Wide expression of type i Na⁺-phosphate cotransporter 3 (NPT3/SLC 17A2), a membrane potential-driven organic anion transporter

Membrane potential (△ψ)-driven and Cl^--dependent organic anion transport is a primary function of the solute carrier family 17 (SLC17) transporter family. Although the transport substrates and physiological relevance of the major members are well understood, SLC17A2 protein known to be Na⁺-phosphate cotransporter 3 (NPT3) is far less well characterized. In the present study, we investigated the transport properties and expression patterns of mouse SLC17A2 protein (mNPT3). Proteoli-posomes containing the purified mNPT3 protein took up radiolabeled p-aminohippuric acid (PAH) in a △ψ- and Cl~-dependent manner. The mNPT3-mediated PAH uptake was inhibited by 4,4'-diisothio-cyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDs) and Evans blue, common inhibitors of SLC17 family members. The PAH uptake was also inhibited by various anionic compounds, such as hydrophilic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and urate. Consistent with these observations, the proteoliposome took up radiolabeled urate in a △ψ- and Cl^--dependent manner. Immunohistochemistry with specific antibodies against mNPT3 combined with RT-PCR revealed that mNPT3 is present in various tissues, including the hepatic bile duct, luminal membranes of the renal urinary tubules, maternal side of syncytiotrophoblast in the placenta, apical membrane of follicle cells in the thyroid, bronchiole epithelial cells in the lungs, and astrocytes around blood vessels in the cerebrum. These results suggested that mNPT3 is a polyspecific organic anion transporter that is involved in circulation of urate throughout the body.