L-leucine transport systems in Saccharomyces cerevisiae participation of GAP1, S1 and S2 transport systems.

L-leucine uptake in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is mediated by three different transport systems, S1, S2 and GAP1. Their activities are dependent on the nitrogen source of the culture media. Wild type cells grown in L-proline exhibit a single transport system with high affinity and high Vmax that is partially inhibited by L-citrulline. A gap1 mutant shows two transport systems with Km and Vmax values similar to those previously described as S1 and S2, this transport activity is not inhibited by D-leucine, D-isoleucine or D-valine. Two systems can be also determined in wild type cells grown in rich medium containing a mixed nitrogen source where decreased GAP1 function is observed. In either wild type or gap1 cells grown in medium containing ammonium ions as sole nitrogen source, L-leucine uptake kinetics shows two systems with lower Vmax and similar Km values to those of the S1 and S2 systems. These results show that in S. cerevisiae GAP1, S1 and S2 participate in L-leucine entrance in cells grown in a poor nitrogen source, and that S1 and S2 are two ammonia-sensitive permeases that mediate the uptake in cells grown in a rich nitrogen source.