Interactions of human organic anion transporters with aristolochic acids.

Aristolochic acids (AAs), contained in Chinese herbal preparations, have been considered to induce nephropathy. In order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of AA-induced nephrotoxicity, we have elucidated the interaction of human organic anion transporters (hOATs) with AAs using their stable cell lines. AA-I and AA-II inhibited organic anion uptake by hOAT1, hOAT3, and hOAT4 in dose-dependent manners.

Interactions of organic anion transporters and organic cation transporters with mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of moulds that which exert adverse effects in humans and animals. It is known that direct cellular toxicity is often associated with increased cellular accumulation of toxic compounds, and membrane transport may be the first fundamental stage in the development of the cytotoxicity. To elucidate the entry pathway for mycotoxins into cells, we have investigated the interactions of human and rat organic anion transporters (hOATs/rOats) and human organic cation transporters (hOCTs) with mycotoxins using cells stably expressing hOATs/rOats/hOCTs.