Organic anion transporter and gene coding for the same

Abstract

A protein capable of transporting organic anions having amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 or amino acid sequences derived therefrom by deletion, substitution or addition of one or more amino acid residues; and a gene coding for the protein. The protein and gene therefor are useful in vitro analysis of drug release and drug-drug interactions and development of methods for screening drugs useful for preventing nephrotoxicity.

1 . A protein selected from (A) and (B); 
 (A) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO 2, and    (B) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO 2 deleted, substituted or added at least one amino acid residue, and having ability to transport organic.    
     
     
         2 . The proteins according to  claim 1 , wherein said protein is derived from human.  
     
     
         3 . The proteins according to  claim 1 , wherein said protein is derived from rats.  
     
     
         4 . The protein according to  claim 1 , wherein said protein is derived from the kidney.  
     
     
         5 . An isolated gene encoding the protein according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         6 . An isolated gene selected from (a) and (b); 
 (a) a DNA comprising nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO 2, and    (b) a DNA being able to hybridize with DNA shown in SEQ ID NO 2 in stringent condition and encoding a protein with ability to transport organic anion.    
     
     
         7 . The gene according to  claim 6 , wherein said protein is derived from human.  
     
     
         8 . The gene according to  claim 6 , wherein said protein is derived from rats.  
     
     
         9 . The gene according to  claim 6 , wherein said protein is derived from the kidney.  
     
     
         10 . A plasmid containing regions encoding the gene according to claims  5 - 9  or regions encoding the protein in said gene.  
     
     
         11 . The plasmid according to  claim 10  is expressed plasmid.  
     
     
         12 . A host cell transformed with the plasmid according to  claim 10 .  
     
     
         13 . A nucleotide comprising the partial sequence comprised of continuous at least 14 bases shown in SEQ ID NO 2 or complementary thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The nucleotide according to  claim 13 , wherein said nucleotide is used as a probe to detect the DNA encoding protein with ability to transport organic anions.  
     
     
         15 . The nucleotide according to  claim 13 , wherein is said nucleotide is used to regulate an expression of proteins with ability to transport organic anions.