Immunohistochemical localization of multispecific renal organic anion transporter 1 in rat kidney

Renal proximal convoluted tubules have an important role, i.e., to excrete organic anions, including numerous drugs and endogenous substances. Recently, multispecific organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1) was isolated from rat kidney. In this study, the cellular and subcellular localization of OAT1 in rat kidney was investigated. Kidneys from normal rats were perfused and fixed with periodate-lysine-paraformaldehyde solution and were then processed for immunohistochemical analysis using the labeled streptavidin-biotin method, preembedding horseradish peroxidase method, and immunogold method. Light microscopic examination revealed immunostaining for OAT1 in the middle portion of the proximal tubule (S2 segment), but not in the initial portion of the proximal convoluted tubule, next to the glomerulus. Nephron segments other than the S2 segment and the renal vasculature were not stained with antibody to OAT1. Electron-microscopic observation using a preembedding method revealed that OAT1 was exclusively expressed in the basolateral membrane of S2 segments of proximal tubules. The immunogold method showed no labeling for OAT1 in the cytoplasmic vesicles, suggesting that OAT1 may not move together with organic anions into the cells. These results are consistent with previous physiologic data showing that organic anions, including para-aminohippurate, are taken up by the basolateral Na⁺- independent organic anion/dicarboxylate exchanger and excreted at S2 segments. In conclusion, OAT1 was localized to the basolateral membrane of S2 segments of proximal tubules in rat kidneys.