Basigin (Bsg) is a transmembrane protein that is responsible for targeting of monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) to the cell membrane. The present study was conducted to determine whether or not Bsg was required for the proper localization of MCT isoform 1 (MCT1) in a wide range of tissues in adult male mice. The tissue distributions of Bsg and MCT1 in wild-type (WT) mice, the tissue distribution of MCT1 in Bsg gene knockout (Bsg-KO) mice, and the protein and mRNA levels of MCT1 in both genotypes were studied. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that Bsg colocalized with MCT1 in the cerebrum, retina, skeletal and cardiac muscle, duodenal epithelium, hepatic sinusoid, proximal uriniferous tubules, Leydig cells, and efferent ductule epithelium in WT mice. Bsg was absent but MCT1 was present in Sertoli cells, cauda epididymis, myoepithelial cells and duct of the mandibular gland, surface epithelium of the stomach and bronchioles. In Bsg-KO mice, with the exception of Leydig cells, MCT1 immunostaining was greatly reduced in intensity and its distribution was altered in tissues that expressed both Bsg and MCT1 in WT mice. Levels of the protein and mRNA for MCT1 in these tissues did not change significantly in Bsg-KO mice. On the other hand, immunostaining patterns in cells in which Bsg was absent but MCT1 was present in WT mice remained unchanged in Bsg-KO mice. These observations suggest that Bsg is required for the proper localization of MCT1 in a wide range of cells but not in every cell type.
2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.