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Modulation of Function of Sodium-Dependent Vitamin C Transporter 1 (SVCT1) by Rab8a in Intestinal Epithelial Cells: Studies Utilizing Caco-2 Cells and Rab8a Knockout Mice

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Abstract

Background

Ascorbic acid (AA) is required for normal human health and development. Human intestine expresses two sodium-dependent vitamin C transporters (hSVCT-1 and -2) that mediate cellular AA transport, with hSVCT1 targeting to the apical membrane of polarized epithelia. Studies have shown a role for the Rab8a in the apical membrane targeting of transporters in intestinal cells.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to determine whether Rab8a impacts the function and/or targeting of hSVCT1, and intestinal AA uptake.

Methods

We used human intestinal cells and cells from a Rab8a knockout mouse. 14C-AA uptake was performed to determine functionality. PCR and western blotting were performed to determine RNA and protein expression, respectively. Confocal imaging was performed to determine co-localization.

Results

We show that hSVCT1 co-localized with Rab8a in intestinal cells. Knockdown of Rab8a lead to a significant inhibition in AA uptake and cell surface biotinylation studies revealed a lower cell surface expression of hSVCT1 in Rab8a siRNA-treated cells. Similarly, in the small intestine of a Rab8a knockout mouse, AA uptake was significantly inhibited. This effect again resulted from a decreased expression level of mSVCT1 protein, even though mRNA expression of SVCT1 was similar in intestinal cells from Rab8a knockout and wild-type litter-mates. The latter data are suggestive of enhanced lysosomal degradation of hSVCT1 protein in Rab8a-deficient cells; indeed, confocal imaging of Rab8a siRNA-treated intestinal cells revealed a strong overlap between hSVCT1-YFP and LAMP1-RFP.

Conclusions

These findings show a role for Rab8a in the physiological function of hSVCT1 in intestinal epithelia.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the National Institute of Health (DK84094 to V.S.S., and DK 56061 to H.M.S., GM088790 to J.S.M.) and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Correspondence to Veedamali S. Subramanian.

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Subramanian, V.S., Subramanya, S.B., Ghosal, A. et al. Modulation of Function of Sodium-Dependent Vitamin C Transporter 1 (SVCT1) by Rab8a in Intestinal Epithelial Cells: Studies Utilizing Caco-2 Cells and Rab8a Knockout Mice. Dig Dis Sci 58, 641–649 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-012-2388-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-012-2388-9

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