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Bile salt transporters: molecular characterization, function, and regulation
Michael Trauner1, James L Boyer
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Karl-Franzens University, School of Medicine, Graz, Austria.
Physiological Reviews
|March 29, 2003
Summary
Molecular medicine advances understanding of bile salt transporters, crucial for liver function and bile salt circulation. These transporters adapt during cholestasis to protect the liver and aid excretion.
Area of Science:
- Hepatobiliary physiology
- Molecular medicine
- Transport systems
Background:
- Bile salt pool undergoes enterohepatic circulation regulated by specific transport proteins.
- Key transporters include BSEP, ISBT, NTCP, OATPs, and MRP2,3.
- Bile salt transporters are found in liver, kidney, placenta, and bile duct cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively summarize current knowledge on bile salt transporters.
- To review their molecular characterization, function, and regulation.
- To discuss their role in normal physiology and cholestatic liver disease.
Main Methods:
- Review of molecular medicine literature.
- Analysis of transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation mechanisms.
- Examination of adaptive responses during cholestasis.
Main Results:
- Detailed characterization of bile salt transport proteins (BSEP, ISBT, NTCP, OATPs, MRP2,3).
- Identification of regulatory mechanisms involving nuclear hormone receptors.
- Description of adaptive transporter responses in cholestasis for liver protection.
Conclusions:
- Bile salt transporters are critical for liver function and bile salt homeostasis.
- Their regulation is complex, involving transcriptional and posttranscriptional control.
- Understanding these transporters is vital for managing cholestatic liver diseases and liver regeneration.