Discrimination of Na+-independent transport systems L, T, and asc in erythrocytes. Na+ independence of the latter a consequence of cell maturation?

On the basis of inhibition analysis two bicyclic amino acid analogs appear to enter human red blood cells by much the same Na+-independent mediation, whereas striking differences are apparent in the routes for tryptophan and leucine, confirming a role for System T, but also suggesting the participation of a third system of low affinity somewhat selective for weakly basic amino acids. System T of the human cell is specifically inhibited by 4-azidophenylalanine, and is highly sensitive, relative to System L, to N-ethylmaleimide inhibition. Uptake by System T approaches its steady state much more slowly than does System L, and its participation in trans-stimulation is questionable, whereas that of System L is as usual strong. A different added transport system became apparent in the slow approach of the Na+-independent mediation of uptake of 3- and 4-carbon dipolar amino acids by the nucleated pigeon red cell to its steady state. In that cell System T makes at most a minor contribution. The patterns of trans-stimulation of fluxes among selected pairs of amino acids in the pigeon cell correspond to a usual participation in transmembrane exchange by System L, and also by the new transport system. An important but not the sole source of the heterogeneity in the pigeon cell is the participation of the system conspicuously involved in the transport of alanine, serine, and threonine, among other amino acids. This route of transport of these amino acids is made conspicuous by their small transport by other Na+-independent agencies, notably System L. Reactivity with this system is enhanced by a side change hydroxyl or sulfhydryl group. Uptake by this route as tested by threonine showed little inhibition by cysteinesulfinate under conditions inhibitory to System asc; also a sensitivity to lowering of pH unlike that seen with System asc. The new Na+-dependent transport system appears to be a species variant of quite similar Na+-independent systems discovered by Young et al. (Young, J. D., Ellory, J. C., and Tucker, E. M. (1975) Nature (Lond.) 254, 156-157; Fincham, D. A., Mason, D. K., and Young, J. D. (1982) Biochem. Soc. Trans. 11, 776-777) in sheep and horse erythrocytes on the basis of their absence in phenotypes. These authors have emphasized several similarities in these two cases to Na+-dependent System asc, and they propose that Na+ dependence has specifically been lost on maturation of the red cells without major changes in amino acid selectivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)