Cytochalasin B as a probe for the two hexose-transport systems in rat L6 myoblasts

We have recently demonstrated that two hexose-transport systems are present in undifferentiated rat L6 myoblasts: D-glucose and 2-deoxy-D-glucose are preferentially transported by the high-affinity system, whereas 3-O-methyl-D-glucose is transported primarily by the low-affinity system. Mutant D23 is found to be defective only in the high-affinity hexose-transport system. The low-affinity transport system is much more sensitive to inhibition by cytochalasin B (CB). The present study examines the identity, properties and regulation of the CB-binding sites by measuring CB binding to both whole cells and plasma membrane. Scatchard analysis of the binding data revealed the presence of two CB-binding sites, namely CBH and CBL. These two sites differ not only in their affinity for CB, but their levels can also be differentially altered by various biochemical, physiological and genetic manipulations. CBL resembles the high-affinity hexose-transport system in that it is absent in mutant D23 and is present in larger quantities in glucose-starved cells. Moreover, CB binding to this site is inhibited by D-glucose and 2-deoxy-D-glucose, the preferred substrates of the high-affinity hexose-transport system. On the other hand, CBH is found to be unaltered in mutant D23, which also retains the normal low-affinity hexose-transport system. CBH also resembles the low-affinity transport system in that it is not elevated in glucose-starved cells. Furthermore, binding of CB to this site can be inhibited by 3-O-methyl-D-glucose, the preferred substrate of the low-affinity transport system. It should be noted that 2-deoxy-D-glucose does not have much effect on CBH, and vice versa. Studies with purified membrane preparations indicate that both CB-binding sites are present in similar ratios in the plasma membrane and the low-density microsomal fraction. Plasma-membrane studies also reveal that D-glucose 6-phosphate, but not 2-deoxy-D-glucose 6-phosphate, is very effective in activating CB binding. Data presented suggest that CB binding may be regulated by sugar analogues in an allosteric manner.