伊藤 晃成

Oxidative stress in the liver is sometimes accompanied by cholestasis. We investigated the localization and role of multidrug-resistance-associated protein (Mrp) 2, a biliary transporter involved in bile-salt-independent bile flow, under ethacrynic acid (EA)-induced acute oxidative stress. Normal Sprague-Dawley rat (SDR) and Mrp2-deficient Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rat (EHBR) livers were perfused with 500 microM EA. The release of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances (TBARS) from EHBR liver was markedly delayed compared with that from SDR liver. This is mainly due to the higher basal level of glutathione (GSH) in EHBR liver (59.1 +/- 0.3 nmol/mg protein) compared with SDR liver (39.7 +/- 1.5 nmol/mg protein). EA similarly induced a rapid reduction in GSH followed by mitochondrial permeability transition in the isolated mitochondria from both SDR and EHBR. Internalization of Mrp2 was detected before nonspecific disruption of the canalicular membrane and GPT release in SDR liver perfused with 100 microM EA. SDR liver preperfused with hyperosmolar buffer (405 mosmol/L) for 30 min induced internalization of Mrp2 without changing the basal GSH level, while elimination of hepatic GSH by 300 microM EA perfusion was significantly delayed thereafter. Concomitantly, hepatotoxicity assessed by the release of GPT and TBARS was also significantly attenuated under hyperosmolar conditions. In conclusion, preserved cytosolic and intramitochondrial GSH is the key factor involved in the acute hepatotoxicity induced by EA and its susceptibility could be altered by the presence of Mrp2.

We have proposed previously that the evaluation of transcellular transport across the double-transfected Madin-Darby canine kidney II (MDCK II) monolayer that expresses both human organic anion transporting polypeptide 4 (OATP2/SLC21A6) and multidrug resistance associated protein 2 (MRP2/ABCC2) on the basal and apical membranes, respectively, may be useful in characterizing human biliary excretion (J Biol Chem 277: 6497-6503, 2002). However, to demonstrate that this in vitro system represents in vivo biliary excretion, it is essential to compare in vitro data with in vivo biliary excretion. The problem is that we cannot determine the human biliary excretion for many ligands. In the present study, we have established a double-transfected MDCK II monolayer that expresses both rat Oatp4/Slc21a10 and Mrp2/Abcc2 on the basal and apical membranes, respectively, for the purpose of quantitatively comparing the clearance for transcellular transport with that for in vivo biliary excretion. The basal-to-apical transport of 17beta-estradiol-17beta-d-glucuronide, pravastatin, leukotriene C(4), cyclo-[D-Asp-Pro-d-Val-Leu-d-Trp] (BQ123), temocaprilat, and taurolithocholate 3-sulfate was significantly higher than that in the opposite direction in the double transfectant. Kinetic analysis suggested that that the rate-determining step of these compounds is the uptake process. The extent of the transcellular transport across the rat double-transfectant correlated well with that across the double-transfectant for human OATP2/SLC21A6 and MRP2/ABCC2. Moreover, considering the scaling factor, the clearance values for in vitro transcellular transport correlated well with those for in vivo biliary clearance. The double-transfected MDCK II monolayer may be useful in analyzing the hepatic vectorial transport of organic anions and in predicting in vivo biliary clearance.

Fosfomycin is clinically recognized to reduce the aminoglycoside antibiotics-induced nephrotoxicity. However, little has been clarified why fosfomycin protects the kidney from the aminoglycosides-induced nephrotoxicity. Gentamicin, a typical aminoglycoside, is reported to cause lipid peroxidation. We focused on lipid peroxidation induced by gentamicin as a mechanism for the aminoglycosides-induced nephrotoxicity. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of fosfomycin on the gentamicin-induced lipid peroxidation. In rat renal cortex mitochondria, fosfomycin was shown to depress the gentamicin-induced lipid peroxidation, which was evaluated by formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Interestingly, this effect was observed in rat renal cortex mitochondria, but not in rat liver microsomes. However, fosfomycin did not affect lipid peroxidation of arachidonic acid caused by gentamicin with iron. Fosfomycin inhibited the gentamicin-induced iron release from rat renal cortex mitochondria. These results indicated that fosfomycin inhibited the gentamicin-induced lipid peroxidation by depressing the iron release from mitochondria. This may possibly be one mechanism for the protection of fosfomycin against the gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity.

Benzylpenicillin (PCG; 180 micromol/kg), a classic beta-lactam antibiotic, was intravenously given to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2)-deficient Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rats (EHBR). A percentage of the [(3)H]PCG was excreted into the bile of the rats within 60 min (SD rats: 31.7% and EHBR: 4.3%). Remarkably, a transient increase in the bile flow ( approximately 2-fold) and a slight increase in the total biliary bilirubin excretion were observed in SD rats but not in the EHBR after PCG administration. This suggests that the biliary excretion of PCG and its choleretic effect are Mrp2-dependent. Positive correlations were observed between the biliary excretion rate of PCG and bile flow (r(2) = 0.768) and more remarkably between the biliary excretion rate of GSH and bile flow (r(2) = 0.968). No ATP-dependent uptake of [(3)H]PCG was observed in Mrp2-expressing Sf9 membrane vesicles, whereas other forms of Mrp2-substrate transport were stimulated in the presence of PCG. GSH efflux mediated by human MRP2 expressed in Madin-Darby canine kidney II cells was enhanced in the presence of PCG in a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, the choleretic effect of PCG is caused by the stimulation of biliary GSH efflux as well as the concentrative biliary excretion of PCG itself, both of which were Mrp2 dependent.

4-Hydroxy-trans-2,3-nonenal (HNE) is a toxic end product of lipid peroxidation. This multifunctional aldehyde reacts with proteins, phospholipids, and nucleic acids, consequently activating/inactivating enzymes, affecting signal transduction and gene expression. HNE is mainly detoxified by glutathione (GSH) conjugation. In our previous report, we showed that GSH conjugates of 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE-SG) are substrates of multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2). MRP2 has been shown to export HNE-SG conjugates into the extracellular space. In the present study, the role of MRP2 in the detoxification of HNE was studied using Madin-Darby canine kidney II (MDCK II) cells expressing human MRP2. MRP2 reduced the intracellular accumulation of HNE-SG conjugate but unexpectedly increased the susceptibility of cells to HNE. The viability of cells was reduced to approximately 70% in the presence of 62.5 microM HNE in MDCK II cells expressing MRP2, whereas MDCK II cells remained unaffected. MRP2 accelerated the elimination of intracellular GSH via a conjugation reaction with HNE (half-life of GSH was 30.1 and 12.2 min for MDCK II cells and MDCK II cells expressing MRP2, respectively). Moreover, the consumption of GSH was unlimited in MDCK II cells expressing MRP2, finally resulting in necrosis. These results indicate that MRP2 has an adverse effect during the detoxification of HNE in MDCK II cells and suggest that expression of MRP2 may enhance the damage caused by oxidative stress.

We previously demonstrated the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the small intestine of methotrexate-treated rats. In the present study, we investigated the role of ROS in modulating intestinal paracellular permeability in the MTX-induced intestinal injury. [Method] MTX (20mg/kg, i.v.) and/or an antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC; 80mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to rats. Intestinal permeability was evaluated by the in vitro everted intestine technique using a poorly absorbable marker; FITC-dextran 4400 (FD-4). The occurrence of oxidative stress in the small intestine was assayed by measuring chemiluminescence and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) production in mucosal homogenates of small intestine. [Result] MTX induced increase of mucosal permeability of FD-4. Interestingly, the ROS production preceded the-increase of MPO activity and of paracellular permeability. NAC completely prevented the MTX-induced ROS production and the increase of paracellular permeability. These results showed that ROS played an important role in the MTX-induced damage of intestine, especially increasing paracellular permeability. MTX treatment to T84 cells (human colon carcinoma cells) induced the enhancement of chemiluminescence and the fluorescence of aminophenylfluorescein (APF: high energy ROS probe). In conclusion, MTX-treatment induced excessive ROS production from epithelial cells.

Inchin-ko-to (ICKT), an herbal medicine, and its ingredients exert potent choleretic effects by a "bile acid-independent" mechanism. The current study was designed to determine whether ICKT or its ingredients potentiate multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2; Abcc2)-mediated choleresis in vivo. Biliary secretion of Mrp2 substrates and the protein mass, subcellular localization, and messenger RNA (mRNA) level of Mrp2 were assessed in rat liver after infusion of genipin, an intestinal bacterial metabolite of geniposide, a major ingredient of ICKT. The function of Mrp2 was also assessed by the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent uptake of Mrp2-specific substrates using canalicular membrane vesicles (CMVs) from the liver. Infusion of genipin increased bile flow by 230%. It also increased biliary secretion of bilirubin conjugates and reduced glutathione (GSH) by 513% and 336%, respectively, but did not increase bile acid secretion. The ATP-dependent uptake of estradiol 17-beta-D-glucuronide (E(2)17 beta G; by 265%), leukotriene C4 (LTC(4); by 161%), taurolithocholate-3-sulfate (TLC-3S; by 266%), and methotrexate (MTX; by 234%) was significantly stimulated in the CMVs from the liver. These effects were not observed in Mrp2-deficient rats. Under these conditions, genipin treatment increased the protein mass of Mrp2 in the CMVs but not the mRNA level. In immunoelectron microscopic studies, a marked increase in Mrp2 density in the canalicular membrane (CM) and microvilli was observed in the genipin-treated liver tissue sections when compared with the vehicle-treated liver tissue sections. In conclusion, genipin may enhance the bile acid-independent secretory capacity of hepatocytes, mainly by stimulation of exocytosis and insertion of Mrp2 in the bile canaliculi. ICKT may be a potent therapeutic agent for a number of cholestatic liver diseases.

The transport characteristics of fluorescein-methotrexate (F-MTX) in isolated brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs) from rat small intestine were studied. F-MTX uptake in BBMVs was measured by a rapid filtration technique. Our results demonstrated that F-MTX uptake into vesicles was 1) significantly increased under the experimental conditions of an outwardly directed OH(-) gradient or an inwardly directed H(+)gradient, 2) sensitive to temperature, 3) increased with decreasing pH of the incubation buffer, 4) significantly inhibited by 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) at the early stage of the uptake, and 5) significantly inhibited by methotrexate (MTX). Thus, the transport of F-MTX in BBMVs was shown to be mediated in part by the reduced folate transporter (RFC) which was known to transport MTX through the epithelium of small intestine.

The transport characteristics of fluorescein methotrexate (F-MTX) were studied by using the rat intestinal crypt cell line IEC-6. Enhanced accumulation of F-MTX at 4 degrees C suggests the existence of an active efflux system. MK-571, an inhibitor of the multidrug resistance-associated protein/ATP binding cassette C (MRP/ABCC) family, also enhanced the accumulation of F-MTX. Transcellular transport of F-MTX from the apical to the basolateral compartment was 2.5 times higher than the opposite direction. This vectorial transport was also reduced by MK-571, indicating the presence of Mrp-type transporter(s) on the basolateral membrane. Mrp3 mRNA was readily detectable, and the protein was localized on the basolateral membrane. Uptake of FMTX into membrane vesicles from IEC-6 cells and Spodoptera frugiperda-9 cells expressing rat Mrp3 were both ATP dependent and saturable as a function of the F-MTX concentration. Similar Km values (11.0 +/- 1.8 and 4.5 +/- 1.1 microM) and inhibition profiles by MK-571, estradiol-17beta-d-glucuronide, and taurocholate for the ATP-dependent transport of F-MTX into these vesicles were obtained. These findings suggest that the efflux of F-MTX is mediated by Mrp3 on the basolateral membrane of IEC-6 cells.

Glutathione (GSH) conjugates of 4-hydroxy-trans-2,3-nonenal (HNE) are the final products of lipid peroxidation. In the present study, the role of multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) in biliary excretion of GSH conjugates of HNE (HNE-SG) was studied in vitro by using Madin-Darby canine kidney II (MDCK II) cells expressing human MRP2 and in vivo using a mutant rat strain whose MRP2 expression is defective (Eisai-hyperbilirubinemic rats [EHBR]). A high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed to assay HNE-SG conjugates. Four diastereomeric HNE-SG conjugates could be separated with this method. Three of four HNE-SG conjugates were detectable after incubation of the cell monolayers with HNE. Expression of human MRP2 resulted in a 10-fold increase in HNE-SG conjugates excretion across the apical membrane of MDCK II cells. The four HNE-SG conjugates appeared swiftly in bile from Sprague Dawley rats after intravenous administration of HNE, whereas no detectable HNE-SG conjugates were observed in the bile of EHBR. These results demonstrate the role of MRP2 in the biliary excretion of HNE-SG conjugates.

Our previous kinetic analyses have shown that the transporter responsible for the renal uptake of pravastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, differs from that involved in its hepatic uptake. Although organic anion transporting polypeptides are now known to be responsible for the hepatic uptake of pravastatin, the renal uptake mechanism has not been clarified yet. In the present study, the involvement of rat organic anion transporter 3 (rOat3; Slc22a8) in the renal uptake of pravastatin was investigated. Immunohistochemical staining indicates the basolateral localization of rOat3 in the kidney. rOat1- and rOat3-expressed LLC-PK1 cells exhibited specific uptake of p-aminohippurate (PAH) and pravastatin, respectively, with the Michaelis-Menten constants (Km values) of 60 microM for rOat1-mediated PAH uptake and 13 microM for rOat3-mediated pravastatin uptake. Saturable uptake of PAH and pravastatin was observed in kidney slices with Km values of 69 and 11 microM, respectively. The difference in the potency of PAH and pravastatin in inhibiting uptake by kidney slices suggests that different transporters are responsible for their renal uptake. This was also supported by the difference in the degree of inhibition by benzylpenicillin, a relatively selective inhibitor of rOat3, for the uptake of PAH and pravastatin by kidney slices. These results suggest that rOat1 and rOat3 are mainly responsible for the renal uptake of PAH and pravastatin, respectively.

Human organic anion transporting polypeptide 2 (OATP2/SLC21A6) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2/ABCC2) play important roles in the vectorial transport of organic anions across hepatocytes. In the present study, we have established a double-transfected Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK II) cell monolayer, which expresses both OATP2 and MRP2 on basal and apical membranes, respectively. The basal-to-apical transport of 17 beta estradiol 17 beta-d-glucuronide (E(2)17 beta G), pravastatin, and leukotriene C(4) (LTC(4)), which are substrates of OATP2 and MRP2, was significantly higher than that in the opposite direction in the double-transfected cells. Such vectorial transport was also observed for taurolithocholate sulfate, which is transported by rat oatp1 and Mrp2. The K(m) values of E(2)17 beta G and pravastatin for the basal-to-apical flux were 27.9 and 24.3 microm, respectively, which were comparable with those reported for OATP2. Moreover, the MRP2-mediated export of E(2)17 beta G across the apical membrane was not saturated. In contrast, basal-to-apical transport of estrone-3-sulfate and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, which are significantly transported by OATP2, but not by MRP2, was not stimulated by MRP2 expression. The double-transfected MDCK II monolayer expressing both OATP2 and MRP2 may be used to analyze the hepatic vectorial transport of organic anions and to screen the transport profiles of new drug candidates.

Retinol-binding protein (RBP) is a specific transport protein which carries retinol in the circulation. RBP concentration in plasma and liver of rats following a large dose of acetaminophen (APAP) intraperitoneally was examined. The RBP concentration in plasma decreased significantly at 12 hr after the APAP administration, while the plasma albumin concentration was affected a little. Western blot and northern blot analyses showed marked changes in RBP but not in albumin. Thus, RBP was suggested to be more sensitive for the acute drug-induced hepatotoxicity than albumin. The decrease of RBP concentration in plasma was suggested to be caused by the dysfunction of RBP synthesis in the liver.

Multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (MRP3), unlike other MRPs, transports taurocholate (TC). The difference in TC transport activity between rat MRP2 and MRP3 was studied, focusing on the cationic amino acids in the transmembrane domains. For analysis, transport into membrane vesicles from Sf9 cells expressing wild-type and mutated MRP2 was examined. Substitution of Arg at position 586 with Leu and Ile and substitution of Arg at position 1096 with Lys, Leu, and Met resulted in the acquisition of TC transport activity, while retaining transport activity for glutathione and glucuronide conjugates. Substitution of Leu at position 1084 of rat MRP3 (which corresponds to Arg-1096 in rat MRP2) with Lys, but not with Val or Met, resulted in the loss of transport activity for TC and glucuronide conjugates. These results suggest that the presence of the cationic charge at Arg-586 and Arg-1096 in rat MRP2 prevents the transport of TC, whereas the presence of neutral amino acids at the corresponding position of rat MRP3 is required for the transport of substrates.

Intrahepatic calculi, highly prevalent in the Far East, including Japan, are characterized clinically by chronic proliferative cholangitis with frequent stone recurrences. Intrahepatic calculi consist of 2 groups, i.e., brown pigment stones, including a high cholesterol content, and cholesterol stones, with the former predominating. To gain insights into the pathogenesis of intrahepatic calculi, cholesterol and bile acid biosynthesis, as well as alterations in intracellular transport and/or canalicular secretion of phospholipid and bile acid were investigated in liver of patients with intrahepatic calculi. Enzyme activities of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase were increased (12.8 +/- 1.9 pmol/min/mg protein, mean +/- SEM vs. 5.5 +/- 0.4 in controls; P < .01) and cholesterol 7 alpha -hydroxylase activities were decreased (1.3 +/- 0.4 vs. 4.9 +/- 0.6; P < .01) in liver specimens of patients with brown pigment stones. In addition, messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein 3 (MDR3 Pgp) and phosphatidylcholine transfer protein (PCTP) were markedly low in the liver specimens compared with the levels in specimens of control subjects, gallbladder stone patients, and patients with obstructive cholestasis. The protein levels and the immunohistochemical staining were decreased for MDR3 Pgp and PCTP in the liver. Consistently, the concentrations of phospholipid were markedly reduced in the hepatic bile from both affected and unaffected hepatic segments. In patients with intrahepatic calculi, biliary cholesterol supersaturation and the formation of cholesterol-rich brown pigment as well as cholesterol stones may be attributed to decreased hepatic transport and biliary secretion of phospholipids, in the setting of increased cholesterogenesis and decreased bile acid synthesis.

Multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) transports glutathione conjugates, glucuronide conjugates, and sulfated conjugates of bile acids. In the present study, we examined the role of charged amino acids in the transmembrane domains of rat Mrp2, conserved among MRP families, using the isolated membrane vesicles from Sf9 cells infected with the recombinant baculoviruses. By normalizing the transport activity for compounds by that for estradiol 17 beta -D-glucuronide (E(2)17 betaG), it was indicated that the site-directed mutagenesis from Lys to Met at 325 (K325M) and from Arg to Leu at 586 (R586L) results in a marked reduction in the transport for glutathione conjugates [2,4-dinitrophenyl-S-glutathione (DNP-SG) and leukotriene (LT) C-4] without affecting that for 6-hydroxy-5,7-dimethyl-2-methylamino-4-(3- pyridymethyl) benzothiazole glucuronide and taurolithocholate sulfate. In contrast to the reduced affinity for DNP-SG, the affinity for E(2)17 betaG was increased severalfold in these mutant Mrp2s, suggesting the amino acids at 325 and 586 play an important role in distinguishing between glutathione and glucuronide conjugates. The comparable affinity for LTD4, LTE4, and LTF4 in these mutant Mrp2s with that in wild-type Mrp2 indicates that recognition of LTC4 metabolites by Mrp2 is different from that of LTC4. The transport activity for glutathione conjugate was retained on R586K, whereas no such complementary cationic amino acid effect was observed in K325R. In addition, R1206M and E1208Q exhibited the loss of transport activity for the tested compounds. The results of the present study demonstrate that the charged amino acids in the transmembrane domain of rat Mrp2 may play an important role in the recognition and/or transport of its substrates.

Biliary excretion of certain bile acids is mediated by multidrug resistance associated protein 2 (Mrp2) and the bile salt export pump (Bsep). In the present study, the transport properties of several bile acids were characterized in canalicular membrane vesicles (CMVs) isolated from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rats (EHBR) whose Mrp2 function is hereditarily defective and in membrane vesicles isolated from Sf9 cells infected with recombinant baculovirus containing cDNAs encoding Mrp2 and Bsep. ATP-dependent uptake of [H-3]taurochenodeoxycholate sulfate (TCDC-S) (K-m=8.8 muM) and [H-3]taurolithocholate sulfate (TLC-S) (K-m=1.5 muM) was observed in CMVs from SD rats, but not from EHBR. In addition, ATP-dependent uptake of [H-3]TLC-S (K-m=3.9 M) and [H-3]taurocholate (TC) (K-m=7.5 muM) was also observed in Mrp2 and Bsep-expressing Sf9 membrane vesicles, respectively. TCDC-S and TLC-S inhibited the ATP-dependent TC uptake into CMVs from SD rats with IC50 values of 4.6 muM and 1.2 muM, respectively. In contrast, the corresponding values for Sf9 cells expressing Bsep were 59 and 62 muM, respectively, which were similar to those determined in CMVs from EHBR (68 and 33 muM, respectively). By co-expressing Mrp2 with Bsep in Sf9 cells, IC50 values for membrane vesicles from these cells shifted to values comparable with those in CMVs from SD rats (4.6 and 1.2 muM) Moreover, in membrane vesicles where both Mrp2 and Bsep are co-expressed, preincubation with the sulfated bile acids potentiated their inhibitory effect on Bsep-mediated TC transport. These results can be accounted for by assuming that the sulfated bile acids trans-inhibit the Bsep-mediated transport of TC. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Species differences in the transport activity mediated by canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter (cMOAT) were examined using temocaprilat, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor whose biliary excretion is mediated predominantly by cMOAT,and 2,4-dinitrophenyl-S-glutathione, a typical substrate for cMOAT, in a series of in vivo and in vitro experiments. Temocaprilat was infused to examine the biliary excretion rate at steady-state. The in vivo transport clearance values across the bile canalicular membrane, defined as the biliary excretion rate divided by the hepatic unbound concentrations, were 9.8, 39.2, 9.2, 1.1, and 0.8 ml/min/kg for mouse, rat, guinea pig, rabbit, and dog, respectively. The K-m and V-max values for ATP-dependent uptake of 2,4-dinitrophenyl-S-glutathione into canalicular membrane vesicles were 15.0, 29.6, 16.1, 55.8, and 30.0 mu M and 0.38, 1.90, 0.15, 0.47, and 0.23 nmol/min/mg protein, yielding the in vitro transport clearance across the bile canalicular membrane (V-max/K-m) of 25.5, 64.2, 9.4, 8.4, and 7.7 for mouse, rat, guinea pig, rabbit, and dog, respectively. A close in vivo and in vitro correlation was observed among animal species for the transport clearance across the bile canalicular membrane. These results suggest that the uptake experiments with canalicular membrane vesicles can be used to quantitatively predict in vivo excretion across the bile canalicular membrane.

Transport characteristics of 17 beta-estradiol 17 beta-D-glucuronide (E(2)17 beta G), a dual substrate of the transporters for cellular uptake (organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1 or oatp1) and cellular excretion (multidrug resistance-associated protein 1or MRP1), in the rat choroid plexus were studied in vivo and in vitro. The uptake of E(2)17 beta G into isolated choroid plexus was mediated by an energy-dependent system with a K-m, of 3.4 mu M. Together with the previous finding that oatp1 is localized on the apical membrane of choroid plexus, these results suggest that oatp1 is responsible for the uptake of this ligand. After intracerebroventricular administration, elimination of E(2)17 beta G from cerebrospinal fluid was probenecid sensitive and much more rapid than that of inulin; less than 2% of the administered E(2)17 beta G and 40 to 50% of inulin remained in the cerebrospinal fluid 20 min after intracerebroventricular administration. In addition, the amount of E(2)17 beta G associated with choroid plexus at 20 min was negligible, suggesting the presence of an efficient excretion system on the basolateral membrane of choroid plexus. Expression of MRP1 was detected in choroid plexus. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses indicated that the expression level of MRP1 in choroid plexus is about four or five times higher than that in the lung, one of the tissues exhibiting high expression of MRP1. Together with the in vivo vectorial transport of E(2)17 beta G, these results can be accounted for by assuming that there is basolateral localization of MRP1 in choroid plexus. Combined, oatp1 and MRP1 may synergistically mediate the efficient transcellular transport of E(2)17 beta G across choroid plexus.

Organic anion transporting polypeptide (oatp1) has been cloned from rat fiver as one of the transporters responsible for the hepatic uptake of ligands, and its substrate specificity has been determined. However, the contribution of oatp1 to the Na+-independent uptake of ligands into rat hepatocytes remains to be investigated. in the present study, we determined the contribution of oatp1 and examined the uptake of ligands into primary cultured hepatocytes (cultured for 4 h) and into COS-7 cells transiently expressing oatp1 and normalized using estradiol-17 beta-D-glucuronide as a reference compound. Western blot analysis indicated that oatp1 was less extensively glycosylated in transfected COS-7 cells, and the expression level in transfectant was one-seventh that in rat liver. The K-m values for the uptake of estradiol-17 beta-D-glucuronide were similar for cultured hepatocytes and oatp1-transfected COS-7 cells (K-m = 12.3 versus 20.4 mu M), although the V-max value for oatp1-transfected COS-7 cells was one-seventh that for cultured hepatocytes (V-max = 1.30 versus 0.175 nmol/min/mg protein). The contribution of oatp1 to the Na+-independent uptake of taurocholic acid and cholic acid into rat hepatocytes was more than 50 to 60%, whereas the corresponding values for the sulfate-conjugates of estrone and 6-hydroxy-5,7-dimethyl-2-methylamino-4-(3-pyridylmethyl)benzothiazole were 20 to 30%. In addition, the analysis indicated that the contribution of oatp1 to the Na+-independent uptake of several ligands [glucuronide-conjugate of 6-hydroxy-5,7-dimethyl-2-methylamino-4-(3-pyridylmethyl)benzothiazole, ibuprofen, pravastatin, ouabain, and 2,4-dinitrophenyl-S-glutathione] was minimal. Collectively, the transfected COS-7 cells may be used to quantitatively predict oatp1 activity in hepatocytes after correction of its expressed amount. it is also suggested that multiple transport mechanisms are responsible for the Na+-independent uptake of organic anions into hepatocytes.

Purpose. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the expression of canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter (cMOAT) by its cDNA transfection in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK). Methods. MDCK cells were transfected with an expression vector (pCXN2) containing the rat cMOAT cDNA with lipofectamine to obtain the stable transfectant under G418. Cells from a single colony whose cMOAT expression was the highest were seeded to form a tight epithelial monolayer on microporous membrane filters. Export of glutathione S-bimane (GS-B) from monolayers was determined after preloading its precursor, monochloro bimane (MCB). Results. A comparable amount of GS-B was excreted to the apical and basal compartments in the vector-transfected cells. In contrast, in cMOAT-transfected cells, the amount apically excreted was approximately twice that excreted into the basal compartment. Cyclosporin A (CsA) (30 mu M), an inhibitor of cMOAT at higher concentrations, inhibited the preferential apical export of GS-B from cMOAT-transfected cells. Conclusions. Rat cMOAT is functionally expressed on the apical membrane of MDCK cells after transfection.

As one of the Na+-dependent transporters responsible for the hepatic uptake of ligands, sodium taurocholate (TC) co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) has been cloned from rat liver and its substrate specificity has been clarified by examining the inhibition of TC uptake mediated by NTCP. The contribution of NTCP to the Na+-dependent uptake of ligands into rat hepatocytes, however, still needs to be clarified. To determine the contribution of NTCP, we examined the uptake of ligands into primary cultured hepatocytes (cultured for 4 h) and into COS-7 cells, transiently expressing NTCP, and normalized the uptake of ligands with TC as a reference compound. Western Blot analysis indicated that NTCP was glycosylated much less extensively in the transfected COS-7 cells, although the expression level was comparable for the cultured hepatocytes and transfectant. Kinetic parameters for the Na+-dependent uptake of TC were similar for the cultured hepatocytes and NTCP-transfected COS-7 cells (K-m = 17.7 vs. 17.4 mu M; V-max = 1.63 vs. 1.45 nmol/min/mg protein). Glycocholic acid and cholic acid were taken up by NTCP-transfected COS-7 cells. The contribution of NTCP to the Na+-dependent uptake of glycocholic acid into rat hepatocytes was approximately 80%, whereas that of cholic acid was 40%. In addition, the analysis indicated that the contribution of NTCP to the Na+-dependent uptake of several ligands (ouabain, ibuprofen, glutathione-conjugate of bromosulfophthalein, glucuronide- and sulfate-conjugates of 6-hydroxy-5,7-dimethyl-2-methylamino-4-(3-pyridylmethyl) benzothiazole) was negligible. Thus, this is a convenient method to determine the contribution of NTCP to the uptake of ligands into hepatocytes. It is also suggested that multiple transport mechanisms are responsible for the Na+-dependent uptake of organic anions into hepatocytes.

The biliary excretion of several organic anions is mediated by the canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter (cMOAT), which is hereditarily defective in mutant rats such as Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rats (EHBR). In addition, using a kinetic study with isolated canalicular membrane vesicles, we recently suggested the presence of ATP-dependent organic anion transporter(s) other than cMOAT in EHBR [Pharm Res (NY) 12:1746-1755 (1995); J Pharmacol Exp Ther 282:866-872 (1997)]. The aim of this study is to provide a molecular basis for the presence of multiplicity in the biliary excretion of organic anions in rats. Based on the homology with human multidrug resistance-associated protein (hMRP), two cDNA fragments encoding the carboxyl-terminal ATP-binding cassette region were amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from EHBR liver. These fragments exhibited approximately 70% amino acid identity with hMRP and rat cMOAT; therefore, they were designated MRP-like proteins (MLP-1 and MLP-2). The cloned full length cDNA of MLP-1 and -2 from the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat liver and colon cDNA library was composed of 1502 and 1523 amino acids, respectively, had the characteristics of ATP-binding cassette transporters, and exhibited homology with hMRP and rat cMOAT. Northern blot analysis indicated that MLP-1 is expressed predominantly in the liver in both SD rats and EHBR, whereas hepatic expression of MLP-2 was observed only in EHBR. In addition, MLP-2 was markedly induced by ligation of the bile duct in SD rat liver. In both SD rats and EHBR, MLP-2 was expressed predominantly in the duodenum, jejunum, and colon. These findings suggest that MLP-1 and MLP-2 might be novel members of the MRP family responsible for the excretion of organic anions from these epithelial cells, and that MLP-2 is an inducible one.

Transport of many organic anions across the bile canalicular membrane is mediated by the canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter (cMOAT). Previously, we cloned cDNA that may encode cMOAT from Sprague-Dawley rate liver (Ito, K., Suzuki, H., Hirohashi, T., Kume, K., Shimizu, T., and Sugiyama, Y. (1997) Am. J. Physiol. 272, G16-G22). In the present study, the function of this cloned cDNA was investigated by examining the ATP-dependent uptake of S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-glutathione (DNP-SG) into membrane vesicles isolated from an NIH/3T3 cell line transfected with an expression vector containing the cloned cDNA. Although the membrane vesicles from the control NIH/3T3 cells exhibited endogenous activity in transporting DNP-SG and leukotriene C-4 in an ATP-dependent manner, the transfection of cMOAT cDNA resulted in a significant increase in the transport activity for these ligands. The uptake of DNP-SG into membrane vesicles was osmotically sensitive and was stimulated to some extent by other nucleotide triphosphates (GTP, UTP, and CTP) but not by AMP or ADP. The K-m and V-max values for the uptake of DNP-SG by the membrane vesicles were 0.175 +/- 0.031 mu M and 11.0 +/- 0.73 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively, for the transfected rat cMOAT and 0.141 +/- 0.036 mu M and 3.51 +/- 0.39 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively, for the endogenous transporter expressed on control NIH/3T3 cells. These results suggest that the product of the previously cloned cDNA has cMOAT activity being able to transport organic anions in an ATP-dependent manner. Alternatively, it is possible that the cDNA product encodes an activator of endogenous transporter since the K-m value for DNP-SG was comparable between the vector- and cMOAT-transfected cells. The transport activity found in the control NIH/3T3 cells may be ascribed to mouse cMOAT since Northern blot analysis indicated the presence of a transcript that hybridyzed to the carboxyl-terminal ATP-binding cassette sequence of the murine protein.

MRP and cMOAT are the organic anion transporters involved in the efflux of organic anions from cells. We have already found two novel cDNA sequences (MLP-1 and -2: MRP like protein) which show high homology with MRP and cMOAT. Liver expression of MLP-2 was observed only in mutant rats (EHBR) whose cMOAT is hereditarily defective, suggesting that MLP-2 is an inducible transporter. MLP-2 is induced in normal rat liver by injection of phenobarbital, ANIT and bile duct ligation. In normal rats, MLP-2 is expressed mainly in the duodenum and jejunum. To clarify the nature of the organic anion transport mechanism in the intestine, we used Caco-2 cells as an intestinal model. DNP-SG and estradiol 17 β-D-glucuronide were taken up by BBMV prepared from Caco-2 in an ATP-dependent manner. Northern blot analysis suggested high expression of human cMOAT and MLP-2 and low expression of MRP in cultured Caco-2 cells.

Several organic anions are excreted into the bile via a canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter (cMOAT), which is hereditarily defective in mutant rats, such as the Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rat (EHER) and TR(-) rat. Ln the present study, we cloned cMOAT from the Sprague-Dawley rat liver cDNA library based on the homology with human multidrug resistance-associated protein (hMRP). cMOAT was encoded by 4,623-base pair (bp) cDNA with a homology of 53.0 and 46.3% with hMRP at the cDNA and deduced amino acid level, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence was the same as that cloned in Wistar rats (C. C. Paulusma, P. J. Bosma, G. J. Zaman, C. T. Bakker, M. Otter, G. L. Sceffer, P. Borst. and R. P. Oude Elferink. Science Wash. DC 271: 1126, 1996) except for four amino acid substitutions. By screening the library, three kinds of cDNA species for cMOAT with the same open reading frame and different 3'-untranslated region lengths (0.2, 1.5, and 3.5 kbp) were isolated. The Northern blot analysis of poly(A)I RNA from the liver revealed that the expression of plural bands (similar to 5, 6, and 8 kb) was defective in EHBR, and this may be due to the presence of these cDNA species. Expression of cMOAT was observed almost exclusively in the liver and to a lesser extent in the duodenum, kidney, and jejunum. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-FCR) and subsequent sequence analysis of EHBR liver, kidney, duodenum, and jejunum revealed that 1-bp replacement from G to A at nucleotide 2564 resulted in the introduction of the premature stop codon in all tissues examined. This mutation was different from that observed in TR(-) (C. C. Paulusma, P. J. Bosma, G. J. Zaman, C. T. Bakker, M. Otter, G. L. Sceffer, P. Borst, and R. P. Oude Elferink. Science Wash. DC 271:1126, 1996). Because EHBR and TR(-) are allelic mutants and both strains exhibit an autosomal recessive inheritance in the biliary excretion of organic anions, it was concluded that the impaired expression of this particular protein is related to the pathogenesis of hyperbilirubinemia in the mutant animals.

Several organic anions, including the glutathione- and glucuronide-conjugates, are excreted into the bile via a canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter (cMOAT), which is hereditarily defective in mutant rats such as Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rat (EHBR). In the present study, we cloned cMOAT from the SD rat liver cDNA library using the ATP-binding cassette region as a probe which was amplified by PCR with the degenerated primers for human multidrug resistance associated protein (hMRP). cMOAT was encoded by 4623 by cDNA with a homology of 53.0 % and 46.3 % with hMRP at the cDNA and deduced amino acid level, respectively. By screening the library, three kinds of cDNA species for cMOAT with the same open reading frame and different 3′-untranslated region lengths were isolated. The Northern blot analysis of poly A⁺ RNA from the liver with the entire open reading frame of cMOAT as a probe revealed that the expression of plural bands (approximately 5, 6 and 8 kb) was defective in EHBR and this may be due to the presence of these cDNA species. RT-PCR and subsequent sequence analysis were performed using RNA specimens from EHBR liver. The analysis revealed that one base pair replacement within the open reading frame resulted in the introduction of the premature stop codon. The impaired expression of this particular protein is related to the pathogenesis of hyperbilirubinemia in the mutant rats. Although the expression of cMOAT is defective in EHBR, our recent kinetic studies suggested the presence of ATP-dependent organic anion transporters other than cMOAT in EHBR. Using the degenerated PCR primers described previously, we could amplify two kinds of PCR product (MRP like protein (MLP-1 and MLP-2)) from EHBR liver. The nucleotide homology of ABC region between MLP-1, 2, MRP and cMOAT was approximately 60-70%. Northern blot analysis indicated that MLP-1 hybridized with a single 6 kb transcript in the liver of SD rats and EHBR. In contrast, MLP-2 hybridized to a single 5 kb transcript in the liver and the expression was rather induced in EHBR. These results may suggest the possibility that MLP-1 and MLP-2 are novel transporters for organic anions.

It is well established that several organic anions such as leukotriene C-4 and S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-glutathione are excreted into the bile via an ATP-dependent primary active transporter located on the bile canalicular membrane. Although the molecular features of this transporter still remain to be clarified, this transporter might be a member of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transmembrane transporter superfamily which has a com mon ABC region. In the present study, a cDNA fragment was amplified from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat liver by PCR using degenerate primers prepared from the conserved sequence in the COOH-terminal ABC region of human multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP), a primary active transporter. The amplified 421 bp fragment exhibited homology with a human MRP and the human MRP-like fragment (yp75al1) with homology score of 66.3% and 83.0% at the cDNA level, and 73.3% and 84.7% deduced from the amino acid level, respectively. Northern blot analysis of poly(A)(+) RNA prepared from SD rat liver revealed the presence of similar to 5 kb and 8.5 kb mRNA species which hybridized to this fragment. In contrast, poly(A)(+) RNA from Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rats (EHBR), whose primary active transporter on the bile canalicular membrane is hereditarily defective, did not hybridize to this fragment. These results suggest (1) that the impaired expression of this particular region might be related to the pathogenesis of hyperbilirubinemia in EHBR and (2) that this region might encode part of the primary active transporter on the bile canalicular membrane.