The ileal apical sodium bile acid cotransporter participates in the enterohepatic circulation of
bile acids. In patients with primary bile acid malabsorption, mutations in the ileal bile acid
transporter gene (Slc10a2) lead to congenital diarrhea, steatorrhea, and reduced plasma
cholesterol levels. To elucidate the quantitative role of Slc10a2 in intestinal bile acid
absorption, the Slc10a2 gene was disrupted by homologous recombination in mice. Animals
heterozygous (Slc10a2+/–) and homozygous (Slc10a2–/–) for this mutation were physically …