AJP - Renal Add DOIs to your references at manuscript stage!
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 285: F1188-F1197, 2003. First published August 19, 2003; doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00402.2002
0363-6127/03 $5.00
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
285/6/F1188    most recent
00402.2002v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Web of Science (24)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Adachi, H.
Right arrow Articles by Abe, T.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Adachi, H.
Right arrow Articles by Abe, T.

Molecular characterization of human and rat organic anion transporter OATP-D

Hisanobu Adachi,1,* Takehiro Suzuki,2,* Michiaki Abe,2,* Naoki Asano,3 Hiroya Mizutamari,3 Masayuki Tanemoto,2 Toshiyuki Nishio,4 Tohru Onogawa,1 Takafumi Toyohara,2 Satoshi Kasai,2 Fumitoshi Satoh,2 Masanori Suzuki,1 Taro Tokui,5 Michiaki Unno,1 Tooru Shimosegawa,3 Seiki Matsuno,1 Sadayoshi Ito,2 and Takaaki Abe2,6

1Division of Gastroenterological Surgery, Department of Surgery, Divisions of 2Nephrology, Endocrinology, and Vascular Medicine, and 3Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, and 4Department of Pediatrics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8574; 5Analytical and Metabolic Research Laboratories, Sankyo Company, Limited, Tokyo 140-8710; and 6PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan

Submitted 13 November 2002 ; accepted in final form 13 July 2003


   ABSTRACT
TOP
 ABSTRACT
MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 
We have isolated and characterized a novel human and rat organic anion transporter subtype, OATP-D. The isolated cDNA from human brain encodes a polypeptide of 710 amino acids (Mr 76,534) with 12 predicted transmembrane domains. The rat clone encodes 710 amino acids (Mr 76,821) with 97.6% amino acid sequence homology with human OATP-D. Human and rat OATP-D have moderate amino acid sequence homology with LST-1/rlst-1, the rat oatp family, the prostaglandin transporter, and moat1/MOAT1/KIAA0880/OATP-B. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that OATP-D is branched in a different position from all known organic anion transporters. OATP-D transports prostaglandin E1 (Km 48.5 nM), prostaglandin E2 (Km 55.5 nM), and prostaglandin F2{alpha}, suggesting that, functionally, OATP-D encodes a protein that has similar characteristics to those of the prostaglandin transporter. Rat OATP-D also transports prostaglandins. The expression pattern of OATP-D mRNA was abundant mainly in the heart, testis, brain, and some cancer cells. Immunohistochemical analysis further revealed that rat OATP-D is widely expressed in the vascular, renal, and reproductive system at the protein level. These results suggest that OATP-D plays an important role in translocating prostaglandins in specialized tissues and cells.

prostaglandin transporter; eicosanoid

EICOSANOIDS COMPRISING VARIOUS oxygenated metabolites of arachidonic acid such as prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes exert a variety of physiological and pathophysiological actions (17, 44). PGs are distributed in virtually all mammalian tissues. In the central nervous system, PGs are involved in many functions, such as fever, sleep, pain, and pituitary secretion (10, 19, 50). Many of these PG actions are mediated through its specific prostanoid receptors (38). Although PGs are widely distributed in the parenchyma of the brain (12, 37), they diffuse poorly through the lipid bilayer (7, 11). In addition, no expression of PGD2 (DP) receptor mRNA was detected in the parenchyma of the brain (14, 41). These data suggest that carrier-mediated transport of PGs is involved.

Recently, we and another group have isolated many cDNAs for Na+-independent organic anion transporter polypeptide (OATP) from humans and rats (reviewed in Ref. 4). All OATPs are classified within the family of solute carrier (SLC) 21, which is a gene symbol designated by the Human Gene Nomenclature Committee Database (http://www.gene.ucl.ac.uk/nomenclature/). Rat and human PG transporter (PGT) (26, 33) are also isolated and belong to the OATP/LST family because of the structural homology with that of the OATP/LST family. Despite the homology, the pharmacological characterizations are relatively different between PGT and the other members of the OATP/LST family. The OATP/LST family are apt to carry organic anions, whereas PGTs carry PGs exclusively.

Here, we report the isolation, functional expression, and pharmacological characterization of a novel organic anion transporter subtype, OATP-D, from human and rat brain, which showed pharmacological characteristics and protein expression similar to those of PGT.


   MATERIALS AND METHODS
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 
Isolation of human and rat OATP-D cDNAs. A human hippocampal cDNA library was constructed, and 8 x 105 independent clones were hybridized with an EcoRI-HincII 720-bp fragment of human LST-1 in a formamide (25%) solution at 42°C as described elsewhere (1–3, 39). Filters were washed in 2x SSC and 0.1% SDS at 50°C for 1 h. Two positive clones were isolated and rescued into pBluescript SK(–). The cDNA inserts of these clones showed an identical restriction enzyme digestion pattern except for some length differences in their 5'-portion. A clone containing the largest cDNA insert (pHPG5-2) was chosen for further analysis. A rat brain cDNA library (2 x 105 independent clones) was also screened with the fragment of pHPG5-2 (NcoI-NcoI, 765 bp). Among 10 isolated clones, a representative clone (prPG2-1) was further analyzed. The sequence was determined using an ABI Prism 377 DNA sequencer (PerkinElmer, Foster City, CA).

The experiments were carried out according to the Declaration of Helsinki and the Animal Care Committee of Tohuku University Graduate School of Medicine (based on Title 45, U.S. Code, Part 46, Protection of Human Subjects, Rev. November 2001).

The sequences of human and rat OATP-D have been deposited under GenBank accession numbers AF239219 and AF187816, respectively.

Homology analysis. The hydropathy profile analysis was performed according to Kyte and Doolittle (30). Multiple sequence alignments of amino acid sequences were carried out using CLUSTAL W (48). The phylogenetic tree was described by TreeView (42).

Northern blot analysis. Human and rat multiple tissue Northern blots and human cancer cell line blots containing 2 µg of poly (A)+ RNA were purchased (Clontech Laboratories, Palo Alto, CA). The latter half of the coding region of pHPG5-2 (NcoI-NcoI, 765 bp) was used as a probe because the 3'-untranslated region contains repetitive sequences. Filters were hybridized with a 32P-labeled fragment in a buffer containing 50% formamide, 5x SSC, 5x Denhardt's solution, and 1% SDS overnight at 42°C, washed in 0.2x SSC, 1% SDS at 65°C for 1 h, and exposed to film at –80°C overnight. The rat filter was also hybridized with the full coding region of prPG2-1.

Functional expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The capped RNA of pHPG5-2 or prPG2-1 was transcribed in vitro. X. laevis oocytes were prepared as described previously (1, 2, 39). Defolliculated oocytes were microinjected with 10 ng of transcribed RNA and cultured for 72 h in a modified Barth's medium at 18°C. The uptake of radiolabeled chemicals was measured at room temperature in a medium containing (in mM) 100 NaCl, 2 KCl, 1 CaCl2, 1 MgCl2, and 10 HEPES, pH 7.5. After being washed with the same buffer, each oocyte was dissolved in 500 µl of 10% SDS and 4 ml of scintillation fluid and the radioactivity was counted in a liquid scintillation counter (Packard, Downers Grove, IL). Water-injected oocytes were used as controls. To evaluate the substrate specificity, the uptake rate of [3H]PGE2 (15 nM) by human OATP-D-expressing oocytes was determined in the presence of 1.5, 15, and 150 nM of inhibitors. Statistical significance was analyzed by unpaired t-test.

Preparation of antibodies. Peptides containing 13 amino acids (NYKRYIKNHEGGL, position 650–662) at the COOH terminus of rat OATP-D and 14 amino acids (SVTAEETMQTEEDK, position 289–302) at the COOH terminus of rat PGT (16, 26) were synthesized. These peptides were linked to the maleimide-activated key hole limpet hemocyanin (KHL; Pierce, IL). The KHL-linked peptide (1 mg/injection) was emulsified by mixing with an equal volume of Freund's complete adjuvant and injected into female rabbits. After a booster injection, rabbits were killed at 10 wk. The antibodies were affinity-purified using CNBr-activated Sepharose CL-4B (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Piscataway, NJ) coupled with the synthetic peptides according to standard procedures (5, 24).

Immunohistochemistry. Adult Wister rats weighing 250–300 g were killed as described above, and the systemic circulation was perfused by intra-aortic administration of 4% periodate-lysine-4% paraformaldehyde for 20 min. Each frozen block was sectioned at a thickness of 3 µm (24). After incubation in PBS containing 1% bovine serum albumin for 10 min, the sections were incubated with the affinity-purified primary antibody against rat OATP-D or rat PGT, at a final concentration of 2 µg/ml at 40°C for overnight. The sections were then incubated in 0.3% H2O2 in methanol for inhibition of endogenous peroxidase activities. Subsequently, the sections were incubated with an Envision+ peroxidase rabbit kit (Vector Laboratories, Burlingame, CA) for 40 min. The sections were then washed three times with PBS and treated with DAB solution (0.01% 3',3-diaminobenzamidine tetrahydrochloride, Tris·HCl, pH 7.5, and 0.002% H2O2). To identify the specificity of the antibodies, the primary antibody against rat OATP-D or rat PGT was preabsorbed with 8 mg each of pure polypeptide or exchanged polypeptide overnight before use. No cross-reactivities between these antibodies were verified (data not shown).


   RESULTS
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 
Isolation and structural analysis of human and rat OATP-D. The isolated cDNA encodes a novel human PGT subtype, human OATP-D, consisting of 710 amino acids (Mr 76,534). Hydrophobicity analysis of the predicted human OATP-D protein suggested the presence of 12 transmembrane domains (TM) (Fig. 1A). There are seven putative N-glycosylation sites in the predicted extracellular loops, three potential phosphorylation sites for cAMP-dependent protein kinase, and two potential phosphorylation sites for protein kinase C in the intracellular portions (27, 28) (Fig. 1A). Sequence homology analysis revealed a moderate sequence similarity to the oatp/LST family (1, 2, 5, 23, 25, 29, 34, 36, 39, 40, 43) and PGT (26, 33). Recently, Tamai et al. (46) isolated OATP-D from adult human brain. The human sequence is 100% identical to human OATP-D. Compared with the OATP/LST family, the overall amino acid sequence identities were 36.2% to human PGT (33), 32.1% to rat pgt (26), 33.8% to oatp1 (23), 35.2% to oatp2 (3, 40), 35.4% to oatp3 (1), 32.9% to OAT-K1 (43), 32.7% to OAT-K2 (34), 33.7% to human OATP (29), 32.0% to human LST-1 (2), 33.3% to human LST-2 (5), 31.7% to rat rlst-1 (25), 33.0% to rat moat1 (39), and 32.0% to human MOAT1/KIAA0880/OATP-B (36, 46).



View larger version (36K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		Fig. 1. A: alignment of deduced amino acid sequences of rat and human organic anion transporter subtype (OATP-D). The sequences are aligned with single-letter notation by inserting gaps (-) to achieve maximum homology. The 12 putative transmembrane segments (1–12) were assigned on the basis of hydrophobicity analysis. Sequence motifs for potential N-glycosylation sites ({blacktriangledown}) and possible phosphorylation sites (*) are indicated. PGT, PG transporter; TM, transmembrane domain. B: phylogenetic relationship among OATP-D, LST-1/rlst-1, the oatp family, PGT, and moat1. Branch lengths are drawn to scale.

 

A rat counterpart cDNA, prPG2-1, was also isolated from the brain. The isolated clone encoded 710 amino acids (Mr 76,821) with 97.6% amino acid sequence homology with human OATP-D. The high structural similarity to human OATP-D and the function analysis (discussed below) revealed that the prPG2-1 clone encodes a rat counterpart. All the motifs except one potential protein kinase C phosphorylation site at the third intracellular loop between TM VI and VII were conserved. The phylogenetic tree analysis showed that human OATP-D and rat OATP-D can be localized differently from the oatp family, LST-1/rlst-1, the PGT, and moat1/KIAA0880/OATP-B (Fig. 1B). These data suggest that OATP-D can be categorized as a new subtype of organic anion transporter.

Northern blot analysis. Northern blot analysis of the human OATP-D showed two bands (1 major band at 3.0 knt and another minor band at 5.0 knt) in the heart, brain, and testis (Fig. 2A). Moderate signals of the same size were also detected in the lung, kidney, pancreas, and ovary. In the rat, the expression pattern of rat OATP-D was slightly different from that in humans. Positive bands were detected in the heart, brain, lung, and kidney (Fig. 2B).



View larger version (65K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		Fig. 2. A: human multiple-tissue Northern blots [2 µg poly(A)+ RNAs] were hybridized with the OATP-D probe. The size marker (knt) used was the RNA ladder. B: rat multiple tissue Northern blots were also hybridized with the rat ATP-D probe. C: localization of OATP-D mRNA in human cancer cell lines by RNA blot analysis. Human multiple cancer tissue Northern blots were hybridized with the OATP-D probe.

 

Distribution of human OATP-D mRNAs in cancer cells. According to the GenBank dbEST search, many sequences identical to the OATP-D were found in several cancer tissues or cancer cell lines [GenBank accession nos. AA075159 (ovarian cancer), AA72990 (germ cell cancer), AA843188 (parathyroid tumor), AI082669 (human melanocyte)]. Northern blot analysis using the specific OATP-D probe gave rise to significant hybridization bands in promyelocytic leukemia HL-60, cervical cancer (HeLa S3), chronic myelogenous leukemia K-562, lymphoblastic leukemia MOLT-4, Burkitt's lymphoma (Raji), colorectal adenocarcinoma SW480, lung carcinoma A549, and melanoma G361 (Fig. 2C).

Pharmacological characterization. Among the putative substrates tested, the oocytes injected with human OATP-D cRNA transported PGE1 and PGE2 (Table 1). PGF2{alpha} was also weakly but significantly transported. On the other hand, other eicosanoids [PGD2, iloprost, thromboxane B2 (TBX2)] were not transported. These human OATP-D-mediated PGE1 and PGE2 uptakes were saturable with increasing substrate concentrations. The apparent Km values for PGE1 and PGE2 of human OATP-D were 48.5 ± 12.2 and 55.5 ± 6.7 nM, respectively (Fig. 3, A and B). These human OATP-D-mediated PGE1 and PGE2 uptakes were not inhibited by replacing the extracellular sodium with choline (data not shown). Neither taurocholate nor methotrexate, both of which are preferable substrates for the oatp/LST family, was transported (Table 1). Despite the structural difference between human OATP-D and human PGT, the preferable substrate for human OATP-D was similar to that of the PGT. To further characterize the substrate specificity of human OATP-D, a cis-inhibitory experiment was performed.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		Table 1. Uptake of various [3H]-labeled compounds by human OATP-D-expressing oocytes

 


View larger version (19K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		Fig. 3. Transport of human OATP-D-expressing oocytes. The transport rates of [3H]PGE1 (A) and [3H]PGE2 (B) for the human OATP-D cRNA-injected oocytes were measured (60 min). From all uptake values, nonspecific uptake into water-injected oocytes was subtracted. A representative of 3 experiments is shown. Values are means ± SE of 5–9 oocyte determinations.

 

As in Fig. 4, unlabeled PGE1, PGE2, and PGF2{alpha} (1.5, 15, and 150 nM) showed dose-dependent inhibitory effects on human OATP-D-mediated PGE2 uptake (15 nM). At the highest concentration (150 nM), PGE2 uptake was completely inhibited by PGE1, PGE2, and PGF2{alpha}. On the other hand, PGD2 and PAH, which were not transported by human OATP-D, did not show a significant inhibitory effect at the concentrations of 1.5 and 15 nM. Even at the highest concentration tested (150 nM), PGD2 and PAH did not abolish the uptake of PGE2. Furthermore, taurocholate did not significantly inhibit human OATP-D-mediated [3H]PGE2 uptake at any concentration.



View larger version (20K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		Fig. 4. Effect of various compounds on human OATP-D-mediated PGE2 transport. Oocytes were injected with 10 ng of the transcribed human OATP-D RNA or water. To inhibit the 15 nM [3H]PGE2 uptake, 1.5 (open bars), 15 (grey bars), and 150 nM (filled bars) of compounds were added. Statistical significance was determined by an unpaired t-test (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01).

 

We also examined the transport activity of the rat counterpart. The oocytes injected with transcribed rat OATP-D RNA also transported PGE1, PGE2, and PGF2{alpha} significantly (Fig. 5, P < 0.05). These data demonstrated that OATP-D encodes a functional organic anion transporter subtype.



View larger version (10K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		Fig. 5. Transport rates of [3H]PGE1 (A), [3H]PGE2 (B), and [3H]PGF2{alpha} (C) for rat OATP-D cRNA-injected oocytes were measured (60 min). A representative of 3 experiments is shown. Values are means ±SE of 5–9 oocyte determinations. Statistical significance was determined by an unpaired t-test (*P < 0.05).

 

Immunohistochemistry. Northern blot analysis of rat OATP-D indicated that rat OATP-D is expressed widely. To elucidate differences in the tissue distribution of rat PGT and rat OATP-D, immunohistochemical analysis was performed in cardiorespiratory systems (Fig. 6A) and in reproductive systems (Fig. 6B). Previous work showed that the rat PGT was expressed in arterial endothelial cells (49). Rat PGT and rat OATP-D immunostaining was detected on endothelial cells of the aorta (Fig. 6A). In the heart, significant rat PGT and rat OATP-D immunostaining was detected on cardiac muscle cells, endothelial cells of left ventricular endocardium, and endothelial cells of the coronary artery. With reference to cardiac muscle cells, rat OATP-D was expressed mainly on endothelial cells of the coronary artery. In the lung, rat PGT and rat OATP-D immunostaining was detected on alveolar epithelial cells. In the trachea, rat PGT and rat OATP-D immunostaining was detected in the epithelium of the mucosa of the trachea. Rat OATP-D immunostaining was more significant than rat PGT in the lung and trachea. In the testis, rat PGT and rat OATP-D immunostaining was detected on spermatozoa (Fig. 6B) and, at a higher magnification, signals were detected at the tails of spermatozoa (data not shown). In the epididymis, signals of rat PGT were detected on the epithelium of the ductus epididymis, and rat OATP-D immunostaining was not detected. In the ovary, rat PGT and rat OATP-D immunostaining was detected on oocytes and smooth muscle cells of the ovary.



View larger version (75K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		Fig. 6. Immunohistochemical staining of rat OATP-D in various rat various tissues. A: aorta, heart, lung, and trachea. B: testis, epididymis, ovary, and uterus. The localization of rat OATP-D (right) was compared with that of rat PGT (middle). Left: elastica-Masson (EM) stain.

 

In the uterus, rat PGT and rat OATP-D immunostaining was detected in the epithelium of the glandula uterine and on a part of the smooth muscle cells of the myometrium and surface epithelium of the endometrium.

In the kidney, both rat PGT and rat OATP-D immunostaining was detected in afferent arterioles, efferent arterioles, and the epithelium of distal tubules and collecting tubules (Fig. 7). Particularly, PGT and OATP-D staining was detected on epithelial cells of collecting tubules throughout the cortex and medulla. The staining pattern was fine in the cortex and rough in the inner medulla, suggesting the localization of PGT and OATP-D on intercalated cells. While rat OATP-D staining of tubules and arterioles was similar to that for rat PGT, Bowman's capsule of the glomerulus was stained by rat PGT but not by rat OATP-D.



View larger version (150K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		Fig. 7. Immunohistochemical staining of rat PGT and rat OATP-D in cortical glomerulus (left) and inner medulla (right) of rat kidney. Immunostaining PGT and OATP-D are seen in afferent arterioles (arrows).

 

In the brain, rat PGT staining was detected around the periventricular thalamic nucleus, whereas rat OATP-D stained at the arcuate nucleus (Fig. 8). Both rat PGT and OATP-D were detected in the choroid plexus of the third ventricle.



View larger version (92K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		Fig. 8. Immunohistochemical staining of rat PGT and rat OATP-D in third ventricle (top) and choroid plexus (bottom) of rat brain.

 


   DISCUSSION
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
REFERENCES
 
We have identified the human and rat transporter OATP-D. Isolated human and rat cDNAs were highly conserved and belong to the organic anion transporter OATP/LST family. The oatp/LST family recognizes various compounds and transports bile acid (taurocholate, cholate, bromosulfophthalein); thyroid hormones [L-thyroxine (T4), 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3), L-3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3)]; conjugated steroid hormones (estradiol-17{beta} sulfate, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate); eicosanoids (PGD2, PGE1, PGE2, PGF2{alpha}, TXB2); and many xenobiotics (pravastatin, a potent hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitor, digoxin, methotrexate), etc. Compared with the broad substrate specificity of the oatp/LST family, the prostaglandin transporter PGT transports eicosanoids (PGD2, PGE1, PGE2, PGF2{alpha}, TXB2) but does not transport taurocholate. OATP-D transports PGE1, PGE2, and PGF2{alpha} in a sodium-independent manner. Further pharmacological characterization revealed that OATP-D-mediated [3H]PGE2 uptake was markedly inhibited by PGE1, PGE2, and PGF2{alpha}, which are preferable substrates for OATP-D. In contrast, taurocholate and PAH, which were not well transported as substrates, showed only slight inhibition even at the highest concentration. These data suggest that PGs are preferential substrates for OATPD, although the overall homology of OATP-D among the oatp/LST family as well as PGT is relatively in the same range (~30%). Recently, Tamai et al. (46) reported that human OATP-D transports benzylpenicillin as well as PGE2; however, the uptake ratio of benzylpenicillin is ~1.7-fold compared with control experiments.

It is interesting that OATP-D and PGT exhibit similar properties in substrate selectivity, although they are structurally distinct. There are eight similar regions: TM II; the intracellular domain between TM II and TM III; TM III; TM V; the part of extracellular domain between TM V and TM VI; TM VI; the part of extracellular domain between TM IX and TM X; and TM XI. The regions also have high homologies with other members of the OATP/LST family (3, 16, 26, 29, 33, 34, 36). However, the domain around TM XI is similar in PGT and OATP-D but not similar to that of the OATP/LST family. Thus the domain around TM XI of human OATP-D or human PGT is a candidate region that determines the affinity for PGs.

On the other hand, tissue distribution of OATP-D and PGT mRNAs is slightly different. Human OATP-D mRNA was abundantly expressed in the testis, heart, and brain. Moderate expression was also seen in the lung, kidney, ovary, and pancreas. Compared with human OATP-D, human PGT mRNA is ubiquitously expressed and very abundant expression was seen in the heart, skeletal muscle, pancreas, testis, and ovary (33). In the rat, a difference in the expression pattern was also seen between PGT and OATPD. Rat OATP-D mRNA is detected in the heart, brain, lung, and kidney. As in humans, rat PGT mRNA is expressed in almost all tissues, especially the lung and liver (26).

In contrast to the different expression patterns at the mRNA level, immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the expression patterns of OATP-D and PGT are quite similar at the protein level. Immunostaining of rat OATP-D and PGT is colocalized in the cardiac muscle, vascular endothelium, lung epithelium, renal tubules, and vasculature.

Further experiments are necessary to clarify the similarity and dissimilarity of between OAT-D and PGT. It is also possible that the regulation of transcription is different between OATP-D and PGT. The 5'-flanking sequence of the human PGT gene has the typical TATA box consensus (33), whereas there is no TATA box in the 5'-flanking sequence of human OATP-D on chromosome 15, which is consistent with the sequence reported by Tamai et al. (46) (GenBank accession no. AB031050).

PGT and OATP-D are expressed in vascular endothelium. It is well known that prostanoids are local regulators of vascular tone and are produced in the endothelium. Although PGs are produced in the endothelium, PGs are thought to diffuse poorly through the plasma membrane (7, 11), and responsive molecule(s) involved in membrane transport should be addressed. In addition, steady laminar shear stress induced human PGT expression in cultured human vascular endothelium (49). These data suggest that PGT and OATP-D play an important role in the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis as regulators of PG transport.

OATP-D is also expressed in the coronary artery and myocardium. PGE2 receptor subtype EP3, which inhibits adenylyl cyclase, was upregulated in the ischemic heart of pigs (21). The expression of OATP-D in vascular endothelial cells also suggests a role of transporting PGs in the cells.

PGs are synthesized in the reproductive system. The biosynthesis of PGE1 was demonstrated not in the testis but in the seminal vesicles (18). The expression of OATP-D and PGT in the spermatozoa is in agreement with this finding. Mice deficient in cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 or EP2 receptor showed a failure in fertilization. COX-2 –/– mice showed a disability in uterial implantation (32). Cumulus expansion became abortive in EP2 –/– mice (20). Milne et al. (35) described that the menstrual cycle is associated with the coexpression of PGE synthase, PGE2, EP2 receptor, and EP4 receptor in the endometrium. They detected the expression of PGE synthase and PGE2 synthesis on glandular epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and stromal cells in the human endometrium. The findings of OATP-D and PGT in the reproductive organs suggest that these transporters play important roles in regulating the local concentration of PGs in the reproductive system, implying their roles in conception and menstruation.

OATP-D is expressed in the distal and collecting tubules of the kidney. PGE2 is the dominant synthesized eicosanoid in the kidney. All types of PGE2 receptors are expressed in the kidney. Because EP1-receptor expression predominates in the collecting ducts and EP3 receptors are expressed in the thick ascending limbs and collecting ducts, PGE2 secreted through OATP-D appears to contribute to body-fluid balance, including both natriuresis and vasopressin-mediated water-salt transport (8, 15). EP4 receptors are expressed in the glomerulus and collecting duct (9). EP3 and EP4 receptors are associated with the regulation of the vasoconstriction of afferent arterioles (47), and PGE2 stimulates renin release via the macula densa (22). PGF2{alpha} is also synthesized mildly in the glomerulus. Both PGT and OATP-D are able to transport PGE2 and PGF2{alpha}. OATP-D and PGT expressed on afferent arterioles are speculated to control tubuloglomerular feedback and the renin release.

It has been recognized that PGE2 and PGF2{alpha} are rapidly cleared by a single passage through the pulmonary or other vascular beds in vivo (6, 13). The similar expression of PGT and OATP-D in alveolar cells suggests their involvement in the elimination of PGs.

Because the arcuate nucleus regulates gonadal hormone secretion by PGs, the expression of OATP-D in the arcuate nucleus may have an important role in hormonal regulation. As opposed to OATP-D, PGT is located around the periventricular nucleus but not in the arcuate nucleus. The combined expression of PGT and OATP-D in the choroid plexus and ventricle suggests that PGT may be involved in regulation of cerebrospinal homeostasis.

Northern blot analysis in cancer cell lines showed that expression of OATP-D mRNA could be detected in the all cell lines tested. The higher expression of mRNA was detected in cell lines of solid-type (or epithelial) cancer than the soluble-type neoplasia like leukemia. Tamai et al. (46) also showed by RT-PCR that mRNA of OATP-D was detected in almost cell lines of solid cancer, whereas PGT mRNA was not detected in cancer cell lines.

One of PGs synthases, COX-2, is not detected in most normal tissues, but it is induced by mitogenic and inflammatory stimuli, which results in enhanced synthesis of PGs in neoplastic and inflamed tissues, and selective COX-2 inhibitors have been reported to reduce the formation of cancers derived from many organs in animals and human (reviewed in Ref. 37). It is interesting that OATP-D and COX-2 are simultaneously upregulated in cancer cells, although it is still unclear whether OATP-D is associated with cell function or PG production.


   ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
 
This work was supported in part by research grants from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan, the Kowa Science Foundation, the Suzuken Foundation, and the Takeda Medical Research Foundation.


   FOOTNOTES
 

Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: T. Abe, Div. of Nephrology, Endocrinology, and Vascular Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Tohoku Univ. Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seriyo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574, Japan (E-mail: takaaki{at}mail.tains.tohoku.ac.jp).

The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. The article must therefore be hereby marked advertisement in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.

* H. Adachi, T. Suzuki, and M. Abe contributed equally to this work. Back


   REFERENCES
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 

  1. Abe T, Kakyo M, Sakagami H, Tokui T, Nishio T, Tanemoto M, Nomura H, Hebert SC, Matsuno S, Kondo H, and Yawo H. Molecular characterization and tissue distribution of a new organic anion transporter subtype (oatp3) that transports thyroid hormones and taurocholate and comparison with oatp2. J Biol Chem 273: 22395–22401, 1998.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  2. Abe T, Kakyo M, Tokui T, Nakagomi R, Nishio T, Nakai D, Nomura H, Unno M, Suzuki M, Naitoh T, Matsuno S, Kondo H, and Yawo H. Identification of a novel gene family encoding human liver-specific organic anion transporter LST-1. J Biol Chem 274: 17159–17163, 1999.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  3. Abe T, Sugihara H, Nawa H, Shigemoto R, Mizuno N, and Nakanishi S. Molecular characterization of a novel metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR5 coupled to inositol phosphate/Ca2+ signal transduction. J Biol Chem 267: 13361–13368, 1992.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  4. Abe T, Suzuki T, Unno M, Tokui T, and Ito S. Thyroid hormone transporters: recent advances. Trends Endocrinol Metab 13: 215–220, 2002.[Web of Science][Medline]
  5. Abe T, Unno M, Onogawa T, Tokui T, Kondo TN, Nakagomi R, Adachi H, Fujiwara K, Okabe M, Suzuki T, Nunoki K, Sato E, Kakyo M, Nishio Y, Sugita J, Asano N, Tanemoto M, Seki M, Date F, Ono K, Nagura H, Ito S, and Matsuno S. LST-2, a human liver-specific organ anion transporter, determines methotrexate sensitivity in gastrointestinal cancers. Gastroenterology 120: 1689–1699, 2001.[Web of Science][Medline]
  6. Anderson MW and Eling TE. Prostaglandin removal and metabolism by isolated perfused rat lung. Prostaglandins 11: 645–677, 1976.[Web of Science][Medline]
  7. Baroody RA and Bito LZ. The impermeability of the basic cell membrane to thromboxane-B2, prostacyclin and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. Prostaglandins 21: 133–142, 1981.[Web of Science][Medline]
  8. Breyer MD and Breyer RM. Prostaglandin E receptors and the kidney. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 279: F12–F23, 2000.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  9. Breyer RM, Davis LS, Nian C, Redha R, Stillman B, Jacobson HR, and Breyer MD. Cloning and expression of the rabbit prostaglandin EP4 receptor. Am J Physiol Renal Fluid Electrolyte Physiol 270: F485–F493, 1996.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  10. Campbell WB and Halshka PV. Lipid-derived autacoids: eicosanoids, and platelet-activating factor. In: Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics (9th ed.), edited by Hardman JG. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996.
  11. Chan BS, Satriano JA, Pucci M, and Schuster VL. Mechanism of prostaglandin E2 transport across the plasma membrane of HeLa cells and Xenopus oocytes expressing the prostaglandin transporter PGT. J Biol Chem 273: 6689–6697, 1998.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  12. Eguchi N, Kaneko T, Urade Y, Hayashi H, and Hayaishi O. Permeability of brain structures and other peripheral tissues to prostaglandins D2, E2 and F2{alpha} in rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 262: 1110–1120, 1992.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  13. Ferreira SH and Vane JR. Prostaglandins: their disappearance from and release into the circulation. Nature 216: 868–873, 1967.[Medline]
  14. Gerashchenko D, Beuckmann CT, Kanaoka Y, Eguchi N, Gordon WC, Urade Y, Bazan NG, and Hayaishi O. Dominant expression of rat prostanoid DP receptor mRNA in leptomeninges, inner segments of photoreceptor cells, iris epithelium, and ciliary processes. J Neurochem 71: 937–945, 1998.[Web of Science][Medline]
  15. Guan Y, Zhang Y, Breyer RM, Fowler B, Davis L, Hebert RL, and Breyer MD. Prostaglandin E2 inhibits renal collecting duct Na+ absorption by activating the EP1 receptor. J Clin Invest 102: 194–201, 1998.[Web of Science][Medline]
  16. Hakes DJ and Berezney R. Molecular cloning of matrinF/G: a DNA binding protein of the nuclear matrix that contains putative zinc finger motifs. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 88: 6186–6190, 1991.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  17. Halushka PV, Mais DE, Mayeux PR, and Morinelli TA. Thromboxane, prostaglandin, and leukotriene receptors. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 29: 213–239, 1989.[Web of Science][Medline]
  18. Hamberg M. Biosynthesis of prostaglandin E1 by human seminal vesicles. Lipids 11: 249–250, 1975.
  19. Hayaishi O. Molecular mechanisms of sleep-wake regulation: roles of prostaglandins D2 and E2. FASEB J 5: 2572–2581, 1991.
  20. Hizaki H, Segi Sugimoto YE, Hirose M, Saji T, Ushikubi F, Matsuoka T, Noda Y, Tanaka T, Yoshida N, Narumiya S, and Ichikawa A. Abortive expansion of the cumulus, and impaired fertility in mice lacking the prostaglandin E receptor subtype EP2. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 96: 10501–10506, 1999.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  21. Hohifeld T, Zucker TP, Meyer J, and Schrör K. Expression, function, and regulation of E-type prostaglandin receptors (EP3) in the nonischemic and ischemic pig heart. Circ Res 81: 765–773, 1997.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  22. Ito S, Carretero OA, Abe K, Beierwaltes WH, and Yoshinaga K. Effect of prostanoids on renin release from rabbit afferent arterioles with and without macula densa. Kidney Int 35: 1138–1144, 1989.[Web of Science][Medline]
  23. Jacquemin E, Hagenbuch B, Stieger B, Wolkoff AW, and Meier PJ. Expression cloning of a rat liver Na+-independent organic anion transporter. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 91: 133–137, 1994.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  24. Kakyo M, Sakagami H, Nishio T, Nakai D, Nakagomi R, Tokui T, Naitoh T, Matsuno S, Abe T, and Yawo H. Immunohistochemical distribution, and functional characterization of an organic anion transporting polypeptide 2 (oatp2). FEBS Lett 445: 343–346, 1999.[Web of Science][Medline]
  25. Kakyo M, Unno M, Tokui T, Nakagomi R, Nishio T, Iwasashi H, Nakai D, Seki M, Suzuki M, Naito T, Matuno S, Yawo H, and Abe T. Molecular characterization, and functional regulation of a novel rat liver-specific organic anion transporter rlst-1. Gastroenterology 117: 770–775, 1999.[Web of Science][Medline]
  26. Kanai N, Lu R, Satriano JA, Bao Y, Wolkoff AW, and Schuster VL. Identification and characterization of a prostaglandin transporter. Science 268: 866–869, 1995.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  27. Kemp BE and Pearson RB. Protein kinase recognition sequence motifs. Trends Biochem Sci 15: 342–346, 1990.[Web of Science][Medline]
  28. Kennelly PJ and Krebs EG. Consensus sequences as substrate specificity determinants for protein kinases, and protein phosphatases. J Biol Chem 266: 15555–15558, 1991.[Free Full Text]
  29. Kullak-Ublick GA, Hagenbuch B, Stieger B, Schteingart CD, Hofmann AF, Wolkoff AW, and Meier PJ. Molecular, and functional characterization of an organic anion transporting polypeptide cloned from human liver. Gastroenterology 109: 1274–1282, 1995.[Web of Science][Medline]
  30. Kyte J and Doolittle RF. A simple method for displaying the hydropathic character of a protein. J Mol Biol 157: 105–132, 1982.[Web of Science][Medline]
  31. Li L, Meier PJ, and Ballatori N. Oatp2 mediates bidirectional organic solute transport: a role for intracellular glutathione. Mol Pharmacol 58: 335–340, 2000.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  32. Lim H, Paria BC, Das SK, Dinchuk JE, Langenbach R, Trzaskos JM, and Dey SK. Multiple female reproductive failures in cyclooxygenase 2-deficient mice. Cell 91: 197–208, 1997.[Web of Science][Medline]
  33. Lu R, Kanai N, and Schuster V. Cloning, in vitro expression, and tissue distribution of a human prostaglandin transporter cDNA (hPGT). J Clin Invest 98: 1142–1149, 1996.[Web of Science][Medline]
  34. Masuda S, Ibaramoto K, Takeuchi A, Saito H, Hashimoto Y, and Inui KI. Cloning, and functional characterization of a new multispecific organic anion transporter, OAT-K2, in rat kidney. Mol Pharmacol 55: 743–752, 1999.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  35. Milne SA, Perchick GB, Boddy SC, and Jabbour HN. Expression, localization, and signaling of PGE2 and EP2/EP4 receptors in human nonpregnant endometrium across the menstrual cycle. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 86: 4453–4459, 2001.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  36. Nagase T, Ishikawa K, Suyama M, Kikuno R, Hirosawa M, Miyajima N, Tanaka A, Kotani H, Nomura N, and Ohara O. Prediction of the coding sequences of unidentified human genes. XII. The complete sequences of 100 new cDNA clones from brain which code for large proteins in vitro. DNA Res 5: 355–364, 1998.[Abstract]
  37. Narumiya S, Ogorochi T, Nakao K, and Hayaishi O. Prostaglandin D2 in rat brain, spinal cord, and pituitary: basal level and regional distribution. Life Sci 31: 2093–2103, 1982.[Web of Science][Medline]
  38. Narumiya S, Sugimoto Y, and Ushikubi F. Prostanoid receptors: structures, properties, and functions. Physiol Rev 79: 1193–1226, 1999.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  39. Nishio T, Adachi H, Nakagomi R, Tokui T, Sato E, Tanemoto M, Fujiwara K, Okabe M, Onogawa T, Suzuki T, Nakai D, Shiiba K, Suzuki M, Ohtani H, Kondo Y, Unno M, Ito S, Matsuno S, Iinuma K, and Abe T. Molecular identification of a rat novel organic anion transporter moat1, which transports prostaglandin D2, leukotriene C4, and taurocholate. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 275: 946–954, 2000.[Medline]
  40. Noé B, Hagenbuch B, Stieger B, and Meier PJ. Isolation of a multispecific organic anion, and cardiac glycoside transporter from rat brain. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 94: 10346–10350, 1997.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  41. Oida H, Hirata M, Sugimoto Y, Ushikubi F, Ohishi H, Mizuno N, Ichikawa A, and Narumiya S. Expression of messenger RNA for the prostaglandin D receptor in the leptomeninges of the mouse brain. FEBS Lett 417: 53–56, 1997.[Web of Science][Medline]
  42. Page RD. TreeView: an application to display phylogenetic trees on personal computers. Comput Appl Biosci 12: 357–358, 1996.[Free Full Text]
  43. Saito H, Masuda S, and Inui K. Cloning, and functional characterization of a novel rat organic anion transporter mediating basolateral uptake of methotrexate in the kidney. J Biol Chem 271: 20719–20725, 1996.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  44. Samuelsson B, Goldyne M, Grandström E, Hamberg M, Hammerström S, and Malmsten C. Prostaglandins and thromboxanes. Annu Rev Biochem 47: 997–1029, 1978.[Web of Science][Medline]
  45. Subbaramaiah K and Dannenberg AJ. Cyclooxygenase 2: a molecular target for cancer prevention, and treatment. Trends Pharmacol Sci 24: 96–102, 2003.
  46. Tamai I, Nezu J, Uchino H, Sai Y, Oku A, Shimane M, and Tsuji A. Molecular identification, and characterization of novel members of the human organic anion transporter (OATP) family. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 273: 251–260, 2000.[Web of Science][Medline]
  47. Tang L, Loutzenhiser K, and Loutzenhiser R. Biphasic actions of prostaglandin E2 on the renal afferent arteriole: role of EP3, and EP4 receptors. Circ Res 86: 663–670, 2000.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  48. Thompson JD, Higgins DG, and Gibson TJ. CLUSTAL W: improving the sensitivity of progressive multiple sequence alignment through sequence weighting, position-specific gap penalties, and weight matrix choice. Nucleic Acids Res 22: 4673–4680, 1994.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  49. Topper JN, Cai J, Stavrakis G, Anderson KR, Woolf EA, Sampson BA, Schoen FJ, Falb D, and Gimbrone MA Jr. Human prostaglandin transporter gene (hPGT) is regulated by fluid mechanical stimuli in cultured endothelial cells, and expressed in vascular endothelium in vivo. Circulation 98: 2396–2403, 1998.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  50. Wolfe LS and Coceani F. The role of prostaglandins in the central nervous system. Annu Rev Physiol 41: 669–684, 1979.



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Am. Soc. Nephrol.Home page
U. G. Friis, K. Madsen, P. Svenningsen, P. B.L. Hansen, A. Gulaveerasingam, F. Jorgensen, C. Aalkjaer, O. Skott, and B. L. Jensen
Hypotonicity-Induced Renin Exocytosis from Juxtaglomerular Cells Requires Aquaporin-1 and Cyclooxygenase-2
J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., October 1, 2009; 20(10): 2154 - 2161.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol.Home page
R. D. Huber, B. Gao, M.-A. Sidler Pfandler, W. Zhang-Fu, S. Leuthold, B. Hagenbuch, G. Folkers, P. J. Meier, and B. Stieger
Characterization of two splice variants of human organic anion transporting polypeptide 3A1 isolated from human brain
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, February 1, 2007; 292(2): C795 - C806.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
B. Kis, T. Isse, J. A. Snipes, L. Chen, H. Yamashita, Y. Ueta, and D. W. Busija
Effects of LPS stimulation on the expression of prostaglandin carriers in the cells of the blood-brain and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barriers
J Appl Physiol, April 1, 2006; 100(4): 1392 - 1399.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Renal Physiol.Home page
M. L. Pucci, S. Endo, T. Nomura, R. Lu, C. Khine, B. S. Chan, Y. Bao, and V. L. Schuster
Coordinate control of prostaglandin E2 synthesis and uptake by hyperosmolarity in renal medullary interstitial cells
Am J Physiol Renal Physiol, March 1, 2006; 290(3): F641 - F649.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Biol. Chem.Home page
T. Nomura, H. Y. Chang, R. Lu, J. Hankin, R. C. Murphy, and V. L. Schuster
Prostaglandin Signaling in the Renal Collecting Duct: RELEASE, REUPTAKE, AND OXIDATION IN THE SAME CELL
J. Biol. Chem., August 5, 2005; 280(31): 28424 - 28429.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.Home page
T. Nozawa, K. Imai, J.-I. Nezu, A. Tsuji, and I. Tamai
Functional Characterization of pH-Sensitive Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide OATP-B in Human
J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., February 1, 2004; 308(2): 438 - 445.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
285/6/F1188    most recent
00402.2002v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Web of Science (24)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Adachi, H.
Right arrow Articles by Abe, T.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Adachi, H.
Right arrow Articles by Abe, T.

HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Visit Other APS Journals Online
Copyright © 2003 by the American Physiological Society.