Expression and functional characterization of amino acid transport system L in Saos2 human osteogenic sarcoma cells

ABSTRACT

inhibitor, 2-aminobicyclo-(2,2,1)-heptane-2-carboxylic acid (BCH). The affinity of [14C]L-leucine uptake and the inhibition profiles of [14C]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 [14C]Lleucine 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.