H4-II-E-C3 Cells

The H4-II-E-C3 cell line is a well-established rat hepatoma cell line derived from liver carcinoma. This line is widely used in research focused on liver-specific functions and the metabolic processes that occur within hepatocytes. One notable aspect of H4-II-E-C3 cells is their high expression of the high-affinity glutamate transporter GLT-1A. This feature distinguishes them from normal rat hepatocytes, which do not exhibit significant levels of this transporter. The expression of GLT-1A in H4-II-E-C3 cells allows for the efficient study of glutamate metabolism and transport, providing insights into liver cell transformation and tumor cell metabolism.

Additionally, H4-II-E-C3 cells are used to study aldehyde metabolism, particularly the activity of mitochondrial class 2 aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2). This enzyme is critical for metabolizing acetaldehyde produced during ethanol oxidation, making this cell line suitable for research on alcohol metabolism and its cellular effects. The use of an “acetaldehyde clamp” technique in these cells has allowed precise measurement of ALDH2 activity without the need for mitochondrial isolation, facilitating the study of enzyme kinetics and the impact of various inhibitors on aldehyde detoxification.