Solute carrier family 22 member 2 (SLC22A2) also known as organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2), is expressed prominently in the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells of kidney, especially in the proximal renal tubule. SLC22A2 possess 12 transmembrane domains and is the integral plasma membrane protein. In the human, SLC22A2 gene is mapped to chromosome 6q26.
Solute carrier family 22 member 2 (SLC22A2) is involved in the transport of cationic substances like drugs, toxins, waste metabolites like creatinine, neurotransmitters etc., from the kidney. Expression of SLC22A2 in kidney is regulated by methylation of the promoter region. The major substrate for SLC22A2 is metformin, an anti-diabetic agent. Lack of SLC22A2 leads possibly to drug toxicity as these substances are not eliminated from the body. Imipramine, clonidine, verapamil, quinidine, carvedilol, interact with SLC22A2 by hydrophobic interaction and leads to its inhibition.
