Distribution of neutral amino acid transporter ASCT 1 in the non-neuronal tissues of mice

Distribution of ASCT1, a neutral amino acid transporter, in non-neuronal peripheral tissues of adult and developing mice was examined by immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy. Immunoreactivity for ASCT1 in the digestive system was localized in basal cells of stratified squamous epithelia from oral parietes to nonglandular region of the stomach, chief cells of the glandular stomach, acinar cells of the salivary gland and exocrine pancreas, and Paneth's cells of the small intestine, in all of which the basolateral membrane was selectively immuno-labeled. In the liver of adult mice, ASCT1 immunoreactivity was detected on the plasma membrane of hepatocytes surrounding central veins, and a temporal expansion of immunoreactive hepatocytes was observed in the embryonic and CCl4-treated adult livers. ASCT1 was also localized on the plasma membranes of proximal uriniferous tubule epithelial cells in the kidney of adult mice, and those of supporting cells in the medulla of adrenal gland. These results suggest that ASCT1 is expressed in various non-neuronal peripheral tissues in mice, and it contributes to the amino acid transport throughout non-neuronal tissues.