OAT1 (organic anion transporter 1), a 563 amino acid protein, and OAT3 (organic anion transporter 3), a 542 amino acid protein, are two members of the OAT family and are highly expressed in kidneys. Localized specifically to the basolateral membrane, OAT1 and OAT3 are involved in the elimination of toxic organic anions, such as benzylpenicillin and cimetidine, from proximal renal tubules. Via their ability to remove anions from renal tissues, OAT1 and OAT3 are able to regulate the amount of toxins within the kidneys. Additionally, OAT1 functions as an organic anion exchanger that couples the uptake of one organic anion molecule with the efflux of one endogenous dicarboxylic acid molecule, such as ketoglutarate.
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