Carnosine (-alanyl-L-histidine), an endogenous dipeptide substrate of the proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter PEPT2, plays an important role in many physiological processes. This study examined the effect of PEPT2 on the disposition of endogenous and exogenous carnosine in wild-type and Pept2 null mice. After exogenous dosing of [³H]carnosine (1 nmol/g intravenous bolus), a marked increase was observed in its systemic clearance in Pept2 null mice (0.50 vs. 0.29 ml/min), resulting in a decreased systemic exposure of dipeptide (AUC=43.7 vs. 73.0 min•µM). Carnosine uptake was substantially reduced in the kidney of Pept2 null mice and renal clearance increased 18-fold in this genotype (206 vs. 11.5 µl/min). Fractional reabsorption of carnosine in Pept2 null mice was only one-fifth that in wild-type animals (0.20 vs. 0.94). PEPT2 also had a substantial impact in brain where the CSF/plasma concentration ratio of carnosine was 8-fold greater in Pept2 null mice (0.70 vs. 0.08). With respect to endogenous carnosine levels, significant reductions were observed in the choroid plexus (0.026 vs. 0.20 mmol/kg), olfactory bulb (1.12 vs. 1.79 mmol/kg) and spleen (0.019 vs. 0.029 mmol/kg) of Pept2 null mice. In contrast, carnosine levels in the skeletal muscle of Pept2 null mice were significantly increased (1.70 vs. 1.14 mmol/kg) and no differences were observed between genotypes for endogenous carnosine levels in plasma and CSF. These results demonstrate that PEPT2 significantly modulates the disposition of exogenous carnosine. However, endogenous carnosine levels may be under homeostatic control in order to maintain systemic and central concentrations under physiological in vivo conditions.