A functional role for histidyl residues of the UDP-glucuronic acid carrier in rat liver endoplasmic reticulum membranes

Previous studies have documented the presence of protein-mediated transport of UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcUA) in rat liver endoplasmic reticulum (ER). To determine the crucial amino acids of the membrane transporter and evaluate their function in regulating the glucuronidation reaction, we examined the effect of histidyl-specific irreversible inhibitors on the uptake of radiolabeled UDP-GlcUA in rat liver ER. Inactivation of uptake (initial rate) was more pronounced with hydrophobic reagents [diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC), p-bromophenacyl bromide] as compared to the more hydrophilic reagent (p-nitrobenzenesulfonic acid methyl ester). DEPC was used to further characterize the inhibition because of its greater specificity for protein histidyl residues. While initial [C-14]UDP-GlcUA uptake rates were diminished by DEPC treatment of intact microsomes, the accumulation of isotope at equilibrium was not significantly affected, indicating no loss of vesicle integrity. A pK(a) of similar to 7 for the modified residue(s) of the transporter supported the alkylation of imidazole moieties. Protection against Inactivation was observed with UDP-GlcUA as well as other nucleotide-sugars known for their interaction with this transporter, Uptake activity of the transporter (V-max) but not UDP-GlcUA binding (K-m) was affected by a limited inactivation, Furthermore, a partial inactivation of the transporter impaired the binding of the photoaffinity label [beta-P-32]5-azido-UDP-GlcUA to UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) in intact, but not in detergent-disrupted, ER vesicles. These results demonstrate the involvement of histidyl residue(s) in the UDP-GlcUA uptake process in rat liver ER, provide additional evidence for the lumenal orientation of the UGT active site, and support the view that translocation of the UGT cosubstrate is a rate-limiting step of the glucuronidation reaction.