70kDa. The PartH diet protein fraction was mostly based on a protein hydrolysate with a high content of 5–70kDa peptides. The HighH diet protein fraction was mostly based on a protein hydrolysate with a high content of 5kDa peptides. A growth trial was performed with larvae reared at 19°C under a co-feeding regime from mouth opening. The transcription of pga, tryp1c, ialp, ampn and pepT1 (encoding respectively for PepsinogenA, Trypsinogen1C, Intestinal alkaline phosphatase, Aminopeptidase N and for the enterocyte peptide transporter 1) was quantified by qPCR, during the metamorphosis climax (16DAH) and after the metamorphosis was completed (28DAH). An in vivo method of controlled tube-feeding was used to assess the effect on the larvae capacity to utilize polypeptides with different MW (1.0 and 7.2kDa) representing a typical peptide MW of each of the hydrolysates included in the diets. The PartH diet stimulated growth in metamorphosing larvae (16DAH), whereas the Intact diet stimulated growth after 36DAH. The Intact diet stimulated the larvae absorption capacity for 1.0kDa peptides at 16DAH, which may have contributed for enhanced growth in later stages. The PartH diet stimulated the transcription of tryp1c and pept1 at 28DAH, which seemed to reflect on increased post-larvae capacity to retain dietary 7.2kDa polypeptides. That may indicate a possible strategy to optimize the digestion and utilisation of the PartH dietary protein, though it did not reflect into increased growth. The Intact diet promoted the transcription of pepsinogenA, which may reflect a reduced gastrointestinal transit time, which could have enhanced the dietary nutrients assimilation, ultimately improving growth. The present results suggest that, whereas pre-metamorphic sole larvae utilize better dietary protein with a moderate degree of hydrolysis, post-metamorphic sole make a greater use of intact protein.

Establishment of immortalized mouse intestinal epithelial cells line and study of effects of Arg-Arg on inflammatory response.

Primary mouse intestinal epithelial cells (MIEs) are not ideal models for long-term culture in vitro and a limited amount of approximate three generations. In addition, the mechanism that arginine-arginine dipeptide (Arg-Arg) regulates mouse intestinal inflammatory response remains unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish immortal MIEs and study the effects of Arg-Arg on inflammatory response after challenging the MIEs with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or staphylococcal enterotoxin C (rSEC). Our data showed that immortalized MIEs could be cultured over 100 generations. The immortalized MIEs showed positive reaction against cytokeratine 18 antigen, E-cadherin, and peptide transporters (Pept1) using indirect immunofluorescence. Cytokeratine 18 and Pept1 can be expressed in immortalized MIEs by immunoblotting. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) and villin known as intestinal epithelial cell functional protein were constitutively expressed in immortalized MIEs. For inflammatory response, these results showed that Arg-Arg can decrease the LPS-induced expression of IL-1β and the rSEC-induced expression of TNF-α; however, it can upregulate the LPS-induced expression of IL-6 and TNF-α and the rSEC-induced expression level of IL-1β. In addition, in the MAPK signaling pathway, pSAPK/JNK and p-Erk1/2 in LPS with Arg-Arg treatment were upregulated than that in LPS treatment. p-p38 in LPS with Arg-Arg treatment was attenuated than that in LPS treatment. pSAPK/JNK and p-p38 in rSEC with Arg-Arg treatment were enhanced than that in rSEC treatment. Conversely, p-Erk1/2 in rSEC with Arg-Arg treatment was attenuated than that in rSEC treatment. These novel findings suggest that Arg-Arg dipeptide plays an important role for regulation of the immunologic balance in mouse intestinal inflammatory response.

Effects of fasting and refeeding on the digestive tract of zebrafish (Danio rerio) fed with Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), a high protein feed source

In the present work, morphological and molecular effects of short-term feed deprivation and refeeding with Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) on zebrafish digestive tract were determined. Once elucidated the proximate composition of Spirulina feed, immunohistochemical and western blot analyses of peptide transporter (PepT1) and cholecystokinin (CCK8) were carried out in the gastrointestinal tract of zebrafish, previously morphologically investigated. Two and five fasting days caused not only morphostructural alterations, but also the downregulation of PepT1 and CCK8 proteins. Conversely, the recovery of normal morphological conditions, along with an increased PepT1 and CCK8 expression, were observed after refeeding with Spirulina. The increase of PepT1 expression in zebrafish may be responsible for the enhanced CCK8 secretion, so that both proteins may contribute to an improved digestion process during refeeding. These observations could be supported not only by compensatory mechanisms induced by fasting and refeeding but also by an higher protein quality of Spirulina-based diet.

Effect of egg storage duration and brooding temperatures on chick growth, intestine morphology and nutrient transporters

The effects of egg storage duration (ESD) and brooding temperature (BT) on BW, intestine development and nutrient transporters of broiler chicks were investigated. A total of 396 chicks obtained from eggs stored at 18°C for 3 days (ESD3-18°C) or at 14°C for 14 days (ESD14-14°C) before incubation were exposed to three BTs. Temperatures were initially set at 32°C, 34°C and 30°C for control (BT-Cont), high (BT-High) and low (BT-Low) BTs, respectively. Brooding temperatures were decreased by 2°C each at days 2, 7, 14 and 21. Body weight was measured at the day of hatch, 2, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42. Cloacal temperatures of broilers were recorded from 1 to 14 days. Intestinal morphology and gene expression levels of H+-dependent peptide transporter (PepT1) and Na-dependent glucose (SGLT1) were evaluated on the day of hatch and 14. Cloacal temperatures of chicks were affected by BTs from days 1 to 8, being the lowest for BT-Low chicks. BT-High resulted in the heaviest BWs at 7 days, especially for ESD14-14°C chicks. This result was consistent with longer villus and larger villus area of ESD14-14°C chicks at BT-High conditions. From 14 days to slaughter age, BT had no effect on broiler weight. ESD3-18°C chicks were heavier than ESD14-14°C chicks up to 28 days. The PepT1 and SGLT1 expression levels were significantly higher in ESD3-18°C chicks than ESD14-14°C on the day of hatch. There was significant egg storage by BT interaction for PepT1 and SGLT1 transporters at day 14. ESD14-14°C chicks had significantly higher expression of PepT1 and SGLT1 at BT-Low than those at BT-Cont. ESD14-14°C chicks upregulated PepT1 gene expression 1.15 and 1.57-fold at BT-High and BT-Low, respectively, compared with BT-Cont, whereas PepT1 expression was downregulated 0.67 and 0.62-fold in ESD3-18°C chicks at BT-High and BT-Low. These results indicated that pre-incubation egg storage conditions and BTs affected intestine morphology and PepT1 and SGLT1 nutrient transporters expression in broiler chicks.

Effects of frequently used pharmaceutical excipients on the organic cation transporters 1–3 and peptide transporters 1/2 stably expressed in MDCKII cells

There is ample evidence that pharmaceutical excipients, which are supposed to be pharmacologically inactive, have an impact on drug metabolism and efflux transport. So far, little is known whether they also modulate uptake transporter proteins. We have recently shown that commonly used solubilizing agents exert significant effects on the function of organic anion uptake transporting polypeptides. Therefore, we investigated in this study the influence of frequently used pharmaceutical excipients on the transport activity of organic cation transporters OCT1, OCT2 and OCT3 and the peptide transporters PEPT1 and PEPT2.Inhibition of the OCTs and PEPTs by the excipients polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG), hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD), Solutol® HS15 (SOL), Cremophor® EL (CrEL), Tween® 20 (Tw20), Tween® 80 (Tw80), Kolliphor® P188 (P188) and Kolliphor® P407 (P407) was evaluated using stably transfected MDCKII cells with radio-labeled reference substrates and established inhibitors as controls. Intracellular accumulation of [3H]-1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) for the OCTs and [3H]-glycyl-sarcosine (Gly-Sar) for the PEPTs was measured by liquid scintillation counting after cell lysis.Our studies revealed that PEG, HPCD, SOL, CrEL, Tw20 and Tw80 were potent inhibitors of OCT1-3 (e.g., Tw20 IC50 values<0.04%). Cellular uptake of Gly-Sar by PEPT1 and PEPT2 was strongly inhibited by both Tw20 and Tw80. SOL was also a strong inhibitor of PEPT1 and PEPT2 (e.g., SOL IC50 values<0.02%), while CrEL showed significantly inhibition of only PEPT2. The substantial inhibitory effects of certain solubilizing agents on OCTs and PEPTs should be considered if they are to be used in dosage forms for new chemical entities and registered drugs to avoid misinterpretation of pharmacokinetic data and undesired drug interactions.

Protein Restriction with Amino Acid-Balanced Diets Shrinks Circulating Pool Size of Amino Acid by Decreasing Expression of Specific Transporters in the Small Intestine.

Dietary protein restriction is not only beneficial to health and longevity in humans, but also protects against air pollution and minimizes feeding cost in livestock production. However, its impact on amino acid (AA) absorption and metabolism is not quite understood. Therefore, the study aimed to explore the effect of protein restriction on nitrogen balance, circulating AA pool size, and AA absorption using a pig model. In Exp.1, 72 gilts weighting 29.9 ± 1.5 kg were allocated to 1 of the 3 diets containing 14, 16, or 18% CP for a 28-d trial. Growth (n = 24), nitrogen balance (n = 6), and the expression of small intestinal AA and peptide transporters (n = 6) were evaluated. In Exp.2, 12 barrows weighting 22.7 ± 1.3 kg were surgically fitted with catheters in the portal and jejunal veins as well as the carotid artery and assigned to a diet containing 14 or 18% CP. A series of blood samples were collected before and after feeding for determining the pool size of circulating AA and AA absorption in the portal vein, respectively. Protein restriction did not sacrifice body weight gain and protein retention, since nitrogen digestibility was increased as dietary protein content reduced. However, the pool size of circulating AA except for lysine and threonine, and most AA flux through the portal vein were reduced in pigs fed the low protein diet. Meanwhile, the expression of peptide transporter 1 (PepT-1) was stimulated, but the expression of the neutral and cationic AA transporter systems was depressed. These results evidenced that protein restriction with essential AA-balanced diets, decreased AA absorption and reduced circulating AA pool size. Increased expression of small intestinal peptide transporter PepT-1 could not compensate for the depressed expression of jejunal AA transporters for AA absorption.

5-Aminolevulinic Acid Fluorescence in Detection of Peritoneal Metastases.

The value of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in fluorescence detection of peritoneal metastases and the underlying mechanisms were evaluated in patients with peritoneal surface malignancies. Oral 5-ALA was administered at a concentration of 20 mg ⁄kg body weight with 50 ml of water 2 hours prior to surgery (n=115). The diagnostic value of 5-ALA based fluorescence production was evaluated following white light inspection during prior to cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Then, peptide transporter PEPT1 (ALA influx transporter) and ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCG2 (porphyrin efflux transporter) gene expression was determined with quantitative real time (qRT)-PCR and pathological diagnoses confirmed for all tissue samples. The 5-ALA based photodynamic detection rate was 17% for appendiceal mucinous neoplasms, 54% for colorectal cancers, 33% for gastric cancers, 67% for diffuse malign peritoneal mesotheliomas, and 89% for epithelial ovarian cancer of peritoneal metastases. 5-ALA was detected in all cases of peritoneal metastases originating from cholangiocarcinomas whereas it was not able to detect any in granulosa cell and gastrointestinal stromal tumor cases. Furthermore, PEPT1 was overexpressed whereas ABCG2 expression was downregulated in tumors detected with fluorescence. 5-ALA provided 100% specificity and high sensitivity to detect peritoneal metastases in subgroups of patients with peritoneal surface mailgnancies. ALA influx transporter PEPT1 and porphyrin efflux transporter ABCG2 genes are important in tumor specific 5-ALA induced fluorescence in vivo. Further studies should clarify diagnostic utility of 5-ALA in peritoneal surface malignancies.

Molecular identification and functional characteristics of peptide transporters in the bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo).

Elasmobranchs are considered to be top marine predators, and in general play important roles in the transfer of energy within marine ecosystems. Despite this, little is known regarding the physiological processes of digestion and nutrient absorption in these fishes. One topic that is particularly understudied is the process of nutrient uptake across the elasmobranch gastrointestinal tract. Given their carnivorous diet, the present study sought to expand knowledge on dietary nutrient uptake in elasmobranchs by focusing on the uptake of products of protein digestion. To accomplish this, a full-length cDNA encoding peptide transporter 1 (PepT1), a protein previously identified within the brush border membrane of vertebrates that is responsible for the translocation of peptides released during digestion by luminal and membrane-bound proteases, was isolated from the bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo). A cDNA encoding the related peptide transporter PepT2 was also isolated from S. tiburo using the same methodology. The presence of PepT1 was then localized in multiple components of the bonnethead digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, duodenum, intestine, rectum, and pancreas) using immunohistochemistry. Vesicle studies were used to identify the apparent affinity of PepT1 and to quantify the rate of dipeptide uptake by its H(+)-dependent cotransporter properties. The results of this study provide insight into the properties of peptide uptake within the bonnethead gut, and can facilitate future work on physiological regulation of protein metabolism and absorption including how these processes may vary in elasmobranchs that exhibit different feeding strategies.

Neuroprotective Effect of Carnosine on Primary Culture of Rat Cerebellar Cells under Oxidative Stress.

Dipeptide carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) is a natural antioxidant, but its protective effect under oxidative stress induced by neurotoxins is studied insufficiently. In this work, we show the neuroprotective effect of carnosine in primary cultures of rat cerebellar cells under oxidative stress induced by 1mM 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride (AAPH), which directly generates free radicals both in the medium and in the cells, and 20nM rotenone, which increases the amount of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). In both models, adding 2mM carnosine to the incubation medium decreased cell death calculated using fluorescence microscopy and enhanced cell viability estimated by the MTT assay. The antioxidant effect of carnosine inside cultured cells was demonstrated using the fluorescence probe dichlorofluorescein. Carnosine reduced by half the increase in the number of ROS in neurons induced by 20nM rotenone. Using iron-induced chemiluminescence, we showed that preincubation of primary neuronal cultures with 2mM carnosine prevents the decrease in endogenous antioxidant potential of cells induced by 1mM AAPH and 20nM rotenone. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we showed that a 10-min incubation of neuronal cultures with 2mM carnosine leads to a 14.5-fold increase in carnosine content in cell lysates. Thus, carnosine is able to penetrate neurons and exerts an antioxidant effect. Western blot analysis revealed the presence of the peptide transporter PEPT2 in rat cerebellar cells, which suggests the possibility of carnosine transport into the cells. At the same time, Western blot analysis showed no carnosine-induced changes in the level of apoptosis regulating proteins of the Bcl-2 family and in the phosphorylation of MAP kinases, which suggests that carnosine could have minimal or no side effects on proliferation and apoptosis control systems in normal cells.

Functional analysis of N‐glycosylation in the intestinal peptide transporter PEPT1

The intestinal peptide transporter PEPT1 (SLC15A1) mediates electrogenic proton‐coupled influx of dietary di‐ and tripeptides as well as of peptidomimetics into epithelial cells. Western blot analyses performed with protein isolates of mouse intestine revealed the existence of diverse PEPT1 glycoforms (Wuensch, T., et al. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 305: G66‐73, 2013). In small intestine PEPT1 exhibits a mass of ~95 kDa, while in colon the transporter appears with a mass ~105 kDa. Enzymatic deglycosylation with PNGaseF uniformly reduced the PEPT1 mass in both gut segments to ~65 kDa. These mass differences addressed the question of whether glycosylation has an effect on function. We thus assessed whether different glycosylation states alter PEPT1 transport activity. By targeted mutagenesis, putative N‐glycosylation sites in murine PEPT1 were disrupted and mutant transporters heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Replacement of six asparagine residues (N) at positions N50, N406, N439, N510, N515 and N532 by glutamine (Q) resulted in a decrease of the PEPT1 mass by around 35 kDa. Electrophysiology revealed all glycosylation‐deficient transporters to be functional with comparable expression levels in oocyte membranes. Remarkably, in the mutant transporter N50Q affinity for glycyl‐sarcosine (Gly‐Sar) decreased from 0.66 ±0.12 mM to 1.33 ± 0.23 mM while maximal inward currents increased 2.5‐fold from 0.85 ± 0.21 nA to 2.11 ± 0.21 nA. Tracer flux studies with [14C]‐Gly‐Sar confirmed the reduction in substrate affinity of the N50Q mutant while maximal influx rate increased from 2.32 ± 0.30 to 4.47 ± 0.32 pmol/min/oocyte. In the human protein (hPEPT1) the N50Q mutant as well presented a lower Gly‐Sar affinity (0.8 ± 0.1 mM in WT versus 1.2 ± 0.2 mM in mutant) and a maximal inward current increased from 1.6 ± 0.2 to 4.1 ± 1.4 nA. Since neither the surface density of the mutant transporter N50Q was changed, nor its conductance, we assume that N‐glcyosylation at N50 constraints the movement of the N‐terminal domain during the transport cycle. Attachment of N‐linked oligosaccharides at sequon N50, with an identified overall mass of 3–5 kDa, seems to attenuate PEPT1 mobility while the absence of the glycans could accelerate theSupport or Funding InformationThis work was funded by GRK 1482 by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

β-Klotho as a Negative Regulator of the Peptide Transporters PEPT1 and PEPT2

Background/Aims: β-Klotho, a transmembrane protein expressed in several tissues including the brain and the kidney, is critically important for inhibition of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ formation by FGF23. The extracellular domain of Klotho protein could be cleaved off, thus being released into blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Soluble klotho is a β-glucuronidase participating in the regulation of several ion channels and carriers. The present study explored the effect of β-Klotho protein on the peptide transporters PEPT1 and PEPT2. Methods: cRNA encoding PEPT1 or PEPT2 was injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes and glycine-glycine (2 mM)-induced inward current (I_Gly) taken as measure of glycine-glycine transport. Measurements were made without or with prior 24 h treatment with soluble β-Klotho protein (30 ng/ml) in the absence and presence of β-glucuronidase inhibitor D-saccharic acid 1,4-lactone monohydrate (DSAL,10 µM). Ussing chamber experiments were employed to determine electrogenic peptide transport across intestinal epithelia of klotho deficient (kl^-/-) and corresponding wild type (kl^+/+) mice. Results: I_Gly was observed in PEPT1 and in PEPT2 expressing oocytes but not in water injected oocytes. In both, PEPT1 and PEPT2 expressing oocytes I_Gly was significantly decreased by treatment with soluble β-Klotho protein. As shown for PEPT1, β-klotho protein decreased significantly the maximal transport rate without significantly modifying the affinity of the carrier. The effect of β-Klotho on PEPT1 was reversed by DSAL. Intestinal I_Gly was significantly larger in kl^-/- than in kl^+/+ mice. Conclusion: β-Klotho participates in the regulation of the peptide transporters PEPT1 and PEPT2.

Effect of N-glycosylation on the transport activity of the peptide transporter PEPT1.

The intestinal peptide transporter PEPT1 provides bulk quantities of amino acids to epithelial cells. PEPT1 is a high-capacity and low-affinity solute carrier of the SLC15 family found in apical membranes of enterocytes in small intestine and distal colon. Surprisingly, murine PEPT1 (mPEPT1) has an apparent molecular mass of ∼95 kDa in the small intestine but ∼105 kDa in the large intestine. Here we describe studies on mPEPT1 protein glycosylation and how glycans affect transport function. Putative N-glycosylation sites of mPEPT1 were altered by site-directed mutagenesis followed by expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Replacement of six asparagine residues (N) at positions N50, N406, N439, N510, N515, and N532 by glutamine (Q) resulted in a decrease of the mPEPT1 mass by around 35 kDa. Electrophysiology revealed all glycosylation-deficient transporters to be functional with comparable expression levels in oocyte membranes. Strikingly, the mutant protein with N50Q exhibited a twofold decreased affinity for Gly-Sar but a 2.5-fold rise in the maximal inward currents compared with the wild-type protein. Elevated maximal transport currents were also recorded for cefadroxil and tri-l-alanine. Tracer flux studies performed with [(14)C]-Gly-Sar confirmed the reduction in substrate affinity and showed twofold increased maximal transport rates for the N50Q transporter. Elimination of individual N-glycosylation sites did not alter membrane expression in oocytes or overall transport characteristics except for the mutant protein N50Q. Because transporter surface density was not altered in N50Q, removal of the glycan at this location appears to accelerate the substrate turnover rate.

Functional Expression of PEPT2 in the Human Distal Lung Epithelial Cell Line NCl-H441.

The peptide transporter PEPT2 is expressed in alveolar type II epithelial cells. So far, however, no appropriate alveolar epithelial cell line for studying PEPT2 function has been known. In this study, we examined the functional expression of PEPT2 in the human distal lung epithelial cell line NCl-H441 (H441). Expression of PEPT2 mRNA and protein was examined in H441 cells. Transport function of PEPT2 was studied using glycylsarcosine (Gly-Sar) as a substrate. Lamellar bodies were well developed in H441 cells and mRNA expression of type II cell markers and PEPT2 increased during time in culture. PEPT2 protein expression was confirmed in H441 cells, but not in A549 cells, by immunostaining and Western blotting. The uptake of Gly-Sar in H441 cells was inhibited by cefadroxil, and the cefadroxil-sensitive uptake was pH-dependent and peaked at pH 6.5. Gly-Sar uptake in H441 cells showed saturation kinetics with a Km value of 112.5 μM. In addition, apical-to-basal, but not basal-to-apical, transport of cephalexin across H441 cell monolayers was sensitive to cefadroxil. PEPT2 is functionally expressed in H441 cells, making the cell line a good in vitro model to study PEPT2 function and its regulation in human distal lung.

Changes in expression of an antimicrobial peptide, digestive enzymes, and nutrient transporters in the intestine of E. praecox-infected chickens

Coccidiosis is a major intestinal disease of poultry, caused by several species of the protozoan Eimeria. The objective of this study was to examine changes in expression of digestive enzymes, nutrient transporters, and an antimicrobial peptide following an Eimeria praecox challenge of chickens at days 3 and 6 post-infection. Gene expression was determined by real-time PCR and analyzed by one-way ANOVA. In the duodenum, the primary site of E. praecox infection, a number of genes were downregulated at both d3 and d6 post-infection. These genes included liver expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2), the cationic (CAT1), anionic (EAAT3), and L-type (LAT1) amino acid transporters, the peptide transporter PepT1 and the zinc transporter ZnT1. Other transporters were downregulated either at d3 or d6. At both d3 and d6, there was downregulation of Bo AT and CAT1 in the jejunum and downregulation of LEAP2 and LAT1 in the ileum. LEAP2, EAAT3, and ZnT1 have been found to be downregulated following challenge with other Eimeria species, suggesting a common cellular response to Eimeria.

Polyamine-independent Expression of Caenorhabditis elegans Antizyme

Degradation of ornithine decarboxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme of polyamine biosynthesis, is promoted by the protein antizyme. Expression of antizyme is positively regulated by rising polyamine concentrations that induce a +1 translational frameshift required for production of the full-length protein. Antizyme itself is negatively regulated by the antizyme inhibitor. In our study, the regulation of Caenorhabditis elegans antizyme was investigated, and the antizyme inhibitor was identified. By applying a novel GFP-based method to monitor antizyme frameshifting in vivo, we show that the induction of translational frameshifting also occurs under stressful conditions. Interestingly, during starvation, the initiation of frameshifting was independent of polyamine concentrations. Because frameshifting was also prevalent in a polyamine auxotroph double mutant, a polyamine-independent regulation of antizyme frameshifting is suggested. Polyamine-independent induction of antizyme expression was found to be negatively regulated by the peptide transporter PEPT-1, as well as the target of rapamycin, but not by the daf-2 insulin signaling pathway. Stress-dependent expression of C. elegans antizyme occurred morely slowly than expression in response to increased polyamine levels, pointing to a more general reaction to unfavorable conditions and a diversion away from proliferation and reproduction toward conservation of energy. Interestingly, antizyme expression was found to drastically increase in aging individuals in a postreproductive manner. Although knockdown of antizyme did not affect the lifespan of C. elegans, knockdown of the antizyme inhibitor led to a significant reduction in lifespan. This is most likely caused by an increase in antizyme-mediated degradation of ornithine decarboxylase-1 and a resulting reduction in cellular polyamine levels.

USP18 Sensitivity of Peptide Transporters PEPT1 and PEPT2.

USP18 (Ubiquitin-like specific protease 18) is an enzyme cleaving ubiquitin from target proteins. USP18 plays a pivotal role in antiviral and antibacterial immune responses. On the other hand, ubiquitination participates in the regulation of several ion channels and transporters. USP18 sensitivity of transporters has, however, never been reported. The present study thus explored, whether USP18 modifies the activity of the peptide transporters PEPT1 and PEPT2, and whether the peptide transporters are sensitive to the ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-2. To this end, cRNA encoding PEPT1 or PEPT2 was injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes without or with additional injection of cRNA encoding USP18. Electrogenic peptide (glycine-glycine) transport was determined by dual electrode voltage clamp. As a result, in Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with cRNA encoding PEPT1 or PEPT2, but not in oocytes injected with water or with USP18 alone, application of the dipeptide gly-gly (2 mM) was followed by the appearance of an inward current (Igly-gly). Coexpression of USP18 significantly increased Igly-gly in both PEPT1 and PEPT2 expressing oocytes. Kinetic analysis revealed that coexpression of USP18 increased maximal Igly-gly. Conversely, overexpression of the ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-2 decreased Igly-gly. Coexpression of USP30 similarly increased Igly-gly in PEPT1 expressing oocytes. In conclusion, USP18 sensitive cellular functions include activity of the peptide transporters PEPT1 and PEPT2.

Duodenum has the greatest potential to absorb soluble non-ammonia nitrogen in the nonmesenteric gastrointestinal tissues of dairy cows.

In cattle, dietary protein is gradually degraded into peptide-bound amino acids (PBAAs), free amino acids (FAAs), and ultimately into ammonia by the rumen microbes. Both PBAA and FAA are milk protein precursors, and the rumen and small intestines are the main sites where such precursors are produced and absorbed. This work was designed to investigate the expression of the peptide transporter PepT1 and the AA transporters ASCT2, y(+)LAT1, and ATB(0,+), and the concentrations of PBAA, FAA, and soluble protein in the rumen, omasum, and duodenum of dairy cows. Tissues and digesta were collected from six healthy Chinese Holstein dairy cows immediately after the animals were slaughtered. The expression of transporters was analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The FAA concentration was assessed using an amino acid (AA) analyzer, PBAA concentration by quantification of AA before and after acid-hydrolysis by 6 mol/L HCl, and soluble protein concentration by quantification of the bicinchoninic acid content. The results showed that the relative abundance of mRNA of the transporters and the soluble non-ammonia nitrogen (SNAN) concentration of each fraction were greater in the duodenum than in the rumen or omasum. These results indicate that the duodenum is the predominant location within the nonmesenteric digestive tract for producing milk protein precursors. In addition, PBAA was the largest component of SNAN in the digesta from the rumen, omasum, and duodenum. In conclusion, the duodenum has the greatest concentrations of SNAN and PBAA, and the greatest potential for absorption of SNAN in the form of PBAA in the nonmesenteric gastrointestinal tissues of dairy cows.

Substrates of the human oligopeptide transporter hPEPT2.

Oligopeptide transporters serve important functions in nutrition and pharmacology. In particular, these transporters help maintain the homeostasis of peptides. The peptide-transporter PEPT2 is a high-affinity and low-capacity type oligopeptide transporter from the proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter family. PEPT2 has recently received attention because of its potential application in targeted drug delivery. PEPT2 is widely distributed in kidney, central nervous system, and lung of organisms. In general, all dipeptides, tripeptides, and peptide-like drugs such as β-lactam antibiotics and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors could be mediated and transported as a substrate of PEPT2. The design of many extant drugs and prodrugs is based on the substrate structure of PEPT2 to accelerate absorption via peptide transporters. Thus, this paper summarizes the substrate features of PEPT2 to promote the rational design of drugs and prodrugs that target peptide transporters.

Selection of Patients by Membrane Transporter Expressions for Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA)-Guided Photodynamic Detection of Peritoneal Metastases

Background. Photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) was used to detect peritoneal metastasis (PM). This study was done to verify the roles of the expressions of the peptide transporter PEPT1 and ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCG2 genes on the selection of patients in ALA PDD. Methods. The study group comprised 138 patients with PM. After oral administration of 5-ALA, PM was evaluated by PDD. Tissue protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) levels, and PEPT1/ABCG2 mRNA expressions were determined. Results. The tumor detection rate on PDD was 45.6% (63/138). PDD is a safe technique for the detection of PM from ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, and colorectal cancer. PpIX levels of ALA-PDD-positive PM were significantly higher than those of ALA-PDD-negative PM. The PpIX levels in PM that simultaneously expressed PEPT1 and ABCG2 mRNA were significantly higher than those in PM that expressed either PEPT1 or ABCG2 mRNA, as well as PM that expressed neither PEPT1 nor ABCG2 mRNA. PM with PEPT1 mRNA up-regulation showed simultaneous up-regulation of ABCG2 mRNA. PpIX accumulates in PM with PEPT1 up-regulation. At the same time, PpIX may be excreted into stromal tissue through ABCG2 transporter, resulting in the accumulation of excess PpIX in the stromal tissue near cancer cells. Conclusions. Preoperative evaluations of the expressions of the PEPT1 and ABCG2 genes by RT-PCR methods might facilitate the selection of patients most likely to benefit from ALA-PDD.