Red cell amino acid transport. Evidence for the presence of system Gly in guinea pig reticulocytes.

Guinea pig reticulocytes are shown to possess an Na+-dependent glycine transporter which also requires Cl- for activity. Glycine transport by this route is saturable (apparent Km 98 microM; Vmax 24 mumol/g Hb per h) and inhibited by sarcosine. The properties of this carrier closely resemble those of System Gly previously demonstrated in pigeon and human erythrocytes. In contrast, no System Gly activity was detected in mature guinea pig erythrocytes.