Sodium-independent organic anion transporter, exhibits high specificity for sulfated conjugates of xenobiotics and steroid hormones such as estrone 3-sulfate (E1S) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) ( ). Can transport the statin pravastatin and may contribute to its disposition into the hepatocytes when the function of OATPs is compromised . It is specifically activated by 3 to 5 carbons-containing short-chain fatty acids/SCFAs, including propionate (propanoate), butyrate (butanoate) and valerate (pentanoate) . May operate the exchange of sulfated organic components against short-chain fatty acids/SCFAs, in particular butanoate, at the sinusoidal membrane of hepatocytes .
Subcellular locations: Basolateral cell membrane
Enriched at the sinusoidal part of the plasma membrane.
Specifically expressed in liver (also at protein level).