Recent advances in carrier-mediated intestinal absorption of water-soluble vitamins

The potential hazards of high doses of vitamin B6 in treating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: A systematic review

Vitamin B6 is frequently utilized as a therapeutic agent for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP). Research indicates that excessive intake of vitamin B6 can have implications on neurological function, underscoring the importance of cautious consideration when administering vitamin B6 treatment during early pregnancy. This systematic review investigates the effects of high doses of vitamin B6 on pregnant women experiencing NVP. We searched the PubMed® MEDLINE® database for articles using the following terms: "pregnancy" or "nausea and vomiting during pregnancy" and "vitamin B6." Women with nausea and vomiting symptoms during pregnancy use more than the tolerable amount of vitamin B6. A total of 136 articles were identified from the PubMed® MEDLINE® database. The etiology and treatment of NVP are briefly outlined, followed by a summary and analysis of 19 relevant literature sources. Among these sources, 12 reports detailed the adverse effects of excessive vitamin B6 intake in women; 164/1226 individuals experienced neurological symptoms such as burning, tingling, paresthesia, ataxia, or perioral numbness. Additionally, out of 245 women, four experienced miscarriages and one had an intrauterine demise. The overconsumption of vitamin B6 has the potential to impact nerve function, particularly during the critical first trimester of embryonic development. It might result in adverse outcomes such as miscarriage, intrauterine fetal demise, and congenital abnormalities.

Pharmacokinetics of vitamin dosage forms: A complete overview

Vitamins are crucial for sustaining life because they play an essential role in numerous physiological processes. Vitamin deficiencies can lead to a wide range of severe health issues. In this context, there is a need to administer vitamin supplements through appropriate routes, such as the oral route, to ensure effective treatment. Therefore, understanding the pharmacokinetics of vitamins provides critical insights into absorption, distribution, and metabolism, all of which are essential for achieving the desired pharmacological response. In this review paper, we present information on vitamin deficiencies and emphasize the significance of understanding vitamin pharmacokinetics for improved clinical research. The pharmacokinetics of several vitamins face various challenges, and thus, this work briefly outlines the current issues and their potential solutions. We also discuss the feasibility of enhanced nanocarrier-based pharmaceutical formulations for delivering vitamins. Recent studies have shown a preference for nanoformulations, which can address major limitations such as stability, solubility, absorption, and toxicity. Ultimately, the pharmacokinetics of pharmaceutical dosage forms containing vitamins can impede the treatment of diseases and disorders related to vitamin deficiency.

B Vitamins, Glucoronolactone and the Immune System: Bioavailability, Doses and Efficiency

The present review deals with two main ingredients of energy/power drinks: B vitamins and glucuronolactone and their possible effect on the immune system. There is a strong relationship between the recommended daily dose of selected B vitamins and a functional immune system. Regarding specific B vitamins: (1) Riboflavin is necessary for the optimization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the fight against bacterial infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. (2) Niacin administered within normal doses to obese rats can change the phenotype of skeletal fibers, and thereby affect muscle metabolism. This metabolic phenotype induced by niacin treatment is also confirmed by stimulation of the expression of genes involved in the metabolism of free fatty acids (FFAs) and oxidative phosphorylation at this level. (3) Vitamin B5 effects depend primarily on the dose, thus large doses can cause diarrhea or functional disorders of the digestive tract whereas normal levels are effective in wound healing, liver detoxification, and joint health support. (4) High vitamin B6 concentrations (>2000 mg per day) have been shown to exert a significant negative impact on the dorsal root ganglia. Whereas, at doses of approximately 70 ng/mL, sensory symptoms were reported in 80% of cases. (5) Chronic increases in vitamin B12 have been associated with the increased incidence of solid cancers. Additionally, glucuronolactone, whose effects are not well known, represents a controversial compound. (6) Supplementing with D-glucarates, such as glucuronolactone, may help the body's natural defense system function better to inhibit different tumor promoters and carcinogens and their consequences. Cumulatively, the present review aims to evaluate the relationship between the selected B vitamins group, glucuronolactone, and the immune system and their associations to bioavailability, doses, and efficiency.

Intermediate role of gut microbiota in vitamin B nutrition and its influences on human health

Vitamin B consists of a group of water-soluble micronutrients that are mainly derived from the daily diet. They serve as cofactors, mediating multiple metabolic pathways in humans. As an integrated part of human health, gut microbiota could produce, consume, and even compete for vitamin B with the host. The interplay between gut microbiota and the host might be a crucial factor affecting the absorbing processes of vitamin B. On the other hand, vitamin B supplementation or deficiency might impact the growth of specific bacteria, resulting in changes in the composition and function of gut microbiota. Together, the interplay between vitamin B and gut microbiota might systemically contribute to human health. In this review, we summarized the interactions between vitamin B and gut microbiota and tried to reveal the underlying mechanism so that we can have a better understanding of its role in human health.

Defective expression of C20orf54 in esophageal dysplasia: a possible biomarker of esophageal carcinoma for early detection

BACKGROUND

C20orf54 has been identified as an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) susceptibility gene in previous genome-wide association studies. Here, we attempted to clarify the expression level of C20orf54 in ESCC, non-tumoral esophageal tissues, and esophageal squamous intraepithelial neoplasia (ESIN).

METHODS

We assessed C20orf54 expression in 146 ESCC, 108 non-tumoral esophageal tissues, and 148 ESIN using immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays. We also evaluated the possible correlations of C20orf54 expression with clinicopathological characteristics. The survival rates were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test.

RESULTS

C20orf54 expression was significantly lower in ESCC, high-grade ESIN, and low-grade ESIN than in the non-tumoral esophageal tissues. The level observed for ESCC was also significantly lower than that in low-grade ESIN and high-grade ESIN, whereas no difference was observed between high-grade ESIN and low-grade ESIN. Furthermore, the C20orf54 defective expression correlated significantly with differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and invasion depth. The overall survival time was inversely associated with lymph node metastasis, an advanced TNM stage (III + IV), and deeper invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides the first evidence of C20orf54 defective expression in ESCC and precancerous lesions, demonstrating a potential role in tumor progression and metastasis. C20orf54 could be used as a potential biomarker for the early detection of ESCC.

Biotin controls intestinal stem cell mitosis and host-microbiome interactions

Diet is a key regulator of metabolism and interacts with the intestinal microbiome. Here, we study the role of the Drosophila intestinal stem cell (ISC)-specific biotin transporter Smvt in midgut homeostasis, infection-induced regeneration, and tumorigenesis. We show that Smvt-transported biotin in ISCs is necessary for ISC mitosis. Smvt deficiency impairs intestinal maintenance, which can be rescued by the human Smvt, encoded by SLC5A6. ISC-specific, Smvt-silenced flies exhibit microbial dysbiosis, whereby the growth of Providencia sneebia, an opportunistic pathogen, is favored. Dysbiosis correlates with increased Nox expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and enterocyte apoptosis. Flies acquire biotin from their diet and microbiota. We show that, when dietary biotin is scarce, biotin-producing commensals, e.g., E. coli, can rescue reduced ISC mitosis. Smvt and commensals also control intestinal tumor growth. Our findings suggest that direct modification of the gut microbiome by biotin can serve as an approach for the treatment of dysbiosis-promoted diseases and tumorigenesis control.

Revisiting food-sourced vitamins for consumer diet and health needs: a perspective review, from vitamin classification, metabolic functions, absorption, utilization, to balancing nutritional requirements

The significant attention gained by food-sourced vitamins has provided insights into numerous current researches; for instance, the potential reversal of epigenetic age using a diet and lifestyle intervention, the balance between food and dietary supplements in the general population, the role of diet and food intake in age-related macular degeneration, and the association of dietary supplement use, nutrient intake and mortality among adults. As relevant literature about food-sourced vitamin increases, continuous synthesis is warranted. To supplement existing information, this perspective review discussed food-sourced vitamins for consumer diet and health needs, scoping from vitamin absorption, metabolic functions, utilization, to balancing nutritional requirements. Relevant literatures were identified through a search of databases like Google Scholar, Web of Science, the Interscience Online Library, ScienceDirect, and PubMed. We demonstrated that vitamins whether from plant- and animal-based sources are prerequisites for the metabolic functions of the human body. The fat- and water-soluble classification of vitamins remains consistent with their respective absorption and dissolution potentials, underpinned by numerous physiological functions. Vitamins, largely absorbed in the small intestine, have their bioavailability dependent on the food composition, its associated interactions, as well as alignment with their metabolic functions, which involves antioxidants, coenzymes, electron acceptor/donor, and hormones. Moreover, vitamin deficiencies, in every form, pose a serious threat to human health. Vitamin toxicities remain rare, but can still occur mainly from supplementation, although it appears much less in water-soluble vitamins of which some excesses get readily removed by the human body, different from the fat-soluble ones that are stored in tissues and organs. Besides discussions of absorption, transport, and cellular uptake of vitamins, this perspective review also included approaches to meeting vitamin requirements and therapeutic strategies against micronutrient deficiency and COVID-19. We have also attempted on how to strike the balance between food-sourced vitamins and dietary supplements.

Inborn errors in the vitamin B6 salvage enzymes associated with neonatal epileptic encephalopathy and other pathologies

Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), the active cofactor form of vitamin B6 is required by over 160 PLP-dependent (vitamin B6) enzymes serving diverse biological roles, such as carbohydrates, amino acids, hemes, and neurotransmitters metabolism. Three key enzymes, pyridoxal kinase (PL kinase), pyridoxine 5'-phosphate oxidase (PNPO), and phosphatases metabolize and supply PLP to PLP-dependent enzymes through the salvage pathway. In born errors in the salvage enzymes are known to cause inadequate levels of PLP in the cell, particularly in neuronal cells. The resulting PLP deficiency is known to cause or implicated in several pathologies, most notably seizures. One such disorder, PNPO-dependent neonatal epileptic encephalopathy (NEE) results from natural mutations in PNPO and leads to null or reduced enzymatic activity. NEE does not respond to conventional antiepileptic drugs but may respond to treatment with the B6 vitamers PLP and/or pyridoxine (PN). In born errors that lead to PLP deficiency in cells have also been reported in PL kinase, however, to date none has been associated with epilepsy or seizure. One such pathology is polyneuropathy that responds to PLP therapy. Phosphatase deficiency or hypophosphatasia disorder due to pathogenic mutations in alkaline phosphatase is known to cause seizures that respond to PN therapy. In this article, we review the biochemical features of in born errors pertaining to the salvage enzyme's deficiency that leads to NEE and other pathologies. We also present perspective on vitamin B6 treatment for these disorders, along with attempts to develop zebrafish model to study the NEE syndrome in vivo.

Vitamin B6 and Diabetes: Relationship and Molecular Mechanisms

Vitamin B6 is a cofactor for approximately 150 reactions that regulate the metabolism of glucose, lipids, amino acids, DNA, and neurotransmitters. In addition, it plays the role of antioxidant by counteracting the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Epidemiological and experimental studies indicated an evident inverse association between vitamin B6 levels and diabetes, as well as a clear protective effect of vitamin B6 on diabetic complications. Interestingly, by exploring the mechanisms that govern the relationship between this vitamin and diabetes, vitamin B6 can be considered both a cause and effect of diabetes. This review aims to report the main evidence concerning the role of vitamin B6 in diabetes and to examine the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms. In addition, the relationship between vitamin B6, genome integrity, and diabetes is examined. The protective role of this vitamin against diabetes and cancer is discussed.

The multifaceted role of vitamin B6 in cancer: Drosophila as a model system to investigate DNA damage

A perturbed uptake of micronutrients, such as minerals and vitamins, impacts on different human diseases, including cancer and neurological disorders. Several data converge towards a crucial role played by many micronutrients in genome integrity maintenance and in the establishment of a correct DNA methylation pattern. Failure in the proper accomplishment of these processes accelerates senescence and increases the risk of developing cancer, by promoting the formation of chromosome aberrations and deregulating the expression of oncogenes. Here, the main recent evidence regarding the impact of some B vitamins on DNA damage and cancer is summarized, providing an integrated and updated analysis, mainly centred on vitamin B₆. In many cases, it is difficult to finely predict the optimal vitamin rate that is able to protect against DNA damage, as this can be influenced by a given individual's genotype. For this purpose, a precious resort is represented by model organisms which allow limitations imposed by more complex systems to be overcome. In this review, we show that Drosophila can be a useful model to deeply understand mechanisms underlying the relationship between vitamin B₆ and genome integrity.

Narrative Review: Nutrient Deficiencies in Adults and Children with Treated and Untreated Celiac Disease

Nutrient deficiencies are well recognized as secondary consequences of celiac disease (CD) and closely related to the clinical presentation of affected patients. Despite their clinical significance, consensus is lacking on the pattern and frequency of nutrient deficiencies in CD, the usefulness of their assessment at the time of diagnosis and during follow-up. This review aims to provide an overview of nutrient deficiencies among pediatric and adult CD patients at diagnosis and on a gluten-free diet (GFD), and their potential causes in CD. Secondly, we review their impact on CD management strategies including the potential of nutrient supplementation. A search of Medline, Pubmed and Embase until January 2019 was performed. Despite a high variability between the reported deficiencies, we noted that nutrient deficiencies occur frequently in children and adults with CD at diagnosis and during treatment with a GFD. Both inadequate dietary intake and/or diminished uptake due to intestinal dysfunction contribute to nutrient deficiencies. Most deficiencies can be restored with (long-term) treatment with a GFD and/or supplementation. However, some of them persist while others may become even more prominent during GFD. Our results indicate a lack of comprehensive evidence on the clinical efficacy of nutrient supplementation in CD management highlighting the need for further studies.

Systematic Review of Gut Microbiota and Major Depression

Background: Recently discovered relationships between the gastrointestinal microbiome and the brain have implications for psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD). Bacterial transplantation from MDD patients to rodents produces depression-like behaviors. In humans, case-control studies have examined the gut microbiome in healthy and affected individuals. We systematically reviewed existing studies comparing gut microbial composition in MDD and healthy volunteers. Methods: A PubMed literature search combined the terms "depression," "depressive disorder," "stool," "fecal," "gut," and "microbiome" to identify human case-control studies that investigated relationships between MDD and microbiota quantified from stool. We evaluated the resulting studies, focusing on bacterial taxa that were different between MDD and healthy controls. Results: Six eligible studies were found in which 50 taxa exhibited differences (p < 0.05) between patients with MDD and controls. Patient characteristics and methodologies varied widely between studies. Five phyla-Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Fusobacteria, and Protobacteria-were represented; however, divergent results occurred across studies for all phyla. The largest number of differentiating taxa were within phylum Firmicutes, in which nine families and 12 genera differentiated the diagnostic groups. The majority of these families and genera were found to be statistically different between the two groups in two identified studies. Family Lachnospiraceae differentiated the diagnostic groups in four studies (with an even split in directionality). Across all five phyla, nine genera were higher in MDD (Anaerostipes, Blautia, Clostridium, Klebsiella, Lachnospiraceae incertae sedis, Parabacteroides, Parasutterella, Phascolarctobacterium, and Streptococcus), six were lower (Bifidobacterium, Dialister, Escherichia/Shigella, Faecalibacterium, and Ruminococcus), and six were divergent (Alistipes, Bacteroides, Megamonas, Oscillibacter, Prevotella, and Roseburia). We highlight mechanisms and products of bacterial metabolism as they may relate to the etiology of depression. Conclusions: No consensus has emerged from existing human studies of depression and gut microbiome concerning which bacterial taxa are most relevant to depression. This may in part be due to differences in study design. Given that bacterial functions are conserved across taxonomic groups, we propose that studying microbial functioning may be more productive than a purely taxonomic approach to understanding the gut microbiome in depression.

Gastrointestinal Handling of Water-Soluble Vitamins

Nine compounds are classified as water-soluble vitamins, eight B vitamins and one vitamin C. The vitamins are mandatory for the function of numerous enzymes and lack of one or more of the vitamins may lead to severe medical conditions. All the vitamins are supplied by food in microgram to milligram quantities and in addition some of the vitamins are synthesized by the intestinal microbiota. In the gastrointestinal tract, the vitamins are liberated from binding proteins and for some of the vitamins modified prior to absorption. Due to their solubility in water, they all require specific carriers to be absorbed. Our current knowledge concerning each of the vitamins differs in depth and focus and is influenced by the prevalence of conditions and diseases related to lack of the individual vitamin. Because of that we have chosen to cover slightly different aspects for the individual vitamins. For each of the vitamins, we summarize the physiological role, the steps involved in the absorption, and the factors influencing the absorption. In addition, for some of the vitamins, the molecular base for absorption is described in details, while for others new aspects of relevance for human deficiency are included. © 2018 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 8:1291-1311, 2018.

High Levels of Dietary Supplement Vitamins A, C and E are Absorbed in the Small Intestine and Protect Nutrient Transport Against Chronic Gamma Irradiation

We examined nutrient transport in the intestines of mice exposed to chronic low-LET 137Cs gamma rays. The mice were whole-body irradiated for 3 days at dose rates of 0, 0.13 and 0.20 Gy/h, for total dose delivery of 0, 9.6 or 14.4 Gy, respectively. The mice were fed either a control diet or a diet supplemented with high levels of vitamins A, C and E. Our results showed that nutrient transport was perturbed by the chronic irradiation conditions. However, no apparent alteration of the macroscopic intestinal structures of the small intestine were observed up to day 10 after initiating irradiation. Jejunal fructose uptake measured in vitro was strongly affected by the chronic irradiation, whereas uptake of proline, carnosine and the bile acid taurocholate in the ileum was less affected. D-glucose transport did not appear to be inhibited significantly by either 9.6 or 14.4 Gy exposure. In the 14.4 Gy irradiated groups, the diet supplemented with high levels of vitamins A, C and E increased intestinal transport of fructose compared to the control diet (day 10; t test, P = 0.032), which correlated with elevated levels of vitamins A, C and E in the plasma and jejunal enterocytes. Our earlier studies with mice exposed acutely to 137Cs gamma rays demonstrated significant protection for transport of fructose, glucose, proline and carnosine. Taken together, these results suggest that high levels of vitamins A, C and E dietary supplements help preserve intestinal nutrient transport when intestines are irradiated chronically or acutely with low-LET gamma rays.

Systematic genome assessment of B-vitamin biosynthesis suggests co-operation among gut microbes

The human gut microbiota supplies its host with essential nutrients, including B-vitamins. Using the PubSEED platform, we systematically assessed the genomes of 256 common human gut bacteria for the presence of biosynthesis pathways for eight B-vitamins: biotin, cobalamin, folate, niacin, pantothenate, pyridoxine, riboflavin, and thiamin. On the basis of the presence and absence of genome annotations, we predicted that each of the eight vitamins was produced by 40-65% of the 256 human gut microbes. The distribution of synthesis pathways was diverse; some genomes had all eight biosynthesis pathways, whereas others contained no de novo synthesis pathways. We compared our predictions to experimental data from 16 organisms and found 88% of our predictions to be in agreement with published data. In addition, we identified several pairs of organisms whose vitamin synthesis pathway pattern complemented those of other organisms. This analysis suggests that human gut bacteria actively exchange B-vitamins among each other, thereby enabling the survival of organisms that do not synthesize any of these essential cofactors. This result indicates the co-evolution of the gut microbes in the human gut environment. Our work presents the first comprehensive assessment of the B-vitamin synthesis capabilities of the human gut microbiota. We propose that in addition to diet, the gut microbiota is an important source of B-vitamins, and that changes in the gut microbiota composition can severely affect our dietary B-vitamin requirements.

The sodium/multivitamin transporter: a multipotent system with therapeutic implications

The Na(+)/multivitamin transporter (SMVT) is a member of the solute:sodium symporter family that catalyzes the Na(+)-dependent uptake of the structurally diverse water-soluble vitamins pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and biotin (vitamin H), α-lipoic acid-a vitamin-like substance with strong antioxidant properties-and iodide. The organic substrates of SMVT play central roles in the cellular metabolism and are, therefore, essential for normal human health and development. For example, biotin deficiency leads to growth retardation, dermatological disorders, and neurological disorders. Animal studies have shown that biotin deficiency during pregnancy is directly correlated to embryonic growth retardation, congenital malformation, and death of the embryo. This chapter focuses on the structural and functional features of the human isoform of SMVT (hSMVT); the discovery of which was greatly facilitated by the cloning and expression of hSMVT in tractable expression systems. Special emphasis will be given to mechanistic implications of the transport process of hSMVT that will inform our understanding of the molecular determinants of hSMVT-mediated transport in dynamic context to alleviate the development and optimization of hSMVT as a multipotent platform for drug delivery.

Identification and characterization of 5'-flanking region of the human riboflavin transporter 1 gene (SLC52A1)

The human SLC52A1 gene encodes the riboflavin transporter-1 (RFVT-1), a plasma membrane protein that transports vitamin B2 (riboflavin, RF) into cells, and thus, plays a role in controlling cellular homeostasis of RF in those tissues that express the carrier protein (e.g. placenta and intestine). Currently, there is nothing known about transcriptional regulation of the SLC52A1 gene, therefore, we aimed to clone and characterize its 5'-flanking region. Using rapid amplification of the cDNA ends (5'-RACE), we identified one transcription start site (TSS). A 579 bp segment of the 5'-flanking region of this gene was cloned which exhibited robust promoter activity upon transfection in human intestinal epithelial cells. Deletion analysis revealed that the core promoter activity to be embedded in a region between -234 and -23 that lacked TATA element, was GC-rich, and harbored several putative cis-regulatory sites including KLFs, AP-2, EGRF and Sp-1. Mutating each of these sites led to a significant decrease in promoter activity (which was highest for the Sp-1 site), suggesting their possible involvement in regulating SLC52A1 transcription. Focusing on the Sp-1 site, EMSA, super-shift and ChIP analysis was performed that established the interaction of the Sp-1 transcription factor with the SLC52A1 promoter; also, co-transfection of the minimal SLC52A1 promoter with an Sp-1 containing vector in Drosophila SL-2 cells led to significant promoter activation. These results are the first to reveal the identity of the minimal SLC52A1 promoter and to establish an important role for Sp-1 in its activity.

MicroRNAs are absorbed in biologically meaningful amounts from nutritionally relevant doses of cow milk and affect gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, HEK-293 kidney cell cultures, and mouse livers

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate genes in animals and plants and can be synthesized endogenously. In milk, miRNAs are encapsulated in exosomes, thereby conferring protection against degradation and facilitating uptake by endocytosis. The majority of bovine miRNAs have nucleotide sequences complementary to human gene transcripts, suggesting that miRNAs in milk might regulate human genes.

OBJECTIVES

We tested the hypotheses that humans absorb biologically meaningful amounts of miRNAs from nutritionally relevant doses of milk, milk-borne miRNAs regulate human gene expression, and mammals cannot compensate for dietary miRNA depletion by endogenous miRNA synthesis.

METHODS

Healthy adults (3 men, 2 women; aged 26-49 y) consumed 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 L of milk in a randomized crossover design. Gene expression studies and milk miRNA depletion studies were conducted in human cell cultures and mice, respectively. For comparison, feeding studies with plant miRNAs from broccoli were conducted in humans.

RESULTS

Postprandial concentration time curves suggest that meaningful amounts of miRNA (miR)-29b and miR-200c were absorbed; plasma concentrations of miR-1 did not change (negative control). The expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), a known target of miR-29b, increased by 31% in blood mononuclear cells after milk consumption compared with baseline. When milk exosomes were added to cell culture media, mimicking postprandial concentrations of miR-29b and miR-200c, reporter gene activities significantly decreased by 44% and 17%, respectively, compared with vehicle controls in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. When C57BL/6J mice were fed a milk miRNA-depleted diet for 4 wk, plasma miR-29b concentrations were significantly decreased by 61% compared with miRNA-sufficient controls, i.e., endogenous synthesis did not compensate for dietary depletion. Broccoli sprout feeding studies were conducted as a control and elicited no detectable increase in Brassica-specific miRNAs.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that miRNAs in milk are bioactive food compounds that regulate human genes.

Biotin uptake by mouse and human pancreatic beta cells/islets: a regulated, lipopolysaccharide-sensitive carrier-mediated process

Biotin is essential for the normal function of pancreatic beta cells. These cells obtain biotin from their surroundings via transport across their cell membrane. Little is known about the uptake mechanism involved, how it is regulated, and how it is affected by internal and external factors. We addressed these issues using the mouse-derived pancreatic beta-TC-6 cells and freshly isolated mouse and human primary pancreatic beta cells as models. The results showed biotin uptake by pancreatic beta-TC-6 cells occurs via a Na(+)-dependent, carrier-mediated process, that is sensitive to desthiobiotin, as well as to pantothenic acid and lipoate; the process is also saturable as a function of concentration (apparent Km = 22.24 ± 5.5 μM). These cells express the sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT), whose knockdown (with doxycycline-inducible shRNA) led to a sever inhibition in biotin uptake. Similarly, uptake of biotin by mouse and human primary pancreatic islets is Na(+)-dependent and carrier-mediated, and both cell types express SMVT. Biotin uptake by pancreatic beta-TC-6 cells is also adaptively regulated (via transcriptional mechanism) by extracellular substrate level. Chronic treatment of pancreatic beta-TC-6 cells with bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) leads to inhibition in biotin uptake. This inhibition is mediated via a Toll-Like receptor 4-mediated process and involves a decrease in membrane expression of SMVT. These findings show, for the first time, that pancreatic beta cells/islets take up biotin via a specific and regulated carrier-mediated process, and that the process is sensitive to the effect of LPS.

Membrane transporters in a human genome-scale metabolic knowledgebase and their implications for disease

Membrane transporters enable efficient cellular metabolism, aid in nutrient sensing, and have been associated with various diseases, such as obesity and cancer. Genome-scale metabolic network reconstructions capture genomic, physiological, and biochemical knowledge of a target organism, along with a detailed representation of the cellular metabolite transport mechanisms. Since the first reconstruction of human metabolism, Recon 1, published in 2007, progress has been made in the field of metabolite transport. Recently, we published an updated reconstruction, Recon 2, which significantly improved the metabolic coverage and functionality. Human metabolic reconstructions have been used to investigate the role of metabolism in disease and to predict biomarkers and drug targets. Given the importance of cellular transport systems in understanding human metabolism in health and disease, we analyzed the coverage of transport systems for various metabolite classes in Recon 2. We will review the current knowledge on transporters (i.e., their preferred substrates, transport mechanisms, metabolic relevance, and disease association for each metabolite class). We will assess missing coverage and propose modifications and additions through a transport module that is functional when combined with Recon 2. This information will be valuable for further refinements. These data will also provide starting points for further experiments by highlighting areas of incomplete knowledge. This review represents the first comprehensive overview of the transporters involved in central metabolism and their transport mechanisms, thus serving as a compendium of metabolite transporters specific for human metabolic reconstructions.

Modulation of intestinal folate absorption by erythropoietin in vitro

Besides the direct stimulation of erythropoiesis, erythropoietin (EPO) therapy in renal anemia may also play a regulatory role in maintaining the homeostasis of hematopoietic nutrients. It has been reported that EPO can stimulate intestinal iron absorption. However, the involvement of EPO in intestinal folate absorption remains elusive. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of EPO on intestinal transport of folate in vitro and to elucidate the possible mechanism(s) involved in this regulation. Transport assays of folic acid were performed in Caco-2 monolayers treated with EPO. The effect of EPO on the expression of transporters involved in the folate absorption was investigated. The possible involvement of three main EPO signaling pathways, the janus protein tyrosine kinase 2 (JAK-2) pathway, extracellular signal regulated kinases (ERK) pathway, and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) pathway, in the transporter regulation was explored. The absorptive flux (apical to basolateral) of folic acid was enhanced by EPO treatment in a dose-dependent manner, which was companied with the significant up-regulation of reduced folate carrier (RFC) and apical proton coupled folate transporter (PCFT). The efflux (basolaterial to apical) of folic acid was enhanced only by the high dose of EPO treatment, which was associated with the significant up-regulation of apical multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2). The expression levels of all of these transporters were up-regulated by EPO treatment in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Transporter expression in response to blocking EPO induced activation of JAK-2, ERK, and PI3K/Akt was changed to a different extent. As a conclusion, intestinal folate absorption was enhanced by EPO treatment in vitro. Our findings provided direct evidence to establish the correlation between EPO and folate homeostasis.

High incidence of partial biotinidase deficiency cases in newborns of Greek origin

Biotinidase deficiency (BTD) is an inherited disorder with severe clinical manifestations if not treated early. 63,119 neonates were tested for BTD according to a 3-step protocol. Biotinidase activity was initially estimated through standard colorimetric method on dried blood spots, then the suspected samples were subjected to molecular analysis of the BT gene and determination of BT activity in serum through an HPLC method. 14 infants with partial BTD (incidence 1:4508) were detected. Nine of them were homozygotes (D444H/D444H), and 4 compound heterozygotes carrying D444H combined with Q456H, T532M, C186Y and R157H, respectively. All were asymptomatic and supplemented with 10mg biotin. Although the number of screened neonates is rather small, it may be suggested that the incidence of the partial BTD infants is the highest ever reported. Detection of BTD should be added to the Greek national neonatal screening program.

The effect of oxidative stress upon the intestinal uptake of folic acid: in vitro studies with Caco-2 cells

Folic acid (FA) is a vitamin essential for normal cellular functions, growth, and development. Because humans cannot synthesize this micronutrient, it must be obtained from dietary sources through intestinal absorption. The intestinal tract is a major target for oxidative stress. Our aim was to investigate the effect of oxidative stress upon the uptake of FA by Caco-2 cells. Oxidative stress was induced by exposure of the cells to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBH) for 1 h. TBH (3,000 μM) induced an increase in biomarkers of oxidative stress, while maintaining cell viability and proliferation. In relation to the apical uptake of (3)H-FA, TBH (3,000 μM) reduced the cellular accumulation of (3)H-FA (10 nM), although the characteristics (kinetics, pH dependence, and inhibitory profile) of (3)H-FA uptake were not changed. This effect was associated with a decrease in the mRNA steady-state levels of proton-coupled folate transporter and folate receptor alpha and of the efflux transporter multidrug resistance protein 2. Moreover, TBH (3,000 μM) did not affect the noncarrier-mediated apical uptake of (3)H-FA. Finally, the effect of TBH upon (3)H-FA apical uptake was not dependent on protein kinase A, protein kinase C, mitogen-activated protein kinases, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, nuclear factor kappa B, and protein tyrosine kinases, but was completely prevented by dietary polyphenols (resveratrol, quercetin, and EGCG). These results suggest that oxidative stress at the intestinal level may result in a reduction in the intestinal absorption of dietary FA and that polyphenolic dietary components may offer protection against oxidative stress-induced inhibition of intestinal FA absorption.

Effects of pyridoxine on the intestinal absorption and pharmacokinetics of isoniazid in rats

Pyridoxine is always simultaneously administered orally with isoniazid for tuberculosis patients in the clinic to prevent or treat the nervous system side effects induced by isoniazid. So the aim of this research was to investigate the effects of pyridoxine on the intestinal absorption and pharmacokinetics of isoniazid. The intestinal absorption of isoniazid with or without pyridoxine was investigated by the rat single-pass intestinal perfusion model in situ, and a high-performance liquid chromatographic method was applied to study the pharmacokinetics of isoniazid with or without pyridoxine. The results suggested that the intestinal apparent permeability (P app) and intestinal absorption rate constant (K a) for isoniazid (30 μg/ml) were decreased by 43.7 and 36.4 %, respectively, by co-perfused pyridoxine (40 μg/ml). In vivo, the effect of pyridoxine on isoniazid pharmacokinetic correlated with the doses of pyridoxine. The blood concentrations of isoniazid at the absorption phase were affected by co-administered pyridoxine, but the AUC and C max of isoniazid were not greatly affected by pyridoxine as expected from the inhibition by pyridoxine of the intestinal absorption of isoniazid, which could be caused by its rapid absorption phase. Therefore, although the intestinal absorption of isoniazid could be significantly inhibited by pyridoxine, the pharmacokinetics of isoniazid oral administration was not greatly affected by the decreased intestinal absorption of isoniazid due to its rapid absorption.

Effect of clinical mutations on functionality of the human riboflavin transporter-2 (hRFT-2)

The Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere syndrome (BVVLS) is a rare neurological disease characterized by ponto-bulbar palsy, bilateral sensorineural deafness, and respiratory insufficiency. Recent genetic studies have identified mutations in the C20orf54 gene, which encodes the human riboflavin (RF) transporter -2 (hRFT-2) and suggested their link to the manifestation of BVVLS. However, there is nothing currently known about the effect of these mutations on functionality of hRFT-2, a protein that is expressed in a variety of tissues with high expression in the intestine. We addressed this issue using the human-derived intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells. Our results showed significant (P<0.01) impairment in RF uptake by Caco-2 cells transiently expressing W17R, P28T, E36K, E71K, and R132W (but not L350M) hRFT-2 mutants. This impairment in RF transport was not due to a decrease in transcription and/or translation of hRFT-2, since mRNA and protein levels of the carrier were similar in cells expressing the mutants and wild-type hRFT-2. Confocal images of live Caco-2 cells transiently transfected with hRFT-2 mutants (fused with green fluorescent protein) showed the P28T, E36K, E71K, and R132W mutants were retained within the endoplasmic reticulum, while the W17R and L350M mutants were expressed at the cell membrane; cell surface expression of the W17R mutant was further confirmed by direct determination of cell surface transporter density. These results show for the first time that some of the BVVLS associated mutations in hRFT-2 affect the transporter functionality and that this effect is mediated via alterations in membrane targeting and/or activity of the transporter.

Biotin: biochemical, physiological and clinical aspects

Significant progress has been made in our understanding of the biochemical, physiological and nutritional aspects of the water-soluble vitamin biotin (vitamin H). It is well know now that biotin plays important roles in a variety of critical metabolic reactions in the cell, and thus, is essential for normal human health, growth and development. This is underscored by the serious clinical abnormalities that occur in conditions of biotin deficiency, which include, among other things, growth retardation, neurological disorders, and dermatological abnormalities (reviewed in 1). Studies in animals have also shown that biotin deficiency during pregnancy leads to embryonic growth retardation, congenital malformation and death (Watanabe 1983; Cooper and Brown 1958; Mock et al. 2003; Zempleni and Mock 2000). The aim of this chapter is to provide coverage of current knowledge of the biochemical, physiological, and clinical aspects of biotin nutrition. Many sections of this chapter have been the subject of excellent recent reviews by others (Wolf 2001; McMahon 2002; Mock 2004; Rodriguez-Melendez and Zempleni 2003; Said 2004; Said et al. 2000; Said and Seetheram 2006), and thus, for more information the reader is advised to consider these additional sources.

Biochemical and molecular mechanisms of folate transport in rat pancreas; interference with ethanol ingestion

Folic acid is an essential nutrient that is required for one-carbon biosynthetic processes and for methylation of biomolecules. Deficiency of this micronutrient leads to disturbances in normal physiology of cell. Chronic alcoholism is well known to be associated with folate deficiency which is due, in part to folate malabsorption. The present study deals with the mechanistic insights of reduced folate absorption in pancreas during chronic alcoholism. Male Wistar rats were fed 1 g/kg body weight/day ethanol (20% solution) orally for 3 months and the mechanisms of alcohol associated reduced folate uptake was studied in pancreas. The folate transport system in the pancreatic plasma membrane (PPM) was found to be acidic pH dependent one. The transporters proton coupled folate transporter (PCFT) and reduced folate carrier (RFC) are involved in folate uptake across PPM. The folate transporters were found to be associated with lipid raft microdomain of the PPM. Ethanol ingestion decreased the folate transport by reducing the levels of folate transporter molecules in lipid rafts at the PPM. The decreased transport efficiency of the PPM was reflected as reduced folate levels in pancreas. The chronic ethanol ingestion led to decreased pancreatic folate uptake. The decreased levels of PCFT and RFC expression in rat PPM were due to decreased association of these proteins with lipid rafts (LR) at the PPM.

Nicotinate uptake by two kinetically distinct Na÷-dependent carrier-mediated transport systems in the rat small intestine

Recent studies have identified monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1), sodium-coupled monocarboxylate transporter 1 (SMCT1) and SMCT2 as those that may be involved in the carrier-mediated intestinal absorption of nicotinate, but their roles have not been fully clarified yet. To address the issue, we examined the uptake of nicotinate in the rat small intestine by using everted tissue sacs. The uptake of nicotinate was Na⁺-dependent and saturable at pH 7.4 in both the jejunum and ileum. The saturable transport consisted of a single component with the Michaelis constant (K(m)) of 1.18 mM in the jejunum, while in the ileum it consisted of the high and the low affinity components with the K(m) values of 8.62 µM and 2.36 mM, respectively, and the latter was prevailing in transport capacity and similar to the jejunal transport component. Nicotinate uptake activity attributable to a H⁺-dependent transporter like MCT1 was, however, only minimal in the two intestinal sites. These results suggest that a low affinity type of SMCT2-like transporter would be in operation with high capacity throughout the small intestine, playing the role as the major intestinal nicotinate uptake transporter, and a high affinity type of SMCT1-like transporter would be additionally in operation in the ileum.

Effects of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the human holocarboxylase synthetase gene on enzyme catalysis

Holocarboxylase synthetase (HLCS) is a biotin protein ligase, which has a pivotal role in biotin-dependent metabolic pathways and epigenetic phenomena in humans. Knockdown of HLCS produces phenotypes such as heat susceptibility and decreased life span in Drosophila melanogaster, whereas knockout of HLCS appears to be embryonic lethal. HLCS comprises 726 amino acids in four domains. More than 2500 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified in human HLCS. Here, we tested the hypotheses that HLCS SNPs impair enzyme activity, and that biotin supplementation restores the activities of HLCS variants to wild-type levels. We used an in silico approach to identify five SNPs that alter the amino acid sequence in the N-terminal, central, and C-terminal domains in human HLCS. Recombinant HLCS was used for enzyme kinetics analyses of HLCS variants, wild-type HLCS, and the L216R mutant, which has a biotin ligase activity near zero. The biotin affinity of variant Q699R is lower than that of the wild-type control, but the maximal activity was restored to that of wild-type HLCS when assay mixtures were supplemented with biotin. In contrast, the biotin affinities of HLCS variants V96F and G510R are not significantly different from the wild-type control, but their maximal activities remained moderately lower than that of wild-type HLCS even when assay mixtures were supplemented with biotin. The V96 L SNP did not alter enzyme kinetics. Our findings suggest that individuals with HLCS SNPs may benefit from supplemental biotin, yet to different extents depending on the genotype.

Water-soluble vitamin homeostasis in fasting northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) measured by metabolomics analysis and standard methods

Despite the importance of water-soluble vitamins to metabolism, there is limited knowledge of their serum availability in fasting wildlife. We evaluated changes in water-soluble vitamins in northern elephant seals, a species with an exceptional ability to withstand nutrient deprivation. We used a metabolomics approach to measure vitamins and associated metabolites under extended natural fasts for up to 7 weeks in free-ranging lactating or developing seals. Water-soluble vitamins were not detected with this metabolomics platform, but could be measured with standard assays. Concentrations of measured vitamins varied independently, but all were maintained at detectable levels over extended fasts, suggesting that defense of vitamin levels is a component of fasting adaptation in the seals. Metabolomics was not ideal for generating complete vitamin profiles in this species, but gave novel insights into vitamin metabolism by detecting key related metabolites. For example, niacin level reductions in lactating females were associated with significant reductions in precursors suggesting downregulation of the niacin synthetic pathway. The ability to detect individual vitamins using metabolomics may be impacted by the large number of novel compounds detected. Modifications to the analysis platforms and compound detection algorithms used in this study may be required for improving water-soluble vitamin detection in this and other novel wildlife systems.

Differential expression of human riboflavin transporters -1, -2, and -3 in polarized epithelia: a key role for hRFT-2 in intestinal riboflavin uptake

Transport of riboflavin (RF) across both the brush border membrane (BBM) and basolateral membrane (BLM) of the polarized enterocyte occurs via specific carrier-mediated mechanisms. Although, three human riboflavin transporters (hRFTs), i.e., hRFT-1, hRFT-2 and hRFT-3 are expressed in the intestine, little is known about the cell surface domain(s) at which these specific hRFTs are expressed. Here, we used live cell confocal imaging of intestinal epithelial Caco-2 and renal MDCK cells to show that the hRFT-1 is mainly expressed at the BLM, hRFT-2 is exclusively expressed at the apical membrane, while hRFT-3 is mostly localized inside intracellular vesicular structures (with some expression at the BLM). Further the level of hRFT-2 mRNA expression in Caco-2 cells and in native human intestine is significantly higher than that of hRFT-1 and -3; hRFT-2 was also more efficient in transporting 3H-RF than hRFT-1 and -3. These findings implied an important role for hRFT-2 in intestinal RF uptake, a conclusion that was further supported by findings of hRFT-2 gene-specific siRNA knockdown investigation. These results show that members of the hRFT family are differentially expressed in polarized epithelia, and that the apically expressed hRFT-2 plays a key role in intestinal RF accumulation.

Riboflavin transporter is finally identified

Riboflavin or vitamin B(2) is one of the constituents of energy drinks. Although this compound is known to be absorbed in the intestine and that it circulates throughout the body and is excreted in urine, the transporter(s) responsible for the process was only recently identified. Yamamoto et al. identified this transporter through functional expression of rat orthologues of a putative bacterial riboflavin transporter.

Intestinal absorption of water-soluble vitamins in health and disease

Our knowledge of the mechanisms and regulation of intestinal absorption of water-soluble vitamins under normal physiological conditions, and of the factors/conditions that affect and interfere with theses processes has been significantly expanded in recent years as a result of the availability of a host of valuable molecular/cellular tools. Although structurally and functionally unrelated, the water-soluble vitamins share the feature of being essential for normal cellular functions, growth and development, and that their deficiency leads to a variety of clinical abnormalities that range from anaemia to growth retardation and neurological disorders. Humans cannot synthesize water-soluble vitamins (with the exception of some endogenous synthesis of niacin) and must obtain these micronutrients from exogenous sources. Thus body homoeostasis of these micronutrients depends on their normal absorption in the intestine. Interference with absorption, which occurs in a variety of conditions (e.g. congenital defects in the digestive or absorptive system, intestinal disease/resection, drug interaction and chronic alcohol use), leads to the development of deficiency (and sub-optimal status) and results in clinical abnormalities. It is well established now that intestinal absorption of the water-soluble vitamins ascorbate, biotin, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin and thiamin is via specific carrier-mediated processes. These processes are regulated by a variety of factors and conditions, and the regulation involves transcriptional and/or post-transcriptional mechanisms. Also well recognized now is the fact that the large intestine possesses specific and efficient uptake systems to absorb a number of water-soluble vitamins that are synthesized by the normal microflora. This source may contribute to total body vitamin nutrition, and especially towards the cellular nutrition and health of the local colonocytes. The present review aims to outline our current understanding of the mechanisms involved in intestinal absorption of water-soluble vitamins, their regulation, the cell biology of the carriers involved and the factors that negatively affect these absorptive events.

Role of the putative N-glycosylation and PKC-phosphorylation sites of the human sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (hSMVT) in function and regulation

The sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT) is a major biotin transporter in a variety of tissues including the small intestine. The human SMVT (hSMVT) polypeptide is predicted to have four N-glycosylation sites and two putative PKC phosphorylation sites but their role in the function and regulation of the protein is not known and was examined in this investigation. Our results showed that the hSMVT protein is glycosylated and that this glycosylation is important for its function. Studies utilizing site-directed mutagenesis revealed that the N-glycosylation sites at positions Asn(138) and Asn(489) are important for the function of hSMVT and that mutating these sites significantly reduces the V(max) of the biotin uptake process. Mutating the putative PKC phosphorylation site Thr(286) of hSMVT led to a significant decrease in the PMA-induced inhibition in biotin uptake. The latter effect was not mediated via changes in the level of expression of the hSMVT protein and mRNA or in its level of expression at the cell membrane. These findings demonstrate that the hSMVT protein is glycosylated, and that glycosylation is important for its function. Furthermore, the study shows a role for the putative PKC-phosphorylation site Thr(286) of hSMVT in the PKC-mediated regulation of biotin uptake.

Perinatal hypophosphatasia presenting as neonatal epileptic encephalopathy with abnormal neurotransmitter metabolism secondary to reduced co-factor pyridoxal-5'-phosphate availability

We describe two neonates presenting with perinatal hypophosphatasia and severe epileptic encephalopathy resulting in death. Both had increased levels of urinary vanillactate, indicating functional deficiency of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase, a pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme required for dopamine and serotonin biosynthesis. Clinical findings and results of subsequent metabolic investigations were consistent with secondary pyridoxine-deficient encephalopathy. These patients highlight the importance of tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase in the neuronal PLP-dependent metabolism of neurotransmitters. In addition, the disturbance of PLP metabolism appears to underlie the predominant neurological presentation in our patients. We recommend the measurement of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) during the assessment of perinatal seizures.

Structure-function activity of the human sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter: role of His&#185;&#185;&#8309; and His²⁵⁴

Intestinal absorption of biotin occurs via a Na(+)-dependent carrier-mediated process that involves the sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT; product of the Slc5a6 gene). The SMVT system is exclusively expressed at the apical membrane domain of the polarized intestinal epithelial cells. Whereas previous studies from our laboratory and others have characterized different physiological and biological aspects of SMVT, little is currently known about its structure-function activity relationship. Using site-directed mutagenesis approach, we examined the role of the positively charged histidine (His) residues of the human SMVT (hSMVT) in transporting the negatively charged biotin. Of the seven conserved (across species) His residues in the hSMVT polypeptide, only His¹¹⁵ and His²⁵⁴ were found to be important for the function of hSMVT as their mutation led to a significant reduction in carrier-mediated biotin uptake. This inhibition was mediated via a significant reduction in the maximal velocity (V(max)), but not the apparent Michaelis constant (K(m)), of the biotin uptake process and was not related to the charge of the His residue. The inhibition was also not due to changes in transcriptional or translational efficiency of the mutated hSMVT compared with wild-type carrier. However, surface biotinylation assay showed a significant reduction in the level of expression of the mutated hSMVT at the cell surface, a finding that was further confirmed by confocal imaging. Our results show important role for His¹¹⁵ and His²⁵⁴ residues in hSMVT function, which is most probably mediated via an effect on level of hSMVT expression at the cell membrane.

Functional characteristics of the human ortholog of riboflavin transporter 2 and riboflavin-responsive expression of its rat ortholog in the small intestine indicate its involvement in riboflavin absorption

Riboflavin transporter (RFT) 2 has recently been identified as a transporter that may be, mainly based on the functional characteristics of its rat ortholog (rRFT2), involved in the intestinal absorption of riboflavin. The present study was conducted to further examine such a possible role of RFT2, focusing on the functional characteristics of its human ortholog (hRFT2) and the response of rRFT2 expression in the small intestine to deprivation of dietary riboflavin. When transiently expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, hRFT2 could transport riboflavin efficiently in a pH-sensitive manner, favoring acidic pH and without requiring Na(+). Riboflavin transport by hRFT2 was saturable with a Michaelis constant of 0.77 μmol/L at pH 6.0, and inhibited by some riboflavin derivatives, such as lumiflavin. It was also inhibited, to a lesser extent, by some cationic compounds, such as ethidium. Thus, hRFT2 was suggested to, together with a finding that its mRNA is highly expressed in the small intestine, have characteristics as an intestinal RFT. Furthermore, feeding rats a riboflavin-deficient diet caused an upregulation of the expression of rRFT2 mRNA in the small intestine, presumably as an adaptive response to enhance riboflavin absorption, which would involve rRFT2, and its apically localized characteristic was suggested by the observation of rRFT2 tagged with green fluorescent protein stably expressed in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney II cells. All these results combined indicate that RFT2 is a transporter involved in the epithelial uptake of riboflavin in the small intestine for its nutritional utilization.

Role of intestinal transporters in neonatal nutrition: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, minerals, and vitamins

To support rapid growth and a high metabolic rate, infants require enormous amounts of nutrients. The small intestine must have the complete array of transporters that absorb the nutrients released from digested food. Failure of intestinal transporters to function properly often presents symptoms as "failure to thrive" because nutrients are not absorbed and as diarrhea because unabsorbed nutrients upset luminal osmolality or become substrates of intestinal bacteria. We enumerate the nutrients that constitute human milk and various infant milk formulas, explain their importance in neonatal nutrition, then describe for each nutrient the transporter(s) that absorbs it from the intestinal lumen into the enterocyte cytosol and from the cytosol to the portal blood. More than 100 membrane and cytosolic transporters are now thought to facilitate absorption of minerals and vitamins as well as products of digestion of the macronutrients carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. We highlight research areas that should yield information needed to better understand the important role of these transporters during normal development.

Substrate-specific binding and conformational changes involving Ser313 and transmembrane domain 8 of the human reduced folate carrier, as determined by site-directed mutagenesis and protein cross-linking

RFC (reduced folate carrier) is the major transporter for reduced folates and antifolates [e.g. MTX (methotrexate)]. RFC is characterized by two halves, each with six TMD (transmembrane domain) α helices connected by a hydrophilic loop, and cytoplasmic N- and C-termini. We previously identified TMDs 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 and 11 as forming the hydrophilic cavity for translocation of (anti)folates. The proximal end of TMD8 (positions 311–314) was implicated in substrate binding from scanning-cysteine accessibility methods; cysteine replacement of Ser³¹³ resulted in loss of transport. In the present study, Ser³¹³ was mutated to alanine, cysteine, phenylalanine and threonine. Mutant RFCs were expressed in RFC-null R5 HeLa cells. Replacement of Ser³¹³ with cysteine or phenylalanine abolished MTX transport, whereas residual activity was preserved for the alanine and threonine mutants. In stable K562 transfectants, S313A and S313T RFCs showed substantially decreased V_max values without changes in K_t values for MTX compared with wild-type RFC. S313A and S313T RFCs differentially impacted binding of ten diverse (anti)folate substrates. Cross-linking between TMD8 and TMD5 was studied by expressing cysteine-less TMD1–6 (N₆) and TMD7–12 (C₆) half-molecules with cysteine insertions spanning these helices in R5 cells, followed by treatment with thiol-reactive homobifunctional cross-linkers. C₆–C₆ and N₆–N₆ cross-links were seen for all cysteine pairs. From the N₆ and C₆ cysteine pairs, Cys¹⁷⁵/Cys³¹¹ was cross-linked; cross-linking increased in the presence of transport substrates. The results of the present study indicate that the proximal end of TMD8 is juxtaposed to TMD5 and is conformationally active in the presence of transport substrates, and TMD8, including Ser³¹³, probably contributes to the RFC substrate-binding domain.

Chronic alcohol consumption and intestinal thiamin absorption: effects on physiological and molecular parameters of the uptake process

Thiamin is essential for normal cellular functions, and its deficiency leads to a variety of clinical abnormalities. Humans and other mammals obtain the vitamin via intestinal absorption. The intestine is exposed to two sources of thiamin, a dietary and a bacterial (i.e., normal microflora of the large intestine) source. Chronic alcohol consumption is associated with thiamin deficiency, which is caused (in part) by inhibition in intestinal thiamin absorption. However, little is known about the physiological and molecular aspects of the intestinal thiamin uptake process that are affected by chronic alcohol use. To address these issues, we used rats fed an alcohol-liquid diet and human intestinal epithelial HuTu-80 cells chronically exposed to ethanol as model systems. The results showed that chronic alcohol feeding to rats led to a significant inhibition in carrier-mediated thiamin transport across both the jejunal brush-border membrane and basolateral membrane domains. This was associated with a significant reduction in level of expression of thiamin transporter-1 (THTR-1), but not THTR-2, at the protein and mRNA levels. Level of expression of the heterogenous nuclear RNA of THTR-1 in the intestine of alcohol-fed rats was also decreased compared with their pair-fed controls. Chronic alcohol feeding also caused a significant inhibition in carrier-mediated thiamin uptake in rat colon. Studies with HuTu-80 cells chronically exposed to ethanol also showed a significant inhibition in carrier-mediated thiamin uptake. This inhibition was associated with a reduction in level of expression of human THTR-1 and THTR-2 at the protein, mRNA, and transcriptional (promoter activity) levels. These studies demonstrate that chronic alcohol feeding inhibits intestinal thiamin absorption via inhibition of the individual membrane transport event across the polarized absorptive epithelial cells. Furthermore, the inhibition is, at least in part, mediated via transcriptional mechanism(s).