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Updated: Sep 28, 2026

Measurement of Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP) in Solid Tissues using Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Published on: July 3, 2025
The organic cation transporters rOCT1 and hOCT2 are inhibited by cGMP
E Schlatter1, V Mönnich, I Cetinkaya
1Universitätsklinikum Münster, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik D, Experimentelle Nephrologie, Domagkstr. 3a, D-48149 Münster, Germany. eberhard.schlatter@uni-muenster.de
Abstract:
The electrogenic cation transporters OCT1 and OCT2 in the basolateral membrane of renal proximal tubules mediate the first step during secretion of organic cations. Previously we demonstrated stimulation and change of selectivity for rat OCT1 (rOCT1) by protein kinase C. Here we investigated the effect of cGMP on cation transport by rOCT1 or human OCT2 (hOCT2) after expression in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) or oocytes of Xenopus laevis. In HEK293 cells, uptake was measured by microfluorimetry using the fluorescent cation 4-(4-(dimethyl-amino)styryl)-N-methylpyridinium iodide (ASP + ) as substrate, whereas uptake into Xenopus laevis oocytes was measured with radioactively labelled cations. In addition, ASP +-induced depolarizations of membrane voltages (Vm) were measured in HEK293 cells using the slow whole-cell patch-clamp method. Incubation of rOCT1-expressing HEK293 cells for 10 min with 100 mM 8-Br-cGMP reduced initial ASP + uptake by maximally 78% with an IC50 value of 24 +/- 16 mM. This effect was not abolished by the specific PKG inhibitor KT5823, indicating that a cGMP-dependent kinase is not involved. An inhibition of ASP + uptake by rOCT1 in HEK293 cells was also obtained when the cells were incubated for 10 min with 100 mM cGMP, whereas no effect was obtained when cGMP was given together with ASP +. ASP + (100 mM)-induced depolarizations of Vm were reduced in the presence of 8-Br-cGMP (100 mM) by 44 +/- 11% (n = 6). Since it could be demonstrated that [3H]cGMP is taken up by an endogeneous cyanine863-inhibitable transporter, the effect of cGMP is probably mediated from inside the cell. Uptake measurements with [14C]tetraethylammonium and [3H]2-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing rOCT1 performed in the absence and presence of 8-Br-cGMP showed that cGMP does not interact directly with the transporter. The data suggest that the inhibition mediated by cGMP observed in HEK293 cells occurs most likely via a mammalian cGMP-binding protein that interacts with OCT1-2 transporters.
Insights
Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) inhibits organic cation transporters OCT1 and OCT2 in kidney cells. This inhibition is likely mediated by an intracellular mammalian cGMP-binding protein, not a direct interaction with the transporters.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- The organic cation transporters OCT1 and OCT2 are crucial for secreting organic cations in renal proximal tubules.
- Previous research indicated protein kinase C modulates rat OCT1 (rOCT1) activity and selectivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) on cation transport mediated by rOCT1 and human OCT2 (hOCT2).
- To elucidate the mechanism of cGMP's action on these transporters in different expression systems.
Main Methods:
- Expressed rOCT1 and hOCT2 in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells and Xenopus laevis oocytes.
- Measured cation uptake using fluorescent substrate ASP+ in HEK293 cells and radiolabeled cations in oocytes.
- Assessed membrane potential changes (Vm) using patch-clamp electrophysiology in HEK293 cells.
Main Results:
- 8-Br-cGMP significantly reduced ASP+ uptake by rOCT1-expressing HEK293 cells (up to 78% inhibition, IC50 = 24 ± 16 mM).
- This inhibition was independent of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) and occurred intracellularly.
- cGMP did not directly interact with rOCT1 in Xenopus oocytes, suggesting involvement of an intermediary protein.
Conclusions:
- cGMP inhibits OCT1 and OCT2 transporter function in renal proximal tubule cells.
- The inhibitory effect is likely mediated by a mammalian cGMP-binding protein interacting with OCT1-2.
- This finding provides new insights into the regulation of organic cation secretion in the kidney.
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