We isolated cDNA coding a new human riboflavin transporter (hRFT)3, which exhibits 86.7 and 44.1% amino acid identity with hRFT1 and hRFT2, respectively. It was predicted to have 10 putative membrane-spanning domains. The functional characteristics of hRFT3 were examined and compared with those of its isoforms, hRFT1 and hRFT2. Real-time PCR revealed that hRFT3 mRNA was strongly expressed in the brain and salivary gland. hRFT1 mRNA was strongly expressed in the placenta and small intestine, whereas hRFT2 mRNA was most abundantly expressed in the testis and strongly in the small intestine and prostate. hRFT-mediated uptake of [3H]riboflavin was evaluated using human embryonic kidney 293 cells transiently transfected with the cDNA coding each hRFT. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constants of hRFT1, hRFT2, and hRFT3 for riboflavin were 1.38, 0.98, and 0.33 micromol/L, respectively. The hRFT-mediated [3H]riboflavin uptake was independent of extracellular Na+ and Cl(-). Specific uptake of [3H]riboflavin by hRFT2, but not hRFT1 and hRFT3, decreased as extracellular pH was changed from 5.4 to 8.4. The substrate specificities of the hRFT family were similar. hRFT-mediated uptake of [3H]riboflavin was inhibited by some riboflavin analogs, but not D-ribose, organic ions, or other vitamins. The newly isolated hRFT3 may play an important role in brain riboflavin homeostasis. Its amino acid sequence and functional characteristics are similar to those of hRFT1, but not hRFT2.
Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere syndrome (BVVLS [MIM 211530]) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by infancy onset sensorineural deafness and ponto-bulbar palsy. Mutations in SLC52A3 (formerly C20orf54), coding for riboflavin transporter 2 (hRFT2), have been identified as the molecular genetic correlate in several individuals with BVVLS. Exome sequencing of just one single case revealed that compound heterozygosity for two pathogenic mutations in the SLC52A2 gene coding for riboflavin transporter 3 (hRFT3), another member of the riboflavin transporter family, is also associated with BVVLS. Overexpression studies confirmed that the gene products of both mutant alleles have reduced riboflavin transport activities. While mutations in SLC52A3 cause decreased plasma riboflavin levels, concordant with a role of SLC52A3 in riboflavin uptake from food, the SLC52A2-mutant individual had normal plasma riboflavin concentrations, a finding in line with a postulated function of SLC52A2 in riboflavin uptake from blood into target cells. Our results contribute to the understanding of human riboflavin metabolism and underscore its role in the pathogenesis of BVVLS, thereby providing a rational basis for a high-dose riboflavin treatment.
Quantitative analysis of transporter- and enzyme-mediated complex drug-drug interactions (DDIs) is challenging. Repaglinide (RPG) is transported into the liver by OATP1B1 and then is metabolized by CYP2C8 and CYP3A4. The purpose of this study was to describe the complex DDIs of RPG quantitatively based on unified physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models using in vitro K values for OATP1B1, CYP3A4, and CYP2C8. Cyclosporin A (CsA) or gemfibrozil (GEM) increased the blood concentrations of RPG. The time profiles of RPG and the inhibitors were analyzed by PBPK models, considering the inhibition of OATP1B1 and CYP3A4 by CsA or OATP1B1 inhibition by GEM and its glucuronide and the mechanism-based inhibition of CYP2C8 by GEM glucuronide. RPG-CsA interaction was closely predicted using a reported in vitro K value in the presence of CsA preincubation. RPG-GEM interaction was underestimated compared with observed data, but the simulation was improved with the increase of f. These results based on in vitro K values for transport and metabolism suggest the possibility of a bottom-up approach with in vitro inhibition data for the prediction of complex DDIs using unified PBPK models and in vitro f value of a substrate for multiple enzymes should be considered carefully for the prediction.
Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, is transported across the biological membrane into various organs by transport systems. Riboflavin transporter RFVT3 is expressed in the small intestine and has been suggested to localize in the apical membranes of the intestinal epithelial cells. In this study, we investigated the functional involvement of RFVT3 in riboflavin absorption using intestinal epithelial T84 cells and mouse small intestine. T84 cells expressed RFVT3 and conserved unidirectional riboflavin transport corresponding to intestinal absorption. Apical [(3)H]riboflavin uptake was pH-dependent in T84 cells. This uptake was not affected by Na(+) depletion at apical pH 6.0, although it was significantly decreased at apical pH 7.4. The [(3)H]riboflavin uptake from the apical side of T84 cells was prominently inhibited by the RFVT3 selective inhibitor methylene blue and significantly decreased by transfection of RFVT3-small-interfering RNA. In the gastrointestinal tract, RFVT3 was expressed in the jejunum and ileum. Mouse jejunal and ileal permeabilities of [(3)H]riboflavin were measured by the in situ closed-loop method and were significantly reduced by methylene blue. These results strongly suggest that RFVT3 would functionally be involved in riboflavin absorption in the apical membranes of intestinal epithelial cells.
Homeostasis of riboflavin should be maintained by transporters. Previous in vitro studies have elucidated basic information about riboflavin transporter RFVT3 encoded by SLC52A3 gene. However, the contribution of RFVT3 to the maintenance of riboflavin homeostasis and the significance in vivo remain unclear. Here, we investigated the physiological role of RFVT3 using Slc52a3 knockout (Slc52a3−/−) mice. Most Slc52a3−/− mice died with hyperlipidemia and hypoglycemia within 48 hr after birth. The plasma and tissue riboflavin concentrations in Slc52a3−/− mice at postnatal day 0 were dramatically lower than those in wild-type (WT) littermates. Slc52a3−/− fetuses showed a lower capacity of placental riboflavin transport compared with WT fetuses. Riboflavin supplement during pregnancy and after birth reduced neonatal death and metabolic disorders. To our knowledge, this is the first report to indicate that Rfvt3 contributes to placental riboflavin transport, and that disruption of Slc52a3 gene caused neonatal mortality with hyperlipidemia and hypoglycemia owing to riboflavin deficiency.
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