Pleiotropic Functions of the Organic Solute Transporter Ost alpha-Ost beta

The heteromeric organic solute transporter alpha-beta (Ost alpha-Ost beta) is expressed at relatively high levels on the basolateral membrane of enterocytes, where it plays a critical role in the intestinal absorption of bile acids and the enterohepatic circulation. However, this transporter is also expressed in nearly all human tissues, including those that are not normally thought to be involved in bile acid homeostasis, indicating that Ost alpha-Ost beta may have additional roles beyond bile acid transport in these other tissues, or that bile acids and their derivatives are more pervasive than currently envisioned. Emerging data from different laboratories provide support for both of these hypotheses. In particular, recent studies indicate that tissues such as brain and ovary have the capacity to synthesize bile acids or bile acid precursors. In addition, studies examining Ost alpha-Ost beta substrate specificity have revealed that this transporter can also accept conjugated steroids, including some neurosteroids, and that the transporter is selectively expressed in steroidogenic cells of the brain and adrenal gland, suggesting a novel function for Ost alpha-Ost beta. The broad tissue expression of Ost alpha-Ost beta is also consistent with the emerging concept that bile acids and their derivatives act as signaling molecules in diverse tissues. Bile acids activate nuclear receptors such as the farnesoid X receptor (FXR/NR1H4), the pregnane X receptor and the vitamin D receptor, are ligands for a G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor (GPBAR1/TGR5), and can also activate protein kinases A and C as well as mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. These signaling pathways are present in many tissues and regulate processes such as triglyceride, glucose and energy homeostasis. Note that although FXR and TGR5 are thought to function primarily as bile acid receptors, they are modulated by some other sterols and select lipid metabolites, and are also widely expressed in tissues, indicating a complex interplay among diverse regulatory networks that impact critical cell and organ functions. The present report summarizes the evidence for a pleiotropic role of Ost alpha-Ost beta in different tissues. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel