Although in Gilbert's syndrome (GS), bilirubin glucuronidation is impaired due to an extra TA in the TATA box of the promoter of the gene for bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1 (UGT1A1), many GS homozygotes lack unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Accordingly, an additional defect in bilirubin transport might be required for phenotypic expression. Plasma bilirubin and the early fractional hepatic uptake rate (BSP K 1 ) of a low dose of tetrabromosulfophthalein (0.59 mol/kg) were determined in (1) 15 unrelated patients with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia plus 12 random controls; (2) 4 unrelated GS probands and 15 of their first-degree relatives; (3) 7 unrelated patients with hemolysis due to -Thalassemia minor. Subjects were classified by DNA sequencing of the promoter region of both UGT1A1 alleles. In group 1, GS homozygotes showed a highly significant negative linear correlation between plasma bilirubin levels and BSP K 1 . BSP K 1 values overlapped considerably between GS and normal subjects, whereas, in group 2, they were clustered within, and sharply segregated among, families. Patients with hemolysis, despite elevated plasma bilirubin levels, had mean BSP K 1 values similar to the normal subjects. Within each GS subgroup with defined UGT1A1 mutations, the plasma bilirubin level is in part determined by the organic anion uptake rate, assessed by early plasma disappearance of low-dose BSP. The lower BSP uptake in GS is not secondary to the hyperbilirubinemia, but probably caused by (an) independent, genetically determined defect ( Gilbert's Syndrome (GS) is an inherited form of mild, chronic, unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, 1-3 which is associated with an extra TA in the promoter region of both alleles for bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1 (UGT1A1). [4][5][6][7][8] The resultant 65% decrease in transcription of the (TA) 7 TAA mutant alleles explains the impaired conjugation of bilirubin found in all GS patients. 9,10 The abnormal (TA) 7 TAA allele has a reported prevalence of 34% to 40% in white adults 4,5 and Sephardic Jewish neonates. 11 Thus, 12% to 16% should be and are homozygous for this abnormality, 4-8 yet only 3% to 9% of such populations, or less than half the expected proportion of homozygotes, have an increased level of unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) in plasma. 7,8,[12][13][14] This suggests that additional steps in bilirubin metabolism and/or transport must be impaired for hyperbilirubinemia to be manifested in (TA) 7 TAA homozygotes with reduced expression of UGT1A1.Thus far, both increased bilirubin production (from hemolysis, 1-3,11,15,16 which may not be overt [16][17][18] ) and/or decreased hepatic uptake of UCB have been documented in many presumed GS subjects. Some also exhibit decreased plasma clearance of tetrabromosulfophthalein (BSP) 20-22 and other organic anions, 20,23,24 including several therapeutic agents, [24][25][26] which appear to share hepatic uptake mechanisms with UCB. 27 With BSP, impaired uptake may be unmasked in GS patients if the administered dose is reduced ...