Multicomponent analysis of amino acid transport System L in normal and virus-transformed fibroblasts

Amino acid transport System L in both normal Balb/c 3T3 cells and in those transformed with simian virus 40 (SV 3T3) was analysed kinetically under two different experimental conditions. Under 'zero-trans' conditions the results for both types of cell could be interpreted satisfactorily in terms of System L consisting of two components (L1 and L2) characterized by different Km values. This conclusion is in agreement with previous reports. However, under 'infinite-trans' conditions, the experimental data could not be accounted for in terms of only two components; the introduction of a third component (L3) was necessary to provide a satisfactory fit. Viral transformation affects only the L1 component, either by modification or by replacement, giving it a higher 'affinity' (lower Km) but a lower 'capacity' (lower Vmax).