Interaction of the metal chelator DMPS with OAT1 and OAT3 in intact isolated rabbit renal proximal tubules

2,3-Dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) is used clinically to increase urinary excretion of heavy metals, including mercury and arsenic. We used single S2 segments and suspensions of rabbit renal proximal tubules (RPT) to test the interaction of this anionic heavy metal chelator with basolateral transporters OAT1 and OAT3. RT-PCR revealed expression of both transporters in single S2 segments. [³H]PAH and ³H-labeled estrone sulfate ([³H]ES) were used as specific substrates for rbOAT1 and rbOAT3, respectively. PAH and ES were transported into nonperfused single RPT segments with K_t values of 67 ± 20 and 3.4 ± 1.2 μM, respectively, and into tubule suspensions with K_t values of 58 ± 17 and 7.7 ± 2.1 μM, respectively. Reduced DMPS (DMPSH) inhibited uptake of both substrates into single tubule segments with K _app values of 405 ± 49 μM (for [³H]PAH) and 320 ± 66 μM (for [³H]ES). Oxidized DMPS (DMPSS), the prevalent form in the blood, also inhibited uptakes of [³H]PAH (K _app of 766 ± 190 μM) and [³H]ES (696 ± 166 μM). Inward gradients of ES, DMPSH, and DMPSS trans-stimulated the 30-s efflux of preloaded [³H]ES across the basolateral membrane of RPT. Similarly, DMPSH, and PAH itself, trans-stimulated the 15-s efflux of [ ³H]PAH. In contrast, efflux of [³H]PAH was inhibited by the presence of DMPSS in the bathing medium. These data suggest that, whereas both OAT1 and OAT3 probably transport DMPSH, DMPSS transport may be limited to OAT3. This is the first evidence showing that both OAT1 and OAT3 can transport DMPS across the basolateral membrane of RPT.