Further characterization of 3'-isothiocyanatobenzamido[3H]cholate binding to hepatocytes. Correlation with bile acid transport inhibition and protection by substrates and inhibitors.

Binding of 3'-isothiocyanatobenzamido[3H]cholate ([3H]IBCA) to hepatocytes correlates to its efficacy in inhibiting cholate uptake in isolated hepatocytes. The correlation is linear up to 20 microM [3H]IBCA. Labeling of polypeptides is proportional to the degree of inhibition particularly for a protein of molecular weight 50 000. Transported substrates, competitive and non-competitive inhibitors of cholate transport protect against IBCA inhibition. Additionally binding of [3H]IBCA to isolated plasma membranes is prevented by the same substrates and inhibitors of the cholate transport system. The prevention is achieved by taurocholate, iopodate, iodipamide, furosemide, BSP, cyclosporin A, and somatostatin analogs. Protection is correlated to the degree of transport inhibition and depends on the hydrophobicity of the compounds. Other inhibitors known to destroy the driving forces such as valinomycin do not protect membrane proteins against coupling with IBCA. Silybin, which preferentially alters membrane fluidity, has little effect on the labeling. The above results give further evidence that IBCA, when applied in concentrations below 20 microM, is a suitable label for the hepatocellular bile salt transporter.