Expression of GLUT-2 cDNA in human B lymphocytes: analysis of glucose transport using flow cytometry

The molecular characterization of transport proteins is often limited by transient functional expression or the need for a simple method to select functional cDNA clones. We used a mammalian expression system to obtain long-term expression of GLUT-2, an isoform of glucose permease. Rat GLUT-2 cDNA was ligated into an EBV vector (pLPP) and transfected into B lymphocytes which lack GLUT-2. Northern and Western analyses confirmed expression of GLUT-2 protein in membranes of transfected cells. Two functional assays using flow cytometry were developed to distinguish GLUT-2 transfectants from control/pLPP transfectants. Uptake of NBD-glucosamine, a fluorescent analogue of glucose, was increased in GLUT-2 transfectants. In addition, when exposed to hypertonic glucose medium, GLUT-2 transfectants and control/pLPP transfectants exhibited a difference in forward-angle light scatter (FALS), an index of cell volume, indicating a difference in glucose permeability. Independent measurements of glucose uptake (isotopic) and cell volume (video microscopy) confirmed the flow cytometry observations. This expression system used in combination with flow cytometry is useful for studying the functional properties of glucose and other solute transporters.