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Localization of nucleoside transporters in rat epididymis
Author(s) -
Klein David M.,
Harding Marcus C.,
Crowther Meghan K,
Cherrington Nathan J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.526
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1099-0461
pISSN - 1095-6670
DOI - 10.1002/jbt.21911
Subject(s) - epididymis , nucleoside , reabsorption , transporter , microbiology and biotechnology , nucleoside transporter , chemistry , epithelial polarity , epithelium , transcytosis , secretion , biology , medicine , endocrinology , biochemistry , cell , endocytosis , gene , kidney , genetics , sperm , botany
The epididymis relies on transporters for the secretion of nucleosides and influence the disposition of nucleoside analogs (NSA). Since these compounds can cross the blood–testis barrier (BTB), it is important to understand if the epididymis reabsorbs NSA drugs. The purpose of this study is to determine the localization of nucleoside transporters expressed within rat epididymis to demonstrate the potential of epididymal reabsorption. Using immunohistochemistry, we determined that equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) is localized to the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells, ENT2 is expressed in the nucleus of the epithelium and CNT2 is expressed by basal cells. The expression pattern for these transporters suggests that nucleosides are able to access the epithelial cells of the epididymal duct via the blood, but not from the lumen. We did not find any evidence for a transepithelial reabsorption pathway indicating the NSA drugs that cross the BTB remain within the epididymis.