Transport of Estrone 3-sulfate Mediated by Organic Anion Transporter OATP4C1: Estrone 3-sulfate binds to the Different Recognition Site for Digoxin in OATP4C1

Human organic anion transporter OATP4C1 is a member of the OATP family predominantly expressed in the kidney, and contributes to the renal secretion of digoxin. However, little is known about the characteristics of OATP4C1-madiated transport. We examined the transport of estrone 3-sulfate, which is known as a substrate for other OATPs, by OATP4C1-expressing cells. Estrone 3-sulfate was efficiently transported by OATP4C1. The Michaelis-Menten constant for estrone 3-sulfate uptake by OATP4C1 was 26.6 ± 4.9 μM. Transport of estrone 3-sulfate was significantly inhibited by triiodothyronine, chenodeoxycholic acid, bromosulfophtalein, and cyclosporine, whereas known substrates of OATP4C1, digoxin and ouabain, did not change OATP4C1-mediated transport. We further examined the mutual inhibition study between estrone 3-sulfate and digoxin. Digoxin partially inhibited the estrone 3-sulfate transport, and estrone 3-sulfate did not significantly inhibit digoxin transport. The estimated IC50 value of digoxin for OATP4C1-mediated estrone 3-sulfate transport was 119 μM. This value is not comparable with the Michaelis-Menten constant for digoxin uptake by OATP4C1 (7.8 μM) reported by Mikkaichi et al.1) In conclusion, we found that estrone 3-sulfate is a novel substrate for OATP4C1. Moreover, our results indicate that estrone 3-sulfate does not bind to the recognition site for digoxin in OATP4C1.