P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1) and the multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (Mrp1, ABCC1) are two ATP-driven pumps that mediate the export of organic anions from cells and may confer cellular resistance to many cytotoxic hydrophobic drugs. Immunohistochemistry has shown that P-gp is expressed in rat brain capillary vessels forming the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Mrp1 mRNAs have been detected by RT-PCR in rat brain isolated capillaries. Although many studies have been published in this field, very little information is available on the expression, distribution and physiological functions of the two pumps in rat brain. To characterize the cerebral expression of both P-gp and Mrp1 transporters, we studied immunoreactions of rat brain sections with the two most commonly used antibodies: the monoclonal C219 (anti-P-gp) and the polyclonal 6KQ (anti-Mrp1). Immunological analyses revealed heterogeneity of the P-gp and Mrp1 expressions in rat brain. Indeed, choroidal and ependymal cells expressed Mrp1 rather than P-gp. However, tanycytes lining the third ventricle were strongly immunoreactive with both antibodies, suggesting a particular role for these cells in drug efflux mechanisms. Because of the detection of a 70-kDa component with 6KQ antibodies, immunoreactions obtained in rats were compared with these obtained in wild type and mrp1(-/-) mice. It showed that a positive reaction at the apical surface of the ependymal layer remained obvious, showing that 6KQ antibodies recognize an ependymal molecule, differing from the Mrp1. In addition, a continuous expression of C219-labeled epitopes, similar to endothelial labeling, was detected at the blood-brain barrier, whereas a discontinuous labeling, co-localized with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining, was obtained with 6KQ antibodies. We showed that P-gp was preferentially expressed in the endothelial component and Mrp1 in the astroglial component of the blood-brain barrier. Moreover, Mrp1 was rather expressed than P-gp in parenchyma astrocytes and in glia limitans lining the meninges. These findings provide new insights into the cerebral distribution of two ABC transporters linked to multidrug resistance (MDR).