The prognostic biomarker L-homoarginine is a substrate of the cationic amino acid transporters CAT1, CAT2A and CAT2B

Sci Rep. 2017 Jul 6;7(1):4767. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-04965-2.

Abstract

Low plasma concentration of L-homoarginine is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events and total mortality. Experimental data indicate that supplementation of L-homoarginine may have protective effects. We aimed to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the cellular uptake of L-homoarginine, which are little understood, so far. Using human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cell lines stably overexpressing the human cationic amino acid transporters CAT1 [solute carrier family 7 (SLC7A1)], CAT2A (SLC7A2A) or CAT2B (SLC7A2B) we assessed the transport kinetics of L-homoarginine and interactions with the CAT substrates L-arginine and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). Significant uptake of L-homoarginine was observed for all three CATs with apparent KM-values of 175 ± 7 µM for CAT1 and 523 ± 35 µM for CAT2B. Saturation of CAT2A-mediated L-homoarginine uptake could not be reached. Uptake of L-homoarginine by any of the three CATs could be inhibited by L-arginine and ADMA. Significant inhibition of CAT1-mediated uptake of L-homoarginine by L-arginine already occurred in the physiological concentration range. Taken together these data demonstrate that L-homoarginine is a substrate of CAT1, CAT2A and CAT2B and that CAT1 is a key site with regard to physiological relevance and interactions with related substrates such as L-arginine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Transport Systems, Basic / genetics
  • Amino Acid Transport Systems, Basic / metabolism*
  • Arginine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Arginine / metabolism*
  • Biological Transport, Active
  • Cationic Amino Acid Transporter 1 / genetics
  • Cationic Amino Acid Transporter 1 / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Homoarginine / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Transgenes

Substances

  • Amino Acid Transport Systems, Basic
  • Cationic Amino Acid Transporter 1
  • Protein Isoforms
  • SLC7A1 protein, human
  • SLC7A2 protein, human
  • Homoarginine
  • N,N-dimethylarginine
  • Arginine