The solute carrier organic anion transporter family member, OATP1B1, is one of the most important transporter proteins, which mediate penetration of many endogenous substances and xenobiotics into hepatocytes. A model system providing expression of the functional protein is needed to assess interaction of OATP1B1 with various substances. Based on the HEK293 cells, we obtained the HEK293-OATP1B1 cell line, constitutively expressing the SLCO1B1 gene encoding the OATP1B1 transporter. Expression of the SLCO1B1 gene was confirmed by real-time PCR analysis and Western blotting. Functionality of the transporter was assessed by the transport of atorvastatin, which is a substrate of OATP1B1. Cells of the resulting cell line, which selectively express the functionally active recombinant OATP1B1 transporter, can be used to study functions of the protein and to test drugs for being substrates, inducers, and inhibitors of OATP1B1, and to assess the risks of drug interactions.
Keywords: HEK293; OATP1B1; SLCO1B1; drug–drug interactions; plasmid; transfection; transporter proteins.