Regulation of human organic cation transporter hOCT2 by PKA, PI3K, and calmodulin-dependent kinases

Abstract

Properties and regulation of the human organic cation (OC) transporter type 2 (hOCT2) expressed in HEK-293 cells were extensively characterized using the fluorescent OC 4-[4-(dimethylamino)styryl]- N-methylpyridinium (ASP+). ASP+uptake was electrogenic and inhibited by TPA+(EC50= 2.7 μM), tetraethylammonium (EC50= 35 μM), cimetidine (EC50= 36 μM), or quinine (EC50= 6.7 μM). Stimulation with carbachol or ATP decreased initial uptake by 44 ± 3 ( n = 14) and 34 ± 4% ( n = 21), respectively, independently of PKC but dependent on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). PKA stimulation decreased uptake by 18 ± 4% ( n = 40). Inhibition of calmodulin (CaM), Ca2+/CaM-dependent kinase II, or myosin light chain kinase decreased uptake by 63 ± 2 ( n = 15), 40 ± 4 ( n = 30), and 31 ± 4% ( n = 16), respectively. Inhibition of CaM resulted in a significant change in the EC50value for the inhibition of ASP+uptake by tetraethylammonium. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the hOCT2 is inhibited by PI3K and PKA and activated by a CaM-dependent signaling pathway, probably via a change in substrate affinity.