MECHANISMS OF SECRETION OF TOXIC ORGANIC- ANIONS IN MAMMALIAN KIDNEYS

This short review is dedicated to the studies of the mechanisms of org anic anion secretion in renal proximal tubules. Particular attention i s given to the energetic coupling of p-aminohippurate transport to ino rganic anion gradients generated acres both basolateral and brush-bord er membranes, The coupling is considered to be a consequence of the co mbined operation of the co-transport and anion-exchange mechanisms. A possible coexistence of several organic anion pathways with overlappin g substrate specificity and (or) energetic dependence olf the total io n gradient are suggested. The problem of identification of transporter s involved in the organic anion secretion is discussed.