Identification of a kidney-specific mouse organic cation transporter like-1 (mOCTL1)

Organic ion transporters are expressed in various tissues that transport endogenous and exogenous compounds including their metabolites. There are organic anion transporter (OAT), organic cation transporter (OCT), organic anion transporter like protein (OATLP) and organic cation transporter like (OCTL). Considering the variety of charged organic ionic compounds, the existence of numerous isoforms of organic ion transporters can be assumed. In the present study, we have searched for a new isoform in the expressed sequence tag (EST) database using human organic anion transporter 4 (hOAT4) amino acid sequence as a "query". We found a candidate clone (BC021449) from the mouse kidney cDNA library. This clone was identified as an ortholog of ORCTL3 or OCTL-1. The mOCTL1 cDNA consists of 2016 base pairs encoding 551 amino acid residues with 12 putative transmembrane domains. The deduced amino acid sequence of mOCTL1 showed 35 to 40% identity to those of the other members of the OATs and OCTs. According to the tissue distribution, examined by Northern blot analysis, about a 2.4-kb transcript of mOCTL1 was observed in the kidney. About a 90-kDa band was detected when Western blot analysis in the mouse kidney was done by using antibody against synthesized oligopeptide of mOCTL1. The immunohistochemical result showed that mOCTL1 was stained at the glomerulus (the parietal epithelial cells and podocytes), pars recta of proximal tubule, distal convoluted tubules, connecting tubules and collecting tubules. From these results, we conclude that mOCTL1 may be a candidate for an organic ion transporter isoform in the mouse kidney.

Identification of a novel murine organic anion transporter like protein 1 (OATLP1) expressed in the kidney

The organic anion transporters (OATs) are expressed in various tissues, primarily in the kidney and liver, but they are also expressed in the placenta, small intestine, and the choroid plexus, which are all epithelial tissues that transport xenobiotics. Six isoforms of OATs are currently known. Considering the variety of organic anionic compounds, other OATs isoforms can be assumed. In this connection, we have searched for a new isoform in the expressed sequence tag (EST) database. We found the new candidate clone AK052752 in the mouse kidney cDNA library and we named it mouse organic anion transporter like protein 1 (mOATLP1). The mOATLP1 cDNA consisted of 2221 base pairs that encoded a 552 amino acid residue protein with 12 putative transmembrane domains. The deduced amino acid sequence of mOATLP1 showed 37 to 63% identity to other members of the OAT family. According to the tissue distribution based on Northern blot analysis, 2.7 kb and 2.9 kb mOATLP1 transcripts (approximate sizes) were observed in the kidney and liver. An 85-kDa band (approximate) was detected using Western blot analysis of mouse kidney performed with a synthesized oligopeptide-induced mOATLP1 antibody. Immunohistochemical results showed mOATLP1 was stained in the blood vessels, glomeruli (the parietal epithelial cells and podocytes), distal convoluted tubules, connecting tubules, and inner medullary collecting tubules. mOATLP1 appears to be a novel candidate for an organic anion transporter isoform identified in the kidney.