Background

Figure 1. NTCP structure with both Na ions and bile salts bound. PDB file 7ZYI.

• Sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) is a sodium-dependent transporter in the body that is responsible for the transportation of bile salts from the blood into epithelial liver cells. This carrier protein is responsible for a conformational change that allows bile salts to cross the cell membrane and enter the inside of liver cells. ^[1]. Both sodium ions and bile salts bind to NTCP in the same binding pocket on the molecule (Fig. 1). NTCP also acts as a receptor for Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis D virus.

• The bile salts transported by NTCP are located within the gastrointestinal tract of the body and play a very key role in many biological functions. These functions include digesting and absorbing nutrients by helping break down fats and transporting lipid soluble nutrients into the liver. ^[2].

• The NTCP carrier protein itself can be found within hepatocytes, or the epithelial cells of the liver, but more specifically, within the basolateral membrane of these cells. ^[3]. The uptake of bile salts into the liver also allow for drugs to be both absorbed and excreted, as well as essential nutrients such as Vitamin A,D,E, and K to be absorbed in the small intestine.

Structural Overview

Function

Binding Pocket

Mechanism

Significance

HBV/ HDV

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