Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE  B

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Selenocystine-based fluorescence assay combined with structural prediction for functional analysis of cystine transporter variants in cystinuria


Author(s):  Xiaobai HE1, Xinyi QIAN1, Xiaoguang ZHENG1, Hong ZHANG1, Jinbang SHAO1, Xiaopan CHEN2, Qi RUAN1, Jianxin LYU1, 3, Leixiang YANG2, Linjie CHEN1

Affiliation(s):  1School of Laboratory Medicine and Bioengineering, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 311399, China 2Department of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China 3Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Research Centre for Key Technology of Diagnostic Testing, Hangzhou, 310053, China

Corresponding email(s):  Linjie CHEN, chenlinjie@hmc.edu.cn, Leixiang YANG, yangleixiang@hmc.edu.cn, Jianxin LYU, jxlu313@163.com.

Key Words:  Cystinuria; SLC3A1; SLC7A9; Selenocystine; Diagnosis; Mutation


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Xiaobai HE1, Xinyi QIAN1, Xiaoguang ZHENG1, Hong ZHANG1, Jinbang SHAO1, Xiaopan CHEN2, Qi RUAN1, Jianxin LYU1,3, Leixiang YANG2, Linjie CHEN1. Selenocystine-based fluorescence assay combined with structural prediction for functional analysis of cystine transporter variants in cystinuria[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University Science B,in press.Frontiers of Information Technology & Electronic Engineering,in press.https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B2500767

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author="Xiaobai HE1, Xinyi QIAN1, Xiaoguang ZHENG1, Hong ZHANG1, Jinbang SHAO1, Xiaopan CHEN2, Qi RUAN1, Jianxin LYU1,3, Leixiang YANG2, Linjie CHEN1",
journal="Journal of Zhejiang University Science B",
year="in press",
publisher="Zhejiang University Press & Springer",
doi="https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B2500767"
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%T Selenocystine-based fluorescence assay combined with structural prediction for functional analysis of cystine transporter variants in cystinuria
%A Xiaobai HE1
%A Xinyi QIAN1
%A Xiaoguang ZHENG1
%A Hong ZHANG1
%A Jinbang SHAO1
%A Xiaopan CHEN2
%A Qi RUAN1
%A Jianxin LYU1
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%A Leixiang YANG2
%A Linjie CHEN1
%J Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B
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doi="https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B2500767"

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A1 - Xiaobai HE1
A1 - Xinyi QIAN1
A1 - Xiaoguang ZHENG1
A1 - Hong ZHANG1
A1 - Jinbang SHAO1
A1 - Xiaopan CHEN2
A1 - Qi RUAN1
A1 - Jianxin LYU1
A1 -
3
A1 - Leixiang YANG2
A1 - Linjie CHEN1
J0 - Journal of Zhejiang University Science B
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doi="https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B2500767"


Abstract: 
Objective: Cystine stones account for 1%-2% of adult and up to 10% of pediatric kidney stones. They result from cystinuria, an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in solute carrier family 3 member 1 (SLC3A1) and solute carrier family 7 member 9 (SLC7A9), which encode the renal cystine transporter subunits. These mutations impair cystine reabsorption, raising urinary cystine levels and driving stone formation. Current diagnostic options remain limited in terms of detecting molecular-level dysfunctions. Thus, we aimed to develop a nonradioactive, cell-based method for the functional assessment of cystine transporters and mutation-specific pathologies. Methods: Using HEK293 cells transiently co-expressing wild-type or mutant SLC3A1 and SLC7A9, we developed an integrated approach that combines a selenocystine-based fluorescence uptake assay with AlphaFold3-based structural predictions to rapidly and accurately assess cystine transporter function and the molecular impact of genetic mutations. Results: The affinity of the SLC3A1/SLC7A9 complex was comparably apparent for selenocystine (Km=(156.3±24.2) µmol/L) and cystine (literature Km about 200 µmol/L). Using operational thresholds (mild >60%, moderate 20%-60%, severe <20% residual activity), the assay differentiated the functional impact of eight clinically characterized variants, including SLC7A9 A70V, A182T, G105R, R333W, V170M, A354T, and P482L, and SLC3A1 M467T, with categorical assignments consistent with previously published radioisotope-based functional data. AlphaFold3 modelling, combined with molecular docking, provides mechanistic interpretations of the dysfunction observed in the P482L and A354T mutants. Conclusions: The integrated approach employed in this work, which combines a sensitive selenocystine fluorescence assay with AI-powered structural analysis, enables the rapid, precise diagnosis of cystinuria variants. This platform is compatible with standard microplate-reader infrastructure and offers potential utility in variant-interpretation pipelines and future genotype-guided therapeutic decision-making, pending prospective clinical validation.

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On-line Access: 2026-06-08

Received: 2025-11-25

Revision Accepted: 2026-05-13

Crosschecked: 0000-00-00

Cited: 0

Clicked: 22

Citations:  Bibtex RefMan EndNote GB/T7714

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