Proton-coupled Amino Acid Transporter Research Articles

Phosphorylation of the exchange factor DENND3 by ULK in response to starvation activates Rab12 and induces autophagy.

Unc-51-like kinases (ULKs) are the most upstream kinases in the initiation of autophagy, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying their function are poorly understood. We report a new role for ULK in the induction of autophagy. ULK-mediated phosphorylation of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor DENND3 at serines 554 and 572 upregulates its GEF activity toward the small GTPase Rab12. Through binding to LC3 and associating with LC3-positive autophagosomes, active Rab12 facilitates autophagosome trafficking, thus establishing a crucial role for the ULK/DENND3/Rab12 axis in starvation-induced autophagy.

Is oral absorption of vigabatrin carrier-mediated?

The aim of the study was to investigate the intestinal transport mechanisms responsible for vigabatrin absorption in rats by developing a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model of vigabatrin oral absorption. The PK model was used to investigate whether vigabatrin absorption was carrier-mediated and if the proton-coupled amino acid transporter 1 (PAT1) was involved in the absorption processes. Vigabatrin (0.3–300mg/kg) was administered orally or intravenously to Sprague Dawley rats in the absence or presence of PAT1-ligands l-proline, l-tryptophan or sarcosine. The PK profiles of vigabatrin were described by mechanistic non-linear mixed effects modelling, evaluating PAT1-ligands as covariates on the PK parameters with a full covariate modelling approach. The oral absorption of vigabatrin was adequately described by a Michaelis–Menten type saturable absorption. Using a Michaelis constant of 32.8mM, the model estimated a maximal oral absorption rate (Vmax) of 64.6mmol/min and dose-dependent bioavailability with a maximum of 60.9%. Bioavailability was 58.5–60.8% at 0.3–30mg/kg doses, but decreased to 46.8% at 300mg/kg. Changes in oral vigabatrin PK after co-administration with PAT1-ligands was explained by significant increases in the apparent Michaelis constant. Based on the mechanistic model, a high capacity low affinity carrier is proposed to be involved in intestinal vigabatrin absorption. PAT1-ligands increased the Michaelis constant of vigabatrin after oral co-administration indicating that this carrier could be PAT1.

The Histidine Transporter SLC15A4 Coordinates mTOR-Dependent Inflammatory Responses and Pathogenic Antibody Production

SLC15A4 is a lysosome-resident, proton-coupled amino-acid transporter that moves histidine and oligopeptides from inside the lysosome to the cytosol of eukaryotic cells. SLC15A4 is required for Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7)- and TLR9-mediated type I interferon (IFN-I) productions in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and is involved in the pathogenesis of certain diseases including lupus-like autoimmunity. How SLC15A4 contributes to diseases is largely unknown. Here we have shown that B cell SLC15A4 was crucial for TLR7-triggered IFN-I and autoantibody productions in a mouse lupus model. SLC15A4 loss disturbed the endolysosomal pH regulation and probably the v-ATPase integrity, and these changes were associated with disruption of the mTOR pathway, leading to failure of the IFN regulatory factor 7 (IRF7)-IFN-I regulatory circuit. Importantly, SLC15A4's transporter activity was necessary for the TLR-triggered cytokine production. Our findings revealed that SLC15A4-mediated optimization of the endolysosomal state is integral to a TLR7-triggered, mTOR-dependent IRF7-IFN-I circuit that leads to autoantibody production.

Pharmacokinetic aspects of the anti-epileptic drug substance vigabatrin: focus on transporter interactions.

Drug transporters in various tissues, such as intestine, kidney, liver and brain, are recognized as important mediators of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drug substances. This review gives a current status on the transporter(s) mediating the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion properties of the anti-epileptic drug substance vigabatrin. For orally administered drugs, like vigabatrin, the absorption from the intestine is a prerequisite for the bioavailability. Therefore, transporter(s) involved in the intestinal absorption of vigabatrin in vitro and in vivo are discussed in detail. Special focus is on the contribution of the proton-coupled amino acid transporter 1 (PAT1) for intestinal vigabatrin absorption. Furthermore, the review gives an overview of the pharmacokinetic parameters of vigabatrin across different species and drug-food and drug-drug interactions involving vigabatrin.

The anti-epileptic drug substance vigabatrin inhibits taurine transport in intestinal and renal cell culture models

The GABA-mimetic anti-epileptic drug substance vigabatrin is used against infantile spasms. In vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that vigabatrin is transported via the proton coupled amino acid transporter (PAT1) mediating at least parts of the intestinal absorption of the drug. However, such evidence does not preclude the involvement of other transporters. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to investigate if vigabatrin interacts with taurine transport. The uptake of taurine was measured in intestinal human Caco-2 and canine MDCK cell monolayers in the absence or presence of amino acids such as GABA and vigabatrin. Vigabatrin inhibits the uptake of taurine in Caco-2 and MDCK cells to 34±3 and 53±2%, respectively, at a concentration of 30mM. In Caco-2 cells the uptake of vigabatrin under neutral pH conditions is concentration-dependent and saturable with a Km-value of 27mM (logKm is 1.43±0.09). In conclusion, the present study shows that vigabatrin was able to inhibit the uptake of taurine in intestinal and renal cell culture models. Furthermore, uptake of vigabatrin in Caco-2 cells under neutral pH conditions was concentration-dependent and saturable and suggesting that vigabatrin partly was transported via a taurine transporter, which is likely to be TauT.

Intestinal absorption of the antiepileptic drug substance vigabatrin is altered by infant formula in vitro and in vivo.

Vigabatrin is an antiepileptic drug substance mainly used in pediatric treatment of infantile spasms. The main source of nutrition for infants is breast milk and/or infant formula. Our hypothesis was that infant formula may affect the intestinal absorption of vigabatrin. The aim was therefore to investigate the potential effect of coadministration of infant formula with vigabatrin on the oral absorption in vitro and in vivo. The effect of vigabatrin given with an infant formula on the oral uptake and transepithelial transport was investigated in vitro in Caco-2 cells. In vivo effects of infant formula and selected amino acids on the pharmacokinetic profile of vigabatrin was investigated after oral coadministration to male Sprague–Dawley rats using acetaminophen as a marker for gastric emptying. The presence of infant formula significantly reduced the uptake rate and permeability of vigabatrin in Caco-2 cells. Oral coadministration of vigabatrin and infant formula significantly reduced Cmax and prolonged tmax of vigabatrin absorption. Ligands for the proton-coupled amino acid transporter PAT1, sarcosine, and proline/l-tryptophan had similar effects on the pharmacokinetic profile of vigabatrin. The infant formula decreased the rate of gastric emptying. Here we provide experimental evidence for an in vivo role of PAT1 in the intestinal absorption of vigabatrin. The effect of infant formula on the oral absorption of vigabatrin was found to be due to delayed gastric emptying, however, it seems reasonable that infant formula may also directly affect the intestinal absorption rate of vigabatrin possibly via PAT1.

Intestinal absorption of the antiepileptic drug substance vigabatrin in Göttingen mini-pigs is unaffected by co-administration of amino acids

The anti-epileptic drug substance vigabatrin is used against infantile spasms. In vitro evidence suggests that vigabatrin is transported via the proton coupled amino acid transporter (PAT1). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the intestinal absorption of vigabatrin in vivo was mediated via PAT1 in non-rodents. This was investigated by oral co-administration of vigabatrin and PAT1-ligands to Göttingen mini-pigs. Vigabatrin had an oral absorption fraction (Fabs) of 75-80%, and the maximal plasma concentration (Cmax) was reached within 0.5-1.0 h (tmax). Co-administration of vigabatrin and amino acids generally did not significantly affect Fa, Tmax or Cmax. However, co-administration with sarcosine prolonged the time to reach Cmax. After co-administration with amino acids, vigabatrin absorption showed a slightly lowered onset. This may indicate an effect of amino acids on either the rate of gastric emptying or an effect directly on the absorption of vigabatrin, possibly via inhibition of PAT1 or another drug transporter. In conclusion, co-administration of PAT1-ligands together with vigabatrin did not significantly alter the pharmacokinetic profile of vigabatrin.

PAT1 (SLC36A1) shows nuclear localization and affects growth of smooth muscle cells from rats

The proton-coupled amino acid transporter 1 (PAT1) is a transporter of amino acids in small intestinal enterocytes. PAT1 is, however, also capable of regulating cell growth and sensing the availability of amino acids in other cell types. The aim of the present study was to investigate the localization and function of PAT1 in smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The PAT1 protein was found in smooth muscles from rat intestine and in the embryonic rat aorta cell line A7r5. Immunolocalization and cellular fractionation studies revealed that the majority of the PAT1 protein located within the cell nucleus of A7r5 cells. These results were confirmed in primary SMCs derived from rat aorta and colon. A 3'-untranslated region of the PAT1 transcript directed the nuclear localization. Neither cellular starvation nor cell division altered the nuclear localization. In agreement, uptake studies of l-proline, a PAT1 substrate, in A7r5 cells suggested an alternative role for PAT1 in SMCs than in transport. To shed light on the function of PAT1 in A7r5 cells, experiments with downregulation of the PAT1 level by use of a siRNA approach were conducted. The growth rates of the cells were evaluated, and knockdown of PAT1 led to induced cellular growth, suggesting a role for PAT1 in regulating cellular proliferation of SMCs.

Sertraline inhibits the transport of PAT1 substrates in vivo and in vitro

Intestinal nutrient transporters may mediate the uptake of drugs. The aim of this study was to investigate whether sertraline interacts with the intestinal proton-coupled amino acid transporter 1 PAT1 (SLC36A1). In vitro investigations of interactions between sertraline and human (h)PAT1, hSGLT1 (sodium-glucose linked transporter 1) and hPepT1 (proton-coupled di-/tri-peptide transporter 1) were conducted in Caco-2 cells using radiolabelled substrates. In vivo pharmacokinetic investigations were conducted in male Sprague-Dawley rats using gaboxadol (10 mg·kg(-1), p.o.) as a PAT1 substrate and sertraline (0-30.6 mg·kg(-1)). Gaboxadol was quantified by hydrophilic interaction chromatography followed by MS/MS detection. Sertraline inhibited hPAT1-mediated L-[(3)H]-Pro uptake in Caco-2 cells. This interaction between sertraline and PAT1 appeared to be non-competitive. The uptake of the hSGLT1 substrate [(14)C]-α-methyl-D-glycopyranoside and the hPepT1 substrate [(14)C]-Gly-Sar in Caco-2 cells was also decreased in the presence of 0.3 mM sertraline. In rats, the administration of sertraline (0.1-10 mM, corresponding to 0.3-30.6 mg·kg(-1), p.o.) significantly reduced the maximal gaboxadol plasma concentration and AUC after its administration p.o. Sertraline is an apparent non-competitive inhibitor of hPAT1-mediated transport in vitro. This inhibitory effect of sertraline is not specific to hPAT1 as substrate transport via hPepT1 and hSGLT1 was also reduced in the presence of sertraline. In vivo, sertraline reduced the amount of gaboxadol absorbed, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of sertraline on PAT1 occurs both in vitro and in vivo. Hence, sertraline could alter the bioavailability of drugs absorbed via PAT1.

The absorptive flux of the anti-epileptic drug substance vigabatrin is carrier-mediated across Caco-2 cell monolayers

Vigabatrin is an anti-epileptic drug substance. The oral bioavailability of vigabatrin is high (60–70%), however, little is known about the mechanism(s) mediating the intestinal absorption. The aim of the present study was to identify which solute carrier(s) are involved in the absorption of vigabatrin in Caco-2 cells, a cell culture model of the small intestinal epithelium. The uptake and transepithelial flux of vigabatrin was measured using an LC-MS method for quantification. Transepithelial transport of vigabatrin was shown to be proton-dependent and polarized in the apical-to-basolateral (A-B) direction. The A-B flux of vigabatrin had a saturable component and a passive component, indicating the presence of a carrier system in parallel with a passive permeability. The Michaelis constant, Km, of the transepithelial A-B flux of vigabatrin was estimated to be 32.8±7.4mM (n=3–5), whereas the Km of the apical uptake was found to be 12.7±3.7mM (n=3). The carrier-mediated transepithelial A-B flux of vigabatrin accounted for 80–95% (50.0–1.0mM) of the total A-B flux. The transepithelial A-B flux (as well as apical uptake) of vigabatrin was significantly decreased upon addition of substrates or inhibitors of the human proton-coupled amino acid transporter (hPAT1) to the apical solution. The present study indicates that the transepithelial A-B flux of vigabatrin is mainly mediated by hPAT1 in Caco-2 cells at dose-relevant concentrations.

Transport of the areca nut alkaloid arecaidine by the human proton-coupled amino acid transporter 1 (hPAT1)

The pyridine alkaloid arecaidine is an ingredient of areca nut preparations. It is responsible for many physiological effects observed during areca nut chewing. However, the mechanism underlying its oral bioavailability has not yet been studied. We investigated whether the H⁺-coupled amino acid transporter 1 (PAT1, SLC36A1), which is expressed in the intestinal epithelium, accepts arecaidine, arecoline, isoguvacine and other derivatives as substrates. Inhibition of L-[³H]proline uptake by arecaidine and derivatives was determined in Caco-2 cells expressing hPAT1 constitutively and in HeLa cells transiently transfected with hPAT1-cDNA. Transmembrane transport of arecaidine and derivatives was measured electrophysiologically in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Arecaidine, guvacine and isoguvacine but not arecoline strongly inhibited the uptake of L-[³H]proline into Caco-2 cells. Kinetic analyses revealed the competitive manner of L-proline uptake inhibition by arecaidine. In HeLa cells transfected with hPAT1-cDNA an affinity constant of 3.8 mm was obtained for arecaidine. Electrophysiological measurements at hPAT1-expressing X. laevis oocytes demonstrated that arecaidine, guvacine and isoguvacine are transported by hPAT1 in an electrogenic manner. We conclude that hPAT1 transports arecaidine, guvacine and isoguvacine across the apical membrane of enterocytes and that hPAT1 might be responsible for the intestinal absorption of these drug candidates.

Rheogenic amino acid transport by Drosophila CG4991 of the Amino Acid Auxin Permease (AAAP) transporter family

To increase our understanding of how differences in structure determine membrane transporter function, a member of the Amino Acid Auxin Permease (AAAP) family from Drosophila was investigated. CG4991 is an orthologue of the mammalian SLC36 proton‐coupled amino acid transporter family showing 32% identity in amino acid sequence with human PAT1 (SLC36A1). Transport characteristics were compared with those for mammalian PAT1 and PAT2 (SLC36A2). CG4991 was characterised functionally, following expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes, by radiotracer uptake, competition experiments, and measurements of rheogenic transport using the two‐electrode voltage‐clamp technique. As observed with mammalian PAT1 and PAT2, CG4991 functions as a pH‐dependent dipolar amino acid transporter with optimal taurine uptake at extracellular pH 5.0–5.5. Taurine uptake was independent of sodium at both pH 5.5 and 7.5. CG4991 demonstrates both similarities and differences in substrate selectivity when compared to PAT1 and PAT2. For example, CG4991, like PAT1, transports proline, glycine, beta‐alanine, betaine and MeAIB but unlike PAT1 transports serine. In conclusion, the commonality of CG4991, PAT1 and PAT2 transporter characteristics, suggests conservation of function despite relatively low levels of sequence identity. Supported by the Medical Research Council (MRC).

Rab12 regulates mTORC1 activity and autophagy through controlling the degradation of amino‐acid transporter PAT4

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved catabolic mechanism that targets intracellular molecules and damaged organelles to lysosomes. Autophagy is achieved by a series of membrane trafficking events, but their regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we report small GTPase Rab12 as a new type of autophagic regulator that controls the degradation of an amino-acid transporter. Knockdown of Rab12 results in inhibition of autophagy and in increased activity of mTORC1 (mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1), an upstream regulator of autophagy. We also found that Rab12 promotes constitutive degradation of PAT4 (proton-coupled amino-acid transporter 4), whose accumulation in Rab12-knockdown cells modulates mTORC1 activity and autophagy. Our findings reveal a new mechanism of regulation of mTORC1 signalling and autophagy, that is, quality control of PAT4 by Rab12.

Potential involvement of the proton-coupled amino acid transporter PAT1 (SLC36A1) in the delivery of pharmaceutical agents

The proton-coupled amino acid transporter PAT1 (SLC36A1) is an intestinal carrier of L-proline, L-alanine and glycine. PAT1 has also been shown to transport pharmacologically active substances such as GABA, vigabatrin, δ-aminolevulinic acid and gaboxadol. The present review will discuss if the proton-coupled amino acid transporter PAT1 (SLC36A1) may be a relevant transporter for pharmaceutical exploitation. Research investigating this from both in vitro and in vivo perspectives will be highlighted. Furthermore we’ll review the current knowledge about the structure-translocation relationship for PAT1 and provide an overview of pharmacological active substances, which are substrates for PAT1 along with examples of formulation strategies aimed at exploiting the transport activity of PAT1.

Estradiol inhibits the activity of proton-coupled amino acid transporter PAT1 expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Estrogen has great potential as a therapeutic agent in focal ischemic brain injury. Amino acids as energy resources and neurotransmitters in the central nervous system are crucial for proper neuronal function and excitability. The proton-coupled amino acid transporter PAT1 has clear potential in drug absorption. In this paper, human brain PAT1 was cloned and expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The effects of estradiol on the activity of PAT1 were investigated. Glycine-induced membrane currents mediated by PAT1 were measured using the two-electrode voltage clamp technique. The amplitude of the glycine-elicited current was decreased progressively with increasing concentrations of β-estradiol. A concentration-dependent outwards current of PAT1 was also detected by the presence of β-estradiol. We conclude that estrogen attenuates the activity of PAT1 by directly closing PAT1 channel. Our results may provide an additional mechanism for estrogen on neurotransmission and neuronal metabolism during ischemic injury.

Function and expression of the proton-coupled amino acid transporter PAT1 along the rat gastrointestinal tract: implications for intestinal absorption of gaboxadol.

Intestinal absorption via membrane transporters may determine the pharmacokinetics of drug compounds. The hypothesis is that oral absorption of gaboxadol (4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo [5,4-c] pyridine-3-ol) in rats occurs via the proton-coupled amino acid transporter, rPAT1 (encoded by the gene rSlc36a1). Consequently, we aimed to elucidate the in vivo role of rPAT1 in the absorption of gaboxadol from various intestinal segments obtained from Sprague-Dawley rats. The absorption of gaboxadol was investigated following its administration into four different intestinal segments. The intestinal expression of rSlc36a1 mRNA was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Furthermore, the hPAT1-/rPAT1-mediated transport of gaboxadol or L-proline was studied in hPAT1-expressing Xenopus laevis oocytes, Caco-2 cell monolayers and excised segments of the rat intestine. The absorption fraction of gaboxadol was high (81.3-91.3%) following its administration into the stomach, duodenum and jejunum, but low (4.2%) after administration into the colon. The pharmacokinetics of gaboxadol were modified by the co-administration of L-tryptophan (an hPAT1 inhibitor) and L-proline (an hPAT1 substrate). The in vitro carrier-mediated uptake rate of L-proline in the excised intestinal segments was highest in the mid jejunum and lowest in the colon. The in vitro uptake and the in vivo absorption correlated with the expression of rSlc36a1 mRNA along the rat intestine. These results suggest that PAT1 mediates the intestinal absorption of gaboxadol and therefore determines its oral bioavailability. This has implications for the in vivo role of PAT1 and may have an influence on the design of pharmaceutical formulations of PAT1 substrates.

Intestinal Drug Transport via the Proton-Coupled Amino Acid Transporter PAT1 (SLC36A1) Is Inhibited by Gly-Xaa Dipeptides

The oral absorption of some drug substances is mediated by nutrient transporters. As a consequence, nutrients and drugs may compete for available transporters, and interactions at the level of intestinal absorption are possible. Recently, we have identified δ-aminolevulinic acid, Gly-Gly, and Gly-Sar as substrates of the amino acid transporter PAT1. The aim of the present study is to investigate if other Gly-containing dipeptides interact with PAT1, and whether they can inhibit PAT1 mediated drug absorption, in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro methods included two-electrode voltage clamp measurements on hPAT1 expressing Xenopus laevis oocytes, which were used to investigate the PAT1-mediated transport of 17 different Gly-containing dipeptides (Gly-X(aa) or X(aa)-Gly). Also, the transepithelial transport of the PAT1 substrate gaboxadol was investigated across Caco-2 cell monolayers in the presence of different dipeptides. The in vivo part consisted of a pharmacokinetic study in rats following oral administration of gaboxadol and preadministration of 200 mg/kg dipeptide. The results showed that in hPAT1 expressing oocytes Gly-Tyr, Gly-Pro, and Gly-Phe inhibited currents induced by drug substances. In Caco-2 cell monolayers, Gly-Gly, Gly-Sar, and Gly-Pro significantly inhibited the PAT1 mediated absorptive transepithelial transport of gaboxadol; however, when orally administered to rats, Gly-Gly, Gly-Sar, Gly-Pro, or Gly-Tyr did not alter the pharmacokinetic profile of gaboxadol. In conclusion, the present study identifies selected dipeptides as inhibitors of PAT1 mediated drug absorption in various in vitro models.

Transport of l-proline by the proton-coupled amino acid transporter PAT2 in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells

Mechanism and substrate specificity of the proton-coupled amino acid transporter 2 (PAT2, SLC36A2) have been studied so far only in heterologous expression systems such as HeLa cells and Xenopus laevis oocytes. In this study, we describe the identification of the first cell line that expresses PAT2. We cultured 3T3-L1 cells for up to 2 weeks and differentiated the cells into adipocytes in supplemented media containing 2 μM rosiglitazone. During the 14 day differentiation period the uptake of the prototype PAT2 substrate L-[(3)H]proline increased ~5-fold. The macro- and microscopically apparent differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells coincided with their H(+) gradient-stimulated uptake of L-[(3)H]proline. Uptake was rapid, independent of a Na(+) gradient but stimulated by an inwardly directed H(+) gradient with maximal uptake occurring at pH 6.0. L-Proline uptake was found to be mediated by a transport system with a Michaelis constant (K(t)) of 130 ± 10 μM and a maximal transport velocity of 4.9 ± 0.2 nmol × 5 min(-1 )mg of protein(-1). Glycine, L-alanine, and L-tryptophan strongly inhibited L-proline uptake indicating that these amino acids also interact with the transport system. It is concluded that 3T3-L1 adipocytes express the H(+)-amino acid cotransport system PAT2.

Carrier-mediated γ-aminobutyric acid transport across the basolateral membrane of human intestinal Caco-2 cell monolayers

The aim of the present study was to investigate the transport of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) across the basolateral membrane of intestinal cells. The proton-coupled amino acid transporter, hPAT1, mediates the influx of GABA and GABA mimetic drug substances such as vigabatrin and gaboxadol and the anticancer prodrug δ-aminolevulinic acid across the apical membrane of small intestinal enterocytes. Little is however known about the basolateral transport of these substances. We investigated basolateral transport of GABA in mature Caco-2 cell monolayers using isotope studies. Here we report that, at least two transporters seem to be involved in the basolateral transport of GABA. The basolateral uptake consisted of a high-affinity system with a Km of 290μM and Vmax of 75pmolcm−2min−1 and a low affinity system with a Km of approximately 64mM and Vmax of 1.6nmolcm−2min−1. The high-affinity transporter is Na+ and Cl− dependent. The substrate specificity of the high-affinity transporter was further studied and Gly-Sar, Leucine, gaboxadol, sarcosine, lysine, betaine, 5-hydroxythryptophan, proline and glycine reduced the GABA uptake to approximately 44–70% of the GABA uptake in the absence of inhibitor. Other substances such as β-alanine, GABA, 5-aminovaleric acid, taurine and δ-aminolevulinic acid reduced the basolateral GABA uptake to 6–25% of the uptake in the absence of inhibitor. Our results indicate that the distance between the charged amino- and acid-groups is particular important for inhibition of basolateral GABA uptake. Thus, there seems to be a partial substrate overlap between the basolateral GABA transporter and hPAT1, which may prove important for understanding drug interactions at the level of intestinal transport.

Rectal Absorption of Vigabatrin, a Substrate of the Proton Coupled Amino Acid Transporter (PAT1, Slc36a1), in Rats

To investigate the rectal absorption of vigabatrin in rats, based on the hypothesis that PAT1 (Slc36a1) is involved. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were dosed rectally with five different gels, varying in buffer capacity, the amount of vigabatrin, and co-administration of proline or tryptophan. Western blotting was used to detect rPAT1 in rat rectal epithelium. X. Laevis oocytes were injected with SLC36A1 cRNA for the expression of hPAT1, prior to two-electrode voltage clamp measurements. rPAT1 protein was present in rat rectal epithelium. Approximately 7%-9% of a 1mg/kg vigabatrin dose was absorbed after rectal administration, regardless of the formulation used. Increasing the dose of vigabatrin 10-fold decreased the absolute bioavailability to 4.2%. Co-administration of proline or tryptophan changed the pharmacokinetic profile, indicating a role of PAT1 in the rectal absorption of vigabatrin. Transport of vigabatrin via hPAT1 expressed in X. Laevis oocytes had a K(m) of 5.2 ± 0.6mM and was almost completely inhibited by tryptophan. Although vigabatrin is a PAT1 substrate and the rPAT1 protein is expressed in the rectum epithelium, vigabatrin has low rectal absorption in rats.