Expression of OAT1 and OAT3 in differentiating proximal tubules of the mouse kidney.

Organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1) and OAT3 in the proximal tubules (PT) of the kidney play important roles in the elimination of harmful endogenous compounds and xenobiotics from the body. We investigated the temporal and spatial expression of OAT1 and OAT3 in the differentiating PT in mouse kidney. Ontogenic expression of OAT1 and OAT3 was investigated by immunohistochemical analysis. The S1, S2, and S3 segments of the PT were identified using antibodies to aquaporin 1 (AQP1), Na+-HCO3- cotransporter 1 (kNBC1), and AQP4. OAT1 immunoreactivity was first detected at PT in the inner cortex of 15-day-old fetuses (F15) and in the outer cortex of 7-day old pups. OAT3 was first observed in the distal tubule of F14 and in S2 segment of the PT of F16 and in S1 and S3 segments around the time of birth; expression increased through postpartum day 21. The ontogenic pattern of expression of OAT1 and OAT3 in the differentiating PT suggests that both transporters may function in the S2 segment in the fetus, but not until after birth in S1 and S3 segments.