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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEThe organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) transports cationic drugs into hepatocytes. The high hepatic expression of OCT1 is controlled by the HNF4α and USF transcription factors. Pregnane X receptor (PXR) mediates induction of the principal xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes and transporters in the liver. Here, we have assessed the down-regulation of OCT1 expression by PXR activation. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHWe used primary human hepatocytes and related cell lines to measure OCT1 expression and activity, by assaying MPP + accumulation. Western blotting, qRT-PCR, the OCT1 promoter gene reporter constructs and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were also used. KEY RESULTSOCT1 mRNA in human hepatocytes was down-regulated along with reduced [ 3 H]MPP + accumulation in differentiated HepaRG cells after treatment with rifampicin. Rifampicin and hyperforin as well as the constitutively active PXR mutant T248D suppressed activity of the 1.8 kb OCT1 promoter construct in gene reporter assays. Silencing of both PXR and HNF4α in HepaRG cells blocked the PXR ligand-mediated down-regulation of OCT1 expression. The mutation of HNF4α and USF1 (E-box) responsive elements reversed the PXR-mediated inhibition in gene reporter assays. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays indicated that PXR activation sequestrates the SRC-1 coactivator from the HNF4α response element and E-box of the OCT1 promoter. Consistent with these findings, exogenous overexpression of the SRC-1, but not the PGC1α coactivator, relieved the PXR-mediated repression of OCT1 transactivation. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSPXR ligands reduced the HNF4α-mediated and USF-mediated transactivation of OCT1 gene expression by competing for SRC-1 and decreased delivery of a model OCT1 substrate into hepatocytes. AbbreviationsCAR, constitutive androstane receptor; ChiP , chromatin immunoprecipitation assay; CML, chronic myeloid leukaemia; DR-2, direct repeat separated by two nucleotides; HNF4α, hepatocyte nuclear factor-4-α; OCT1, organic cation transporter 1; PXR, pregnane X receptor; SRC-1, steroid receptor coactivator; PGC1α, PPARγ coactivator 1α; USFs, upstream stimulating factors

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The organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) is the dominant carrier of organic cationic drugs and some positively charged endogenous compounds into hepatocytes. OCT1 has unique expression pattern. It has the highest expression among drug transporters in normal human hepatocytes with large interindividual variability, but it has negligible expression in other tissues or their tumors. Nowadays, it is clear that the regulation of SLC22A1 gene encoding OCT1 transporter is rather complex and that transactivation with hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) and CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein (C/EBPs) transcription factors as well as epigenetic regulation contribute to its unique hepatocyte-specific expression pattern. Unfortunately, species- and tissue-specific regulation of OCT1 and its orthologs as well as significant down-regulation in most immortalized cell lines hamper the study of SLC22A1 gene regulation. In the current review, we summarize our current understanding of human OCT1 transporter hepatic gene regulation and we propose potential post-transcriptional regulation by predicted miRNAs. We also discuss in detail recent findings on indirect regulation of the transporter via farnesoid X receptor (FXR), glucocorticoid receptor and pregnane X (PXR) receptor, which point out to potential novel mechanisms of xenobiotic-transporting and drug-metabolizing proteins regulation in the human liver as well as to potentially novel drug-drug interaction mechanisms. We also propose that comprehensive understanding of mechanisms of SLC22A1 gene regulation could direct research for other drug transporters and drug-metabolizing enzymes highly expressed in hepatocytes and controlled by HNF4α or other liver-enriched transcription factors.

Entecavir (ETV) is one of the most potent agents for the treatment of the hepatitis B viral infection. The drug is principally eliminated by the kidney. The goal of this study was to investigate the potential of ETV to interact in vitro with the renal SLC transporters hOAT1, hOCT2, hCNT2 and hCNT3. Potential drug–drug interactions of ETV at the renal transporters with antiviral drugs known to be excreted by the kidney (adefovir, tenofovir, cidofovir) as well as transporter-dependent cytotoxicity were also examined. Interactions with the selected transporters along with cytotoxicity were studied in several transiently transfected cellular models using specific substrates and inhibitors. ETV was found to be both a substrate and inhibitor of hOAT1 (IC50 = 175.3 μM), hCNT2 (IC50 = 241.9 μM) and hCNT3 (IC50 = 278.4 μM) transporters, although it interacted with the transporters with relatively low affinities. ETV inhibited the cellular uptake of adefovir, tenofovir, and cidofovir by hOAT1; however, effective inhibition was shown at ETV concentrations exceeding therapeutic levels. In comparison with adefovir, tenofovir, and cidofovir, ETV displayed no transporter-mediated cytotoxicity in cells transfected with hOAT1, hCNT2, and hCNT3. No significant interaction of ETV with hOCT2 was detected. The study demonstrates interactions of ETV with several human renal transporters. For the first time, an interaction of ETV with the hCNTs was proved. We show that the potency of ETV to cause nephrotoxicity and/or clinically significant drug-drug interactions related to the tested transporters is considerably lower than that of adefovir, tenofovir, and cidofovir.