Characterization of Cloned Mouse Na+/taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide by Transient Expression in COS-7 Cells

The mouse Na⁺/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide transiently expressed in COS-7 cells caused sodium-dependent uptake of ³H]taurocholic acid with K_m and V_max values of 18 μM and 102 pmol/mg protein/min, respectively. This K_m value is comparable to that for rat NTCP and higher than that for human NTCP. Substrate specificity was evaluated by measuring inhibitory effects of unlabeled bile acids on ³H]taurocholic acid transport.