Genetic Polymorphisms in Human Proton-Dependent Dipeptide Transporter PEPT1: Implications for the Functional Role of Pro 586

ABSTRACT The human proton-dependent dipeptide transporter (PEPT1, gene SLC15A1) is important for intestinal absorption of di-and tripeptides and a variety of peptidomimetic compounds. Using a DNA polymorphism discovery panel of 44 ethnically diverse individuals, nine nonsynonymous and four synonymous coding-region single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in PEPT1. HeLa cells were transiently transfected with plasmids constructed by site-directed mutagenesis for each of the nine nonsynonymous variants. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that the mRNA transcription level of all of the mutants was comparable with the mRNA transcription level of the reference sequence in transfected HeLa cells. Functional analysis in transiently transfected HeLa cells revealed that all nonsynonymous variants retained similar pH-dependent activity and K t values for [glycyl-1,2-14 C]glycylsarcosine (GlySar) uptake as the reference PEPT1. In addition, a group of seven peptide-like drugs showed inhibitory effect on Gly-Sar uptake by these variants comparable with the reference, suggesting conserved drug recognition. Of the nine nonsynonymous SNPs, a single SNP (P586L) demonstrated significantly reduced transport capacity as evidenced by a much lower V max value. This was consistent with lower immunoactive protein level (Western analysis) and lower plasma membrane expression (immunocytochemical analysis). Therefore, Pro 586 may have profound effect on PEPT1 translation, degradation, and/or membrane insertion

In Vitro and Clinical Evaluations of the Drug-Drug Interaction Potential of a Metabotropic Glutamate 2/3 Receptor Agonist Prodrug with Intestinal Peptide Transporter 1 (PEPT1) mGlu 2/3 Receptor Agonist Prodrug at Human PEPT1 Corresponding Author

Abstract Despite PEPT1 being responsible for the bioavailability for a variety of drugs, there has been little study of its potential involvement in drug-drug interactions. Pomaglumetad methionil, a metabotropic glutamate 2/3 receptor agonist prodrug, utilizes PEPT1 to enhance absorption and bioavailability. In vitro studies were conducted to guide the decision to conduct a clinical drug interaction study and to inform the clinical study design. In vitro investigations determined the prodrug (LY2140023 monohydrate) is a substrate of PEPT1 with K m value of approximately 30 µM, while the active moiety (LY404039) is not a PEPT1 substrate. In addition, among the eight known PEPT1 substrates evaluated in vitro, valacyclovir was the most potent inhibitor (IC 50 = 0.46 mM) of PEPT1-mediated uptake of the prodrug. Therefore, a clinical drug interaction study was conducted to evaluate the potential interaction between the prodrug and valacyclovir in healthy subjects. No effect of coadministration was observed on the pharmacokinetics of the prodrug, valacyclovir, or either of their active moieties. Although in vitro studies showed potential for the prodrug and valacyclovir interaction via PEPT1, an in vivo study showed no interaction between these two drugs. PEPT1 does not appear to easily saturate due to its high capacity and expression in the intestine. Thus, a clinical interaction at PEPT1 is unlikely even with a compound with high affinity for the transporter