One-way fluxes of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Trans effects and effects of sodium and potassium.

One-way fluxes in the steady state and one-way influxes at zero intracellular concentrations were measured for alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells at 32 degrees C. The one-way fulxes show trans effects in the concentration of AIB and are dependent on sodium levels. The one-way fluxes for initial influx and for the steady state were fitted with the equations derived for the frequently used two-state carrier model. Estimates of the parameters of these equations were obtained with use of nonlinear least squares. These gave relatively good fits of the flux data and the data on steady-state distribution ratios. The two-state carrier model predicted a trans inhibition of one-way influx and a trans stimulation of one-way efflux. The former phenomenon has been demonstrated for AIB transport in Ehrlich ascites cells and there is evidence, through less firm, for the latter.