Reconstitution into liposomes of glucose active transport from the rabbit renal proximal tubule. Characteristics of the system.

This paper describes the characteristics of Na+ -dependent D-glucose transport into liposomes made from soybean phospholipids into which have been reconstituted detergent-solubilized components from the rabbit renal proximal tubular brush border membrane. Conditions for optimal and quantitative reconstitution of glucose carriers are defined. Na+ -dependent D-glucose uptake occurs via a saturable system with a Km of 0.125--0.135 mM, is responsive to the volume of the internal liposomal space, and shows 'overshoot' as seen in natural membranes. The rate of Na+-dependent D-glucose uptake and the magnitude of the 'overshoot" are proportional to the concentration of protein used in reconstitution.