The role of monocarboxylate transporters in uptake of lactic acid in HeLa cells

This study was aimed to identify the monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) in HeLa cells and to delineate their role in transportation of l-lactic acid. The functional role of MCTs in lactic acid transport was evaluated at various mucosal pHs (4.5–7.4) or in the presence of various loading doses (0.2–2 mM) of lactic acid, MCT substrates (nicotinic acid, n-butyric acid, etc.) and inhibitors (α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate and para-chloromercuribenzoic acid). The molecular properties of MCTs were characterized using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The uptake rate of lactic acid by HeLa cells significantly increased from 0.353 ± 0.052 to 1.103 ± 0.196 μmol/mg protein as the extra-cellular pH changed from 7.4 to 4.5, indicating that activities of MCT were mediated through H+-linked mechanism. The uptake profile of lactic acid followed the saturable process with the Km value of 0.53 mM. The uptake rate of lactic acid is concentration dependent and is reduced in the presence of MCT inhibitors. MCT isoforms 1, 5 and 6 in HeLa cells were identified by RT-PCR. HeLa cell line can be used as an effective screening tool for intravaginally administered drugs targeted toward MCT.