Identification of a novel, sodium-dependent, reduced glutathione transporter in the rat lens epithelium.

Abstract

Results from the current study provide strong evidence for the presence of a hitherto unreported Na(+)-dependent, BSP-GSH inhibitable GSH transporter in the lens epithelium, which may mediate concentrative, basolateral uptake of aqueous GSH consistent with in situ eye perfusion studies. The Na(+)-independent, BSP-GSH insensitive RcGshT may function as an apical GSH effluxer in lens epithelium and in mediating concentration gradient driven inward GSH movement by uptake-efflux in the lens cortex.