Genetic polymorphisms and function of the organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1A2 and its clinical relevance in drug disposition.

The solute carrier organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATPs) are a family of transporter proteins that have been extensively recognized as key determinants of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of various drugs because of their broad substrate specificity and wide tissue distribution as well as the involvement of drug-drug interaction. Human OATP1A2 is a drug uptake transporter known for its broad substrate specificity, including many drugs in clinical use. OATP1A2 expression has been detected in the intestine, liver, brain and kidney. A considerable number of single nucleotide polymorphisms have been found for the OATP1A2 gene. A number of studies have shown that the cellular uptake and pharmacokinetic behavior of some drugs may be impaired in the case of certain OATP1A2 variants. Interestingly, some studies show that the mRNA expression of OATP1A2 is nearly 10-fold higher in breast cancer compared with adjacent healthy breast tissues. This review is, therefore, focused on the genetic polymorphisms, function and clinical relevance of OATP1A2 as well as on the substrates transported by it.