Toxic effects of ozone on murine L929 fibroblasts. Damaging action on transmembrane transport systems

Exposure of murine L929 fibroblasts to ozone caused inactivation of the energy-coupled transport systems for 2-aminoisobutyric acid and Rb+. Ozone induced an increase of the apparent Km for 2-aminoisobutyric acid transport, with a constant Vmax, indicating impairment of the carrier function, rather than a decrease in the number of transport sites. The uptake rate of 2-deoxy-D-glucose, on the other hand, increased after exposure of the cells to ozone. This was caused by an increased Vmax. of facilitated diffusion, without increased after ozone exposure. Together with the K+ leakage described previously, this reflects ozone-induced impairment of the barrier function of the membrane.