Contraluminal transport of organic cations in the proximal tubule of the rat kidney. I. Kinetics of N1-methylnicotinamide and tetraethylammonium, influence of K+, HCO3-, pH; inhibition by aliphatic primary, secondary and tertiary amines and mono- and bisquaternary compounds

Identification of human-specific amino acid residues governing atenolol transport via organic cation transporter 2

Organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2/SLC22A2) is predominantly localized on the basolateral membranes of renal tubular epithelial cells and plays a crucial role in the renal secretion of various cationic drugs. Although variations in substrate selectivity among renal organic cation transport systems across species have been reported, the characteristics of OCT2 remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that atenolol, a β1-selective adrenergic antagonist, is transported almost exclusively by human OCT2, contrasting with OCT2s from other selected species. Using chimeric constructs between human OCT2 (hOCT2) and the highly homologous monkey OCT2 (monOCT2), along with site-directed mutagenesis, we identified non-conserved amino acids Val8, Ala31, Ala34, Tyr222, Tyr245, Ala270, Ile394, and Leu503 as pivotal for hOCT2-mediated atenolol transport. Kinetic analysis revealed that atenolol was transported by hOCT2 with a 12-fold lower affinity than MPP+, a typical OCT2 substrate. The inhibitory effect of atenolol on MPP+ transport was 6200-fold lower than that observed for MPP+ on atenolol transport. Additionally, we observed weaker inhibitory effects on MPP+ transport compared to atenolol transport with ten different OCT2 substrates. Altogether, this study suggests that eight hOCT2-specific amino acids constitute the low-affinity recognition site for atenolol transport, indicating differences in OCT2-mediated drug elimination between humans and highly homologous monkeys. Our findings underscore the importance of understanding species-specific differences in drug transport mechanisms, shedding light on potential variations in drug disposition and aiding in drug development.

Investigations with Drugs and Pesticides Revealed New Species- and Substrate-Dependent Inhibition by Elacridar and Imazalil in Human and Mouse Organic Cation Transporter OCT2

Multiple drugs are used to treat various indications as well as pesticides that are ingested unintentionally and enter the bloodstream. The residence time or bioavailability of these substances in circulation depends on several mechanisms, such as drug−drug interaction (DDI), drug−pesticide interaction, metabolizing enzymes and the hepatic and renal transport systems, involved in the elimination of the compounds from the body. One of these transporters is the Organic Cation Transporter 2 (OCT2) member of the solute carrier (SLC22) transporter family. OCT2 is highly expressed in the proximal tubule epithelial cells in human and mouse kidney, where it mediates the uptake of endogenous organic cations as well as numerous drugs and xenobiotics, and contributes to the first step of renal clearance. In this study, we examined OCT2 on two subjects: First, the transferability of data from mouse to human, since mice are initially examined in the development of new drugs to assess the renal excretion of organic cations. Second, to what extent the choice of substrate affects the properties of an inhibitor. For this purpose, the functional properties of hOCT2 and mOct2 were validated under the same experimental conditions with the known substrates metformin and 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium iodide (MPP). While hOCT2 and mOct2 showed very low affinities for metformin with Km values of 3.9 mM and 3.5 mM, the affinity of hOCT2 and mOct2 for MPP (62 and 40 µM) was 64- and 89-fold higher, respectively. For our positive control inhibitor decynium22, we determined the following IC50 values for hOCT2 and mOct2: 2.2 and 2.6 µM for metformin uptake, and 16 and 6.9 µM for MPP uptake. A correlation analysis of the inhibitory effects of 13 drugs and 9 pesticides on hOCT2- and mOct2-mediated transport of metformin showed a correlation coefficient R2 of 0.88, indicating good interspecies correlation. Nevertheless, the bioenhancer elacridar and the fungicide imazalil showed species-dependent inhibitory potentials. Concentration-dependent inhibition of hOCT2- and mOct2-mediated metformin uptake by elacridar showed IC50 values of 20 µM and 1.9 µM and by imazalil 4.7 µM and 0.58 µM, respectively. In conclusion, although our data show comparable species-independent interactions for most compounds, there can be large species−specific differences in the interactions of individual compounds, which should be considered when extrapolating data from mice to humans. Furthermore, a comparison of the inhibitory potential of elacridar and imazalil on metformin uptake with that on MPP uptake reveals substrate-dependent differences in hOCT2 and mOct2 for both inhibitors. Therefore, it might be useful to test two different substrates in inhibition studies.

Molecular and cellular physiology of organic cation transporter 2

Organic cation transporters play a critical role in mediating the distribution of cationic pharmaceuticals. Indeed, organic cation transporter (OCT)2 is the initial step in the renal secretion of organic cations and consequently plays a defining role in establishing the pharmacokinetics of many cationic drugs. Although a hallmark of OCTs is their broad selectivity, this characteristic also makes them targets for unwanted, adverse drug-drug interactions (DDIs), making them a focus for efforts to develop models of ligand interaction that could predict and preempt these adverse interactions. This review discusses the molecular characteristics of these transporters as well as the evidence that established the OCTs as key players in the distribution of organic cations. However, the primary focus is the present understanding of the complexity of ligand interaction with OCTs, particularly OCT2, including evidence for the presence of multiple ligand-binding sites and the influence of substrate structure on the affinity of the transporter for inhibitory ligands. This leads to a discussion of the complexities associated with the development of protocols for assessing the inhibitory potential of new molecular entities to perpetrate unwanted DDIs, the criteria that should be considered in the interpretation of the results of such protocols, and the challenges associated with development of models capable of predicting unwanted DDIs.

Kinetic basis of metformin-MPP interactions with organic cation transporter OCT2

Organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) clears the blood of cationic drugs. Efforts to understand OCT2 selectivity as a means to predict the potential of new molecular entities (NMEs) to produce unwanted drug-drug interactions typically assess the influence of the NMEs on inhibition of transport. However, the identity of the substrate used to assess transport activity can influence the quantitative profile of inhibition. Metformin and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP), in particular, display markedly different inhibitory profiles, with IC₅₀ values for inhibition of MPP transport often being more than fivefold greater than IC₅₀ values for the inhibition of metformin transport by the same compound, suggesting that interaction of metformin and MPP with OCT2 cannot be restricted to competition for a single binding site. Here, we determined the kinetic basis for the mutual inhibitory interaction of metformin and MPP with OCT2 expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Although metformin did produce simple competitive inhibition of MPP transport, MPP was a mixed-type inhibitor of metformin transport, decreasing the maximum rate of mediated substrate transport and increasing the apparent Michaelis constant (K_tapp) for OCT2-mediated metformin transport. Furthermore, whereas the IC₅₀ value for metformin's inhibition of MPP transport did not differ from the K_tapp value for metformin transport, the IC₅₀ value for MPP's inhibition of metformin transport was less than its K_tapp value for transport. The simplest model to account for these observations required the influence of a distinct inhibitory site for MPP that, when occupied, decreases the translocation of substrate. These observations underscore the complexity of ligand interaction with OCT2 and argue for use of multiple substrates to obtain the needed kinetic assessment of NME interactions with OCT2.

Correlation between Apparent Substrate Affinity and OCT2 Transport Turnover

Organic cation (OC) transporter 2 (OCT2) mediates the first step in the renal secretion of many cationic drugs: basolateral uptake from blood into proximal tubule cells. The impact of this process on the pharmacokinetics of drug clearance as estimated using a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic approach relies on an accurate understanding of the kinetics of transport because the ratio of the maximal rate of transport to the Michaelis constant (i.e., J_max/ K_t) provides an estimate of the intrinsic clearance (Cl_int) used in in vitro-in vivo extrapolation of experimentally determined transport data. Although the multispecificity of renal OC secretion, including that of the OCT2 transporter, is widely acknowledged, the possible relationship between relative affinity of the transporter for its diverse substrates and the maximal rates of their transport has received little attention. In this study, we determined the J_max and apparent Michaelis constant (K_tapp) values for six structurally distinct OCT2 substrates and found a strong correlation between J_max and K_tapp; high-affinity substrates [K_tapp values <50 µM, including 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, or 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP), and cimetidine] displayed systematically lower J_max values (<50 pmol cm^-2 min^-1) than did low-affinity substrates (K_tapp >200 µM, including choline and metformin). Similarly, preloading OCT2-expressing cells with low-affinity substrates resulted in systematically larger trans-stimulated rates of MPP uptake than did preloading with high-affinity substrates. The data are quantitatively consistent with the hypothesis that dissociation of bound substrate from the transporter is rate limiting in establishing maximal rates of OCT2-mediated transport. This systematic relationship may provide a means to estimate Cl_int for drugs for which transport data are lacking.

Renal transport of organic anions and cations

Organic anions and cations (OAs and OCs, respectively) comprise an extraordinarily diverse array of compounds of physiological, pharmacological, and toxicological importance. The kidney, primarily the renal proximal tubule, plays a critical role in regulating the plasma concentrations of these organic electrolytes and in clearing the body of potentially toxic xenobiotics agents, a process that involves active, transepithelial secretion. This transepithelial transport involves separate entry and exit steps at the basolateral and luminal aspects of renal tubular cells. Basolateral and luminal OA and OC transport reflects the concerted activity of a suite of separate proteins arranged in parallel in each pole of proximal tubule cells. The cloning of multiple members of several distinct transport families, the subsequent characterization of their activity, and their subcellular localization within distinct regions of the kidney, now allows the development of models describing the molecular basis of the renal secretion of OAs and OCs. New information on naturally occurring genetic variation of many of these processes provides insight into the basis of observed variability of drug efficacy and unwanted drug-drug interactions in human populations. The present review examines recent work on these issues.

Discovery of potent, selective multidrug and toxin extrusion transporter 1 (MATE1, SLC47A1) inhibitors through prescription drug profiling and computational modeling

The human multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE) transporter 1 contributes to the tissue distribution and excretion of many drugs. Inhibition of MATE1 may result in potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and alterations in drug exposure and accumulation in various tissues. The primary goals of this project were to identify MATE1 inhibitors with clinical importance or in vitro utility and to elucidate the physicochemical properties that differ between MATE1 and OCT2 inhibitors. Using a fluorescence assay of ASP(+) uptake in cells stably expressing MATE1, over 900 prescription drugs were screened and 84 potential MATE1 inhibitors were found. We identified several MATE1 selective inhibitors including four FDA-approved medications that may be clinically relevant MATE1 inhibitors and could cause a clinical DDI. In parallel, a QSAR model identified distinct molecular properties of MATE1 versus OCT2 inhibitors and was used to screen the DrugBank in silico library for new hits in a larger chemical space.

Molecular determinants of ligand selectivity for the human multidrug and toxin extruder proteins MATE1 and MATE2-K

The present study compared the selectivity of two homologous transport proteins, multidrug and toxin extruders 1 and 2-K (MATE1 and MATE2-K), and developed three-dimensional pharmacophores for inhibitory ligand interaction with human MATE1 (hMATE1). The human orthologs of MATE1 and MATE2-K were stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, and transport function was determined by measuring uptake of the prototypic organic cation (OC) substrate 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP). Both MATEs had similar apparent affinities for MPP, with K(tapp) values of 4.4 and 3.7 μM for MATE1 and MATE2-K, respectively. Selectivity was assessed for both transporters from IC(50) values for 59 structurally diverse compounds. Whereas the two transporters discriminated markedly between a few of the test compounds, the IC(50) values for MATE1 and MATE2-K were within a factor of 3 for most of them. For hMATE1 there was little or no correlation between IC(50) values and the individual molecular descriptors LogP, total polar surface area, or pK(a). The IC(50) values were used to generate a common-features pharmacophore, quantitative pharmacophores for hMATE1, and a bayesian model suggesting molecular features favoring and not favoring the interaction of ligands with hMATE1. The models identified hydrophobic regions, hydrogen bond donor and hydrogen bond acceptor sites, and an ionizable (cationic) feature as key determinants for ligand binding to MATE1. In summary, using a combined in vitro and computational approach, MATE1 and MATE2-K were found to have markedly overlapping selectivities for a broad range of cationic compounds, including representatives from seven novel drug classes of Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs.

Protein kinase inhibition differentially regulates organic cation transport

Previous studies showed that amantadine transport increased while tetraethylammonium (TEA) transport decreased in kidney tissue from diabetic rats. Changes in transport activity were reversed by exogenous insulin. We hypothesized that this difference in transport regulation is due to differential regulation of different transport systems. Native human embryonic kidney cortex cells (HEK293 cell line) and rat organic cation transporter (rOCT)-transfected cells were used to test the hypothesis. In support of differential regulation, short-term glucose starvation stimulated amantadine transport and inhibited TEA transport, but the effect was bicarbonate-modulated only for amantadine. cAMP analogues inhibited TEA transport while stimulating amantadine transport. This effect was additive to the effect of insulin, and the presence of bicarbonate affected the extent of the change. Our findings indicated that regulation of rOCT 1 and 2 was mediated by transmembrane adenylyl cyclase, and regulation of amantadine transport was mediated by soluble adenylyl cyclase, suggesting that intracellular microdomains of cAMP may be important in determining overall cellular transport for organic cations. Soluble adenylyl cyclase activity is known to be modulated by bicarbonate and lactate. These observations support our hypothesis and reconcile our previous studies demonstrating increased transport affinity for amantadine in the presence of bicarbonate and decreased transport affinity in the presence of lactate.

Organic cation transport in the rat kidney in vivo visualized by time-resolved two-photon microscopy

Secretion of cationic drugs and endogenous metabolites is a major function of the kidney accomplished by tubular organic cation transport systems. A cationic styryl dye (ASP(+)) was developed as a fluorescent substrate for renal organic cation transporters. The dye was injected intravenously and continuously monitored in externalized rat kidneys by time-resolved two-photon laser scanning microscopy. To investigate changes in transport activity, cimetidine, a competitive inhibitor of organic cation transport was co-injected with ASP(+). Shortly after injection, fluorescence increased in peritubular capillaries. Simultaneously, fluorescence was transiently found at the basolateral membrane of the proximal and distal tubules at a higher intensity and shorter wavelength indicating membrane association of ASP(+). Subsequently, intracellular fluorescence increased steeply within 10 s. In the proximal tubules, intracellular fluorescence decreased by 50% within 5 min, while in the distal tubules the fluorescence decreased by only 5% within the same time frame. Intracellular uptake of ASP(+) into proximal tubules was significantly reduced by cimetidine. Our studies show that organic cation transport of the kidney can be visualized in vivo by two-photon laser scanning microscopy.

Cysteine accessibility in the hydrophilic cleft of human organic cation transporter 2

Organic cation transporters (OCTs) are involved in the renal elimination of many cationic drugs and toxins. A hypothetical three-dimensional structure of OCT2 based on a homology model that used the Escherichia coli glycerol 3-phosphate transporter as a template has been described (Zhang, X., Shirahatti, N. V., Mahadevan, D., and Wright, S. H. (2005) J. Biol. Chem. 280, 34813-34822). To further define OCT structure, the accessibility to hydrophilic thiol-reactive reagents of the 13 cysteine residues contained in the human ortholog of OCT2 was examined. Maleimide-PEO2-biotin precipitated (surface biotinylation followed by Western blotting) and reduced tetraethylammonium transport by OCT2 expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, effects that were largely reversed by co-exposure to substrates and transport inhibitors, suggesting interaction with cysteines that are near to or part of a substrate-binding surface. Cysteines at amino acid position 437, 451, 470, and 474 were identified from the model as being located in transmembrane helices that participate in forming the hydrophilic cleft, the proposed region of substrate-protein interaction. To determine which residues are exposed to the solvent, a mutant with all four of these cysteines converted to alanine, along with four variants of this mutant each with an individual cysteine restored, were created. Maleimide-PEO2-biotin was only effective at precipitating and reducing transport by wild-type OCT2 and the mutant with cysteine 474 restored. Additionally, the smaller thiol-reactive reagent, methanethiosulfonate ethylsulfonate, reduced transport by wild-type OCT2 and the mutant with cysteine 474 restored. These data demonstrate that cysteine 474 of OCT2 is exposed to the aqueous milieu of the cleft and contributes to forming a pathway for organic cation transport.

NH4+ modulates renal tubule amantadine transport independently of intracellular pH changes

A bicarbonate-dependent organic cation transporter, unique from rOCT1 and rOCT2, primarily mediates amantadine uptake into renal proximal tubules. We examined whether intracellular pH regulates bicarbonate-dependent amantadine transporter function in these tubules. NH(4)Cl treatment resulted in immediate intracellular alkalinization of tubules for up to 30s followed by gradual acidification that was maximal at 5min. Proximal tubule amantadine uptake was similarly inhibited (60%) by NH(4)Cl during both the early intracellular alkalinization and later acidification phases. Sodium propionate treatment resulted in immediate intracellular acidification of proximal tubules without inhibiting amantadine uptake. NH(4)Cl inhibition of bicarbonate-dependent amantadine uptake was dose-dependent, competitive and sex-dependent. NH(4)Cl, NH(4)NO(3), (NH(4))(2)SO(4) and (NH(4))(2)HPO(4) inhibited amantadine uptake into proximal tubules similarly. NH(4)Cl also stimulated efflux of amantadine and tetraethylammonium from preloaded proximal tubules, suggesting mediation of a facilitated process. These data suggest the potential for direct modulation of organic cation transporters by NH(4)(+) in rat kidney proximal tubules.

Digital fluorescence imaging of organic cation transport in freshly isolated rat proximal tubules

The secretion of cationic drugs and endogenous metabolites is a major function of the kidney. This is accomplished by organic cation transport systems, mainly located in the proximal tubules. Here, we describe a model for continuous measurement of organic cation (OC) transport. In this model, organic cation transport in individual freshly isolated rat proximal tubules is investigated by use of digital fluorescence imaging. To directly measure organic cation transport across the basolateral membrane, the fluorescent organic cation 4-(4-dimethylaminostyryl)-N-methylpyridinium (ASP+) is used with a customized perfusion chamber. ASP+ uptake in this model displayed the characteristics of organic cation transport. Over the tested range of 1 to 50 microM, it showed a concentration-dependent uptake across the basolateral membrane. In the presence of competitive inhibitors of OC transport such as N1-methylnicotinamide+, tetraethylammonium+, and choline+, a concentration-dependent and reversible inhibition of ASP+ uptake could be documented. In conclusion, continuous measurement of organic cation transport in freshly isolated rat proximal tubules by digital fluorescence imaging using ASP+ is a useful tool for investigation of drug transport and interactions and, furthermore, may be helpful for investigation of organic cation transport under pathophysiological conditions.

Characterization of tetraethylammonium uptake across the basolateral membrane of theDrosophilaMalpighian (renal) tubule

Basolateral transport of the prototypical type I organic cation tetraethylammonium (TEA) by the Malpighian tubules of Drosophila melanogaster was studied using measurements of basolateral membrane potential (Vbl) and uptake of [14C]-labeled TEA. TEA uptake was metabolically dependent and saturable (maximal rate of mediated TEA uptake by all potential transport processes, reflecting the total transport capacity of the membrane, 0.87 pmol·tubule−1·min−1; concentration of TEA at 0.5 of the maximal rate of TEA uptake value, 24 μM). TEA uptake in Malpighian tubules was inhibited by a number of type I (e.g., cimetidine, quinine, and TEA) and type II (e.g., verapamil) organic cations and was dependent on Vbl. TEA uptake was reduced in response to conditions that depolarized Vbl(high-K+saline, Na+-free saline, NaCN) and increased in conditions that hyperpolarized Vbl(low-K+saline). Addition of TEA to the saline bathing Malpighian tubules rapidly depolarized the Vbl, indicating that TEA uptake was electrogenic. Blockade of K+channels with Ba2+did not block effects of TEA on Vblor TEA uptake indicating that TEA uptake does not occur through K+channels. This is the first study to provide physiological evidence for an electrogenic carrier-mediated basolateral organic cation transport mechanism in insect Malpighian tubules. Our results also suggest that the mechanism of basolateral TEA uptake by Malpighian tubules is distinct from that found in vertebrate renal tubules.

Molecular determinants of substrate/inhibitor binding to the human and rabbit renal organic cation transporters hOCT2 and rbOCT2

Organic cation transporters are important for the elimination of many drugs and toxins from the body. In the present study, substrate-transporter interactions were investigated in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with either the human or rabbit orthologs of the principal organic cation transporter in the kidney, OCT2. IC(50) values, ranging from 0.04 muM to >3 mM, for inhibition of [(14)C]tetraethylammonium transport were determined for more than 30 structurally diverse compounds. Although the two OCT orthologs displayed similar IC(50) values for some of these compounds, the majority varied by as much as 20-fold. Marked differences in substrate affinity were also noted when comparing hOCT2 to the closely related homolog hOCT1. These data suggest the molecular determinants of substrate binding differ markedly among both homologous and orthologous OCT transporters. The software package Cerius(2) (Accelrys, San Diego, CA) was used to generate a descriptor-based, two-dimensional, quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) to produce a model relating the affinity of hOCT2 to particular physicochemical features of substrate/inhibitor molecules (r(2) = 0.81). Comparative molecular field analysis (Tripos, St. Louis, MO) was used to generate three-dimensional QSARs describing the structural basis of substrate binding to hOCT2 and rbOCT2 (q(2) = 0.60 and 0.53, respectively, and each with r(2) = 0.97). The quality of the models was assessed by their ability to successfully predict the inhibition of a set of test compounds. The current models enabled prediction of OCT2 affinity and may prove useful in the prediction of unwanted drug interactions at the level of the renal secretory process.

Molecular and cellular physiology of renal organic cation and anion transport

Organic cations and anions (OCs and OAs, respectively) constitute an extraordinarily diverse array of compounds of physiological, pharmacological, and toxicological importance. Renal secretion of these compounds, which occurs principally along the proximal portion of the nephron, plays a critical role in regulating their plasma concentrations and in clearing the body of potentially toxic xenobiotics agents. The transepithelial transport involves separate entry and exit steps at the basolateral and luminal aspects of renal tubular cells. It is increasingly apparent that basolateral and luminal OC and OA transport reflects the concerted activity of a suite of separate transport processes arranged in parallel in each pole of proximal tubule cells. The cloning of multiple members of several distinct transport families, the subsequent characterization of their activity, and their subcellular localization within distinct regions of the kidney now allows the development of models describing the molecular basis of the renal secretion of OCs and OAs. This review examines recent work on this issue, with particular emphasis on attempts to integrate information concerning the activity of cloned transporters in heterologous expression systems to that observed in studies of physiologically intact renal systems.

Functional map of TEA transport activity in isolated rabbit renal proximal tubules

The organic cation (OC) transporters OCT1 and OCT2 are suspected of mediating substrate entry from the blood into proximal tubule cells as the first step in renal secretion of OCs. We examined the contribution of each process in different rabbit renal proximal tubule (RPT) segments, taking advantage of the fact that rabbit orthologs of OCT1 and OCT2 can be distinguished by the high affinity of the former for tyramine (TYR) and of the latter for cimetidine (CIM). We verified that TEA uptake, for which both transporters share a similar affinity, is relatively constant in all three segments (apparent inhibitory constant of 33, 74, and 30 microM and maximal rate of mediated TEA uptake of 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 pmol x mm(-1) x min(-1) in S1, S2, and S3, respectively). In the S1 segment, TYR was a more effective inhibitor of TEA uptake than CIM (IC50 values of 39 and 328 microM, respectively), implicating OCT1 as the predominant pathway for TEA transport. The opposite profiles were noted in the S2 segment (IC50 values of 302 and 20 microM for TYR and CIM, respectively) and S3 segment (IC50 values of 2,900 and 54 microM for TYR and CIM, respectively), suggesting that OCT2 is the predominant TEA transporter in the later portion of RPT. TEA sufficient to saturate OCT1 and OCT2 blocked only 37% of mediated amantadine transport in the S2 segment, confirming the functional presence of at least one additional OC transporter (perhaps OCT3). These data indicate that renal OC transport involves the concerted activity of a suite of transport processes.

Influence of molecular structure on substrate binding to the human organic cation transporter, hOCT1

Organic cation transporters play a critical role in the elimination of therapeutic compounds in the liver and the kidney. We used computational quantitative structure activity approaches to predict molecular features that influence interaction with the human ortholog of the organic cation transporter (hOCT1). [(3)H]tetraethylammonium uptake in HeLa cells stably expressing hOCT1 was inhibited to varying extents by a diverse set of 30 molecules. A subset of 22 of these was used to produce, using Catalyst, a pharmacophore that consisted of three hydrophobic features and a positive ionizable feature. The correlation coefficient of observed versus predicted IC(50) was 0.86 for this training set, which was superior to calculated logP alone (r = 0.73) as a predictor of hOCT1 inhibition. A descriptor-based quantitative structure-activity relationship study using Cerius(2) resulted in an equation relating five molecular descriptors to log IC(50) with a correlation coefficient of 0.95. Furthermore, a group of phenylpyridinium and quinolinium compounds were used to investigate the spatial limitations of the hOCT1 binding site. The affinity for hOCT was higher for 4-phenylpyridiniums > 3-phenylpyridiniums > quinolinium, indicating that substrate affinity was influenced by the distribution of hydrophobic mass. In addition, supraplanar hydrophobic mass was found to increase the affinity for binding hOCT1. These results indicate how a combination of computational and in vitro approaches may yield insight into the binding affinity of transporters and may be applicable to predicting these properties for new therapeutics.

The human organic cation transporter (hOCT2) recognizes the degree of substrate ionization

The organic cation transporter, OCT2, plays a role in renal secretion of a broad array of weak bases. To determine whether the degree of ionization of these compounds plays a role in their interaction with OCT2, we examined the influence of external pH values on the activity of the human ortholog of OCT2, as expressed in Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells. Importantly, changing the pH value from 7.0 to 8.0 had no effect on the rate of transport of the fixed cations, tetraethylammonium and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, i.e. the pH value did not have an effect upon the transporter itself. Cimetidine (pK(a) 6.92), a competitive inhibitor of hOCT2, displayed a 3.5-fold increase in IC(50) as pH values increased from 7 to 8. hOCT2-mediated cimetidine transport decreased over this pH range, the consequence of an increase in K(t) and decrease in J(max) at the higher pH value. The weak bases trimethoprim and 4-phenylpyridine showed a similar pattern of pH-sensitive interaction with hOCT2. The non-ionizable sterol, corticosterone, also inhibited hOCT2 activity, although it was neither competitive in nature nor was it sensitive to pH in the manner observed with weak bases. We conclude that the degree of ionization plays a critical role in binding of substrate to organic cation transporters.

Properties and regulation of organic cation transport in freshly isolated human proximal tubules

The kidney, and more specifically the proximal tubule, is the main site of elimination of cationic endogenous metabolites and xenobiotics. Although numerous studies exist on renal organic cation transport of rat and rabbit, no information is available from humans. Therefore, we examined organic cation transport and its regulation across the basolateral membrane of isolated human proximal tubules. mRNA for the cation transporters hOCT1 and hOCT2 as well as hOCTN1 and hOCTN2 was detected in these tubules. Organic cation transport across the basolateral membrane of isolated collapsed proximal tubules was recorded with the fluorescent dye 4-(4-dimethylamino)styryl-N-methylpyridinium (ASP(+)). Depolarization of the cells by rising extracellular K(+) concentration to 145 mm reduced ASP(+) uptake by 20 +/- 5% (n = 15), indicating its electrogeneity. The substrates of organic cation transport tetraethylammonium (K(i) = 63 microm) and cimetidine (K(i) = 11 microm) as well as the inhibitor quinine (K(i) = 2.9 microm) reduced ASP(+) uptake concentration dependently. Maximal inhibition reached with these substances was approximately 60%. Stimulation of protein kinase C with 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol (DOG, 1 microm) or ATP (100 microm) inhibited ASP(+) uptake by 30 +/- 3 (n = 16) and 38 +/- 13% (n = 6), respectively. The effect of DOG could be reduced with calphostin C (0.1 microm, n = 7). Activation of adenylate cyclase by forskolin (1 microm) decreased ASP(+) uptake by 29 +/- 3% (n = 10). hANP (10 nm) or 8-bromo-cGMP (100 microm) also decreased ASP(+) uptake by 17 +/- 3 (n = 9) or 32 +/- 5% (n = 10), respectively. We show for the first time that organic cation transport across the basolateral membrane of isolated human proximal tubules, most likely mediated via hOCT2, is electrogenic and regulated by protein kinase C, the cAMP- and the cGMP-dependent protein kinases.

Structure of renal organic anion and cation transporters

Here we review the structural and functional properties of organic anion transporters (OAT1, OAT2, OAT3) and organic cation transporters (OCTN1, OCTN2, OCT1, OCT2, OCT3), some of which are involved in renal proximal tubular organic anion and cation secretion. These transporters share a predicted 12-transmembrane domain (TMD) structure with a large extracellular loop between TMD1 and TMD2, carrying potential N-glycosylation sites. Conserved amino acid motifs revealed a relationship to the sugar transporter family within the major facilitator superfamily. Following heterologous expression, most OATs transported the model anion p-aminohippurate (PAH). OAT1, but not OAT2, exhibited PAH-alpha-ketoglutarate exchange. OCT1-3 transported the model cations tetraethylammonium (TEA), N(1)-methylnicotinamide, and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium. OCTNs exhibited transport of TEA and/or preferably the zwitterionic carnitine. Substrate substitution as well as cis-inhibition experiments demonstrated polyspecificity of the OATs, OCTs, and OCTN1. On the basis of comparison of the structurally closely related OATs and OCTs, it may be possible to delineate the binding sites for organic anions and cations in future experiments.

Inorganic anions and the renal organic cation transport system

During renal secretion, organic cations (OC) have to pass two hydrophobic membranes (basolateral and luminal) and the intervening aqueous cytoplasm. Furthermore, an uptake in intracellular endosomes may also occur. OC transport critically depends on the presence or absence of certain inorganic anions, such as Cl-, HCO3-, and others. The interaction between inorganic anions and OC may occur during the transport across the membranes or uptake by endosomes, by alterations of the transport protein or the substrate and by changes of the intracellular pH.

rOCT2 is a basolateral potential-driven carrier, not an organic cation/proton exchanger

The driving forces mediating tetraethylammonium (TEA) transport were systematically assessed in Xenopus oocytes and MDCK cells expressing organic cation transporter (OCT) 2 cloned from rat kidney (rOCT2). In rOCT2 cRNA-injected oocytes, uptake of [14C]TEA was saturable, with an estimated Michaelis constant (Km) of 393 microM, and was specifically inhibited by organic cations. Furthermore, TEA uptake demonstrated two distinct components, one that was potential sensitive and one that was pH sensitive. When membrane potential was intact, TEA uptake was largely unaffected by changes in medium pH; when the oocyte membrane was depolarized (K+ in = out = 102.5 mM, plus valinomycin), decreasing external medium pH significantly reduced TEA uptake. Consistent with the potential sensitivity of uptake, electrophysiological analysis of rOCT2-injected oocytes demonstrated movement of positive charge into the oocyte upon TEA addition. To further evaluate the nature of the pH effect and assess the properties of rOCT2 in a renal epithelium, rOCT2 was introduced into MDCK cells. A stably transfected single cell clone (MDCK-rOCT2) showed mediated, potential-sensitive, pH-sensitive TEA uptake (Km = 48 microM). TEA efflux from preloaded MDCK-rOCT2 cells was stimulated by externally applied (trans) tetramethylammonium but was trans-inhibited by H+ (external pH 5.4). The effect of external H+ was to modulate rOCT2-mediated transport. Thus rOCT2 is a potential-driven transporter, not an organic cation/H+ exchanger, consistent with a physiological role in the basolateral entry step in renal organic cation secretion.

Organic cation transporters in intestine, kidney, liver, and brain

This review focuses on sodium-independent transport systems for organic cations in small intestine, liver, kidney, and brain. The roles of P-glycoproteins (MDR) and anion transporters (OATP) in organic cation transport are reported, and two members of the new transporter family OCT are described. The OCT transporters belong to a superfamily that includes multidrug-resistance proteins, facilitative diffusion systems, and proton antiporters. They mediate electrogenic transport of small organic cations with different molecular structures, independently of sodium and proton gradients. The current knowledge of the distribution and functional properties of cloned cation transport systems and of cation transport measured in intact plasma membranes is used to postulate identical or homologous transporters in intestine, liver, kidney, and brain.

Structure and Function of Renal Organic Cation Transporters

Polyspecific transport systems in the kidney mediate the excretion and reabsorption of organic cations. Electrogenic import systems and electroneutral export systems in the basolateral and luminal plasma membranes of proximal renal tubules are involved. Two subtypes of electrogenic import systems have been cloned from rats and humans and functionally characterized.

Cloning and characterization of two human polyspecific organic cation transporters

Previously we cloned a polyspecific transporter from rat (rOCT1) that is expressed in renal proximal tubules and hepatocytes and mediates electrogenic uptake of organic cations with different molecular structures. Recently a homologous transporter from rat kidney (rOCT2) was cloned but not characterized in detail. We report cloning and characterization of two homologous transporters from man (hOCT1 and hOCT2) displaying approximately 80% amino acid identity to rOCT1 and rOCT2, respectively. Northern blots showed that hOCT1 is mainly transcribed in liver, while hOCT2 is found in kidney. Using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, expression of hOCT2 was mainly detected in the distal tubule where the transporter is localized at the luminal membrane. After expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes, hOCT1 and hOCT2 mediate tracer influx of N-1-methylnicotinamide (NMN), tetraethylammonium (TEA), and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP). For cation transport by hOCT2 apparent K(m) and K(i) values were determined in tracer flux measurements. In addition, electrical measurements were performed with voltage-clamped oocytes. Similar to rOCT1, cation transport by hOCT2 was pH independent, electrogenic, and polyspecific; however, the cation specificity was different. In voltage-clamped hOCT2-expressing oocytes, inward currents were induced by superfusion with MPP, TEA, choline, quinine, d-tubocurarine, pancuronium, and cyanine863. Cation transport in distal tubules is indicated for the first time. Here hOCT2 mediates the first step in cation reabsorption. hOCT1 may participate in hepatic excretion of organic cations.

Electrogenic properties and substrate specificity of the polyspecific rat cation transporter rOCT1

The previously cloned rat cation transporter rOCT1 detected in renal proximal tubules and hepatocytes (Gründemann, D., Gorboulev, V., Gambaryan, S., Veyhl, M., and Koepsell, H. (1994) Nature 372, 549-552) was expressed in Xenopus oocytes, and transport properties were analyzed using tracer uptake studies and electrophysiological measurements. rOCT1 induced highly active transport of a variety of cations, including the classical substrates for cation transport, such as N-1-methylnicotinamide, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP), and tetraethylammonium (TEA), but also the physiologically important choline. In oocytes rOCT1 also mediated efflux of MPP, which could be trans-stimulated by MPP and TEA. Cation transport via rOCT1 was electrogenic. In voltage-clamped oocytes, transport of TEA and choline via rOCT1 produced inwardly directed currents, which were independent of extracellular ion composition or pH. The choline- and TEA-induced currents were voltage-dependent at nonsaturating concentrations, and the apparent affinity of these cations was decreased at depolarized voltages. Other substrates transported by rOCT1 were the polyamines spermine and spermidine. Interestingly, the previously described potent inhibitors of rOCT1, cyanine 863, quinine, and D-tubocurarine were substrates themselves. The data indicate that rOCT1 is an effective transport system that is responsible for electrogenic uptake of a wide variety of organic cations into epithelial cells of renal proximal tubules and hepatocytes.

Monoamine neurotransmitter transport mediated by the polyspecific cation transporter rOCT1

The polyspecific cation transporter rOCT,1 which is localized in the basolateral membrane of rat renal proximal tubules and in sinusoidal membranes of hepatocytes, was analyzed for transport of monoamine neurotransmitters. In voltage-clamp experiments with rOCT1-expressing Xenopus oocytes, superfusion with dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, histamine and the permanent cation acetylcholine induced saturable inwardly directed currents with apparent Km values ranging from 20 to 100 microM. Transport of dopamine was also demonstrated by uptake measurements in oocytes and in the mammalian cell line (HEK 293) which was permanently transfected with rOCT1. The high uptake rates measured in rOCT1-expressing oocytes and in transfected HEK 293 cells suggest that rOCT1 is a high capacity transporter which mediates the first step in the excretion of monoamine neurotransmitters.

Luminal transport system for choline+ in relation to the other organic cation transport systems in the rat proximal tubule. Kinetics, specificity: alkyl/arylamines, alkylamines with OH, O, SH, NH2, ROCO, RSCO and H2PO4-groups, methylaminostyryl, rhodamine, acridine, phenanthrene and cyanine compounds

The efflux of [3H] choline+ from the proximal tubular lumen was measured by using the stop-flow microperfusion method. The 2-s efflux of [3H] choline+ follows kinetics with a Michaelis constant, Km = 0.18 mmol x l-1, maximal flux, Jmax = 0.43 pmol x cm-1 x s-1 and a permeability term = 38.0 micron2 small middle dots-1. Replacement of Na+ by N-methyl-D-glucamine+ or Li+, or a change of luminal pH do not alter choline+ efflux. Replacement of Na+ by Cs+ inhibits 2-s choline+ (0. 01 mmol x l-1) efflux by 22% and replacement by K+ inhibits by 49%, indicating that the electrical potential difference across the brush border membrane acts as driving force for choline+ transport. Comparing the apparent luminal inhibitory constant values for choline (app. Ki,l,choline+) with the chemical structure of inhibiting substrates, it was found that the inhibitory potency of amines with high pKa values, i.e. high basicity, and of quaternary ammonium compounds (tetraethyl to tetrahexylammonium) increases with their hydrophobicity in a similar manner as was observed previously against the contraluminal N1-methylnicotinamide (NMeN+) transporter and the luminal H+/organic cation (N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium) (MPP+) exchanger. Independently of their hydrophobicity, an increase in the inhibitory potency of the homologous series of aminoquinolines against the choline+ transporter was observed with increasing pKa values, i.e. increasing basicity, as was found previously against the two other organic cation transporters. A third parameter influencing the interaction with the choline+ transporter is the presence of two amino groups with high pKa values or one amino group and a permanent positive charge, as is documented with the two-ring aminostyryl and rhodamine compounds, as well as three-ring aminoacridine, aminophenanthrene and cyanine compounds. Thus with the aminostyryl, pyridinium+, rhodamine, phenanthridium+ and cyanine+ dyes app.Ki,l,choline+ values of between 0.01 and 0.07 mmol x l-1 have been found. A fourth parameter influencing the choline+ transporter is the presence of an OH group on the C atom next to that bearing the N atom (as in choline+) or an ester-OCOR group (acetylcholine+, butyrylcholine+) or a thioester-SCOR-group (acetylthiocholine+, butyrylthiocholine+); or an -OP(OH)2(OR) group (glycerylphosphoryl-choline+), resulting in app.Ki,l,choline+ values of 0.3-1.0 mmol x l-1. Thus the substrates for the luminal choline+ transporter have general features in common with the luminal H+/organic cation exchanger and the contraluminal organic cation transporter, i.e. hydrophobicity and basicity. Additional parameters for interaction are an OH (or similar) group positioned a favourable distance from the N atom or a second amino/ammonium group in multi-ring compounds.

Paraquat2+/H+ exchange in isolated renal brush-border membrane vesicles

The mechanism(s) by which paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium), a divalent organic cation (OC) and proximal tubule nephrotoxicant, crosses renal cell membranes is unclear. The structurally-related monovalent OC, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), crosses the renal brush border via OC/H+ exchange using the same pathway by which tetraethylammonium (TEA) is transported. We examined whether paraquat shares the TEA(MPP+)/H+ exchanger by examining 14C-paraquat transport in rabbit renal BBMV. Compared to a pH equilibrium condition (pH 7.5in:7.5o), an H-gradient (pH 6in:7.5o) stimulated the 5 s and 60 s uptakes of 230 microM paraquat by 51% and 108%, respectively, and this stimulation was blocked by both 20 mM unlabeled paraquat and TEA. Pre-loading BBMV with 2 mM unlabeled TEA (under conditions of pH equilibrium) stimulated by 3-fold the 60 s uptake of 120 microM paraquat and by 5 min produced a transient intravesicular accumulation of paraquat that exceeded equilibrium (2 h) uptake by 45%. The presence of 200 microM paraquat in the extravesicular solution competitively inhibited H-gradient-stimulated transport of 14C-TEA in renal BBMV, increasing the apparent Kt for TEA transport from 169 microM to 379 microM, without significantly influencing the Jmax (16.0 vs. 15.4 nmol mg-1 min-1). The calculated Ki for paraquat (presumably equal to its Kt for transport) after transport was between 160 and 220 microM (depending upon the method of estimation). Significantly, the Kt for MPP+/H exchange is 12 microM, suggesting that the affinity of the exchanger is profoundly influenced by the presence on paraquat of a second positive charge. We conclude that renal transport of paraquat involves the OC/H+ exchanger of proximal cell luminal membranes and that this pathway may play a role in the renal secretion of polyvalent organic cations.

Luminal transport system for H+/organic cations in the rat proximal tubule. Kinetics, dependence on pH; specificity as compared with the contraluminal organic cation-transport system

The efflux of radiolabelled organic cations from the tubular lumen into proximal tubular cells was investigated by using the stop-flow microperfusion method. The efflux rate increased in the sequence: N1-methylnicotinamide (NMeN+) < cimetidine < tetraethylammonium (TEA+) < N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). Preloading the animals by i.v. infusion or pre perfusion of the peritubular capillaries with NMeN+ increased the efflux rate of MPP+. Luminal efflux was also augmented when the tubular solution was made alkaline with HCO3- or phosphate, whereby HCO3- is more effective than phosphate. Replacement of Na+ by Cs+ showed no effect. With i.v. preloading the animals with NMeN+ and with 25 mM HCO3- in the luminal perfusate the 2-s efflux follows kinetics with a Michaelis constant Km = 0.21 mmol/l and maximal flux Jmax = 0.42 pmol.cm-1.s-1 and a permeability term with P = 37.7 microns2.s-1. Comparing the apparent luminal inhibitory constant values for MPP+ (Kil,MPP+) with the apparent contraluminal Kicl,NMeN+ values of substrates of homologous series, it was found that (1) limitation by molecular size occurs at the contraluminal cell side earlier than at the luminal cell side; (2) affinity increases with hydrophobicity of the substrates at the luminal cell side, with a steeper or equal slope than at the contraluminal cell side; (3) affinity increases with basicity (i.e. pKa values) at the luminal cell side with a steeper slope than at the contraluminal cell side. Taken together, substrates with low hydrophobicity and low basicity interact at the luminal cell side more weakly than at the contraluminal cell side. On the other hand large, hydrophobic substrates have, at the luminal cell side, a higher affinity than at the contraluminal cell side. Many substrates, however, have equal affinity at the luminal and contraluminal cell sides.

Transport interactions of different organic cations during their excretion by the intact rat kidney

Organic cations, in addition to being filtrated, are secreted or reabsorbed in the proximal renal tubule whereby they have to pass the contraluminal and the luminal cell membrane. Interactions with the transport of other organic cations can occur at either cell side, leading to inhibition or stimulation of net secretion or net reabsorption. A qualitative evaluation of such processes is possible by using the in vivo bolus injection of an organic cation as test substance. Measuring its urinary excretion profile in relation to that of inulin, under control conditions and after application of interfering organic cations, in combination with simultaneous registration of its tissue concentration, allows the demonstration of interaction and also the tentative identification of the cell side at which interference has taken place. As test substance the fluorescent organic cation 4-(4-dimethylaminostyryl)-N-methylpyridinium (4-Di-1-ASP+; denotes permanent positively-charged organic cations was used, having a protein binding of 47% under the given experimental conditions. As interfering organic cations amiloride, benzylamiloride, choline+, cimetidine, and 2-methyl-4-(heptafluorobutoxy)-N-methylpyridinium+ were injected. It was found that: (1) 4-Di-1-ASP+ is filtered and net reabsorbed under control conditions (fractional excretion 0.54 +/- 0.1). All net secreted interfering substances, except bidirectional transported choline+, injected simultaneously with 4-Di-1-ASP+, showed an interference with renal excretion of net reabsorbed 4-Di-1-ASP+, by (2) instantaneously increasing its reabsorption, resulting in a 28 to 33% decrease in urinary excretion, and (3) augmenting its tissue concentration by 19 to 58%. (4) A prolonged effect of the interfering substrates could be observed after a third injection of 4-Di-1-ASP+ (without inhibitor) showing an increased tissue concentration of 4-Di-1-ASP+ of 36 to 46%. The complex interfering pattern of the applied organic cations can be explained by a trans-stimulation of 4-Di-1-ASP+ net reabsorption at the luminal cell side, leading to an increased intracellular content of 4-Di-1-ASP+.

Tetrapentylammonium (TPeA): slowly dissociating inhibitor of the renal peritubular organic cation transporter

The efflux of tetraethylammonium (TEA) from suspensions of rabbit renal proximal tubules is completely blocked by 500 microM tetrapentylammonium (TPeA) in the extracellular medium. The basis of this trans-inhibition of TEA transport by TPeA was examined in tubule suspensions. At TPeA concentrations < 10 microM, efflux of TEA was reduced by approximately 50%, whereas at concentrations > 10 microM, TPeA reduced efflux an additional 50% to produce a near complete block of TEA efflux. Increasing concentrations of TPeA from 0-500 microM were found to produce a biphasic, concentration-dependent trans-inhibition of TEA efflux from tubule suspensions suggesting that TPeA may block efflux by binding to both a high and low affinity TPeA binding site. The trans-inhibition of TEA efflux by TPeA at low concentrations (< 10 microM) may result from a slow carrier turnover when TPeA is bound to the carrier site. To determine whether the inhibitory effectiveness of TPeA was also associated with its slow dissociation from the carrier site, the effect of a 10 s preincubation with 1 microM TPeA on TEA uptake was examined. The uptake of TEA by tubules preincubated for 10 s with TPeA was reduced by approximately 30-50% compared to control tubules not preincubated with TPeA. A 10 s preincubation with 150 microM unlabeled TEA had no effect on TEA uptake compared to control tubules not preincubated with TEA. When the 10 s preincubation with 1 microM TPeA was followed by a 10 min recovery period, TEA uptake returned to control levels, indicating that the prolonged inhibition was reversible. This prolonged inhibition of TEA uptake after a 10 s preincubation with 1 microM TPeA, as suspected, may arise from a slow dissociation of TPeA from the OC transporter following a rapid association to the binding site. TPeA inhibition of TEA uptake into tubules was competitive in nature with a Ki of 1 microM. The ability of TEA to compete with TPeA for binding to the carrier suggests that the binding of TPeA to the carrier can be displaced by large concentrations of TEA. These observations suggest that the interactions of TPeA, and perhaps similarly large hydrophobic OCs, with the OC transporter are complex.

Structure and interaction of inhibitors with the TEA/H+ exchanger of rabbit renal brush border membranes

The renal secretion of organic cations (OCs) involves a carrier-mediated exchange of OC for H+ in the luminal membrane of proximal cells. To assess the influence of chemical structure on the interaction of potential substrates with this process we examined the effect of a series of quaternary ammonium compounds on the transport of the OC tetraethylammonium (TEA) in a preparation of isolated renal brush-border membrane vesicles. Apparent inhibitory potency varied over a factor of 10(4), as expressed in inhibitor coefficients (KiTEA) whose approximate values ranged from 0.5 microM to 5 mM. The poorest inhibitors of TEA/H+ exchange were those molecules with carboxyl or hydroxyl residues, whereas the addition of methylene groups to a parent molecule tended to increase inhibitory potency. A plot of apparent KiTEA versus calculated octanol:water partition coefficient (expressed in terms of a relative lipophilicity factor) showed a clear correlation between these two parameters, although there was considerable variability between apparent lipophilicity and KiTEA for molecules with very different parent structures. For select groups of molecules with similar parent structures (e.g., the n-tetraalkylammoniums or the 4-phenylpyridinium, 3-phenylpyridinium, and quinolinium compounds) the correlation between calculated lipophilicity and apparent KiTEA was more marked. However, even within these groups of closely related parent structures, there appeared to be subtle, but systematic, variations in inhibitory potency that may have been related to the influence of steric factors on the binding of inhibitors to the TEA/H+ exchanger. We conclude that the lipophilic nature of a quaternary ammonium compound represents the predominant factor in the binding to and subsequent inhibition of, luminal TEA/H+ exchange. Specific steric factors may influence the binding of substrate to the exchanger, but play a secondary role in this interaction.

Drug excretion mediated by a new prototype of polyspecific transporter

Cationic drugs of different types and structures (antihistaminics, antiarrhythmics, sedatives, opiates, cytostatics and antibiotics, for example) are excreted in mammals by epithelial cells of the renal proximal tubules and by hepatocytes in the liver. In the proximal tubules, two functionally disparate transport systems are involved which are localized in the basolateral and luminal plasma membrane and are different from the previously identified neuronal monoamine transporters and ATP-dependent multidrug exporting proteins. Here we report the isolation of a complementary DNA from rat kidney that encodes a 556-amino-acid membrane protein, OCT1, which has the functional characteristics of organic cation uptake over the basolateral membrane of renal proximal tubules and of organic cation uptake into hepatocytes. OCT1 is not homologous to any other known protein and is found in kidney, liver and intestine. As OCT1 translocates hydrophobic and hydrophilic organic cations of different structures, it is considered to be a new prototype of polyspecific transporters that are important for drug elimination.

Choline transport in human placental brush-border membrane vesicles

Pathways for transport of choline by human placental epithelia were investigated using brush border membrane vesicles isolated by divalent cation precipitation. The presence of choline transport mechanisms mediating Na(+)-choline cotransport, choline/H+ exchange and facilitated diffusion were assessed from [3H]choline tracer flux measurements. The rate and magnitude of intravesicular choline accumulation was unaffected by the imposition of an inwardly directed Na+ gradient suggesting an absence of a mechanism mediating brush border membrane Na(+)-choline cotransport. The imposition of inside-acid or inside-alkaline pH gradients was observed to have no significant effect on choline uptake suggesting choline is not a substrate for placental epithelial organic cation/H+ exchange. Conditions favoring the development of an inside-negative K+ diffusion potential was observed to induce a concentrative accumulation of choline to levels exceeding equilibrium suggesting the presence of a conductive uptake pathway for choline in placental brush border membrane. Evidence to suggest conductive choline uptake resulted from a mediated transport process includes a demonstration of the counterflow phenomena, the concentration-dependent inhibition by hemicholinium-3 (IC50 approximately equal to 100 microM) and the saturable rate of conductive choline uptake (Km approximately equal to 300 microM, Vmax approximately equal to 30 nmol/mg per min). Substrate specificity studies of the mechanism mediating conductive choline uptake suggest the interaction of choline with the transport protein occurs at a minimum of two sites: a site of negativity with the positively charged nitrogen group and a site of hydrogen bonding to the primary alcohol. Several commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals known to cross the placental barrier including imipramine, verapamil, propranolol, quinine, flurazepam, amiloride and ritodrin were observed to inhibit conductive choline uptake suggesting an interaction with the mechanism mediating conductive choline transport. Conductive choline uptake was unaffected by the presence of the basic amino acids lysine, arginine and histidine; the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and histamine and the vitamins thiamine and carnitine which suggests the mechanism mediating conductive choline transport is not a pathway for placental uptake of these compounds.

Bisubstrates: substances that interact with renal contraluminal organic anion and organic cation transport systems. I. Amines, piperidines, piperazines, azepines, pyridines, quinolines, imidazoles, thiazoles, guanidines and hydrazines

In order to evaluate whether N-containing substrates interact with the organic "anion" (p-aminohippurate, PAH) or only with the organic "cation" (N1-methylnicotinamide, NMeN) transport system or with both, the stop-flow peritubular capillary microperfusion method was applied in the rat kidney in situ and the apparent Ki values of several classes or organic substrate against contraluminal NMeN and PAH transport were determined. Organic "anion" and organic "cation" transport are in inverted commas because neither transporter sees the degree of ionization in bulk solution, and they also accept nonionizable substrates [Ullrich KJ, Rumrich G (1992) Pflügers Arch 421:286-288]. Amines must be sufficiently hydrophobic (phenylethylamine, piperidine, piperazine) in order to interact with NMeN transport. Additional Cl, Br, NO2 or other electronegative groups render them inhibitory towards PAH transport also. Such bisubstrate amines were identified as follows: metoclopramide, bromopride, diphenhydramine, bromodiphenhydramine, verapamil, citalopram, ketamine, mefloquine, ipsapirone, buspirone, trazodone, H7 and trifluoperazine. Imidazole analogues interact with both transporters if they bear sufficiently hydrophobic alkyl or aryl groups or electronegative sidegroups. Bisubstrate imidazole analogues are tinidazole, pilocarpine, clonidine, azidoclonidine and cimetidine. Pyridines and thiazoles interact with the NMeN transporter if they have an additional ring-attached NH2 group. Again with an additional Cl, Br, or NO2 group the aminopyridines and aminothiazoles also become inhibitors for the PAH transporter. Amongst the guanidines only substances with several electronegative side-groups such as guanfacine, amiloride, benzylamiloride and ranitidine, interact with both transporters. Amongst the phenylhydrazines only 4-bromophenylhydrazine interacts with the NMeN transporter and 4-nitrophenylhydrazine with both transporters. Quinoline (isoquinoline) and its amino and hydroxy analogues interact with both transporters, their pKa values correlate directly with the affinity to the NMeN transporter and reciprocally with their affinity to the PAH transporter. In experiments with labelled substrates only the sufficiently hydrophilic cimetidine, amiloride and ranitidine show a saturable transport, which can be inhibited by probenecid (apalcillin) and tetraethylammonium in an additive manner. The highly hydrophobic substrates verapamil, citalopram, imipramine, diltiazem and clonidine enter the cell very fast in an unsaturable and uninhibitable manner, apparently in the undissociated form, since N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, which--disregarding its ionization--is similarly hydrophobic, shows a transport behaviour similar to that of tetraethylammonium [Ullrich et al. (1991) Pflügers Arch 419:84-92]. Ethidium bromide and dimidium bromide, which have a permanent cationic quaternary nitrogen and two sufficiently electronegative NH2 groups, also interact with both transporters.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Bisubstrates: substances that interact with both, renal contraluminal organic anion and organic cation transport systems. II. Zwitterionic substrates: dipeptides, cephalosporins, quinolone-carboxylate gyrase inhibitors and phosphamide thiazine carboxylates; nonionizable substrates: steroid hormones and cyclophosphamides

In order to test what chemical structure is required for a substrate to interact not only with the contraluminal organic anion (p-aminohippurate, PAH) transporter, but also with the organic cation (N1-methylnicotinamide, NMeN, or tetraethylammonium, TEA) transporter, the stop-flow peritubular capillary perfusion method was applied and app. Ki values were evaluated. Zwitterionic hydrophobic dipeptides not only interact with PAH but also with NMeN transport although with lower inhibitory potency (Ki,PAH = 0.2-1.4; Ki,NMeN 6-14 mmol/l). Amongst the zwitterionic cephalosporins, which all inhibit PAH transport, the amino cephalosporin analogue cefadroxil was identified to interact also with NMeN transport (Ki,PAH = 3.0, Ki,NMeN = 11.2 mmol/l). All zwitterionic naphthyridine and oxochinoline gyrase inhibitors tested inhibit NMeN transport with app. Ki,NMeN values between 1.2 mmol/l and 4.7 mmol/l; the naphthyridine analogues show a good inhibitory potency against PAH transport (Ki,PAH approximately 0.4 mmol/l), the piperazine-containing quinolone analogues have a moderate inhibitory potency (Ki,PAH = 1.1-2.5 mmol/l) and the piperazine-containing pipemidic acid did not inhibit PAH transport at all. Zwitterionic thiazolidine carboxylate phosphamides also interact with both transporters (app. Ki,PAH approximately 3.0; app. Ki,NMeN approximately 18.0 mmol/l). The nonionizable oxo- and hydroxy-group-containing corticosteroid hormones also interact with the two transporters. (a) An OH group in position 21 is necessary for interaction with the PAH transporter, but not for interaction with the TEA transporter. (b) Introduction of an OH group in position 17 alpha abolishes interaction with the TEA transporter, but has different effects with the PAH transporter. (c) Introduction of an OH group in position 6 abolishes interaction with both, the PAH and the TEA transporter. (d) A change of the side-group in position 11 of corticosterone from -OH to -H to = O enhances interaction with the PAH transporter but has no effect on the interaction with the TEA transporter. Nonionizable 4- or 5-androstene analogues inhibit both transporters with app. Ki between 0.16 mmol/l and 0.64 mmol/l, if the steroids are soluble in a concentration greater than 1 mmol/l. Nonionizable oxazaphosphorins with more than one chloroethyl group interact with the PAH transporter with app. Ki between 0.84 mmol/l and 4.9 mmol/l and with the NMeN transporter with app. Ki between 3.2 mmol/l and 18.7 mmol/l. Thus a substrate interacts with both transporters if it is sufficiently hydrophobic, possesses acidic and/or electron-attracting plus basic and/or electron-donating groups, or possesses several electron-attracting nonionizable groups (O, OH, Cl). A certain spatial arrangement of the interacting groups seems to be necessary.

1,1'-diethyl-2,2'-cyanine (decynium22) potently inhibits the renal transport of organic cations

The excretion of cationic compounds by renal proximal tubule cells involves at least two distinct transporters: the basolateral type which transports organic cations from the plasma into the proximal tubule cell, and the apical type which secretes the organic cations into the lumen of the tubule. However, potent inhibitors were known for neither type of transporter. Here we introduce a compound, decynium22, that potently, competitively, and selectively inhibits the apical type of the renal organic cation transporter. The transport of the prototypical organic cation 14C-tetraethylammonium through the apical plasma membrane of clonal proximal tubule cells (LLC-PK1) was used as experimental system. Initial rates of 14C-tetraethylammonium transport into LLC-PK1 cells were saturable, the Km and Vmax being 27 mumol/l and 200 pmol/(mg protein.min), respectively. Decynium22 competitively and potently inhibited 14C-tetraethylammonium transport (Ki = 5.6 nmol/l). Moreover, the effect of decynium22 on basolateral to apical directed transepithelial transport of 14C-tetraethylammonium through a confluent monolayer of LLC-PK1 cells was determined. Decynium22 (30 nmol/l) applied to the apical medium, reduced transepithelial transport by 76% and increased intracellular accumulation of 14C-tetraethylammonium 1.5-fold. In contrast, application of 30 nmol/l decynium22 to the basolateral medium failed to affect transepithelial transport and intracellular accumulation of 14C-tetraethylammonium. Decynium22 is the most potent inhibitor of the renal transport of organic cations known so far. With decynium22 it is now possible to distinguish precisely between a decynium22-sensitive apical type and a decynium22-resistant basolateral type of renal organic cation transporter in renal proximal tubule cells.

Renal contraluminal transport systems for organic anions (paraaminohippurate, PAH) and organic cations (N1-methyl-nicotinamide, NMeN) do not see the degree of substrate ionization

Using the stop-flow peritubular capillary microperfusion method pH dependence of the interaction of different substrates with the contraluminal PAH- and NMeN transporter was investigated. Substrates for both transport systems with pKa values around 7.0 were chosen and the pH of the perfusates was varied between 6.0 and 8.0. The inhibitory potencies (app. Ki values) were determined and the influx into the proximal tubular cells was measured. The app. Ki(NMeN) values of imidazole (pKa 7.03), a substrate for the NMeN-transporter, the app. KiPAH values of the dipeptide tryptophyl-tryptophan (pKa 7.36), a substrate for the PAH-transporter, and the app. Ki,NMeN and Ki,PAH of cimetidine (pKa 6.98) and buspirone (pKa 7.2) which interact with both transport systems, did not vary between perfusate pH 6.0 and 8.0. The same holds for the influx of 3H-cimetidine into proximal tubular cells. The data indicate that both transporters have no preference for the ionized form of their substrates and that the name organic anion and organic cation transporter resides rather on history than on molecular interaction.

Contraluminal transport of organic cations in the proximal tubule of the rat kidney. II. Specificity: anilines, phenylalkylamines (catecholamines), heterocyclic compounds (pyridines, quinolines, acridines)

In order to study the quantitative structure/activity relationship of organic cation transport across the contraluminal side of the proximal renal tubule cell, the stopped-flow capillary microperfusion method was applied and the inhibitory potency (apparent Ki values) of different homologous series of substrates against N1-[3H]methylnicotinamide (NMeN+) transport was evaluated. Aniline and its ring- or N-substituted analogues as well as the aminonaphthalines do not interact with the contraluminal NMeN+ transporter except for the quaternary trimethylphenylammonium and pararosaniline, which bear a permanent positive charge, and for 1,8-bis-(dimethylamino)naphthaline, which forms an intramolecular hydrogen bond. If, however, one or more than one methylene group is interposed between the benzene ring and the amino group, the compounds interact with the contraluminal NMeN+ transporter in proportion to their hydrophobicity parameter, i.e. the octanol/water partition coefficient (log octanol). The catecholamines and other hydroxyl-substituted phenylethyl analogues also follow this rule. In addition, the N-heterocyclic pyridine, quinoline, isoquinoline and acridine analogues also interact with the contraluminal NMeN+ transporter, when their pKa values are higher than 5.0, and, an inverse correlation between pKa and log Ki,NMeN was observed. An exception to this rule are those hydroxy compounds of pyridine, quinoline and isoquinoline that show tautomerism. These compounds slightly inhibit NMeN+ transport despite low pKa values. The quaternary nitrogen compounds of aniline and the N-heterocyclic analogues, as far as tested, all interact with the contraluminal NMeN+ transporter in relation to their hydrophobicity. The data indicate that the contraluminal NMeN+ transporter interacts with N-compounds according to their hydrophobicity and/or according to their basicity (affinity to protons). The reason for deviation of the aniline analogues and the OH-tautomeric heterocyclic N-compounds from this behaviour is discussed.

Contraluminal p-aminohippurate transport in the proximal tubule of the rat kidney. VII. Specificity: cyclic nucleotides, eicosanoids

Using the stop-flow peritubular capillary microperfusion method the inhibitory potency (apparent Ki values) of cyclic nucleotides and prostanoids against contraluminal p-aminohippurate (PAH), dicarboxylate and sulphate transport was evaluated. Conversely the contraluminal transport rate of labelled cAMP, cGMP, prostaglandin E2, and prostaglandin D2 was measured and the inhibition by different substrates was tested. Cyclic AMP and its 8-bromo and dibutyryl analogues inhibited contraluminal PAH transport with an app. Ki,PAH of 3.4, 0.63 and 0.52 mmol/l. The respective app. Ki,PAH values of cGMP and its analogues are with 0.27, 0.04 and 0.05 mmol/l, considerably lower. None of the cyclic nucleotides tested interacted with contraluminal dicarboxylate, sulphate and N1-methylnicotinamide transport. ATP, ADP, AMP, adenosine and adenine as well as GTP, GDP, GMP, guanosine and guanine did not inhibit PAH transport while most of the phosphodiesterase inhibitors tested did. Time-dependent contraluminal uptake of [3H]cAMP and [3H]cGMP was measured at different starting concentrations and showed facilitated diffusion kinetics with the following parameters for cAMP: Km = 1.5 mmol/l, Jmax = 0.34 pmol S-1 cm-1, r (extracellular/intracellular amount at steady state) = 0.91; for cGMP: Km = 0.29 mmol/l, Jmax = 0.31 pmol S-1 cm-1, r = 0.55. Comparison of app. Ki,cGMP with app. Ki,PAH of ten substrates gave a linear relation with a ratio of 1.83 +/- 0.5. All prostanoids applied inhibited the contraluminal PAH transport; the prostaglandins E1, F1 alpha, A1, B1, E2, F2 alpha, D2, A2 and B2 with an app. Ki,PAH between 0.08 and 0.18 mmol/l. The app. Ki of the prostacyclins 6,15-diketo-13,14-dihydroxy-F1 alpha (0.22 mmol/l) and Iloprost (0.17 mmol/l) as well as that of leukotrienes B4 (0.2 mmol/l) was in the same range, while the app. Ki,PAH of the prostacyclins PGI2 (0.55 mmol/l), 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (0.77 mmol/l) and 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha (0.57 mmol/l) as well as that of thromboxane B2 (0.36 mmol/l) was somewhat higher. None of these prostanoids inhibited contraluminal dicarboxylate transport and only PGB1, E2 and D2 inhibited contraluminal sulphate transport (app. Ki,SO4(2-) 5.4, 11.0, 17.9 mmol/l respectively). Contraluminal influx of labelled PGE2 showed complex transport kinetics with a mixed Km = 0.61 mmol/l and Jmax of 4.26 pmol S-1 cm-1. It was inhibited by probenecid, sulphate and indomethacin. Contraluminal influx of PGD2, however, was only inhibited by probenecid. The data indicate that cyclic nucleotides as well as prostanoids are transported by the contraluminal PAH transporter. For prostaglandin E2 a significant uptake through the sulphate transporter occurs in addition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)