L-alanine absorption in human intestinal Caco-2 cells driven by the proton electrochemical gradient

In human Caco-2 intestinal epithelial layers, L-alanine absorption can be energized by a proton gradient across the brush-border membrane. Acidification of the apical medium, even in Na(+)-free media, is associated with a saturable net transepithelial absorption of L-alanine. L-Alanine transport causes cytosolic acidification consistent with proton/amino acid symport. L-Alanine transport in Na(+)-free media is rheogenic, stimulating an inward short-circuit current in voltage-clamped epithelial monolayers. By measurement of rapid L-alanine influx across the apical membrane, L-alanine-stimulated inward short-circuit current and intracellular acidification in the same cell batch, we estimate L-alanine/proton stoichiometry to be 1:0.62 +/- 0.25 (SD) (short-circuit current) or 1:0.73 +/- 0.19 (intracellular acidification). From competition studies, it is likely that L-proline, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, and beta-alanine, but not L-valine and L-serine, are substrates for proton-linked, substrate transport in the brush border of Caco-2 cells.