Solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 4C1 (SLCO4C1) (SLCO4C1)

Solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 4C1 (SLCO4C1), also known as OATP4C1, is a multispecific uptake transporter primarily localized to the basolateral membrane of the renal proximal tubule (UniProt: P5G377). It is uniquely characterized as the first kidney-specific member of the OATP family, playing a pivotal role in the renal secretion of various substrates including thyroid hormones (T3, T4), cAMP, and cardiac glycosides like digoxin (Mikkaichi et al., 2004, PNAS). Beyond drug transport, SLCO4C1 is essential for the clearance of uremic toxins such as guanidinosuccinate and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), which are linked to the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular complications (Toyohara et al., 2009, J Am Soc Nephrol). Research suggests that upregulating SLCO4C1 could serve as a therapeutic strategy to reduce uremic toxins and lower blood pressure in patients with renal failure. Its involvement in the transport of narrow-therapeutic-index drugs like digoxin makes it a critical site for potential drug-drug interactions (NCBI Gene: 353189). Furthermore, SLCO4C1 expression is regulated by the pregnane X receptor (PXR), suggesting that certain drugs could modulate its activity to improve renal function (Toyohara et al., 2009).

Other names

OATP4C1OATP-HSLC21A20Organic anion-transporting polypeptide 4C1

Facilitates the uptake of organic anions and xenobiotics from the blood into renal proximal tubule cells for subsequent excretion into the urine.