Organic Anion Transport Polypeptide C (OATP-C) is a member of the organic anion transport polypeptide family, which is a group of transmembrane proteins primarily found in cell membranes. OATP-C plays a crucial role in the transport of a wide range of endogenous and exogenous organic anions across various tissues and organs in the human body.
This protein is encoded by the SLC21A6 gene and is primarily expressed in the liver, intestine, and kidney. OATP-C facilitates the uptake and clearance of its substrates from the blood into these organs, thus influencing their distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
OATP-C demonstrates a high affinity for various organic anions, including bile salts, hormones, metabolites, drugs, and other xenobiotics. It operates through a process known as facilitated diffusion, utilizing an inwardly directed electrochemical gradient to transport substrates across the cell membrane.
Furthermore, OATP-C has been identified as an important transporter involved in the hepatic uptake of certain drugs, such as statins, antibiotics, antivirals, and anticancer drugs. Variations in the SLC21A6 gene encoding OATP-C can lead to inter-individual differences in drug response and toxicity, as well as potential drug-drug interactions.
Overall, Organic Anion Transport Polypeptide C is a vital protein involved in the selective transport of organic anions in various tissues. Its role in drug disposition highlights the importance of understanding its function for personalized medicine and optimizing drug therapy.
