Organic anion transporting polypeptides expressed in liver and brain mediate uptake of microcystin.

Microcystins are toxins produced by freshwater cyanobacteria. They are cyclic heptapeptides that exhibit hepato- and neurotoxicity. However, the transport systems that mediate uptake of microcystins into hepatocytes and across the blood-brain barrier have not yet been identified. Using the Xenopus laevis oocyte expression system we tested whether members of the organic anion transporting polypeptide superfamily (rodent: Oatps; human: OATPs) are involved in transport of the most common microcystin variant microcystin-LR by measuring uptake of a radiolabeled derivative dihydromicrocystin-LR. Among the tested Oatps/OATPs, rat Oatp1b2, human OATP1B1, human OATP1B3, and human OATP1A2 transported microcystin-LR 2- to 5-fold above water-injected control oocytes. This microcystin-LR transport was inhibited by co-incubation with the known Oatp/OATP substrates taurocholate (TC) and bromosulfophthalein (BSP). Microcystin-LR transport mediated by the human OATPs was further characterized and showed saturability with increasing microcystin-LR concentrations. The apparent K(m) values amounted to 7 +/- 3 microM for OATP1B1, 9 +/- 3 microM for OATP1B3, and 20 +/- 8 microM for OATP1A2. No microcystin-LR transport was observed in oocytes expressing Oatp1a1, Oatp1a4, and OATP2B1. These results may explain some of the observed organ-specific toxicity of microcystin-LR. Oatp1b2, OATP1B1, and OATP1B3 are responsible for microcystin transport into hepatocytes, whereas OATP1A2 mediates microcystin-LR transport across the blood-brain barrier.

Temporal expression profiles of organic anion transport proteins in placenta and fetal liver of the rat.

Physiological cholestasis linked to immature hepatobiliary transport systems for organic anions occurs in rat and human neonates. In utero, the placenta facilitates vectorial transfer of certain fetal-derived solutes to the maternal circulation for elimination. We compared the ontogenesis of organic anion transporters in the placenta and the fetal liver of the rat to assess their relative abundance throughout gestation and to determine whether the placenta compensates for the late maturation of transporters in the developing liver. The mRNA of members of the organic anion transporting polypeptide (Oatp) superfamily, the multidrug resistance protein (Mrp) family, one organic anion transporter (OAT), and the bile acid carriers Na(+)-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp) and bile salt export pump (Bsep) was quantified by real-time PCR. The most abundant placental transporters were Oatp4a1, whose mRNA increased 10-fold during gestation, and Mrp1. Mrp1 immunolocalized predominantly to epithelial cells of the endoplacental yolk sac, suggesting an excretory role that sequesters fetal-derived solutes in the yolk sac cavity, and faintly to the basal syncytiotrophoblast surface. The mRNA levels of Oatp2b1, Mrp3, and Bsep in the placenta exceeded those in the fetal liver until day 20 of gestation, suggesting that the fetus relies on placental clearance of substrates when expression in the developing liver is low. Mrp3 immunolocalized to the epithelium of the endoplacental yolk sac and less abundantly in the labyrinth zone and endothelium of the maternal arteries. The placental expression of Oatp1a1, Oatp1a4, Oatp1a5, Oatp1b2, Oat, Ntcp, Mrp2, and Mrp6 was low.

Identification of steroid sulfate transport processes in the human mammary gland.

Circulating hormones and local biotransformation of steroid precursors are both sources of estrogen in human mammary tissue. Estrone-3-sulfate (E(1)S) is an important estrogenic form in premenopausal women, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) constitutes a major adrenal precursor. Membrane transport systems that govern delivery of these anionic steroid conjugates to the mammary gland were investigated. RNA was screened by RT-PCR and Northern blotting for expression of organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) (solute carrier family 21A) and organic anion transporter (OAT) (solute carrier family 22A) gene families. OATP-B (SLC21A9) was the major carrier expressed; OATP-D (SLC21A11) and OATP-E (SLC21A12) were less abundant. In normal sections, OATP-B immunolocalized to the myoepithelium that surrounds the ductal epithelial cells. In invasive carcinoma, ductal epithelial cells were positive. OATP-B was characterized in stable transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells. E(1)S affinity constant (K(m)) [K(m) = 5 micro mol/liter, maximum velocity (V(max)) V(max) = 777 pmol/mg.min] and DHEAS (K(m) = 9 micro mol/liter, V(max) = 85 pmol/mg.min) were substrates. The prostaglandins (PG) A(1) and PGA(2) stimulated uptake of E(1)S and DHEAS by increasing V(max) 2-fold but not changing K(m). The effect of PGA was selectively blocked by the lipophilic thiol reagent N-ethylmaleimide but not by the hydrophilic acetamido-4'(iodoacetyl)aminostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, suggesting an interaction between the electrophilic cyclopentenone ring and specific cysteine residues of OATP-B.

Drug uptake systems in liver and kidney.

The hepatobiliary system and the kidneys are the main routes by which drugs and their metabolites leave the body. Compounds that are mainly excreted into bile in general have relatively high molecular weights, are amphipathic and highly bound to plasma proteins. In contrast, compounds that are predominantly excreted into urine have relatively low molecular weights, are more hydrophilic and generally less protein bound. The first step in drug elimination in liver and kidney is uptake into hepatocytes or into proximal tubular cells. The substrate specificity and affinity of the uptake carriers expressed at the basolateral membranes of hepatocytes and proximal tubular cells could therefore play an important role for the determination of the main elimination route of a compound. This review discusses the tissue distribution, substrate specificity, transport mechanism, and regulation of the members of the organic anion transporting polypeptide (Oatp/OATP) superfamily (solute carrier family SLC21A) and the SLC22A family containing transporters for organic cations (OCTs) and organic anions (OATs). The Oatps/OATPs are mainly important for the hepatic uptake of large amphipathic organic anions, organic cations and uncharged substrates, whereas OCTs and OATs mediate uptake of predominantly small organic cations and anions in liver and kidney.

Hepatocyte performance on different crystallographic faces of rutile.

The influence of crystallographic orientation of polished rutile single crystal surfaces of the (100), (110) and (111) orientation on hepatocyte performance was tested in cell culture over 3 days. Cell adhesion was observed on the titanium dioxide surfaces and their performance was measured by means of cell number attached (protein mass), cell viability (neutral red assays) and metabolic activity (thiazolyl tetrazolium bromide assay). Titanium dioxide displays no cytotoxic effects on hepatocytes, and shows a performance in the range of standard collagen-coated tissue culture polystyrene dish. The number of hepatocytes adhered on the different rutile surfaces were not significantly different to those on dense rutile polycrystalline ceramic. These findings suggest that hepatocytes do not recognize the specific differences of differently orientated rutile crystal surfaces.

Effect of ursodeoxycholic acid on the impairment induced by maternal cholestasis in the rat placenta-maternal liver tandem excretory pathway.

We investigated the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA; 60 microg/day/100 g b.wt.) on the impairment induced by maternal obstructive cholestasis during pregnancy (OCP) in the rat placenta-maternal liver tandem excretory pathway. A blunted catheter was implanted in the common bile duct on day 14 of pregnancy, and the tip was cut on day 21. [(14)C]Glycocholate (GC) was then administered through the umbilical artery of "in situ" perfused placenta (placental transfer test) or through the maternal jugular vein (biliary secretion test), and GC bile output was measured. OCP impaired both GC placental transfer and maternal biliary secretion. UDCA moderately improved the latter but had a more marked beneficial effect on GC placental transfer. Histological examination revealed trophoblast atrophy and structural alterations, e.g., loss of apical membrane microvilli in OCP placentas. Gene expression level was investigated by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. OCP reduced both placental lactogen II (a trophoblast-specific gene) mRNA and the functional amount of epithelial tissue, determined by transplacental diffusion of antipyrin. Using a rapid filtration technique, impairment in the ATP-dependent GC transport across trophoblast apical plasma membranes obtained from OCP placentas was found. UDCA partially prevented all these changes. The expression level of organic anion transporters Oatp1, Oatp2, and Oatp4, and multidrug resistance-associated proteins Mrp1, Mrp2, and Mrp3 in whole placenta were not affected or were moderately affected by OCP but greatly enhanced by UDCA. In summary, UDCA partially prevents deleterious effects of OCP on the rat placenta-maternal liver tandem excretory pathway, mainly by preserving trophoblast structure and function.

The superfamily of organic anion transporting polypeptides.

Organic anion transporting polypeptides (Oatps/OATPs) form a growing gene superfamily and mediate transport of a wide spectrum of amphipathic organic solutes. Different Oatps/OATPs have partially overlapping and partially distinct substrate preferences for organic solutes such as bile salts, steroid conjugates, thyroid hormones, anionic oligopeptides, drugs, toxins and other xenobiotics. While some Oatps/OATPs are preferentially or even selectively expressed in one tissue such as the liver, others are expressed in multiple organs including the blood-brain barrier (BBB), choroid plexus, lung, heart, intestine, kidney, placenta and testis. This review summarizes the actual state of the rapidly expanding OATP superfamily and covers the structural properties, the genomic classification, the phylogenetic relationships and the functional transport characteristics. In addition, we propose a new species independent and open ended nomenclature and classification system, which is based on divergent evolution and agrees with the guidelines of the Human Genome Nomenclature Committee.

Functional analysis of candidate ABC transporter proteins for sitosterol transport.

Two ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins, ABCG5 and ABCG8, have recently been associated with the accumulation of dietary cholesterol in the sterol storage disease sitosterolemia. These two 'half-transporters' are assumed to dimerize to form the complete sitosterol transporter which reduces the absorption of sitosterol and related molecules in the intestine by pumping them back into the lumen. Although mutations altering ABCG5 and ABCG8 are found in affected patients, no functional demonstration of sitosterol transport has been achieved. In this study, we investigated whether other ABC transporters implicated in lipid movement and expressed in tissues with a role in sterol synthesis and absorption, might also be involved in sitosterol transport. Transport by the multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein (P-gp; Abcb1), the multidrug resistance-associated protein (Mrp1; Abcc1), the breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp; Abcg2) and the bile salt export pump (Bsep; Abcb11) was assessed using several assays. Unexpectedly, none of the candidate proteins mediated significant sitosterol transport. This has implications for the pathology of sitosterolemia. In addition, the data suggest that otherwise broad-specific ABC transporters have acquired specificity to exclude sitosterol and related sterols like cholesterol presumably because the abundance of cholesterol in the membrane would interfere with their action; in consequence, specific transporters have evolved to handle these sterols.

Identification of a novel human organic anion transporting polypeptide as a high affinity thyroxine transporter.

Transport of various amphipathic organic compounds is mediated by organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs in humans, Oatps in rodents), which belong to the solute carrier family 21A (SLC21A/Slc21a). Several of these transporters exhibit a broad and overlapping substrate specificity and are expressed in a variety of different tissues. We have isolated and functionally characterized OATP-F (SLC21A14), a novel member of the OATP family. The cDNA (3059 bp) contains an open reading frame of 2136 bp encoding a protein of 712 amino acids. Its gene containing 15 exons is located on chromosome 12p12. OATP-F exhibits 47-48% amino acid identity with OATP-A, OATP-C, and OATP8, the genes of which are clustered on chromosome 12p12. OATP-F is predominantly expressed in multiple brain regions and Leydig cells of the testis. OATP-F mediates high affinity transport of T(4) and reverse T(3) with apparent K(m) values of approximately 90 nM and 128 nM, respectively. Substrates less well transported by OATP-F include T(3), bromosulfophthalein, estrone-3-sulfate, and estradiol-17beta-glucuronide. Furthermore, OATP-F-mediated T(4) uptake could be cis-inhibited by L-T(4) and D-T(4), but not by 3,5-diiodothyronine, indicating that T(4) transport is not stereospecific, but that 3',5'-iodination is important for efficient transport by OATP-F. Thus, in contrast to most other family members, OATP-F has a more selective substrate preference and may play an important role in the disposition of thyroid hormones in brain and testis.

Characterization of an organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP-B) in human placenta.

Organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATPs) are a family of multispecific carriers that mediate the sodium-independent transport of steroid hormone and conjugates, drugs, and numerous anionic endogenous substrates. We investigated whether members of the OATP gene family could mediate fetal-maternal transfer of anionic steroid conjugates in the human placenta. OATP-B (gene symbol SLC21A9) was isolated from a placenta cDNA library. An antiserum to OATP-B detected an 85-kDa protein in basal but not apical syncytiotrophoblast membranes. Immunohistochemistry of first-, second-, and third-trimester placenta showed staining in the cytotrophoblast membranes and at the basal surface of the syncytiotrophoblast. Trophoblasts that reacted with an antibody to Ki-67, a proliferation-associated antigen, expressed lower levels of OATP-B. OATP-B mRNA levels were measured in isolated trophoblasts under culture conditions that promoted syncytia formation. Real-time quantitative PCR estimated an 8-fold increase in OATP-B expression on differentiation to syncytia. The uptake of [(3)H]estrone-3-sulfate, a substrate for OATP-B, was measured in basal syncytiotrophoblast membrane vesicles. Transport was saturable and partially inhibited by pregnenolone sulfate, a progesterone precursor. Pregnenolone sulfate also partially inhibited OATP-B-mediated transport of estrone-3-sulfate in an oocyte expression system. These findings suggest a physiological role for OATP-B in the placental uptake of fetal-derived sulfated steroids.

Localization of organic anion transporting polypeptide 4 (Oatp4) in rat liver and comparison of its substrate specificity with Oatp1, Oatp2 and Oatp3.

Organic anion transporting polypeptides (rodents: Oatps; human: OATPs) are involved in the absorption and elimination of a wide variety of structurally unrelated amphipathic organic compounds. Several members of this protein family mediate the uptake of substrates across the basolateral membrane of hepatocytes as the first step in hepatic elimination. In contrast to the well-characterized Oatp1 and Oatp2, the localization and substrate specificity of the recently cloned Oatp4 have not been investigated in detail. Therefore, we raised an antibody against the C-terminal end of Oatp4 and localized this 85-kDa protein to the basolateral membrane of rat hepatocytes. Similar to Oatp1 and Oatp2, Oatp4 is a multispecific transporter with high affinities for bromosulfophthalein, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, leukotriene C4, and anionic peptides. In addition, we compared the substrate specificity of Oatp4 to that of Oatp3, which so far has mainly been shown to mediate intestinal bile acid transport. Oatp3 had a similar broad substrate specificity, but in general much lower affinities than Oatp4. Thus, while Oatp4 seems to work in concert with Oatp1 and Oatp2 in the basolateral membrane of rat hepatocytes, Oatp3 is a multispecific transport system in the small intestine.

Hepatic uptake of cholecystokinin octapeptide by organic anion-transporting polypeptides OATP4 and OATP8 of rat and human liver.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a major gastrointestinal peptide hormone that is released postprandially from the small intestine and exerts marked effects on gallbladder and gastrointestinal motility. The smaller isoforms CCK-8 and CCK-4 are rapidly taken up into hepatocytes, metabolized, and excreted into bile. Our aim was to identify and characterize the hepatocellular CCK-8 uptake system. METHODS: CCK-8 uptake was measured in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing the organic anion-transporting polypeptides of rat liver (Oatp1, Oatp2, Oatp3, or Oatp4) and of human liver (OATP-A, OATP-B, OATP-C, or OATP8) and in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. RESULTS: Rat Oatp4 and human OATP8 efficiently mediated CCK-8 uptake in oocytes, with Michaelis constant (Km) values of 14.9 +/- 2.9 micromol/L and 11.1 +/- 2.9 micromol/L, respectively. CCK-8 uptake by hepatocytes was also saturable, with a Km of 6.7 +/- 2.1 micromol/L. The Km value in rat hepatocytes is consistent with Oatp4-mediated transport. CONCLUSIONS: CCK-8 is selectively transported by rat Oatp4 and human OATP8, both of which are exclusively expressed at the basolateral membrane of hepatocytes. These 2 transporters are the first and probably the predominant hepatic uptake systems for CCK-8 and may be critical for the rapid clearance of this hormone from the circulation.

Arterial and venous pharmacokinetics of intravenous heroin in subjects who are addicted to narcotics.

BACKGROUND: In Switzerland, medical prescription of heroin (diacetylmorphine) is currently being evaluated as a treatment option for heavily dependent addicts. Therefore the diacetylmorphine pharmacokinetics in opioid-addicted patients was studied. METHODS: Three different diacetylmorphine doses (up to 210 mg) and 20 mg deuterium-labeled morphine (morphine-d3) were administered intravenously to 8 heroin-addicted patients. Arterial and venous plasma samples were collected, and diacetylmorphine, monoacetylmorphine, morphine, morphine-3-glucuronide, morphine-6-glucuronide, and morphine-d3 plasma concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Maximal arterial concentrations of diacetylmorphine, monoacetylmorphine, and morphine were 2.4, 5.4, and 1.4 times higher and occurred 2 to 3 minutes earlier than maximal venous concentrations. Venous areas under the concentration-time curves (AUC) of diacetylmorphine and monoacetylmorphine were 35% and 26% lower than arterial AUC values, whereas for morphine the venous AUC was 15% higher. Morphine-3-glucuronide and morphine-6-glucuronide exhibited no arteriovenous differences. AUCs for diacetylmorphine, monoacetylmorphine, and morphine increased linearly with dose. Diacetylmorphine was completely metabolized to morphine. Substantial morphine input into the arterial circulation persisted for up to 90 minutes. The arterial clearances of diacetylmorphine, monoacetylmorphine, and morphine-d3 were 8.7 +/- 2.6, 6.7 +/- 1.6, and 2.3 +/- 0.3 L/min, respectively. The arterial half-lives of diacetylmorphine and morphine-d3 were 2. 4 +/- 0.8 and 88 +/- 21 minutes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that substantial arteriovenous differences exist for diacetylmorphine and metabolite kinetics, that the pharmacokinetics of diacetylmorphine and metabolites is linear even in the high dose range used by opioid addicts, and that not only diacetylmorphine but also monoacetylmorphine is substantially metabolized peripherally to morphine.

Characterization of the human OATP-C (SLC21A6) gene promoter and regulation of liver-specific OATP genes by hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha.

OATP-C (SLC21A6) is the predominant Na(+)-independent uptake system for bile salts and bilirubin of human liver and is expressed exclusively at the basolateral (sinusoidal) hepatocyte membrane. To investigate the basis of liver-specific expression of OATP-C, we studied promoter function in the two hepatocyte-derived cell lines HepG2 and Huh7 and in nonhepatic HeLa cells. OATP-C promoter constructs containing from 66 to 950 nucleotides of 5'-regulatory sequence were active in HepG2 and Huh7 but not HeLa cells, indicating that determinants of hepatocyte-specific expression reside within the minimal promoter. Deoxyribonuclease I footprint analysis revealed a single region that was protected by HepG2 and Huh7 but not HeLa cell nuclear extracts. The liver-enriched transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha (HNF1 alpha) was shown by mobility shift assays to bind within this footprint. Coexpression of HNF1 alpha stimulated OATP-C promoter activity 30-fold in HepG2 and 49-fold in HeLa cells. Mutation of the HNF1 site abolished promoter function, indicating that HNF1 alpha is critical for hepatocyte-specific OATP-C gene expression. The human OATP8 (SLC21A8) and mouse Oatp4 (Slc21a6) promoters were also responsive to HNF1 alpha coexpression in HepG2 cells. These data support a role for HNF1 alpha as a global regulator of liver-specific bile salt and organic anion transporter genes.

Effect of phenobarbital on the expression of bile salt and organic anion transporters of rat liver.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The hepatic clearance of drugs and cholephilic organic anions is stimulated by phenobarbital (PB). Our aim was to analyze the effects of PB on the expression of hepatocellular bile salt and organic anion transporters. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated intraperitoneally with PB (80 mg/kg/d) or saline for 5 days. Transporter expression was quantified by northern and western blot analysis and initial uptake rates of bromosulphophthalein (BSP) and digoxin were measured in isolated hepatocytes. RESULTS: Compared to control rats, PB treatment increased expression of the organic anion transporting polypeptide 2 (Oatp2; Slc21aS) more than 2-fold on the RNA (P < 0.05) and protein (P < 0.001) levels. Expression of Oatpl (Slc21al), Oatp4 (Slc21a6) and the Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp; Slc10a1) was unaltered. At the canalicular pole, expression of the bile salt export pump (Bsep; ABCB11) and of the multidrug resistance proteins 2 (Mrp2; ABCC2) and 6 (Mrp6; ABCC6) was not significantly changed. Whereas hepatocellular BSP uptake was unaffected by PB, digoxin uptake was stimulated 4-fold. CONCLUSIONS: The induction of digoxin uptake by PB correlates with Oatp2 expression. In contrast, the lack of increase of Oatpl and Oatp4 expression is in accordance with unchanged BSP uptake. These data challenge the previously held view that PB induces hepatocellular BSP uptake systems.

Effects of ursodeoxycholic and cholic acid feeding on hepatocellular transporter expression in mouse liver.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cholestasis is associated with retention of potentially toxic bile acids and alterations in hepatocellular transporter expression. Conversely, nontoxic ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) stimulates bile secretion and counteracts cholestasis. This study aimed to determine the effects of UDCA and cholic acid (CA) on the expression of hepatocellular transporters for bile acids (Ntcp, Bsep), organic anions (Oatp1, Mrp2), organic cations (Mdr1a/b), and phospholipids (Mdr2) in mouse liver. METHODS: Bile flow/composition was analyzed in UDCA- or CA-fed mice. Transporter expression was studied by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: UDCA had no effect on basolateral Ntcp and down-regulated Oatp1, whereas canalicular Bsep and Mrp2 were up-regulated. CA down-regulated basolateral Ntcp and Oatp1, whereas canalicular Bsep, Mrp2, and Mdr1a/b were up-regulated. Neither UDCA nor CA affected Mdr2 expression. Both UDCA and CA stimulated biliary bile acid and glutathione excretion, although only CA increased phospholipid and cholesterol excretion. CONCLUSIONS: Down-regulation of basolateral and up-regulation of canalicular transporters in response to CA may represent a defense mechanism, in an attempt to prevent hepatocellular accumulation of potentially toxic bile acids. The therapeutic effects of UDCA may be caused in part by stimulation of canalicular transporter expression in the absence of hepatocellular toxicity.

Differential effects of microsomal enzyme-inducing chemicals on the hepatic expression of rat organic anion transporters, OATP1 and OATP2.

The organic anion transporting polypeptides, Oatp1 (Slc21a1) and Oatp2 (Slc21a5), mediate hepatic uptake of cardiac glycosides. Previously, we demonstrated that chemicals that increase cytochrome P450s differentially affect hepatic uptake of cardiac glycosides. We postulated that increased uptake of cardiac glycosides observed after pretreatment of animals with phenobarbital (PB) and pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile (PCN) occurs via increased hepatic expression of Oatp1 and/or Oatp2. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with PB, PCN, 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC), or vehicle for 4 days. Branched-DNA (bDNA) signal amplification and Western blot analyses were used to assess hepatic Oatp1 and Oatp2 mRNA and protein, respectively. The expression of Oatp1 was not increased by any chemical treatment. Increases in Oatp2 expression were observed from livers of rats treated with PB and PCN, in which PCN caused a robust elevation of Oatp2 mRNA and protein. Oatp2 expression was suppressed in response to 3-MC. To determine the temporal effects of PCN treatment on the expression of Oatp2, rats were administered PCN, livers were extracted at various times, and Oatp2 expression was analyzed. Maximal expression of Oatp2 mRNA was observed at 24 hours and remained elevated, whereas the amount of Oatp2 protein increased throughout the 96-hour interval. The finding that Oatp2 expression increases in response to PB and PCN is consistent with our previous findings that PB and PCN enhance hepatic uptake of cardiac glycosides. These results suggest that Oatp2, but not Oatp1, is inducible by PB and PCN, which imparts the increased capacity of the liver to extract cardiac glycosides from the plasma.

Comparison of "type I" and "type II" organic cation transport by organic cation transporters and organic anion-transporting polypeptides.

Previous inhibition studies with taurocholate and cardiac glycosides suggested the presence of separate uptake systems for small "type I" (system1) and for bulky "type II" (system2) organic cations in rat hepatocytes. To identify the transport systems involved in type I and type II organic cation uptake, we compared the organic cation transport properties of the rat and human organic cation transporter 1 (rOCT1; hOCT1) and of the organic anion-transporting polypeptides 2 and A (rat Oatp2; human OATP-A) in cRNA-injected Xenopus laevis oocytes. Based on characteristic cis-inhibition patterns of rOCT1-mediated tributylmethylammonium and Oatp2-mediated rocuronium uptake, rOCT1 and Oatp2 could be identified as the organic cation uptake systems1 and 2, respectively, in rat liver. While hOCT1 exhibited similar transport properties as rOCT1, OATP-A- but not Oatp2-mediated rocuronium uptake was inhibited by the OATP-A substrate N-methyl-quinidine. The latter substrate was also transported by rOCT1 and hOCT1, demonstrating distinct organic cation transport activities for rOCT1 and Oatp2 and overlapping organic cation transport activities for hOCT1 and OATP-A. Finally, the data demonstrate that unmethylated quinidine is transported by rOCT1, hOCT1, and OATP-A at pH 6.0, but not at pH 7.5, indicating that quinidine requires a positive charge for carrier-mediated uptake into hepatocytes. In conclusion, the studies demonstrate that in rat liver the suggested organic cation uptake systems1 and 2 correspond to rOCT1 and Oatp2, respectively. However, the rat-based type I and II organic cation transporter classification cannot be extended without modification from rat to human.

Characterization of the efflux transport of 17beta-estradiol-D-17beta-glucuronide from the brain across the blood-brain barrier.

The contribution of organic anion transporters to the total efflux of 17beta-estradiol-D-17beta-glucuronide (E(2)17betaG) through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was investigated using the Brain Efflux Index method by examining the inhibitory effects of probenecid, taurocholate (TCA), p-aminohippurate (PAH), and digoxin. E(2)17betaG was eliminated through the BBB with a rate constant of 0.037 min(-1) after the microinjection into the brain. Probenecid and TCA inhibited this elimination with an IC50 value of 34 and 1.8 nmol/0.5 microl of injectate, respectively, whereas PAH and digoxin reduced the total efflux to about 80 and 60% of the control value, respectively. The selectivity of these inhibitors was confirmed by examining their inhibitory effects on the transport via organic anion transporting polypeptide 1 (Oatp1), Oatp2, organic anion transporter 1 (Oat1), and Oat3 transfectants using LLC-PK1 cells as hosts. Digoxin specifically inhibited the transport via Oatp2 (K(i) = 0.037 microM). The K(i) values of TCA for Oatp1 and Oatp2 (11 and 39 microM, respectively) were about 20 times lower than those for Oat1 and Oat3 (2.8 and 0.8 mM, respectively). PAH did not affect the transport via the Oatp family, but had a similar affinity for Oat1 and Oat3 (85 and 300 microM, respectively). Probenecid had a similar affinity for these transporters (Oatp1, Oatp2, Oat1, and Oat3) examined in this study. Taking the selectivity of these inhibitors into consideration, the maximum contribution made by the Oatp2 and Oat family to the total efflux of E(2)17betaG from the brain appears to be about 40 and 20%, respectively.