GNP1, the high-affinity glutamine permease of S. cerevisiae

Glutamine uptake in S. cerevisiae is mediated by at least three transporters: high- and low-affinity glutamine permeases and the general amino-acid permease. We have isolated the gene encoding the high-affinity glutamine permease and named it GNP1. The amino-acid sequence of GNP1, and its hydropathy profile of 12 transmembrane domains, closely resemble those of known amino-acid permeases. The Km of GNP1 for glutamine uptake was determined to be 0.59 mM. Cells lacking GNP1 exhibit reduced levels of glutamine transport, and are resistant to a toxic analog of glutamine, L-glutamic acid gamma-monohydroxamate. Unlike other amino-acid permeases, whose expression is nitrogen-source limited, GNP1 is expressed on both rich and poor nitrogen sources.