Amino acid transport disorders

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AA Transport - The Cellular Doormen

  • Mechanism: Primarily secondary active transport, co-transporting AAs with Na⁺. This process is driven by the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump. These transporters are part of the Solute Carrier (SLC) gene family.
  • Specificity: Transporters are often shared among groups of chemically similar amino acids.
    • Basic: Cysteine, Ornithine, Lysine, Arginine 📌 COLA
    • Neutral: Tryptophan & other neutral AAs
    • Acidic: Aspartate & Glutamate

⭐ Defects in these shared transporters cause aminoacidurias, where excess amino acids are excreted in urine (e.g., Cystinuria, Hartnup disease).

Cystinuria - COLA Stone Party

  • Defect: Autosomal recessive mutation in SLC3A1 or SLC7A9 genes, leading to a defective dibasic amino acid transporter in the Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT) & intestine.
  • Affected AAs (📌 COLA): Impaired reabsorption of Cystine, Ornithine, Lysine, and Arginine.
  • Clinical Presentation: Recurrent nephrolithiasis in a young patient.
  • Diagnosis:
    • Urinalysis: Pathognomonic hexagonal cystine crystals.
    • Test: Positive urinary cyanide-nitroprusside test.

Hexagonal cystine crystals in urine sediment

Exam Favorite: While all four COLA amino acids are excreted in excess, only cystine is poorly soluble in urine (especially at low pH), leading to stone formation.

  • Treatment:
    • Vigorous hydration (> 3L/day).
    • Urinary alkalinization (e.g., potassium citrate) to maintain urine pH > 7.5.
    • Chelating agents (e.g., penicillamine, tiopronin) for severe cases.

Hartnup Disease - Tryptophan Trouble

  • Genetic Defect: Autosomal recessive mutation in the SLC6A19 gene, causing a defective neutral amino acid transporter (especially Tryptophan) in the proximal convoluted tubules and intestinal enterocytes.

  • Pathophysiology: Impaired intestinal absorption and renal reabsorption of Tryptophan leads to ↓ Niacin (Vitamin B3) synthesis, resulting in Pellagra-like symptoms.

  • Clinical Presentation: Symptoms are often intermittent and triggered by stress, illness, or poor diet.

    • 📌 The '3 D's': Dermatitis (photosensitive rash), Diarrhea, and Dementia (or ataxia/neuropsychiatric issues).

Pellagra-like rash in Hartnup disease

  • Diagnosis: Generalized neutral aminoaciduria detected on urine chromatography. Plasma amino acid levels are typically normal.

  • Treatment:

    • High-protein diet.
    • Niacin (nicotinamide) supplementation.

High-Yield: Despite significant aminoaciduria, most patients remain asymptomatic throughout life. Clinical manifestations are episodic and often related to nutritional status.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Cystinuria is an AR disorder from a defective dibasic amino acid transporter (COLA) in the renal PCT.
  • It classically presents with recurrent, radiopaque hexagonal cystine kidney stones from a young age.
  • The sodium cyanide-nitroprusside test turns purple, confirming the diagnosis.
  • Hartnup disease is an AR defect in neutral amino acid transport, primarily affecting tryptophan.
  • ↓ Tryptophan leads to ↓ niacin (B3), causing pellagra-like symptoms (dementia, dermatitis, diarrhea).

Practice Questions: Amino acid transport disorders

Test your understanding with these related questions

An 8-day-old boy is brought to the physician by his mother because of vomiting and poor feeding. The pregnancy was uncomplicated, and he was born at full term. He appears pale and lethargic. Physical examination shows diffusely increased muscle tone. His urine is noted to have a sweet odor. This patient's symptoms are most likely caused by the accumulation of which of the following?

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Flashcards: Amino acid transport disorders

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What vitamin is derived from the amino acid tryptophan?_____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

What vitamin is derived from the amino acid tryptophan?_____

Vitamin B3 (niacin)

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