The role of uptake and efflux transport proteins in the tissue distribution of the tobacco carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and its metabolites is largely unknown. Carbonyl reduction of NNK results in formation of the carcinogenic 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), which in rats is glucuronidated to the non-toxic NNAL-O-glucuronide. Previous in vitro studies showed that NNAL-O-glucuronide is a substrate for the human ATP-binding cassette transport proteins multidrug resistance protein (MRP)1 (ABCC1) and MRP2 (ABCC2). To investigate the influence of Mrp2 deficiency on NNK biotransformation and biliary excretion, [(3)H]NNK was administered intravenously to bile duct-cannulated wild-type (WT) and Mrp2-deficient (TR(-)) Wistar rats; plasma, bile and urine samples were collected for 5 h and analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography with radiochemical detection. The total radioactivity recovered in WT and TR(-) bile was 12 and 7% of the dose, respectively. NNAL-O-glucuronide accounted for 87% of the radioactivity in WT bile but was not detected in TR(-) bile. Urinary recovery of 1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol-4-carboxylic acid (hydroxy acid), NNAL-O-glucuronide and NNAL-N-oxide from 2-5 h was greater in TR(-) compared with WT rats. NNK plasma clearance was significantly higher in TR(-) (115 +/- 23 ml/min/kg) compared with WT (48 +/- 13 ml/min/kg) rats. A higher concentration and/or earlier appearance of hydroxy and 1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone-4-carboxylic acids, NNAL-N-oxide and NNK-N-oxide, and decreased NNK and NNAL concentrations in TR(-) plasma suggested increased cytochrome P450 biotransformation in TR(-) rats. The total recovery of hydroxy acid in bile and urine was significantly higher in TR(-) compared with WT rats. Thus, Mrp2 is responsible for the biliary excretion of NNAL-O-glucuronide and Mrp2 deficiency results in increased formation of carcinogenic NNK metabolites.