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B Stieger

Publications and source records attributed to B Stieger.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Substrate specificity of sinusoidal bile acid and organic anion uptake systems in rat and human liver.

The Na+-dependent bile salt uptake systems Ntcp (rodents) and NTCP (human), and the Na+-independent organic anion transporters oatpl (rat) and OATP (human) mediate sinusoidal uptake of a variety of amphipathic organic compounds into hepatocytes. Their properties indicate that an overall hepatic clearance of albumin-bound compounds is mediated by a limited number of multispecific transporters with partially overlapping substrate specificities.

Animals↗

Hepatic bile salt flux does not modulate level and activity of the sinusoidal Na+-taurocholate cotransporter (ntcp) in rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Efficient uptake at the basolateral plasma membrane of hepatocytes is required for maintenance of the enterohepatic circulation of bile salts. Uptake occurs mainly via a Na+-dependent process mediated by ntcp, a recently cloned and characterized 51 kDa glycoprotein. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of variations in hepatic bile salt flux through the liver in the regulation of ntcp activity and expression under non-cholestatic conditions. METHODS: We determined the kinetics of Na+-dependent taurocholate transport in isolated basolateral plasma membrane vesicles as well as hepatic ntcp protein and ntcp mRNA levels in long-term (8 days) bile-diverted rats, with a transhepatic bile salt flux of 0, and in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with a 2.5-fold increased bile salt flux. RESULTS: We found no changes in the kinetics of taurocholate transport in the absence of transhepatic bile salt flux due to bile diversion. Ntcp protein and ntcp mRNA levels were also unaffected in bile-diverted rats. Likewise, no changes in taurocholate transport kinetics, ntcp protein or ntcp mRNA levels were detected in streptozotocin-diabetic rats when compared to non-diabetic controls. Thus, variation in hepatic bile salt flux from 0 to 250% of normal values had no effect on hepatic ntcp expression or taurocholate transport activity in basolateral plasma membrane vesicles in rats. In contrast, 4 days of bile duct ligation resulted in a strong decrease in ntcp mRNA and protein levels, as recently also reported by others. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that ntcp is not regulated by the transhepatic flux of bile acids under non-cholestatic conditions.

Animals↗

Expression of the liver Na+-independent organic anion transporting polypeptide (oatp-1) in rats with bile duct ligation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In rats with cholestasis due to bile duct ligation, the expression of the Na+-dependent taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide, the major uptake system for conjugated bile acids in hepatocytes, is down-regulated. Our purpose was to examine the expression of the organic anion transporting polypeptide, a Na+-independent uptake system for bile acids and organic anions, in rats with bile duct ligation, and to compare the expression of organic anion transporting polypeptide to that of Na+-dependent taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide. METHODS: Rats with bile duct ligation were studied after 1, 3 or 7 days. The expression of organic anion transporting polypeptide and Na+-dependent taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide proteins was examined by Western blot analysis and steady-state mRNA levels were determined by Northern blot analysis using cDNAs encoding organic anion transporting polypeptide and Na+-dependent taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide. Sham-operated animals were used as controls. RESULTS: The expression of organic anion transporting polypeptide protein was slightly, but not significantly, decreased 1 day after ligation (10.3%); it was markedly decreased after 3 days (56.9%; p<0.03) and 7 days (46.8%; p<0.05) compared to sham-operated animals. Steady-state mRNA levels of organic anion transporting polypeptide were decreased by 79.7% (p<0.04), 48.8% (p<0.02) and 57.4% (p<0.02) after 1, 3 and 7 days respectively. For comparison, Na+-dependent taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide protein and mRNA levels were decreased by 73.8% (p<0.03) and 70.0% (p<0.05) at 1 day and remained low after 3 and 7 days. CONCLUSIONS: In rats with bile duct ligation, the expression of organic anion transporting polypeptide protein and mRNA is down-regulated. Down-regulation of organic anion transporting polypeptide seems less pronounced than that of Na+-dependent taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide. Nevertheless, it could contribute to a decreased uptake of potentially toxic bile acids or organic anions in this situation.

Animals↗

Chlorambucil-taurocholate is transported by bile acid carriers expressed in human hepatocellular carcinomas.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Chemotherapy of hepatocellular carcinomas is hampered by the insufficient accumulation of cytostatic drugs within the tumor cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of therapeutic strategies using antineoplastic agents coupled to bile acids. METHODS: Expression of the Na(+)-taurocholate-cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) was analyzed in six hepatocellular carcinomas and in nonmalignant liver tissue. Uptake of the cytostatic drug [3H]-chlorambucil-taurocholate (S2676) was measured in Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with total messenger RNA (mRNA) from the carcinomas or peritumor tissue or with complementary RNA encoding the NTCP or the organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP) of human liver. RESULTS: Expression of hepatocellular carcinoma mRNA in oocytes resulted in mainly Na(+)-dependent uptake of chlorambucil-taurocholate. The level of NTCP mRNA in carcinomas amounted to 56% +/- 27% compared with peritumor tissue. Immunofluorescence studies confirmed the expression of NTCP on the surface of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. OATP expression, determined by immunoblotting, was similar in hepatocellular carcinomas and surrounding liver tissue (n = 3). NTCP mediated Na(+)-dependent uptake of chlorambucil-taurocholate (Michaelis constant, 11 mumol/L), whereas OATP mediated Na(+)-independent uptake. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatocellular carcinomas express the Na(+)-dependent bile acid transporter NTCP. Because NTCP mediates high-affinity uptake of chlorambucil-taurocholate, targeting of cytostatic bile acids to hepatocellular carcinomas could become a feasible therapeutic strategy.

Animals↗

cAMP increases liver Na+-taurocholate cotransport by translocating transporter to plasma membranes.

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), acting via protein kinase A, increases transport maximum of Na+-taurocholate cotransport within 15 min in hepatocytes (S. Grüne, L. R. Engelking, and M. S. Anwer. J. Biol. Chem. 268: 17734-17741, 1993); the mechanism of this short-term stimulation was investigated. Cycloheximide inhibited neither basal nor cAMP-induced increases in taurocholate uptake in rat hepatocytes, indicating that cAMP does not stimulate transporter synthesis. Studies in plasma membrane vesicles showed that taurocholate uptake was not stimulated by the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A but was higher when hepatocytes were pretreated with cAMP. Immunoblot studies with anti-fusion protein antibodies to the cloned Na+-taurocholate cotransport polypeptide (Ntcp) showed that pretreatment of hepatocytes with cAMP increased Ntcp content in plasma membranes but not in homogenates. Ntcp was detected in microsomes, endosomes, and Golgi fractions, and cAMP pretreatment resulted in a decrease only in endosomal Ntcp content. It is proposed that cAMP increases transport maximum of Na+-taurocholate cotransport, at least in part, by translocating Ntcp from endosomes to plasma membranes.

Animals↗

Uptake of 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-24-nor-5 beta-cholan-23-sulfonate into isolated rat hepatocytes by three transport systems.

Uptake of norcholansulfonate (3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-24-nor-5 beta-cholan-23-sulfonate), an isogeometric analogue of cholate into isolated rat liver hepatocytes occurs only by saturable transport. In order to identify the transport systems involved, uptake of norcholansulfonate was studied using 7 beta-NBD-NCT ({N-[7-(4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol)]-7 beta-amino-3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oyl})-2'-aminoethanesulfonate) as a competing substrate. For transport of both bile salt derivatives, which mutually inhibit their mediated transport competitively, the existence of at least three transport systems must be assumed. Uptake studies using the cloned hepatic Na+/cholyltaurine cotransporting polypeptide stably expressed in CHO cells (Chinese hamster ovary cells) showed that both bile salt derivatives were transported and furnished the definite KT values of this single transport system and the ratio of the maximal uptake velocities. On the basis of these data, uptake of both bile salt derivatives into rat hepatocytes and their mutual competitive inhibition could be analyzed for three transport systems. The maximal flux rates J2 and the half-saturation constants KT2 in the presence of Na+ (143 mM) are for norcholansulfonate: J1(Na+ 143) = 1.0 +/- 0.2 nmol/(min . mg protein), KT1(Na+ 143) = 15 +/- 4 microM, J2(Na+ 143) = 0.5 +/- 0.2 nmol/(min.mg protein), KT2(Na+ 143) = 15 +/- 2 microM, J3(Na+ 143) = 0.5 +/- 0.2 nmol/(min.mg protein), KT3(Na+ 143) = 60 +/- 15 microM, and for 7 beta-NBD-NCT J1(Na+ 143) = 0.14 +/- 0.04 nmol/(min.mg protein), KT1(Na+ 143) = 3.1 +/- 0.5 microM, J2(Na+ 143) = 0.014 +/- 0.005 nmol/(min.mg protein), KT2(Na+ 143) = 21 +/- 2 microM, J3(Na+ 143) = 1.0 +/- 0.1 nmol/(min.mg protein), KT3(Na+ 143) = 190 +/- 25 microM. The kinetic parameters are in accordance with the assumptions that the cloned Na+/cholyltaurine cotransporting polypeptide represents transport system 2 and that the kinetically identified additional transport system 1 is either strictly or partially Na(+)-dependent.

Animals↗

Expression of a rat liver phosphatidylcholine translocator in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

A phospholipid translocating protein from rat liver has been expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Injection of oocytes with total rat liver messenger RNA (mRNA) resulted in the function expression of saturable uptake of the water soluble phophatidylcholine derivative L-alpha-dibutyroylglycero-3-phophatidylcholine (diC4PC), Kinetic studies revealed an apparent Km value of approximately 10 mmol/L, which is similar to the value previously obtained in isolated rat liver canalicular plasma membrane vesicles for an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-independent phosphatidylcholine translocator. Size fractionation of total rat liver mRNA yielded an active mRNA species between 1.8 and 2.6 kb, that stimulated the expressed phophatidylcholine uptake activity approximately fivefold as compared with differently sized mRNA subfractions. This active mRNA size class is too small to code for the mdr2 P-glycoprotein, which has been suggested to function as an ATP-dependent canalicular phosphatidylcholine translocator. Hence, the data indicate that there are at least two separate polypeptides involved in phospholipid translocation from hepatocytes into bile.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B↗

The peptide-based thrombin inhibitor CRC 220 is a new substrate of the basolateral rat liver organic anion-transporting polypeptide.

The peptidomimetic thrombin inhibitor CRC 220, 4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethylphenylsulfonyl-L-aspartyl-D-4-amidinop henylalanyl- piperidide, is taken up into isolated rat hepatocytes through active, carrier-mediated transport. This uptake is inhibited by bile acids. Functional expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes was performed to identify the transport system responsible for the hepatocellular CRC 220 uptake. Injection of poly(A)+RNA in X. laevis oocytes resulted in a two- to three-times higher uptake of CRC 220, compared with uninjected or water-injected control oocytes. Taurocholate (200 mumol/L) inhibited this uptake completely. No uptake of the peptidomimetic thrombin inhibitor was observed, when X. laevis oocytes were injected with complementary RNA (cRNA) encoding either the cloned rat liver Na(+)-dependent taurocholate transporter Ntcp, the renal oligopeptide carrier rhaPT or the intestinal oligopeptide transporter PepT1. However, after injection of cRNA of the cloned rat liver Na(+)-independent organic anion transporting polypeptide oatp, a specific and saturable CRC 220 uptake was observed (Michaelis-Menten constant 29.5 mumol/L). Cis-inhibition with known oatp-substrates, e.g., 20 mumol/L Bromsulphalein (BSP), 2007 mumol/L taurocholate and 2007 mumol/L cholate, occurred in oatp-expressing X. laevis oocytes, whereas substrates of the two peptide carriers as well as dipeptide- and single-amino acid constituents of the thrombin inhibitor itself lacked any significant inhibitory effects. These data show that the modified dipeptide CRC 220 is a highly selective substrate of the organic anion transporting polypeptide oatp in the basolateral plasma membrane of rat hepatocytes.

Animals↗

Structure-function correlation of tight junctional impairment after intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholestasis in rat liver.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Tight junctions, the only barrier between blood and bile, are crucial in bile formation. The aim of this study was to correlate changes in morphology and permeability by comparing structural parameters with marker secretion into normal and cholestatic rat bile. METHODS: Cholestasis was induced by bile duct ligation of 5 and 21 days of ethinylestradiol administration. Quantitated structural parameters induced junctional length, strand number, junctional depth, and spacing of junctional particles. Junctional permeability was probed with horseradish peroxidase and dextrans of increasing sizes. RESULTS: Junctional length was decreased slightly by ethinylestradiol (-16% after 21 days) but increased by ligation (77%). Mean strand number decreased from 4.6 to 3.7 after 21 days of ethinylestradiol and 3.4 after ligation associated with increased junctional depth. The proportions of morphologically horseradish peroxidase-positive junctions increased from 4% to 15% after 21 days of ethinylestradiol and to 56% after ligation. Horseradish peroxidase secretion was increased twofold by ethinylestradiol and 6.5-fold by ligation, paralleled by an increase of dextran size selectivity from 70,000 to 79,000 daltons after ethinylestradiol and to 266,000 daltons after ligation. CONCLUSIONS: Impairment of junctional integrity is paralleled with the degree of cholestasis, whereas correlation of morphological and physiological alterations shows a close structure-function relationship.

Animals↗

Interaction between amiodarone and lidocaine.

We investigated the in vitro and in vivo interaction between amiodarone and lidocaine. The interaction on a molecular level was first studied in microsomes from 11 human livers. Close correlations between amiodarone N-monodesethylase activities and (a) the amounts of cytochrome P-4503A4 (CYP3A4), and (b) the rates of lidocaine N-monodesethylation were observed. Lidocaine inhibited amiodarone N-monodesethylation (Ki = 120 microM) competitively; inversely, amiodarone suppressed lidocaine N-monodesethylase activity in the same manner (Ki = 47 microM). Moreover, the metabolite N-monodesethylamiodarone (DEA) was stable and inhibited lidocaine metabolism in a concentration-dependent manner. The in vivo interaction was investigated in 6 cardiac patients. Each of them received a dose of 1 mg/kg lidocaine hydrochloride intravenously (i.v.) on three different occasions: before amiodarone treatment (control), and after cumulative doses of 3 g (phase I) and 13 g (phase II), respectively, amiodarone hydrochloride. The analysis of lidocaine pharmacokinetics showed an increase in lidocaine area under the curve (AUC) when amiodarone was administered, whereas that of N-monodesethylated lidocaine decreased. Moreover, the systemic clearance of lidocaine decreased, while the elimination half-life (t1/2) and the distribution volume at steady state of lidocaine remained unchanged. The pharmacokinetic parameters during phase II were the same as those during phase 1, indicating that the interaction had already occurred early in the loading phase of amiodarone administration. The interaction between amiodarone and lidocaine may be explained by the inhibition of CYP3A4 by amiodarone and/or by its main metabolite DEA.

Adult↗

Immunologic distribution of an organic anion transport protein in rat liver and kidney.

A Na(+)-independent organic anion transport protein was recently cloned from rat liver using a Xenopus laevis oocyte expression system [E. Jacquemin, B. Hagenbuch, B. Stieger, A.W. Wolkoff, and P.J. Meier, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91: 133-137, 1994]. Although expression of this protein is sufficient for cells to transport the organic anion bromosulfophthalein, little is known about its cell biology or biochemical characteristics. Northern blot analysis performed under high-stringency conditions revealed hybridization with RNA only from liver and kidney; transcripts appeared the same in these two organs. Within kidney, hybridization was greatest when RNA extracted from the outer medulla was used. Immunoblot analysis revealed that in liver, the transporter was enriched in 0.1 M Na2CO3-extracted membranes and sinusoidal plasma membrane preparations, consistent with its being an integral membrane protein. This 80-kDa protein migrated as a 65-kDa protein after treatment with N-glycanase. Immunomorphological examination of liver revealed basolateral plasma membrane localization. In 0.1 M Na2CO3-extracted membranes of kidney, the transporter migrated as an 83-kDa protein on nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). On reduction, it resolved into peptides of 33 and 37 kDa. SDS-PAGE migration of the liver protein was unaffected by reduction. Immunomorphological examination of kidney revealed apical plasma membrane localization in the S3 segment of the proximal tubule of the outer medulla. Differential processing and trafficking of this transporter in liver and kidney may have important functional and regulatory consequences.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Uptake of the mycotoxin ochratoxin A in liver cells occurs via the cloned organic anion transporting polypeptide.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by mold. It mainly causes nephropathies in humans and domestic animals as a major pathogenic contaminant of cereals and animal feed. Upon p.o. uptake and intestinal absorption, a large part of OTA is taken up by hepatocytes and eliminated into bile. In the present study, hepatocellular uptake of radiolabeled [3H]OTA in isolated rat hepatocytes was characterized; a saturable (K(m) = 18.9 microM, Vmax = 473 pmol/mg/min), temperature (Aapp = 30.4 and 76.6 kilo Joule/mol) and energy-dependent mycotoxin transport was found. This OTA uptake was inhibited by various bile acids, sulfobromophthalein and the thrombin inhibitor CRC 220. Because all inhibitors are substrates of the organic anion-transporting polypeptide (oatp), a recently cloned hepatic carrier, uptake experiments were performed in oatp-cRNA-injected Xenopus laevis oocytes. These studies revealed an oatp-specific OTA uptake (K(m) = 16.6 microM). In contrast, OTA was not transported by the hepatic Na+/taurocholate-cotransporting polypeptide. Known oatp substrates cis-inhibited OTA uptake in oatp-cRNA-injected oocytes in close correlation with the results derived from isolated hepatocytes. These results identify OTA as a new substrate for oatp. They further support the multispecific nature of oatp-mediated transport and stress the importance of this carrier for hepatic clearance of xenobiotics.

Animals↗

Characterization of L-carnitine transport by rat kidney brush-border-membrane vesicles.

In the presence of a 100 mM Na+ gradient, transport of L-carnitine into rat renal brush-border-membrane vesicles was linear over 30 s and showed an overshoot at 5 min. The uptake of L-carnitine was clearly less active in the presence of other cations such as Li+, K+, Cs+ or choline. In the presence of a Na+ gradient, L-carnitine uptake after 20 s was much higher for chloride as an anion than for SCN-, NO3-, gluconate or SO4(2-). In comparison with conditions with inside positive or no membrane potential, transport was higher in vesicles with an inside negative membrane potential, suggesting an electrogenic mechanism. The kinetic characterization of the Na(+)-dependent portion of L-carnitine transport revealed two transport systems with Km values of 17.4 +/- 3.9 microM and 15.0 +/- 6.0 mM, respectively. The transport could be inhibited in a concentration-dependent fashion by structural analogues such as butyrobetaine, L-acetylcarnitine, trimethyl-lysine and D-carnitine, but not by L-arginine or glycinebetaine.

Animals↗

Molecular and functional characterization of an organic anion transporting polypeptide cloned from human liver.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Based on a recently cloned rat liver organic anion transporter, we attempted to clone the corresponding human liver organic anion transporting polypeptide. METHODS: A human liver complementary DNA library was screened with a specific rat liver complementary DNA probe. The human liver transporter was cloned by homology with the rat protein and functionally characterized in Xenopus laevis oocytes. RESULTS: The cloned human liver organic anion transporting polypeptide consists of 670 amino acids and shows a 67% amino acid identity with the corresponding rat liver protein. Injection of in vitro transcribed complementary RNA into frog oocytes resulted in the expression of sodium-independent uptake of [35S]bromosulfophthalein (Michaelis constant [Km], approximately 20 mumol/L), [3H]cholate (Km, approximately 93 mumol/L), [3H]taurocholate (Km, approximately 60 mumol/L), [14C]glycocholate, [3H]taurochenodeoxycholate, and [3H]tauroursodeoxycholate (Km, approximately 19 mumol/L). Northern blot analysis showed cross-reactivity with messenger RNA species from human liver, brain, lung, kidney, and testes. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of genomic DNA from a panel of human-rodent somatic cell hybrids mapped the cloned human organic anion transporter to chromosome 12. CONCLUSIONS: These studies show that the cloned human liver organic anion transporter is closely related to, but probably not identical to, the previously cloned rat liver transporter. Furthermore, its additional localization in a variety of extrahepatic tissues suggests that it plays a fundamental role in overall transepithelial organic anion transport of the human body.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Hepatocellular transport of bile acids. Evidence for distinct subcellular localizations of electrogenic and ATP-dependent taurocholate transport in rat hepatocytes.

To investigate whether electrogenic and ATP-dependent taurocholate transport activities are both mediated by the same bile acid-transporting polypeptide in rat liver, we further purified isolated canalicular membrane vesicles by free flow electrophoresis. Removal of most of the contaminating endoplasmic reticulum resulted in a complete loss of electrogenic taurocholate transport from an ecto-ATPase-enriched canalicular membrane subfraction. In contrast, ATP-dependent taurocholate transport remained associated with both an ecto-ATPase-enriched and an ecto-ATPase-free canalicular membrane subfraction. Microsomes containing 64% of total endoplasmic reticulum exhibited saturable electrogenic (Km approximately 270 microM), but no ATP-dependent taurocholate uptake. Golgi membrane vesicles were devoid of any taurocholate transport activity. These results indicate that electrogenic taurocholate transport resides entirely in the endoplasmic reticulum, whereas ATP-dependent bile acid transport is an intrinsic function of the canalicular membrane as well as of a so far unidentified intracellular membrane bound compartment. Hence, the two transport activities are most probably mediated by two different bile acid transporting polypeptides. Furthermore, the finding of ATP-dependent taurocholate transport in virtually ecto-ATPase-free vesicles argues against the concept of primary active bile acid transport being exclusively mediated by the canalicular ecto-ATPase.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Functional expression cloning of the canalicular sulfate transport system of rat hepatocytes.

We have cloned a single cDNA encoding the canalicular sulfate transporter of rat liver using Xenopus laevis oocytes as a functional expression system. The cloned cDNA sulfate anion transporter-1 (sat-1) expresses saturable Na(+)-independent sulfate uptake (Km approximately 0.14 mM) that can be inhibited by 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulfonic acid stilbene (DIDS, IC50 = 28 microM) and oxalate, but not by succinate or cholate. These properties are very similar to sulfate uptake expressed in oocytes injected with total rat liver mRNA and to the bicarbonate/sulfate exchange system previously characterized in canalicular rat liver plasma membrane vesicles. The cloned sat-1 cDNA has a total length of 3726 base pairs (bp) with an open reading frame encompassing 2109 bp, a 5'-untranslated region of 367 bp, and a 3'-untranslated region of 1250 bp. The coding region predicts a protein of 703 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 75.4 kDa. Computer-based hydrophobicity analysis suggests the presence of 12 putative transmembrane spanning domains. Furthermore, three potential glycosylation sites are detected (Asn-158, Asn-163, Asn-587). Northern blot analysis indicates that similar sulfate anion transporters are also present in the kidney, muscle, and brain of rat and in the liver of the mouse. Using antisense oligonucleotides the mRNA-species of the sat-1 analogue in rat kidney has been characterized by hybrid depletion experiments (Markovich, D., Bissig, M., Sorribas, V., Hagenbuch, B., Meier, P. J., and Murer, H. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 3022-3026).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression cloning of a rat liver Na(+)-independent organic anion transporter.

Using expression cloning in Xenopus laevis oocytes, we have isolated a cDNA encoding a rat liver organic anion-transporting polypeptide (oatp). The cloned oatp mediated Na(+)-independent uptake of sulfobromophthalein (BSP) which was Cl(-)-dependent in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) at low BSP concentrations (e.g., 2 microM). Addition of increasing amounts of BSA had no effects on the maximal velocity of initial BSP uptake, but it increased the Km value from 1.5 microM (no BSA) to 24 microM (BSA/BSP molar ratio, 3.7) and 35 microM (BSA/BSP ratio, 18.4). In addition to BSP, the cloned oatp also mediated Na(+)-independent uptake of conjugated (taurocholate) and unconjugated (cholate) bile acids. Sequence analysis of the cDNA revealed an open reading frame of 2010 nucleotides coding for a protein of 670 amino acids (calculated molecular mass, 74 kDa) with four possible N-linked glycosylation sites and 10 putative transmembrane domains. Translation experiments in vitro indicated that the transporter was indeed glycosylated and that its polypeptide backbone had an apparent molecular mass of 59 kDa. Northern blot analysis with the cloned probe revealed crossreactivity with several mRNA species from rat liver, kidney, brain, lung, skeletal muscle, and proximal colon as well as from liver tissues of mouse and rabbit, but not of skate (Raja erinacea) and human.

Amino Acid Sequence↗