Comparison of system N in fetal hepatocytes and in related cell lines

In contrast to the changes seen in membrane transport systems for other neutral, anionic, and cationic amino acids, System N for glutamine, histidine, and asparagine in the rat hepatocytes shows nearly constant properties at the fetal, differentiated, and cultured hepatoma stages. These properties were tested by measuring the Na+-dependent transport of glutamine. This approximate constancy applies not only to the transport selectivity of the system among neutral amino acids, but also to its tolerance of Li+ as a substitute for Na+, its characteristic sensitivity to pH lowering, its relative sensitivity to N-ethylmaleimide, its stimulation by amino acid deprivation, and its failure to respond to insulin or glucagon. The properties of histidine as a substrate for System N were also examined. Inhibition studies with different cell types suggest that the Na+-dependent glutamine and histidine uptake is more restricted to System N in the hepatoma line H35 (H4-11-EC,3) and in the fetal hepatocyte than in hepatoma line HTC and the Ehrlich cells. The Na+-independent component of glutamine and histidine uptake was greater in the hepatoma cells in continuous culture than in fetal and adult hepatocytes in primary culture. Trans-stimulation of glutamine and histidine influx into H35 cells occurs predominantly by the Na+-independent route.