• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.117-127
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• 2004

The heterodimeric amino acid transporter family is a subfamily of SLC7 solute transporter family which includes 14-transmembrane cationic amino acid transporters and 12-transmembrane heterodimeric amino acid transporters. The members of heterodimeric amino acid transporter family are linked via a disulfide bond to single membrane spanning glycoproteins such as 4F2hc (4F2 heavy chain) and rBAT $(related\;to\;b^0,\;^+-amino\;acid\;transporter)$. Six members are associated with 4F2hc and one is linked to rBAT. Two additional members were identified as ones associated with unknown heavy chains. The members of heterodimeric amino acid transporter family exhibit diverse substrate selectivity and are expressed in variety of tissues. They play variety of physiological roles including epithelial transport of amino acids as well as the roles to provide cells in general with amino acids for cellular nutrition. The dysfunction or hyperfunction of the members of the heterodimeric amino acid transporter family are involved in some diseases and pathologic conditions. The genetic defects of the renal and intestinal transporters $b^{0,+}AT/BAT1\;(b^{0,+}-type\;amino\;acid\;transporter/b^{0,+}-type\;amino\;acid\;transporter\;1)$ and $y^+LAT1\;(y^+L-type\;amino\;acid\;transporter\;1)$ result in the amino aciduria with sever clinical symptoms such as cystinuria and lysin uric protein intolerance, respectively. LAT1 is proposed to be involved in the progression of malignant tumor. xCT (x-C-type transporter) functions to protect cells against oxidative stress, while its over-function may be damaging neurons leading to the exacerbation of brain damage after brain ischemia. Because of broad substrate selectivity, system L transporters such as LAT1 transport amino acid-related compounds including L-Dopa and function as a drug transporter. System L also interacts with some environmental toxins with amino acid-related structure such as cysteine-conjugated methylmercury. Therefore, these transporter would be candidates for drug targets based on new therapeutic strategies.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.783-796
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• 2006

The periodontium is a topographically complex organ consisting of epithelial tissue, soft and mineralized tissues. Structures comprising the periodontium include the gingiva, periodontal ligament (PDL) , cementum and the alveolar bone. The molecular mechanism of differentiation in PDL fibroblast cells remain unclear. Amino acid transporters play an important role in supplying nutrition to normal and cancer cells and for cell proliferation. Amino acid transport system L is a major nutrient transport system responsible for the Na+-independent transport of neutral amino acids including several essential amino acids. The system L is divided into two major subgroups, the L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) and the L-type amino acid transporter 2 (LAT2). In this study, the expression pattern of amino acid transport system L was, therefore, investigated in the differentiation of PDL fibroblast cells. To determine the expression level of amino acid transport system L participating in intracellular transport of amino acids in the differentiation of PDL fibroblast cells, it was examined by RT-PCR, observation of cell morphology, Alizaline red-S staining and uptake analysis after inducing experimental differentiation in PDL fibroblast cells isolated from mouse molar teeth. The results are as follows. 1. The LAT1 mRNA was expressed in the early stage of PDL fibroblast cell differentiation. This expression level was gradually reduced by differentiation- inducing time and it was not observed after the late stage. 2. The expression level of LAT2 mRNA was increased in time-dependent manner during differentiation induction of PDL fibroblast cells. 3. There was no changes in. the expression level of 4F2hc mRNA, the cofactor of LAT1 and LAT2, during differentiation of PDL fibroblast cells. 4. The expression level of ALP mRNA was gradually increased and the expression level of Col I mRNA was decreased during differentiation of PDL fibroblast cells. 5. The L-leucine transport was reduced by time from the early stage to the late stage in PDL fibroblast cell differentiation. As the results, it is considered that among neutral ammo acid transport system L in differentiation of PDL fibroblast cells, the LATl has a key role in cell proliferation in the early stage of cell differentiation and the LAT2 has an important role in the late stage of cell differentiation for providing cells with neutral amino acids including several essential amino acids.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09b
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• pp.145-148
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• 2003

Previously, we reported that L-PCA enhanced blood circulation by modulating constitutive NO production. It was that L-PCA increased L-Arg uptake into endothelial cell, followed by the enhancement of NO production. Then we recommended the use of L-PCA for cosmetics, not only as humectants but also as enhancer of blood circulation. Since L-Arg is transported into endothelial cells by CAT (cationic amino acid transporter), it is expected that L-PCA also increase the uptake of basic amino acid, L-Lys. In this study, the uptakes of some amino acids into cells were evaluated by using 3H-labelled amino acid. Then we found the tendency that the uptake of L-Lys into endothelial cells was also enhanced by L-PCA. And the evident effect was observed in the epidermal fibroblasts, which had also CAT. Furthermore, it was found that the transportation of the other type of amino acids were not enhanced by L-PCA. That is to say, a famous moisturizer, L-PCA, has some effects on basic amino acid transport into cells.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.710-719
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• 2001

Several amino acid transport systems in mammary gland have been characterized during the last few years. These systems may be divided into two broad categories based on whether they are sodium-dependent or $Na^{+}$-independent, and each of these categories is subdivided into 3 groups depending on whether the systems prefer zwitterionic, cationic or anionic substrates. The zwitterion preferring transport processes in mammary gland are $Na^{+}$-dependent system A and $Na^{+}$-independent systems L and T. System $y^{+}$ is a $Na^{+}$-independent transporter of cationic amino acids and $X_{AG^{-}}$ is a $Na^{+}$-dependent system for anionic amino acids. A ($Na^{+}+Cl^{-}$)-dependent system, selective for $\beta$-amino acids has been reported in rat mammary tissue. In addition, there is yet another class of transporters that have still broader specificity. The $Na^{+}$-dependent systems $BCl^{-}$-dependent and $BCl^{-}$-independent and $Na^{+}$-independent system $y^{+}L$ have been reported to mediate the transport of zwitterionic as well as cationic amino acids. Each system has been characterized with respect to its substrate specificity, affinity, kinetics and ion-dependence. Transport of amino acids by mammary tissue is regulated by i) the intracellular substrate concentration, ii) lactogenic hormones and iii) milk stasis. Four of the above transport systems (i.e. A, L, $y^{+}$ and $BCl^{-}$-independent) are up-regulated by lactogenic hormones (insulin, cortisol and prolactin) in mammary gland.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.1367-1374
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• 2005

Amino acid transporters play an important role in supplying nutrition to normal and cancer cells for cell proliferation. Amino acid transport system L is a major nutrient transport system responsible for the $Na^+$-independent transport of neutral amino acids including several essential amino acids. The system L is divided into two major subgroups, the L-tyre amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) and the L-type amino acid transporter 2 (LAT2). In the present study, we have examined the expression and functional characterization of system L amino acid transporters in FOB human osteoblast cells. RT-PCR and western blot analysis have revealed that the FOB cells expressed LAT1, LAT2 together with their associating protein 4F2hc. The uptakes of $[^{14}C]_L$-leucine by FOB cells are $Na^+$-independent and almost completely inhibited by system L amino acid transporter selective inhibitor, 2-aminobicyclo-(2,2,1)-heptane-2-carboxylic acid (BCH). These results suggest that the transport of neutral amino acids including several essential amino acids for cellular nutrition into the FOB human osteoblast cells is mediated by system L amino acid transporters.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.200-208
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• 2006

Amino acids are required for protein synthesis and energy sources in all living cells. The amino acid transport system L is a major nutrient transport system that is responsible for $Na^+$-independent transport of neutral amino acids including several essential amino acids. In malignant tumors, the L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1), the first isoform of system L, is highly expressed to support tumor cell growth. In the present study, the expression and functional characterization of amino acid transport system L were, therefore, investigated in Saos2 human osteogenic sarcoma cells. RT-PCR and western blot analyses have revealed that the Saos2 cells expressed the LAT1 and the L-type amino acid transporter 2 (LAT2), the second isoform of system L, together with their associating protein heavy chain of 4F2 antigen (4F2hc) in the plasma membrane, but the expression of LAT2 was very weak. The uptakes of [${14}^C$]L-leucine by Saos2 cells were $Na^+$-independent and were completely inhibited by the system L selective inhibitor, 2-aminobicyclo-(2,2,1)-heptane-2-carboxylic acid (BCH). The affinity of [${14}^C$]L-leucine uptake and the inhibition profiles of [${14}^C$]L-leucine uptake by various amino acids in the Saos2 cells were comparable with those for the LAT1 expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The majority of [${14}^C$]L-leucine uptake is, therefore, mediated by LAT1 in the Saos2 cells. These results suggest that the transports of neutral amino acids including several essential amino acids into Saos2 human osteogenic sarcoma cells are for the most part mediated by LAT1. Therefore, the Saos2 human osteogenic sarcoma cells are excellent tools for examine the properties of LAT1. Moreover, the specific inhibition of LAT1 in tumor cells might be a new rationale for anti-tumor therapy.

• Proceedings of the Membrane Society of Korea Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.78-81
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• 2004

Here the effect of various amino acids on the separation performance for these two contrastive membranes is investigated. It was especially focused on the structures of amino acids, and their effects on the silver ion activity as well as the interaction between polymer electrolytes and amino acid. The amino acids studied include asparagine, valine, glutamic acid and lysine.(omitted)

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.775-781
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• 2002

The T-type amino acid transporter 1 (TATI) is a Na$^{+}$-independent amino acid transporter which selectively trans- ports aromatic amino acids subserving the amino acid transport system T. To understand the transport properties of aromatic amino acids by human TAT1 (hTATl ), we have examined the hTATl -mediated aromatic amino acid transports using a Xenopus laeuis oocyte expression system. When expressed in Xenopin laeuis oocytes, hTATl induced L- [$^{14}$ C]tryptophan transport which was not dependent on Na$^{+}$ or Cl$^{[-10]}$ in the medium. Uptake was time-dependent and exhibited a linear dependence on incubation time up to 30 min. The L- ($^{14}$ C)tryptophan uptake was highly inhibited by L-isomers of tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine, whereas other L-amino acids did not inhibit hTATl -mediated L- ($^{14}$ C)tryptophan uptake. The hTATl induced the relatively low-affinity transport of aromatic amino acids such as L- ($^{14}$ C)tryptophan, L- ($^{14}$ C)tyrosine and L- ($^{14}$ C)phenylalanine (Km values: 450～750 $\mu$M), consistent with the properties of classical amino acid transport system T. The L- ($^{14}$ C)tryptophan uptake did not show any remarkable pH dependence within the pH range of 5.5 to 8.5. The time-dependent efflux of L- ($^{14}$ C)tryptophan was detected from the oocytes expressing hTATl, which was not affected by the presence or absence of L-tryptophan in the extracellular medium, indicating that hTATl-mediated transport is due to the facilitated diffusion. Expression of hTATl in Xenopu laevis oocytes induced the transport of tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine, indicating that hTATl is a transporter subserving system T These results suggest that hTATl has essential roles in the absorption of aromatic amino acids from epithelial cells to the blood stream. Hecause hTATl is proposed to be crucial to the efficient absorption of aromatic amino acids from intestine and kidney, its defect such as blue diaper syndrome could be involved in the disruption of aromatic amino acid transport.ort.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.498-505
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• 2021

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a lethal neurological disorder characterized by the deterioration of motor neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate alteration of cationic amino acid transporter (CAT-1) activity in the transport of lysine and the pretreatment effect of lysine on pro-inflammatory states in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cell line. The mRNA expression of cationic amino acid transporter 1 was lower in NSC-34/hSOD1^G93A (MT) than the control cell line (WT), lysine transport is mediated by CAT-1 in NSC-34 cell lines. The uptake of [³H]L-lysine was Na⁺-independent, voltage-sensitive, and strongly inhibited by inhibitors and substrates of cationic amino acid transporter 1 (system y⁺). The transport process involved two saturable processes in both cell lines. In the MT cell line, at a high-affinity site, the affinity was 9.4-fold higher and capacity 24-fold lower than that in the WT; at a low-affinity site, the capacity was 2.3-fold lower than that in the WT cell line. Donepezil and verapamil competitively inhibited [³H]L-lysine uptake in the NSC-34 cell lines. Pretreatment with pro-inflammatory cytokines decreased the uptake of [³H]L-lysine and mRNA expression levels in both cell lines; however, the addition of L-lysine restored the transport activity in the MT cell lines. L-Lysine exhibited neuroprotective effects against pro-inflammatory states in the ALS disease model cell lines. In conclusion, studying the alteration in the expression of transporters and characteristics of lysine transport in ALS can lead to the development of new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.142-145
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• 1995

The pumb gene encoding a basic amino acid transport protein in Neurospora crassa could be cloned by using a mutant strain defective in pmb gene as a host strain, using a negative selection on the media containing amino acid analogue canavanine. To select positive transformants of the genes for cloning, an auxotrophic marker (his-2) was added to a pmb mutant strain by mating ; a triple mutant (pmn : pmb : his-2) was constructued by crossing a strain defective in basic amino acid transport system (# 1683-bat um 535 "A") to a double mutant strain defective in neutral amino acid transport and histidine production (mitrol : his-2 "a"). Crossing was performed on synthetic crossing (SC) media containing histidine. The pmn : pmb and pmn :pmb : his-2 strains were selected among the progeny colonies from crosses on plates containing 5- .mu.g/ml para-fluoro-phenylalanine (PFPA), 200 .mu.g/ml canavanine, and 500 .mu.g/ml histidine. The selected colonies were cultured on minimal media with or without histidine for discarding pmn : pmb strain, because the pmn : pmb : his -2 strain grows only on histidine containing media. The pmn :pmb : his-2 strain selected can be used as a host strain for the cloning of the pmb and the pmn genes from a Neurospora genomic library by means of positive selections.