Human organic anion transporter (OAT) 3 (SLC22A8) is localized to the basolateral membranes of renal tubular epithelial cells and plays a critical role in the excretion of anionic compounds. Recent advances in molecular biology have identified three organic anion transporter families: the organic anion transporter (OAT) family encoded by SLC22A, the organic anion transporting peptide (OATP) family encoded by SLC21A (SLCO), and the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) family encoded by ABCC. These families play critical roles in the transepithelial transport of organic anions in the kidneys as well as in other tissues such as the liver and brain. Among these families, the OAT family plays the central role in renal organic anion transport. Knowledge of these three families at the molecular level, such as substrate selectivity, tissue distribution, and gene localization, is rapidly increasing.