Accumulation of amines by rabbit erythrocytes in vitro

1. Accumulation of noradrenaline (NA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) and tyramine by rabbit erythrocytes was measured at 37 degrees C in vitro. 2. Of the amines used only NA was broken down during incubation. This was a result of intracellular catechol-O-methyl transferase activity. 3. NA and 5HT entered the red cells by similar processes which were temperature-sensitive (cooling to 0 degrees C inhibited accumulation) and had saturation kinetics. The entry of NA was partially stereospecific; the (-)-isomer accumulated twice as fast as did (+)-NA. 5HT and NA competed for entry. Tyramine entry was unaffected by cooling, was not saturable and did not affect the entry of either NA or 5HT. NA and 5HT entered the erythrocytes at rates which were proportional to their lipid solubilities. 4. Metabolic inhibitors had no effect on amine transport. Inhibitors of amine transport in other tissues produced only small non-specific reductions of NA accumulation in the red cells. 5. Amine accumulation was a symmetrical process (no amine was retained by the red cells if the concentration gradient was reversed). It is concluded that NA and 5HT enter the cells by facilitated diffusion. The entry of NA and 5HT displayed countertransport, an additional feature of facilitated diffusion. 6. The relationship between the physical properties of the amines and the routes by which they entered the erythrocytes is discussed.