Multidrug and Toxic Compound Extrusion Protein‑1 (MATE1/SLC47A1) Is a Novel Flavonoid Transporter

Dietary flavonoids have various biological functions. However, their cellular transport mechanisms are largely unknown. We have determined that the multidrug and toxic compound extrusion transporter-1 (MATE1) is a membrane transporter for flavonoids and has a high affinity for quercetin. HEK293T cells overexpressing MATE1 exhibited increased intracellular quercetin accumulation. This effect disappeared in the presence of a MATE1 inhibitor and after MATE1 gene knockdown. HepG2 cells expressed MATE1 significantly, with the uptake quercetin of which was dramatically reduced with MATE1 inhibition. On the basis of immunofluorescence analysis, MATE1 was highly expressed in peroxisomes and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as well as in plasma membranes in the liver and intestine, which suggests potential accumulation of quercetin in peroxisomes and the ER in these tissues. Fluorescent microscopic analysis confirmed selective accumulation of qurcetin in peroxisome. The effects of quercetin on cellular lipid reduction and glucose uptake were exaggerated with MATE1 overexpression. In conclusion, MATE1 is a membrane transporter for quercetin; its overexpression enhances the hypolipidemic activity of quercetin and cellular glucose transport. Considering the low bioavailability of quercetin, appropriate regulation of MATE1 expression may optimize cellular quercetin concentrations and promote health benefits

Critical Role of Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor-δ on Body Fat Reduction in C57BL/6J and Human Apolipoprotein E2 Transgenic Mice Fed Delipidated Soybean

The consumption of soy protein and fiber reduces body fat accumulation; however, the mechanism of this effect has not been clearly understood. We investigated the antiobesogenic effect of soy protein and fiber in two different mouse models. Normolipidemic nonobese C57BL/6J and hyperlipidemic obese human apolipoprotein E2 transgenic mice were fed either delipidated soybean (DLSB) containing soy protein and fiber or a control diet. The DLSB-fed mice showed a significant reduction in body weight gain and adiposity compared with controls, in both C57BL/6J and apoE2 mice. All metabolic parameters were significantly improved in the DLSB group compared with controls: total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin, and leptin levels were significantly reduced. Adiponectin concentrations were significantly elevated, and glucose tolerance was improved. In both types of DLSB-fed mice, the specific induction of PPAR-δ protein expression was evident in muscle and adipose tissues. The expression of PPAR-δ target genes in the DLSB-fed mice was also significantly altered. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1 and fatty acid synthase levels in adipose tissue were downregulated, and uncoupling protein-2 in muscle was upregulated. Intestinal expression of fatty acid transport protein-4, cluster of differentiation-36, and acyl-CoA synthetase were significantly downregulated. We propose that marked activation of PPAR-δ is the primary mechanism mediating the antiobesogenic effect of soybean and that PPAR-δ has multiple actions: induction of thermogenesis in muscle, reduction of fatty acid synthesis in adipose tissue, and reduction of fatty acid uptake in intestinal tissue