Ostα-/- mice are not protected from western diet-induced weight gain.

Organic solute transporterα-OSTβ is a bile acid transporter important for bile acid recycling in the enterohepatic circulation. In comparison to wild-type mice, Ostα(-/-) mice have a lower bile acid pool and increased fecal lipids and they are relatively resistant to age-related weight gain and insulin resistance. These studies tested whether Ostα(-/-) mice are also protected from weight gain, lipid changes, and insulin resistance which are normally observed with a western-style diet high in both fat and cholesterol (WD).

Ostα-/- mice exhibit altered expression of intestinal lipid absorption genes, resistance to age-related weight gain, and modestly improved insulin sensitivity.

The organic solute transporter OSTα-OSTβ is a key transporter for the efflux of bile acids across the basolateral membrane of ileocytes and the subsequent return of bile acids to the liver. Ostα(-/-) mice exhibit reduced bile acid pools and impaired lipid absorption. In this study, wild-type and Ostα(-/-) mice were characterized at 5 and 12 mo of age.

The heteromeric organic solute transporter, OSTα-OSTβ/SLC51: a transporter for steroid-derived molecules.

The organic solute transporter alpha-beta (OSTα-OSTβ) is one of the newest members of the solute carrier family, designated as SLC51, and arguably one of the most unique. The transporter is composed of two gene products encoded by SLC51A and SLC51B that heterodimerize to form the functional transporter complex. SLC51A encodes OSTα, a predicted 340-amino acid, 7-transmembrane (TM) domain protein, whereas SLC51B encodes OSTβ, a putative 128-amino acid, single-TM domain polypeptide.

β-Subunit of the Ostα-Ostβ organic solute transporter is required not only for heterodimerization and trafficking but also for function.

The organic solute transporter, Ost/Slc51, is composed of two distinct proteins that must heterodimerize to generate transport activity, but the role of the individual subunits in mediating transport activity is unknown. The present study identified regions in Ostβ required for heterodimerization with Ostα, trafficking of the Ostα-Ostβ complex to the plasma membrane, and bile acid transport activity in HEK293 cells. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation analysis revealed that a 25-amino acid peptide containing the Ostβ transmembrane (TM) domain heterodimerized with Ostα, although the resulting complex failed to reach the plasma membrane and generate cellular [(3)H]taurocholate transport activity.

The iron transporter ferroportin can also function as a manganese exporter.

The present study examined the hypothesis that the iron exporter ferroportin (FPN1/SLC40A1) can also mediate cellular export of the essential trace element manganese, using Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing human FPN1. When compared to oocytes expressing only the divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1/NRAMP2), (54)Mn accumulation was lower in oocytes also expressing FPN1. FPN1-expressing oocytes exported more (54)Mn than control oocytes (26.

Ostα depletion protects liver from oral bile acid load.

Bile acid homeostasis is tightly maintained through interactions between the liver, intestine, and kidney. During cholestasis, the liver is incapable of properly clearing bile acids from the circulation, and alternative excretory pathways are utilized. In obstructive cholestasis, urinary elimination is often increased, and this pathway is further enhanced after bile duct ligation in mice that are genetically deficient in the heteromeric, basolateral organic solute transporter alpha-beta (Ostα-Ostβ).

Pleiotropic functions of the organic solute transporter Ostα-Ostβ.

The heteromeric organic solute transporter alpha-beta (Ostα-Ostβ) is expressed at relatively high levels on the basolateral membrane of enterocytes, where it plays a critical role in the intestinal absorption of bile acids and the enterohepatic circulation. However, this transporter is also expressed in nearly all human tissues, including those that are not normally thought to be involved in bile acid homeostasis, indicating that Ostα-Ostβ may have additional roles beyond bile acid transport in these other tissues, or that bile acids and their derivatives are more pervasive than currently envisioned. Emerging data from different laboratories provide support for both of these hypotheses.

Transient glutathione depletion determines terminal differentiation in HL-60 cells.

To better define the role of glutathione (GSH) in cell differentiation, the present study measured GSH concentrations during terminal HL-60 cell differentiation, in the presence and absence of differentiation-inducing agents, and in the presence and absence of GSH altering agents. Interestingly, there was a small transient increase in intracellular GSH levels during dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (VD3) induced differentiation. This increase coincided with an increase in nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction capacity, a measure of superoxide anion production, but there was no apparent change in the GSH/glutathione disulfide (GSSG) ratio.

Neurosteroid transport by the organic solute transporter OSTα-OSTβ.

A variety of steroids, including pregnenolone sulfate (PREGS) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) are synthesized by specific brain cells, and are then delivered to their target sites, where they exert potent effects on neuronal excitability. The present results demonstrate that [(3)H]DHEAS and [(3)H]PREGS are relatively high affinity substrates for the organic solute transporter, OSTα-OSTβ, and that the two proteins that constitute this transporter are selectively localized to steroidogenic cells in the cerebellum and hippocampus, namely the Purkinje cells and cells in the cornu ammonis region in both mouse and human brain. Analysis of Ostα and Ostβ mRNA levels in mouse Purkinje and hippocampal cells isolated via laser capture microdissection supported these findings.

Organic solute transporter, OSTalpha-OSTbeta: its role in bile acid transport and cholestasis.

Organic solute transporter alpha-beta (OSTalpha-OSTbeta) is a unique heteromeric transporter localized to the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells involved in sterol transport. It is believed to be the primary bile acid efflux transporter in the intestine of mammals and is therefore essential to bile acid homeostasis and the enterohepatic circulation. First described in the evolutionarily primitive small skate, LEUCORAJA ERINACEA, this facilitated transporter requires expression of both subunits for its function.

Identification of human gene products containing Pro-Pro-x-Tyr (PY) motifs that enhance glutathione and endocytotic marker uptake in yeast.

In an attempt to identify genes involved in glutathione (GSH) transport, a human mammary gland cDNA library was screened for clones capable of complementing a defect in GSH uptake in yeast cells that lack Hgt1p, the primary yeast GSH uptake transporter. Five genes capable of rescuing growth on sulfur-deficient GSH-containing medium were identified: prostate transmembrane protein, androgen induced 1 (PMEPA1); lysosomal-associated protein transmembrane 4 alpha (LAPTM4alpha); solute carrier family 25, member 1 (SLC25A1); lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF factor (LITAF); and cysteine/tyrosine-rich-1 (CYYR1). All of these genes encode small integral membrane proteins of unknown function, although none appear to encode prototypical GSH transporters.

Mouse organic solute transporter alpha deficiency enhances renal excretion of bile acids and attenuates cholestasis.

Unlabelled: Organic solute transporter alpha-beta (Ostalpha-Ostbeta) is a heteromeric bile acid and sterol transporter that facilitates the enterohepatic and renal-hepatic circulation of bile acids. Hepatic expression of this basolateral membrane protein is increased in cholestasis, presumably to facilitate removal of toxic bile acids from the liver. In this study, we show that the cholestatic phenotype induced by common bile duct ligation (BDL) is reduced in mice genetically deficient in Ostalpha.

The organic cation transporter-3 is a pivotal modulator of neurodegeneration in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway.

Toxic organic cations can damage nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways as seen in most parkinsonian syndromes and in some cases of illicit drug exposure. Here, we show that the organic cation transporter 3 (Oct3) is expressed in nondopaminergic cells adjacent to both the soma and terminals of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. We hypothesized that Oct3 contributes to the dopaminergic damage by bidirectionally regulating the local bioavailability of toxic species.

OST alpha-OST beta: a key membrane transporter of bile acids and conjugated steroids.

The organic solute and steroid transporter, Ost alpha-Ost beta, is an unusual heteromeric carrier that appears to play a central role in the transport of bile acids, conjugated steroids, and structurally-related molecules across the basolateral membrane of many epithelial cells. The transporter's substrate specificity, transport mechanism, tissue distribution, subcellular localization, transcriptional regulation, as well as the phenotype of the recently characterized Ost alpha-deficient mice all strongly support this model. In particular, the Ost alpha-deficient mice display a marked defect in intestinal bile acid and conjugated steroid absorption; a decrease in bile acid pool size and serum bile acid levels; altered intestinal, hepatic and renal disposition of known substrates of the transporter; and altered serum triglyceride, cholesterol, and glucose levels.

Hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of manganese in the little skate, Leucoraja erinacea.

The liver is a major organ involved in regulating whole body manganese (Mn) homeostasis; however, the mechanisms of Mn transport across the hepatocyte basolateral and canalicular membranes remain poorly defined. To gain insight into these transport steps, the present study measured hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of Mn in an evolutionarily primitive marine vertebrate, the elasmobranch Leucoraja erinacea, the little skate. Mn was rapidly removed from the recirculating perfusate of isolated perfused skate livers in a dose-dependent fashion; however, only a small fraction was released into bile (<2% in 6 h).

Plasma membrane glutathione transporters and their roles in cell physiology and pathophysiology.

Reduced glutathione (GSH) is critical for many cellular processes, and both its intracellular and extracellular concentrations are tightly regulated. Intracellular GSH levels are regulated by two main mechanisms: by adjusting the rates of synthesis and of export from cells. Some of the proteins responsible for GSH export from mammalian cells have recently been identified, and there is increasing evidence that these GSH exporters are multispecific and multifunctional, regulating a number of key biological processes.

Multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 as a major mediator of basal and apoptotic glutathione release.

The proteins responsible for reduced glutathione (GSH) export under both basal conditions and in cells undergoing apoptosis have not yet been identified, although recent studies implicate some members of the multidrug resistance-associated protein family (MRP/ABCC) in this process. To examine the role of MRP1 in GSH release, the present study measured basal and apoptotic GSH efflux in HEK293 cells stably transfected with human MRP1. MRP1-overexpressing cells had lower intracellular GSH levels and higher levels of GSH release, under both basal conditions and after apoptosis was induced with either Fas antibody or staurosporine.

Ostalpha-Ostbeta is required for bile acid and conjugated steroid disposition in the intestine, kidney, and liver.

Mice deficient in the organic solute transporter (Ost)-alpha subunit of the heteromeric organic solute and steroid transporter, Ostalpha-Ostbeta, were generated and were found to be viable and fertile but exhibited small intestinal hypertrophy and growth retardation. Bile acid pool size and serum levels were decreased by more than 60% in Ostalpha-/- mice, whereas fecal bile acid excretion was unchanged, suggesting a defect in intestinal bile acid absorption. In support of this hypothesis, when [3H]taurocholic acid or [3H]estrone 3-sulfate were administered into the ileal lumen, absorption was lower in Ostalpha-/- mice.

Arachidonic acid-induced expression of the organic solute and steroid transporter-beta (Ost-beta) in a cartilaginous fish cell line.

The organic solute and steroid transporter (OST/Ost) is a unique membrane transport protein heterodimer composed of subunits designated alpha and beta, that transports conjugated steroids and prostaglandin E(2) across the plasma membrane. Ost was first identified in the liver of the cartilaginous fish Leucoraja erinacea, the little skate, and subsequently was found in many other species, including humans and rodents. The present study describes the isolation of a new cell line, LEE-1, derived from an early embryo of L.

N-acetylcysteine as a potential antidote and biomonitoring agent of methylmercury exposure.

Background: Many people, by means of consumption of seafood or other anthropogenic sources, are exposed to levels of methylmercury (MeHg) that are generally considered to be quite low, but that may nevertheless produce irreversible brain damage, particularly in unborn babies. The only way to prevent or ameliorate MeHg toxicity is to enhance its elimination from the body.

Objectives: Using N-acetylcysteine (NAC), we aimed to devise a monitoring protocol for early detection of acute exposure or relatively low MeHg levels in a rodent model, and to test whether NAC reduces MeHg levels in the developing embryo.

Heterodimerization, trafficking and membrane topology of the two proteins, Ost alpha and Ost beta, that constitute the organic solute and steroid transporter.

Co-immunoprecipitation studies using mouse ileal proteins and transfected HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney-293) cells revealed that the two proteins, Ostalpha and Ostbeta, which generate the organic-solute transporter are able to immunoprecipitate each other, indicating a heteromeric complex. Mouse ileal Ostalpha protein appeared on Western blots largely as bands of 40 and 80 kDa, the latter band consistent with an Ostalpha homodimer, and both of these bands were sensitive to digestion by the glycosidase PNGase F (peptide:N-glycosidase F). Ostbeta appeared as bands of 17 and 19 kDa, and these bands were not sensitive to PNGase F.

The farnesoid X receptor FXRalpha/NR1H4 acquired ligand specificity for bile salts late in vertebrate evolution.

The nuclear receptor FXRalpha (NR1H4) plays a pivotal role in maintaining bile salt and lipid homeostasis by functioning as a bile salt sensor in mammals. In contrast, FXRbeta (NR1H5) from mouse is activated by lanosterol and does not share common ligands with FXRalpha. To further elucidate FXR ligand/receptor and structure/function relationships, we characterized a FXR gene from the marine skate, Leucoraja erinacea, representing a vertebrate lineage that diverged over 400 million years ago.

Mechanisms of mercury disposition in the body.

Today the most widespread human exposures to mercury are to mercury vapor emitted from amalgam tooth fillings, to ethylmercury as a preservative in vaccines, and to methylmercury in edible tissues of fish. This review will focus on the mechanisms of transport of these three species of mercury. All three species are freely moveable throughout the body.

Accelerated urinary excretion of methylmercury following administration of its antidote N-acetylcysteine requires Mrp2/Abcc2, the apical multidrug resistance-associated protein.

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is a sulfhydryl-containing compound that produces a dramatic acceleration of urinary methylmercury (MeHg) excretion in poisoned mice, but the molecular mechanism for this effect is poorly defined. MeHg readily binds to NAC to form the MeHg-NAC complex, and recent studies indicate that this complex is an excellent substrate for the basolateral organic anion transporter (Oat)-1, Oat1/Slc22a6, thus potentially explaining the uptake from blood into the renal tubular cells. The present study tested the hypothesis that intracellular MeHg is subsequently transported across the apical membrane of the cells into the tubular fluid as a MeHg-NAC complex using the multidrug resistance-associated protein-2 (Mrp2/Abcc2).