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

Molecular basis of polyspecific drug and xenobiotic recognition by OCT1 and OCT2

A wide range of endogenous and xenobiotic organic ions require facilitated transport systems to cross the plasma membrane for their disposition. In mammals, organic cation transporter (OCT) subtypes 1 and 2 (OCT1 and OCT2, also known as SLC22A1 and SLC22A2, respectively) are polyspecific transporters responsible for the uptake and clearance of structurally diverse cationic compounds in the liver and kidneys, respectively. Notably, it is well established that human OCT1 and OCT2 play central roles in the pharmacokinetics and drug-drug interactions of many prescription medications, including metformin. Despite their importance, the basis of polyspecific cationic drug recognition and the alternating access mechanism for OCTs have remained a mystery. Here we present four cryo-electron microscopy structures of apo, substrate-bound and drug-bound OCT1 and OCT2 consensus variants, in outward-facing and outward-occluded states. Together with functional experiments, in silico docking and molecular dynamics simulations, these structures uncover general principles of organic cation recognition by OCTs and provide insights into extracellular gate occlusion. Our findings set the stage for a comprehensive structure-based understanding of OCT-mediated drug-drug interactions, which will prove critical in the preclinical evaluation of emerging therapeutics.

Molecular basis of polyspecific drug binding and transport by OCT1 and OCT2

A wide range of endogenous and xenobiotic organic ions require facilitated transport systems to cross the plasma membrane for their disposition 1, 2 . In mammals, organic cation transporter subtypes 1 and 2 (OCT1 and OCT2, also known as SLC22A1 and SLC22A2, respectively) are polyspecific transporters responsible for the uptake and clearance of structurally diverse cationic compounds in the liver and kidneys, respectively 3, 4 . Notably, it is well established that human OCT1 and OCT2 play central roles in the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and drug-drug interactions (DDI) of many prescription medications, including metformin 5, 6 . Despite their importance, the basis of polyspecific cationic drug recognition and the alternating access mechanism for OCTs have remained a mystery. Here, we present four cryo-EM structures of apo, substrate-bound, and drug-bound OCT1 and OCT2 in outward-facing and outward-occluded states. Together with functional experiments, in silico docking, and molecular dynamics simulations, these structures uncover general principles of organic cation recognition by OCTs and illuminate unexpected features of the OCT alternating access mechanism. Our findings set the stage for a comprehensive structure-based understanding of OCT-mediated DDI, which will prove critical in the preclinical evaluation of emerging therapeutics.

Characterization of the renal tubular transport of creatinine by activity-based protein profiling and transport kinetics

Serum creatinine is widely used to adjust the dosing of drugs eliminated by the kidney in patients with renal dysfunction, as it is a readily accessible indicator of kidney function. However, there are many limitations for drug dosage adjustment based on serum creatinine levels, one of which is the limited understanding of creatinine's tubular transport. Thus, we aimed to complement and advance the renal tubular transport of creatinine by activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) and transporter-overexpression technology. Renal tubular transporters were not identified via ABPP due to the low-affinity interaction between transporters and creatinine. The uptake of isotopically labeled d3-creatinine was significantly increased in OCT2-overexpressing cell lines (p<0.01), and the K_m and V_max of d3-creatinine uptake mediated by OCT2 was 3.1 mM and 408 pmol/mg protein/min, respectively. In the OCT2-overexpressing cell lines, the IC50 of creatinine for d3-creatinine uptake was 10.3 mM, and that of the OCT2 inhibitor cimetidine for d3-creatinine uptake was 99.04 μM. Different dosages of creatinine did not affect the renal excretion of d3-creatinine in mice (p>0.05), while cimetidine significantly reduced the renal excretion of d3-creatinine (p<0.01) without affecting the glomerular filtration rate. Molecular docking in silico showed that the OCT2 amino acid GLN242 could form a hydrogen bond of 2.5 Å with creatinine, and there may be a π-π interaction between TYR362 and creatinine. A site mutation experiment demonstrated that TYR362 and GLN242 were important sites for the OCT2-creatinine interaction. These results demonstrate that OCT2 mediates the renal tubular secretion of creatinine with low affinity and is a minor contributor to creatinine secretion.

Transport Turnover Rates for Human OCT2 and MATE1 Expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells

MATE1 (multidrug and toxin extruder 1) and OCT2 (organic cation transporter 2) play critical roles in organic cation excretion by the human kidney. The transporter turnover rate (TOR) is relevant to understanding both their transport mechanisms and interpreting the in vitro-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) required for physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling. Here, we use a quantitative western blot method to determine TORs for MATE1 and OCT2 proteins expressed in CHO cells. MATE1 and OCT2, each with a C-terminal V-5 epitope tag, were cell surface biotinylated and the amount of cell surface MATE1 and OCT2 protein was quantified by western analysis, using standard curves for the V5 epitope. Cell surface MATE1 and OCT2 protein represented 25% and 24%, respectively, of the total expression of these proteins in CHO cells. The number of cell surface transporters was ~55 fmol cm^-2 for MATE1 and ~510 fmol cm^-2 for OCT2. Dividing these values into the different J_max values for transport of MPP, metformin, and atenolol mediated by MATE1 and OCT2 resulted in calculated TOR values (±SE, n = 4) of 84.0 ± 22.0 s^-1 and 2.9 ± 0.6 s^-1; metformin, 461.0 ± 121.0 s^-1 and 12.6 ± 2.4 s^-1; atenolol, 118.0 ± 31.0 s^-1, respectively. These values are consistent with the TOR values determined for a variety of exchangers (NHEs), cotransporters (SGLTs, Lac permease), and uniporters (GLUTs, ENTs).

Organic Cation Transporters in Health and Disease

The organic cation transporters (OCTs) OCT1, OCT2, OCT3, novel OCT (OCTN)1, OCTN2, multidrug and toxin exclusion (MATE)1, and MATE kidney-specific 2 are polyspecific transporters exhibiting broadly overlapping substrate selectivities. They transport organic cations, zwitterions, and some uncharged compounds and operate as facilitated diffusion systems and/or antiporters. OCTs are critically involved in intestinal absorption, hepatic uptake, and renal excretion of hydrophilic drugs. They modulate the distribution of endogenous compounds such as thiamine, L-carnitine, and neurotransmitters. Sites of expression and functions of OCTs have important impact on energy metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of drugs, and on drug-drug interactions. In this work, an overview about the human OCTs is presented. Functional properties of human OCTs, including identified substrates and inhibitors of the individual transporters, are described. Sites of expression are compiled, and data on regulation of OCTs are presented. In addition, genetic variations of OCTs are listed, and data on their impact on transport, drug treatment, and diseases are reported. Moreover, recent data are summarized that indicate complex drug-drug interaction at OCTs, such as allosteric high-affinity inhibition of transport and substrate dependence of inhibitor efficacies. A hypothesis about the molecular mechanism of polyspecific substrate recognition by OCTs is presented that is based on functional studies and mutagenesis experiments in OCT1 and OCT2. This hypothesis provides a framework to imagine how observed complex drug-drug interactions at OCTs arise. Finally, preclinical in vitro tests that are performed by pharmaceutical companies to identify interaction of novel drugs with OCTs are discussed. Optimized experimental procedures are proposed that allow a gapless detection of inhibitory and transported drugs.

The Impact of Genetic Polymorphisms in Organic Cation Transporters on Renal Drug Disposition

A considerable number of drugs and/or their metabolites are excreted by the kidneys through glomerular filtration and active renal tubule secretion via transporter proteins. Uptake transporters in the proximal tubule are part of the solute carrier (SLC) superfamily, and include the organic cation transporters (OCTs). Several studies have shown that specific genetic polymorphisms in OCTs alter drug disposition and may lead to nephrotoxicity. Multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported for the OCT genes (SLC22A1, SLC22A2 and SLC22A3), which can influence the proteins’ structure and expression levels and affect their transport function. A gain-in-function mutation may lead to accumulation of drugs in renal proximal tubule cells, eventually leading to nephrotoxicity. This review illustrates the impact of genetic polymorphisms in OCTs on renal drug disposition and kidney injury, the clinical significances and how to personalize therapies to minimize the risk of drug toxicity.

Rapid Regulation of Human Multidrug and Extrusion Transporters hMATE1 and hMATE2K

Vectorial transport of organic cations (OCs) in renal proximal tubules is mediated by sequential action of human OC transporter 2 (hOCT2) and human multidrug and toxic extrusion protein 1 and 2K (hMATE1 and hMATE2K), expressed in the basolateral (hOCT2) and luminal (hMATE1 and hMATE2K) plasma membranes, respectively. It is well known that hOCT2 activity is subjected to rapid regulation by several signaling pathways, suggesting that renal OC secretion may be acutely adapted to physiological requirements. Therefore, in this work, the acute regulation of hMATEs stably expressed in human embryonic kidney cells was characterized using the fluorescent substrate 4-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)-N-methylpyridinium (ASP⁺) as a marker. A specific regulation of ASP⁺ transport by hMATE1 and hMATE2K measured in uptake and efflux configurations was observed. In the example of hMATE1 efflux reduction by inhibition of casein kinase II, it was also shown that this regulation is able to modify transcellular transport of ASP⁺ in Madin–Darby canine kidney II cells expressing hOCT2 and hMATE1 on the basolateral and apical membrane domains, respectively. The activity of hMATEs can be rapidly regulated by some intracellular pathways, which sometimes are common to those found for hOCTs. Interference with these pathways may be important to regulate renal secretion of OCs.

Chemical Targeting of Membrane Transporters: Insights into Structure/Function Relationships

Chemical modification of proteins is a vintage strategy that is still fashionable due to the information that can be obtained from this approach. An interesting application of chemical modification is linked with membrane transporters. These proteins have peculiar features such as the presence of hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains, which show different degree of accessibility to chemicals. The presence of reactive residues in the membrane transporters is at the basis of the chemical targeting strategy devoted to investigating structure/function relationships; in particular, information on the substrate binding site, regulatory domains, dimerization domains, and the interface between hydrophilic loops and transmembrane domains has been obtained over the years by chemical targeting. Given the difficulty in handling membrane transporters, their study experienced a great delay, particularly concerning structural information. Chemical targeting has been applied with reasonable success to some membrane transporters belonging to the families SLC1, SLC6, SLC7, and SLC22. Furthermore, some data on the potential application of chemical targeting in pharmacology are also discussed.

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.

Biochemical studies on the structure-function relationship of major drug transporters in the ATP-binding cassette family and solute carrier family

Human drug transporters often play key roles in determining drug accumulation within cells. Their activities are often directly related to therapeutic efficacy, drug toxicity as well as drug-drug interactions. However, the progress for interpretation of their crystal structures is relatively slow. Hence, conventional biochemical studies together with computer modeling became useful manners to reveal essential structures of these membrane proteins. Over the years, quite a few structure-function relationship information had been obtained for members of the two major transporter families: the ATP-binding cassette family and the solute carrier family. Critical structural features of drug transporters include transmembrane domains, post-translational modification sites and domains for cell surface assembly and protein-protein interactions. Alterations at these important sites may affect protein stability, trafficking to the plasma membrane and/or ability of transporters to interact with substrates.

The multidrug transporter MATE1 sequesters OCs within an intracellular compartment that has no influence on OC secretion in renal proximal tubules

Secretion of organic cations (OCs) across renal proximal tubules (RPTs) involves basolateral OC transporter (OCT)2-mediated uptake from the blood followed by apical multidrug and toxin extruder (MATE)1/2-mediated efflux into the tubule filtrate. Whereas OCT2 supports electrogenic OC uniport, MATE is an OC/H(+) exchanger. As assessed by epifluorescence microscopy, cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells that stably expressed human MATE1 accumulated the fluorescent OC N,N,N-trimethyl-2-[methyl(7-nitrobenzo[c][l,2,5]oxadiazol-4-yl)amino]ethanaminium (NBD-MTMA) in the cytoplasm and in a smaller, punctate compartment; accumulation in human OCT2-expressing cells was largely restricted to the cytoplasm. A second intracellular compartment was also evident in the multicompartmental kinetics of efflux of the prototypic OC [(3)H]1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP) from MATE1-expressing CHO cells. Punctate accumulation of NBD-MTMA was markedly reduced by coexposure of MATE1-expressing cells with 5 μM bafilomycin (BAF), an inhibitor of V-type H(+)-ATPase, and accumulation of [(3)H]MPP and [(3)H]NBD-MTMA was reduced by >30% by coexposure with 5 μM BAF. BAF had no effect on the initial rate of MATE1-mediated uptake of NBD-MTMA, suggesting that the influence of BAF was a secondary effect involving inhibition of V-type H(+)-ATPase. The accumulation of [(3)H]MPP by isolated single nonperfused rabbit RPTs was also reduced >30% by coexposure to 5 μM BAF, suggesting that the native expression in RPTs of MATE protein within endosomes can increase steady-state OC accumulation. However, the rate of [(3)H]MPP secretion by isolated single perfused rabbit RPTs was not affected by 5 μM BAF, suggesting that vesicles loaded with OCs(+) are not likely to recycle into the apical plasma membrane at a rate sufficient to provide a parallel pathway for OC secretion.

Role of a Hydrophobic Pocket in Polyamine Interactions with the Polyspecific Organic Cation Transporter OCT3

Organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3, SLC22A3) is a polyspecific, facilitative transporter expressed in astrocytes and in placental, intestinal, and blood-brain barrier epithelia, and thus elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying OCT3 substrate recognition is critical for the rational design of drugs targeting these tissues. The pharmacology of OCT3 is distinct from that of other OCTs, and here we investigated the role of a hydrophobic cavity tucked within the translocation pathway in OCT3 transport properties. Replacement of an absolutely conserved Asp by charge reversal (D478E), neutralization (D478N), or even exchange (D478E) abolished MPP(+) uptake, demonstrating this residue to be obligatory for OCT3-mediated transport. Mutations at non-conserved residues lining the putative binding pocket of OCT3 to the corresponding residue in OCT1 (L166F, F450L, and E451Q) reduced the rate of MPP(+) transport, but recapitulated the higher sensitivity pharmacological profile of OCT1. Thus, interactions of natural polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine) and polyamine-like potent OCT1 blockers (1,10-diaminodecane, decamethonium, bistriethylaminodecane, and 1,10-bisquinuclidinedecane) with wild-type OCT3 were weak, but were significantly potentiated in the mutant OCT3s. Conversely, a reciprocal mutation in OCT1 (F161L) shifted the polyamine-sensitivity phenotype toward that of OCT3. Further analysis indicated that OCT1 and OCT3 can recognize essentially the same substrates, but the strength of substrate-transporter interactions is weaker in OCT3, as informed by the distinct makeup of the hydrophobic cleft. The residues identified here are key contributors to both the observed differences between OCT3 and OCT1 and to the mechanisms of substrate recognition by OCTs in general.

Identification of functional amino acid residues involved in polyamine and agmatine transport by human organic cation transporter 2

Polyamine (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) and agmatine uptake by the human organic cation transporter 2 (hOCT2) was studied using HEK293 cells transfected with pCMV6-XL4/hOCT2. The Km values for putrescine and spermidine were 7.50 and 6.76 mM, and the Vmax values were 4.71 and 2.34 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively. Spermine uptake by hOCT2 was not observed at pH 7.4, although it inhibited both putrescine and spermidine uptake. Agmatine was also taken up by hOCT2, with Km value: 3.27 mM and a Vmax value of 3.14 nmol/min/mg protein. Amino acid residues involved in putrescine, agmatine and spermidine uptake by hOCT2 were Asp⁴²⁷, Glu⁴⁴⁸, Glu⁴⁵⁶, Asp⁴⁷⁵, and Glu⁵¹⁶. In addition, Glu⁵²⁴ and Glu⁵³⁰ were involved in putrescine and spermidine uptake activity, and Glu⁵²⁸ and Glu⁵⁴⁰ were weakly involved in putrescine uptake activity. Furthermore, Asp⁵⁵¹ was also involved in the recognition of spermidine. These results indicate that the recognition sites for putrescine, agmatine and spermidine on hOCT2 strongly overlap, consistent with the observation that the three amines are transported with similar affinity and velocity. A model of spermidine binding to hOCT2 was constructed based on the functional amino acid residues.

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.

Substrate-dependent ligand inhibition of the human organic cation transporter OCT2

Organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) mediates the initial step in renal secretion of organic cations: uptake from the blood, across the basolateral membrane, and into the renal proximal tubule cells. Because of its potential as a target for unwanted drug-drug interactions (DDIs), considerable attention has been directed toward understanding the basis of OCT2 selectivity. These studies typically assess selectivity based on ligand inhibition profiles for OCT2-mediated transport of a probe substrate. However, little attention has been given to the potential influence of the substrate on the profile of ligand inhibition. Here we compared the IC50 values obtained for a set of structurally distinct inhibitors against OCT2-mediated transport of three structurally distinct substrates: 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP); metformin; and a novel fluorescent substrate, N,N,N-trimethyl-2-[methyl(7-nitrobenzo[c][l,2,5]oxadiazol-4-yl)amino]ethanaminium iodide (NBD-MTMA). The median IC50 value for inhibition of MPP transport was 9-fold higher than that for inhibition of metformin transport. Similarly, the median IC50 value for inhibition of MPP transport was 5-fold higher than that for NBD-MTMA transport. However, this was not a systematic difference in inhibitory efficacy; the ratio of IC50 values, MPP versus NBD-MTMA, ranged from 88-fold (ipratropium) to 0.3-fold (metformin). These data show that 1) the choice of OCT2 substrate significantly influences both quantitative and qualitative inhibitory interactions with cationic drugs; and 2) ligand interactions with OCT2 are not restricted to competition for a common ligand binding site, consistent with a binding surface characterized by multiple, possibly overlapping interaction sites. Development of predictive models of DDIs with OCT2 must take into account the substrate dependence of ligand interaction with this protein.

Functional significance of conserved cysteines in the human organic cation transporter 2

The significance of conserved cysteines in the human organic cation transporter 2 (hOCT2), namely the six cysteines in the long extracellular loop (loop cysteines) and C474 in transmembrane helix 11, was examined. Uptake of tetraethylammonium (TEA) and 1-methyl-4-phenypyridinium (MPP) into Chinese hamster ovary cells was stimulated >20-fold by hOCT2 expression. Both cell surface expression and transport activity were reduced considerably following mutation of individual loop cysteines (C51, C63, C89, C103, and C143), and the C89 and C103 mutants had reduced Michaelis constants (K(t)) for MPP. The loop cysteines were refractory to interaction with thiol-reactive biotinylation reagents, except after pretreatment of intact cells with dithiothreitol or following cell membrane solubilization. Reduction of disulfide bridge(s) did not affect transport, but labeling the resulting free thiols with maleimide-PEO(2)-biotin did. Mutation of C474 to an alanine or phenylalanine did not affect the K(t) value for MPP. In contrast, the K(t) value associated with TEA transport was reduced sevenfold in the C474A mutant, and the C474F mutant failed to transport TEA. This study shows that some but not all of the six extracellular loop cysteines exist within disulfide bridge(s). Each loop cysteine is important for plasma membrane targeting, and their mutation can influence substrate binding. The effect of C474 mutation on TEA transport suggests that it contributes to a TEA binding surface. Given that TEA and MPP are competitive inhibitors, the differential effects of C474 modification on TEA and MPP binding suggest that the binding surfaces for each are distinct, but overlapping in area.

Genetic variants of organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) and OCT2 significantly reduce lamivudine uptake

The study sought to investigate the effect of genetic variants of OCT1 (OCT1-P283L and -P341L) and OCT2 (OCT2-T199I, -T201M and -A270S), which were identified in a Korean population, on the transport of lamivudine in vitro and to compare the substrate dependent effects of OCT1 and OCT2 variants with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), tetraethyl ammonium (TEA), metformin and lamivudine as substrates for these transporters. When the transport kinetics of lamivudine uptake in oocytes overexpressing OCT1 and OCT2 wild-type (WT) and variant proteins were measured, lamivudine uptake mediated by OCT1-WT was saturable, and uptake was decreased in oocytes expressing OCT1-P283L and -P341L variants compared with that in OCT1-WT. The Clint of lamivudine in oocytes expressing OCT1-P283L was decreased by 85.1% compared with OCT1-WT, whereas it was decreased by 48.7% in oocytes expressing OCT1-P341L. The Clint of lamivudine in oocytes expressing OCT2-T199I, -T201M and -A270S was decreased by 86.2%, 88.9% and 73.6%, respectively, compared with OCT2-WT. When comparing various substrates such as MPP+, TEA, metformin and lamivudine, the effects of the OCT1 genetic polymorphisms on their uptake were not identical. However, contrary to the case of OCT1, the uptake of MPP+, TEA, metformin and lamivudine in oocytes expressing OCT2-T199I, -T201M and -A270S variants was decreased significantly compared with that in oocytes expressing OCT2-WT. In conclusion, the effect of genetic variations of OCT1 and OCT2 on the uptake of MPP+, TEA, metformin and lamivudine was substrate-dependent.

The cysteines of the extracellular loop are crucial for trafficking of human organic cation transporter 2 to the plasma membrane and are involved in oligomerization

Human organic cation transporter 2 (hOCT2) is involved in transport of many endogenous and exogenous organic cations, mainly in kidney and brain cells. Because the quaternary structure of transmembrane proteins plays an essential role for their cellular trafficking and function, we investigated whether hOCT2 forms oligomeric complexes, and if so, which part of the transporter is involved in the oligomerization. A yeast 2-hybrid mating-based split-ubiquitin system (mbSUS), fluorescence resonance energy transfer, Western blot analysis, cross-linking experiments, immunofluorescence, and uptake measurements of the fluorescent organic cation 4-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)-N-methylpyridinium were applied to human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells transfected with hOCT2 and partly also to freshly isolated human proximal tubules. The role of cysteines for oligomerization and trafficking of the transporter to the plasma membranes was investigated in cysteine mutants of hOCT2. hOCT2 formed oligomers both in the HEK293 expression system and in native human kidneys. The cysteines of the large extracellular loop are important to enable correct folding, oligomeric assembly, and plasma membrane insertion of hOCT2. Mutation of the first and the last cysteines of the loop at positions 51 and 143 abolished oligomer formation. Thus, the cysteines of the extracellular loop are important for correct trafficking of the transporter to the plasma membrane and for its oligomerization.

Differences in the substrate binding regions of renal organic anion transporters 1 (OAT1) and 3 (OAT3)

This study examined the selectivity of organic anion transporters OAT1 and OAT3 for structural congeners of the heavy metal chelator 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS). Thiol-reactive reagents were also used to test structural predictions based on a homology model of OAT1 structure. DMPS was near equipotent in its ability to inhibit OAT1 (IC(50) = 83 μM) and OAT3 (IC(50) = 40 μM) expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. However, removal of a thiol group (3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid) resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in IC(50) toward OAT1 vs. a ∼55-fold increase in IC(50) toward OAT3. The data suggested that compound volume/size is important for binding to OAT1/OAT3. The sensitivity to HgCl(2) of OAT1 and OAT3 was also dramatically different, with IC(50) values of 104 and 659 μM, respectively. Consistent with cysteines of OAT1 being more accessible from the external medium than those of OAT3, thiol-reactive reagents reacted preferentially with OAT1 in cell surface biotinylation assays. OAT1 was less sensitive to HgCl(2) inhibition and less reactive toward membrane-impermeant thiol reactive reagents following mutation of cysteine 440 (C440) to an alanine. These data indicate that C440 in transmembrane helix 10 of OAT1 is accessible from the extracellular space. Indeed, C440 was exposed to the aqueous phase of the presumptive substrate translocation pathway in a homology model of OAT1 structure. The limited thiol reactivity in OAT3 suggests that the homologous cysteine residue (C428) is less accessible. Consistent with their homolog-specific selectivities, these data highlight structural differences in the substrate binding regions of OAT1 and OAT3.

Genotype-dependent effects of inhibitors of the organic cation transporter, OCT1: predictions of metformin interactions

Common genetic variants of the liver-specific human organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1; SLC22A1) have reduced transport capacity for substrates such as the antidiabetic drug metformin. The effect of the reduced OCT1 function on drug interactions associated with OCT1 has not been investigated and was, therefore, the focus of the study presented here. HEK293 cells expressing human OCT1-reference or the variants R61C, V408M, M420del and G465R were first used to study the kinetics and inhibition pattern of the OCT1 substrate 4-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)-N-methylpyridinium (ASP(+)). In the second part OCT1-mediated (14)C-metformin uptake was studied in the presence of drugs administered concomitantly with metformin. Transport studies using ASP(+) showed that the function of the variants decreased in the following order: OCT1-reference=V408M=M420del >R61C >>G465R. Variants M420del and R61C were more sensitive to drug inhibition, with IC(50) values up to 23 times lower than those of the OCT1-reference. Uptake studies using (14)C-metformin were in qualitative agreement with those using ASP(+), with the exception that a larger reduction in transport capacity was observed for M420del. Concomitantly administered drugs, such as verapamil and amitriptyline, revealed potential drug-drug interactions at clinical plasma concentrations of metformin for OCT1-M420del.

Drug uptake systems in liver and kidney: a historic perspective

Drugs and their metabolites are eliminated mainly by excretion into urine and bile. Studies in whole animals, isolated organs, cells, and membrane vesicles led to the conclusion that different transport systems are responsible for the transport of different classes of organic compounds (small, large, anionic, and cationic). In the early 1990s, functional expression cloning resulted in the identification of the first transporters for organic anions and cations. Eventually, all the major transport systems involved in the uptake of these organic compounds were cloned and characterized, and we now know that they belong to the organic anion transporters (OATs) and organic cation transporters (OCTs) of the SLC22A superfamily and the organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATPs) of the SLCO superfamily of polyspecific drug transporters. Today we can explain, at the molecular level, why small and hydrophilic organic compounds are excreted predominantly through urine whereas large and amphipathic compounds are excreted mainly through bile, and we can start to predict drug-drug interactions in the case of new compounds.

Residues gating the periplasmic pathway of LacY

X-ray crystal structures of LacY (lactose permease of Escherichia coli) exhibit a large cytoplasmic cavity containing the residues involved in sugar binding and H(+) translocation at the apex and a tightly packed side facing the periplasm. However, biochemical and biophysical evidence provide a strong indication that a hydrophilic pathway opens on the external surface of LacY with closing of the cytoplasmic side upon sugar binding. Thus, an alternating-access mechanism in which sugar- and H(+)-binding sites at the approximate middle of the molecule are alternatively exposed to either side of the membrane is likely to underlie LacY-catalyzed sugar/H(+) symport. To further investigate periplasmic opening, we replaced paired residues on the tightly packed periplasmic side of LacY with Cys, and the effect of cross-linking was studied by testing the accessibility/reactivity of Cys148 with the elongated ( approximately 29 A), impermeant hydrophilic reagent maleimide-PEG2-biotin. When the paired-Cys mutant Ile40-->Cys/Asn245-->Cys containing native Cys148 is oxidized to form a disulfide bond, the reactivity of Cys148 is markedly inhibited. Moreover, the reactivity of Cys148 in this mutant increases with the length of the cross-linking agent. In contrast, maleimide-PEG2-biotin reactivity of Cys148 is unaffected by oxidation of two other paired-Cys mutants at the mouth of the periplasmic cavity. The data indicate that residues Ile40 and Asn245 play a primary role in gating the periplasmic cavity and provide further support for the alternating-access model.

Functional characterization of the human organic cation transporter 2 variant p.270Ala>Ser

The organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2, SLC22A2) plays an important role for renal drug elimination. Recent clinical studies indicate an impact of the frequent nonsynonymous c.808G>T (p.270Ala>Ser) polymorphism on renal clearance of metformin and the extent of the metformin-cimetidine interaction. The role of this polymorphism for renal disposition of endogenous compounds and drugs other than metformin has not been investigated. In addition, it is unclear whether the observed genotype dependence of an OCT2-mediated drug-drug interaction might occur also with other OCT inhibitors. To address these issues, we generated human embryonic kidney cells stably expressing wild-type OCT2 or the p.270Ala>Ser variant. No differences in protein expression levels and membrane incorporation pattern were observed between the two cell lines. The p.270Ala>Ser variant significantly impaired uptake kinetics of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, dopamine, norepinephrine, and propranolol. V(max) values were significantly reduced for uptake of all four compounds mediated by the p.270Ala>Ser variant compared with wild-type OCT2. In addition, a significant difference in the affinity to wild-type and mutant OCT2 was observed for dopamine (K(m) dopamine: 932 +/- 77 versus 1285 +/- 132 microM). Moreover, out of a set of 27 compounds p.270Ala>Ser OCT2 was significantly less sensitive to inhibition by cimetidine, flurazepam, metformin, mexiletine, propranolol, and verapamil than wild-type OCT2 (e.g., for propranolol: IC(50) wild type versus p.270Ala>Ser 189 versus 895 microM, P < 0.001). Our results indicate that the common OCT2 c.808G>T single nucleotide polymorphism significantly alters uptake of endogenous compounds and drugs. Moreover, for selected compounds the extent of OCT2-mediated drug interactions could depend on OCT2 c.808G>T genotype.

Organic cation transporters

1. Organic cation transporters (OCTs) translocate endogenous (e.g. dopamine) and exogenous (e.g. drugs) substances of cationic nature and, therefore, play an important role in the detoxification of exogenous compounds. This review aims to furnish essential information on OCTs, with an emphasis on pharmacological aspects. 2. Analysis of the literature on OCTs makes clear that there is a species- and organ-specific distribution of the different isoforms, which can also be differentially regulated. OCTs are responsible for the excretion and/or distribution of many drugs and also for serious tissue-specific side-effects such as cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. The presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms in these transporters significantly influences the response of patients to medication, as demonstrated for the antidiabetic drug metformin. 3. A substantial amount of research has to be undertaken to clarify further the OCT structure-function relationships specifically to define the role of oligomerization on their activity and regulation, to identify intracellular interaction partners of OCTs, and to characterize their pharmacogenetic aspects.

Genetic variants of the organic cation transporter 2 influence the disposition of metformin

Genetic variants of the organic cation transporter 2 (protein, OCT2; gene, SLC22A2) were evaluated for their contribution to the variations in the pharmacokinetics of metformin, especially to its renal elimination. Genetic variants of SLC22A2 (c.596C>T, c.602C>T, and c.808G>T) showed significant differences in metformin pharmacokinetics when compared with the reference genotype, with higher peak plasma concentration (C(max)) and area under the curve (AUC) and lower renal clearance (Cl(renal)), thereby suggesting that a decrease in transport function associated with the SLC22A2 variants results in reduced Cl(renal) of metformin and consequently leads to increased plasma concentrations.

Physiological and pharmacokinetic roles of H+/organic cation antiporters (MATE/SLC47A)

Vectorial secretion of cationic compounds across tubular epithelial cells is an important function of the kidney. This uni-directed transport is mediated by two cooperative functions, which are membrane potential-dependent organic cation transporters at the basolateral membranes and H+/organic cation antiporters at the brush-border membranes. More than 10 years ago, the basolateral organic cation transporters (OCT1-3/SLC22A1-3) were isolated, and molecular understandings for the basolateral entry of cationic drugs have been greatly advanced. However, the molecular nature of H+/organic cation antiport systems remains unclear. Recently, mammalian orthologues of the multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE) family of bacteria have been isolated and clarified to function as H+/organic cation antiporters. In this commentary, the molecular characteristics and pharmacokinetic roles of mammalian MATEs are critically overviewed focusing on the renal secretion of cationic drugs.

Transport of paraquat by human organic cation transporters and multidrug and toxic compound extrusion family

Paraquat (N,N-dimethyl-4-4'-bipiridinium; PQ), a widely used herbicide, when ingested accidentally or intentionally can cause major organ toxicities in lung, liver, and kidney. Because PQ is primarily eliminated in the kidney, renal elimination, including tubular transport, plays a critical role in controlling systemic exposure to the herbicide. The goal of this study was to determine the molecular identities of the transporters involved in the renal elimination of PQ. Using stably transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells, we examined the role of human organic cation transporters (hOCTs, SLC22A1-3) and human multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (hMATE)1 in the cellular accumulation and cytotoxicity of PQ. We found that overexpression of hOCT2 but not hOCT1 and hOCT3 in HEK-293 cells significantly enhanced the accumulation and cytotoxicity of PQ (-fold increase for uptake was 12 +/- 0.5, p < 0.01; -fold increase of cytotoxicity was 18 +/- 1.5, p < 0.001). The kinetics of PQ transport was altered in cells expressing a genetic polymorphism of hOCT2 (A270S) in comparison with those expressing the reference hOCT2. In addition, the cellular accumulation and cytotoxicity of PQ were also enhanced in cells expressing hMATE1 (-fold increase for uptake was 18 +/- 3.7, p < 0.0001; -fold increase of cytotoxicity was 5.7 +/- 0.5, p < 0.0001). These results suggest that hOCT2 and hMATE1 mediate PQ transport. These transporters may play an important role in the accumulation and renal excretion of PQ, and they may serve as molecular targets for the prevention and treatment of PQ-induced nephrotoxicity.

Polyspecific organic cation transporters: structure, function, physiological roles, and biopharmaceutical implications

The body is equipped with broad-specificity transporters for the excretion and distribution of endogeneous organic cations and for the uptake, elimination and distribution of cationic drugs, toxins and environmental waste products. This group of transporters consists of the electrogenic cation transporters OCT1-3 (SLC22A1-3), the cation and carnitine transporters OCTN1 (SLC22A4), OCTN2 (SLC22A5) and OCT6 (SLC22A16), and the proton/cation antiporters MATE1, MATE2-K and MATE2-B. The transporters show broadly overlapping sites of expression in many tissues such as small intestine, liver, kidney, heart, skeletal muscle, placenta, lung, brain, cells of the immune system, and tumors. In epithelial cells they may be located in the basolateral or luminal membranes. Transcellular cation movement in small intestine, kidney and liver is mediated by the combined action of electrogenic OCT-type uptake systems and MATE-type efflux transporters that operate as cation/proton antiporters. Recent data showed that OCT-type transporters participate in the regulation of extracellular concentrations of neurotransmitters in brain, mediate the release of acetylcholine in non-neuronal cholinergic reactions, and are critically involved in the regulation of histamine release from basophils. The recent identification of polymorphisms in human OCTs and OCTNs allows the identification of patients with an increased risk for adverse drug reactions. Transport studies with expressed OCTs will help to optimize pharmacokinetics during development of new drugs.

Polyspecific organic cation transporters: structure, function, physiological roles, and biopharmaceutical implications

The body is equipped with broad-specificity transporters for the excretion and distribution of endogeneous organic cations and for the uptake, elimination and distribution of cationic drugs, toxins and environmental waste products. This group of transporters consists of the electrogenic cation transporters OCT1-3 (SLC22A1-3), the cation and carnitine transporters OCTN1 (SLC22A4), OCTN2 (SLC22A5) and OCT6 (SLC22A16), and the proton/cation antiporters MATE1, MATE2-K and MATE2-B. The transporters show broadly overlapping sites of expression in many tissues such as small intestine, liver, kidney, heart, skeletal muscle, placenta, lung, brain, cells of the immune system, and tumors. In epithelial cells they may be located in the basolateral or luminal membranes. Transcellular cation movement in small intestine, kidney and liver is mediated by the combined action of electrogenic OCT-type uptake systems and MATE-type efflux transporters that operate as cation/proton antiporters. Recent data showed that OCT-type transporters participate in the regulation of extracellular concentrations of neurotransmitters in brain, mediate the release of acetylcholine in non-neuronal cholinergic reactions, and are critically involved in the regulation of histamine release from basophils. The recent identification of polymorphisms in human OCTs and OCTNs allows the identification of patients with an increased risk for adverse drug reactions. Transport studies with expressed OCTs will help to optimize pharmacokinetics during development of new drugs.

Inorganic mercury interacts with cysteine residues (C451 and C474) of hOCT2 to reduce its transport activity

Human organic cation transporter 2 (hOCT2) is essential for the renal tubular secretion of many toxic organic cations. Previously, of the cysteines (C437, C451, C470, and C474) that occur within transmembrane helices that comprise the hydrophilic cleft (proposed site of substrate binding), only C474 was accessible to maleimide-PEO2-biotin (hydrophilic thiol-reactive reagent), and covalent modification of this residue caused lower transport rates (Pelis RM, Zhang X, Dangprapai Y, Wright SH, J Biol Chem 281: 35272–35280, 2006). Thus it was hypothesized that the environmental contaminant Hg2+(as HgCl2) would interact with C474 to reduce hOCT2-mediated transport. Uptake of [3H]tetraethylammonium (TEA) into Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing hOCT2 was reduced in a concentration-dependent manner by HgCl2, with an IC50of 3.9 ± 0.11 μM. Treatment with 10 μM HgCl2caused a sixfold reduction in the maximal rate of TEA transport but did not alter the affinity of hOCT2 for TEA. To determine which cysteines interact with Hg2+, a mutant with all four cleft cysteines converted to alanines (quadruple mutant), and four variants of this mutant, each with an individual cysteine restored, were created. The quadruple mutant was less sensitive to HgCl2than wild-type, whereas the C451- and C474-containing mutants were more sensitive than the quadruple mutant. Consistent with the HgCl2effect on transport, MTSEA-biotin only interacted with C451 and C474. These data indicate that C451 and C474 of hOCT2 reside in the aqueous milieu of the cleft and that interaction of Hg2+with these residues causes reduced TEA transport activity.

Identification of Essential Histidine and Cysteine Residues of the H+/Organic Cation Antiporter Multidrug and Toxin Extrusion (MATE)

Multidrug and toxin extrusion 1 (MATE1) has been isolated as an H(+)/organic cation antiporter located at the renal brush-border membranes. Previous studies using rat renal brush-border membrane vesicles indicated that cysteine and histidine residues played critical roles in H(+)/organic cation antiport activity. In the present study, essential histidine and cysteine residues of MATE1 family were elucidated. When 7 histidine and 12 cysteine residues of rat (r)MATE1 conserved among species were mutated, substitution of His-385, Cys-62, and Cys-126 led to a significant loss of tetraethylammonium (TEA) transport activity. Cell surface biotinylation and immunofluorescence analyses with confocal microscopy indicated that rMATE1 mutant proteins were localized at plasma membranes. Mutation of the corresponding residues in human (h)MATE1 and hMATE2-K also diminished the transport activity. The transport of TEA via rMATE1 was inhibited by the sulfhydryl reagent p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonate (PCMBS) and the histidine residue modifier diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC) in a concentration-dependent manner. The PCMBS-caused inhibition of the transport via rMATE1 was protected by an excess of various organic cations such as TEA, suggesting that cysteine residues act as substrate-binding sites. In the case of DEPC, no such protective effects were observed. These results suggest that histidine and cysteine residues are required for MATE1 to function and that cysteine residues may serve as substrate-recognition sites.