Proteoliposome transporter assays for FnSiaQM.
(A) Schematic diagram showing the experimental setup. First, FnSiaQM is incorporated into proteoliposome in the presence of internal K+. Then, valinomycin (val) is added to induce the efflux of K+ down its concentration gradient, imposing an artificial membrane potential. To start transport measurement, FnSiaP, [3H]-Neu5Ac and Na+-gluconate are added in the extraliposomal environment. (B) Time course of Neu5Ac uptake into proteoliposomes reconstituted with FnSiaQM. In black circles, black squares, white triangles, black triangles, asterisks, and valinomycin, it was added to facilitate K+ movement before transport. Ethanol was added instead of valinomycin as a control in the white circle, white square, and white triangle. In white square, black square, white triangle, black triangle, 10 mM Na+-gluconate was added together with 5 µM [3H]-Neu5Ac and 0.5 µM FnSiaP; in white triangle and black triangle proteoliposomes are prepared without internal K+; in black asterisk transport is measured in the presence of 10 mM Na+-gluconate, 5 µM [3H]-Neu5Ac and in the absence of FnSiaP. Uptake data were fitted in a first-order rate equation for time course plots. Data are means ± s.d. of three independent experiments.