MBEC4 cells with low-Arginine conditions

Amino acid transporters are expressed in the brain capillary endothelial cells, which form the blood-brain barrier, and their expression levels change during the neonatal period. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms regulating the amino acid transporter levels in mouse brain capillary endothelial cells. Proteomic analysis revealed arginine depletion-dependent induction of the amino acid transporters, Slc1a4, Slc3a2, Slc7a1, Slc7a5, and Slc38a1. These effects were also inhibited by GCN2iB, suggesting the involvement of eIF2K4 activation. In contrast, expression levels of Slc2a1, Slc16a1, Abcb1b, Abcg2, transferrin receptor, insulin receptor, claudin-1, Zo-1, and Jam1 were not suppressed by GCN2iB.