[3H]2-deoxyglucose transport by slices of cerebral cortex: apparent dependence upon mitochondrial energy.

The transport of [3H]2-deoxyglucose by brain slices was studied. Cerebral cortex slices were incubated in vitro in the presence of [3H]2-deoxyglucose, or L-[3H]glucose as a marker for diffusion. Transport was defined as the difference between [3H]2DG uptake and L-[3H]glucose uptake. Half-maximal velocity was seen at 2.0 mM 2DG and [3H]2DG transport was not inhibited by 20-fold higher concentrations of L-glucose. Net [3H]2DG transport was unchanged in media deficient in Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ or Cl-. Uptake was significantly inhibited by 1.0 mM 2,4-DNP and a suggestion of inhibition by azide was seen. These data are consistent with a hypothesis that hexose transport in the brain depends to some extent upon mitochondrial energy.