Possible involvement of amino acid transporters on S-nitrosocysteine-induced inhibition of arachidonic acid release in PC12 cells

Previously, we proposed that S-nitroso-cysteine (SNC) was incorporated via the L-type-like amino acid transporters in rat brain slices. In PC12 cells (rat neuronal cell line), SNC inhibited [H-3]arachidonic acid (AA) release induced by mastoparan (wasp venom peptide). We investigated the involvement of amino acid transporters on SNC-induced inhibition of [H-3]AA release in PC12 cells. SNC inhibited mastoparan-stimulated [H-3]AA release in a conce ntration-dependent manner in normal Na+- and low Na+-containing buffer. The inhibitory effect of 0.6 mM SNC in low Na buffer decreased by 10 MM L-leuc ine, L-phenylalanine, L-methionine and L-cysteine. In contrast, L-alanine, L-threonine, L-valine or L-isoleucine showed very limited effects. Addition Of L-leucine and L-phenylalanine, but not L-alanine or L-valine, also decr eased the inhibitory effect of SNC on ionomycin/Na3VO4-stimulated [H-3]AA r elease in normal Na+ buffer. These findings suggest that SNC is incorporate d via the amino acid transporters and inhibits AA release in PC12 cells. (C ) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.