Identification of methionine and lysine transport systems in cattle small intestine

Incubations of bovine ileal mucosa were used to identify the amino acid transport systems responsible for methionine and lysine uptake in cattle small intestine. Uptake was expressed as micromole per milliliter of cell water. Lysine uptake was shown to be sodium (Na) independent. Specific transport components of lysine uptake were estimated to be: 63% occurring through the cationic (Y+) system, 17% via the neutral alanine (A) and alanine, serine, cysteine (ASC) amino acid transport systems, and 20% through nonsaturable processes. Physiological concentrations of competitive inhibitors altered (P less than .05) lysine uptake. Methionine uptake was shown to occur by both Na-independent and Na-dependent transport systems. The specific transport components of methionine uptake were estimated as 54% occurring through the neutral branched chain leucine (L) systems, 28% through the ASC system, 15% through the A system and 25% through nonsaturable processes. Physiological concentrations of competitive inhibitors did not inhibit (P greater than .05) methionine uptake.