| Functional characterization of glucose transporter 4 involved in glucose uptake in Clonorchis sinensis |
Hojong Jun1,2
, Ernest Mazigo2
, Wang-Jong Lee2, Yun-Kyu Park1
, Jin-Hee Han2
, Seok Ho Cha1
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1Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Korea
2Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea |
| * Corresponding Author:
Jin-Hee Han, Email: han.han@kangwon.ac.kr / Seok Ho Cha, Email: shcha@inha.ac.kr |
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Received: July 14, 2024; Accepted: October 13, 2024. |
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| Abstract |
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Clonorchis sinensis, which causes clonorchiasis, is prevalent in East Asian countries and poses notable health risks, including bile duct complications. Although praziquantel is the primary treatment for the disease, the emerging resistance among trematodes highlights the need for alternative strategies. Understanding the nutrient uptake mechanisms in trematodes, including C. sinensis, is crucial for developing future effective treatments. This study aimed to characterize the function of C. sinensis glucose transporter 4 (CsGTP4) and determine its role in nutrient uptake employing synthesized cDNA of adult C. sinensis worms. The functional characterization of CsGTP4 involved injecting its cRNA into Xenopus laevis oocytes and analyzing the deoxy-D-glucose uptake levels. The results demonstrated that deoxy-D-glucose uptake depended on the deoxy-D-glucose incubation and CsGTP4 expression time, but not sodium-dependent. The concentration-dependent uptake followed the Michaelis–Menten equation, with a Km value of 2.7 mM and a Vmax value of 476 pmol/oocyte/h based on the Lineweaver–Burk analysis. No uptake of radiolabeled α-ketoglutarate, p-aminohippurate, taurocholate, arginine, or carnitine was observed. The uptake of deoxy-D-glucose by CsGTP4 was significantly inhibited by unlabeled glucose and galactose in a concentration-dependent manner. It was significantly inhibited under strongly acidic and basic conditions. These insights into the glucose uptake kinetics and pH dependency of CsGTP4 provide a deeper understanding of nutrient acquisition in trematodes. This study contributes to the development of novel antiparasitic agents, addressing a considerable socioeconomic challenge in affected regions. |
| Key words:
Clonorchis sinensis, glucose uptake, Xenopus laevis, glucose transporter proteins, deoxy-D-glucosea |
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