Expression of the conjugate export pump encoded by the mrp2 gene in the apical membrane of kidney proximal tubules.

A novel ATP-dependent export pump for amphiphilic anionic conjugates, which has been cloned recently from liver, was identified in rat kidney and localized to the apical membrane domain of proximal tubule epithelia. This 190-kD membrane glycoprotein (Mrp2) has been described previously as the hepatocyte canalicular isoform of the multidrug resistance protein and as the canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter. Mrp2 was identified in kidney by reverse transcription PCR followed by sequencing of the amplified 786-bp fragment and by immunoblotting, using an antibody specifically reacting with the carboxy terminus of rat Mrp2. Double immunofluorescence and confocal laser-scanning microscopy showed the presence of Mrp2 in the brush-border membrane domain of segments S1, S2, and S3 of proximal tubule epithelia. Mrp2 was not detectable in other segments of the nephron. The onset of Mrp2 expression during development occurred in a very early stage of nephron development. Mrp2 represents the first cloned ATP-dependent export pump for amphiphilic organic anions identified in kidney and localized to the apical membrane domain of proximal tubule epithelia. Mrp2 may contribute to cellular detoxification and to the secretion of endogenous and xenobiotic anionic substances, most of which are conjugates, from the blood into urine.