Lactate transport in rat adipocytes: Identification of monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) and its modulation during streptozotocin-induced diabetes

We have characterised L-lactate transport in rat adipocytes and determined whether these cells express a carrier belonging to the monocarboxylate transporter family. L-Lactate was taken up by adipocytes in a time-dependent, non-saturable manner and was inhibited (by ~90%) by α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate. Lactate transport was stimulated by 3.7-fold upon lowering extracellular pH from 7.5 to 6.5 suggesting the presence of a lactate/proton-cotransporter. Antibodies against mono carboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) reacted positively with plasma membranes (PM), but not with intracellular membranes, prepared from adipocytes. MCT1 expression was down-regulated in PM of adipocytes from diabetic rats, which also displayed a corresponding loss (~64%) in their capacity to transport lactate. The data support a role for MCT1 in lactate transport and suggest that changes in MCT1 expression are likely to have important implications for adipocyte lactate metabolism. Copyright (C) 2000 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.