Kinetics of glutathione and daunorubicin efflux from multidrug resistance protein overexpressing small-cell lung cancer cells

Physiological and pharmacological characterization of a molluscan neuronal efflux transporter; evidence for age-related transporter impairment

Plasma membrane efflux transporters play crucial roles in the removal and release of both harmful and beneficial substances from the interior of cells and tissue types in virtually every extant species. They contribute to the clearance of a broad spectrum of exogenous and endogenous toxicants and harmful metabolites, including the reactive lipid aldehyde byproducts of lipid peroxidation that are a hallmark of cellular ageing. Here, we tested whether declining transporter functionality may contribute to functional decline in a snail model of neuronal ageing. Through measuring the removal of 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, a known substrate for membrane efflux transporters, we provide, for the first time, physiological evidence for the existence of probenecid-, MK571- and glutathione-sensitive efflux transporters in (gastropod) neurons and demonstrate that their functionality declines with age. Our data support the idea that waning cellular detoxification capacity might be a significant factor in the escalation of (lipo-)toxicity observed in neuronal ageing.

Structure-guided probing of the leukotriene C4 binding site in human multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1; ABCC1)

The human multidrug resistance protein 1 (hMRP1) transporter is implicated in cancer multidrug resistance as well as immune responses involving its physiologic substrate, glutathione (GSH)-conjugated leukotriene C₄ (LTC₄). LTC₄ binds a bipartite site on hMRP1, which a recent cryoelectron microscopy structure of LTC₄-bound bovine Mrp1 depicts as composed of a positively charged pocket and a hydrophobic (H) pocket that binds the GSH moiety and surrounds the fatty acid moiety, respectively, of LTC₄. Here, we show that single Ala and Leu substitutions of H-pocket hMRP1-Met¹⁰⁹³ have no effect on LTC₄ binding or transport. Estrone 3-sulfate transport is also unaffected, but both hMRP1-Met¹⁰⁹³ mutations eliminate estradiol glucuronide transport, demonstrating that these steroid conjugates have binding sites distinct from each other and from LTC₄. To eliminate LTC₄ transport by hMRP1, mutation of 3 H-pocket residues was required (W553/M1093/W1246A), indicating that H-pocket amino acids are key to the vastly different affinities of hMRP1 for LTC₄ vs. GSH alone. Unlike organic anion transport, hMRP1-mediated drug resistance was more diminished by Ala than Leu substitution of Met¹⁰⁹³. Although our findings generally support a structure in which H-pocket residues bind the lipid tail of LTC₄, their critical and differential role in the transport of conjugated estrogens and anticancer drugs remains unexplained.-Conseil, G., Arama-Chayoth, M., Tsfadia, Y., Cole, S. P. C. Structure-guided probing of the leukotriene C₄ binding site in human multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1; ABCC1).

Structural Basis of Substrate Recognition by the Multidrug Resistance Protein MRP1

The multidrug resistance protein MRP1 is an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter that confers resistance to many anticancer drugs and plays a role in the disposition and efficacy of several opiates, antidepressants, statins, and antibiotics. In addition, MRP1 regulates redox homeostasis, inflammation, and hormone secretion. Using electron cryomicroscopy, we determined the molecular structures of bovine MRP1 in two conformations: an apo form at 3.5 Å without any added substrate and a complex form at 3.3 Å with one of its physiological substrates, leukotriene C₄. These structures show that by forming a single bipartite binding site, MRP1 can recognize a spectrum of substrates with different chemical structures. We also observed large conformational changes induced by leukotriene C₄, explaining how substrate binding primes the transporter for ATP hydrolysis. Structural comparison of MRP1 and P-glycoprotein advances our understanding of the common and unique properties of these two important molecules in multidrug resistance to chemotherapy.

Flavonoid dimers are highly potent killers of multidrug resistant cancer cells overexpressing MRP1

MRP1 overexpression in multidrug-resistant cancer cells has been shown to be responsible for collateral sensitivity to some flavonoids that stimulate a huge MRP1-mediated GSH efflux. This massive GSH depletion triggers the death of these cancer cells. We describe here that bivalent flavonoid dimers strikingly stimulate such MRP1-mediated GSH efflux and trigger a 50-100 fold more potent cell death than their corresponding monomers. This selective and massive cell death of MRP1-overexpressing cells (both transfected and drug-selected cell lines) is no longer observed either upon catalytic inactivation of MRP1 or its knockdown by siRNA. The best flavonoid dimer, 4e, kills MRP1-overexpressing cells with a selective ratio higher than 1000 compared to control cells and an EC₅₀ value of 0.1 μM, so far unequaled as a collateral sensitivity agent targeting ABC transporters. This result portends the flavonoid dimer 4e as a very promising compound to appraise in vivo the therapeutic potential of collateral sensitivity for eradication of MRP1-overexpressing chemoresistant cancer cells in tumors.

Multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 decreases the concentrations of antiepileptic drugs in cortical extracellular fluid in amygdale kindling rats

AIM

To investigate whether multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) was responsible for drug resistence in refractory epilepsy in amygdale kindling rats.

METHODS

Rat amygdale kindling was used as a model of refractory epilepsy. The expression of MRP1 mRNA and protein in the brains was examined using RT-PCR and Western blot. MRP1-positive cells in the cortex and hippocampus were studied with immunohistochemical staining. The rats were intraperitoneally injected with phenytoin (50 mg/kg) or carbamazepine (20 mg/kg), and their concentrations in the cortical extracellular fluid were measured using microdialysis and HPLC. Probenecid, a MRP1 inhibitor (40 mmol/L, 50 μL) was administered through an inflow tube into the cortex 30 min before injection of the antiepileptic drugs.

RESULTS

The expression of MRP1 mRNA and protein was significantly up-regulated in the cortex and hippocampus in amygdale kindling rats compared with the control group. Furthermore, the number of MRP1-positive cells in the cortex and hippocampus was also significantly increased in amygdale kindling rats. Microdialysis studies showed that the concentrations of phenytoin and carbamazepine in the cortical extracellular fluid were significantly decreased in amygdale kindling rats. Pre-administration of probenecid could restore the concentrations back to their control levels.

CONCLUSION

Up-regulation of MRP1 is responsible for the resistance of brain cells to antiepileptic drugs in the amygdale kindling rats.

Reversion of multidrug resistance in a chemoresistant human breast cancer cell line by β-elemene

BACKGROUND

Multidrug resistance (MDR) presents a problem in cancer chemotherapy, and developing new agents to overcome MDR is important. This study intends to investigate the reversal effect of -elemene on MDR in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 and doxorubicin-resistant MCF-7 cells.

METHODS

MTT cytotoxicity assays, flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis were performed to investigate the antiproliferative effects of the combination of anticancer drugs with -elemene, to study the reversal of drug resistance, and to examine the inhibitory effects on protein expression.

RESULTS

The results showed that -elemene (30 μ mol/l) had a strong potency to increase the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin to MCF-7/DOX cells, with a reversal fold of 6.38. In addition, the mechanisms of -elemene in reversing P-glycoprotein (Pgp)-mediated MDR demonstrated that -elemene significantly increases the intracellular accumulations of doxorubicin and Rh123 via inhibition of the P-gp transport function in MCF-7/DOX cells. Flow cytometry and Western blot analyses revealed that -elemene could inhibit the expression of P-gp, while it had little effect on the expression of MRP1 protein. In addition, -elemene had little inhibitory effect on the intracellular GSH levels and GST activities in MCF-7/DOX cells.

CONCLUSIONS

-Elemene might represent a promising agent for overcoming MDR in cancer therapy.

Enhanced glutathione depletion, protein adduct formation, and cytotoxicity following exposure to 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) in cells expressing human multidrug resistance protein-1 (MRP1) together with human glutathione S-transferase-M1 (GSTM1)

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is one of the most reactive products of lipid peroxidation and has both cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in cells. Several enzymatic pathways have been reported to detoxify HNE, including conjugation by glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs). Removal of the resulting HNE-glutathione conjugate (HNE-SG) by an efflux transporter may be required for complete detoxification. We investigated the effect of expression of GSTM1 and/or the ABC efflux transporter protein, multidrug-resistance protein-1 (MRP1), on HNE-induced cellular toxicity. Stably transfected MCF7 cell lines were used to examine the effect of GSTM1 and/or MRP1 expression on HNE-induced cytotoxicity, GSH depletion, and HNE-protein adduct formation. Co-expression in the MCF7 cell line of GSTM1 with MRP1 resulted in a 2.3-fold sensitization to HNE cytotoxicity (0.44-fold IC(50) value relative to control) rather than the expected protection. Expression of either GSTM1 or MRP1 alone also resulted in slight sensitization to HNE cytotoxicity (0.79-fold and 0.71-fold decreases in IC(50) values, respectively). Co-expression of GSTM1 and MRP1 strongly enhanced the formation of HNE-protein adducts relative to the non-expressing control cell line, whereas expression of either MRP1 alone or GSTM1 alone yielded similarly low levels of HNE-protein adducts to that of the control cell line. Glutathione (GSH) levels were reduced by 10-20% in either the control cell line or the MCF7/GSTM1 cell line with the same HNE exposure for 60min. However, HNE induced >80% depletion of GSH in cells expressing MRP1 alone. Co-expression of both MRP1 and GSTM1 caused slightly greater GSH depletion, consistent with the greater protein adduct formation and cytotoxicity in this cell line. Since expression of GSTM1 or MRP1 alone did not strongly sensitize cells to HNE, or result in greater HNE-protein adducts than in the control cell line, these results indicate that MRP1 and GSTM1 collaborate to enhance HNE-protein adduct formation and HNE cytotoxicity, facilitated by GSH depletion mediated by both MRP1 and GSTM1.

Reversal of multidrug resistance by guggulsterone in drug-resistant MCF-7 cell lines

BACKGROUND

Multidrug resistance (MDR) presents a serious problem in cancer chemotherapy. Our previous studies have shown that the MDR of K562/DOX cells could be reversed by guggulsterone through inhibiting the function and expression of P-glycoprotein. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reversal effect of guggulsterone on MDR in drug-resistant MCF-7 cells and the parental MCF-7 cells.

METHODS

MTT cytotoxicity assays, flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis were performed to investigate the antiproliferative effects of the combination of anticancer drugs with guggulsterone, to study the reversal of drug resistance and to examine the inhibitory effects on MRP1 expression.

RESULTS

The results showed that co-administration of guggulsterone (10 μM) resulted in a significant increase in chemosensitivity of MCF-7/DOX cells to doxorubicin, compared with doxorubicin treatment alone (p < 0.01). The fold reversal of 10 μM guggulsterone (11.48) was comparable to that of 10 μM verapamil (13.23). Rhodamine123 and doxorubicin accumulation in MCF-7/DOX cells was significantly enhanced after the incubation with guggulsterone (10 μM), compared with untreated MCF-7/DOX cells (p < 0.01). When doxorubicin (10 μM) was combined with guggulsterone (10 μM), the mean apoptotic population of MCF-7/DOX cells was 24.91%. It was increased by 6.15 times, compared with doxorubicin (10 μM) treatment alone. However, guggulsterone had little inhibitory effect on the expression of MRP1 proteins.

CONCLUSION

Guggulsterone is a novel and potent MDR reversal agent with the potential to be an adjunctive agent for tumor chemotherapy.

Predicting enzyme targets for cancer drugs by profiling human metabolic reactions in NCI-60 cell lines

BACKGROUND

Drugs can influence the whole metabolic system by targeting enzymes which catalyze metabolic reactions. The existence of interactions between drugs and metabolic reactions suggests a potential way to discover drug targets.

RESULTS

In this paper, we present a computational method to predict new targets for approved anti-cancer drugs by exploring drug-reaction interactions. We construct a Drug-Reaction Network to provide a global view of drug-reaction interactions and drug-pathway interactions. The recent reconstruction of the human metabolic network and development of flux analysis approaches make it possible to predict each metabolic reaction's cell line-specific flux state based on the cell line-specific gene expressions. We first profile each reaction by its flux states in NCI-60 cancer cell lines, and then propose a kernel k-nearest neighbor model to predict related metabolic reactions and enzyme targets for approved cancer drugs. We also integrate the target structure data with reaction flux profiles to predict drug targets and the area under curves can reach 0.92.

CONCLUSIONS

The cross validations using the methods with and without metabolic network indicate that the former method is significantly better than the latter. Further experiments show the synergism of reaction flux profiles and target structure for drug target prediction. It also implies the significant contribution of metabolic network to predict drug targets. Finally, we apply our method to predict new reactions and possible enzyme targets for cancer drugs.

Molecular mechanism of ATP-dependent solute transport by multidrug resistance-associated protein 1

Millions of new cancer patients are diagnosed each year and over half of these patients die from this devastating disease. Thus, cancer causes a major public health problem worldwide. Chemotherapy remains the principal mode to treat many metastatic cancers. However, occurrence of cellular multidrug resistance (MDR) prevents efficient killing of cancer cells, leading to chemotherapeutic treatment failure. Over-expression of ATP-binding cassette transporters, such as P-glycoprotein, breast cancer resistance protein and/or multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1), confers an acquired MDR due to their capabilities of transporting a broad range of chemically diverse anticancer drugs across the cell membrane barrier. In this review, the molecular mechanism of ATP-dependent solute transport by MRP1 will be addressed.

Topological polar surface area defines substrate transport by multidrug resistance associated protein 1 (MRP1/ABCC1)

Multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1/ABCC1) is a very promiscuous transporter. Herein we used topological polar surface area (TPSA), a descriptor defined as the sum of surfaces of polar atoms in a molecule, to analyze drug transport by MRP1. We suggested that compounds with high TPSA are transported while those with low TPSA are not. The conjugation to GSH increases TPSA values favoring transport. A strong correlation between TPSA and transport properties (K(m)) was also found.

Indomethacin overcomes doxorubicin resistance by decreasing intracellular content of glutathione and its conjugates with decreasing expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase via promoter activity in doxorubicin-resistant leukemia cells

Drug resistance continues to be a serious problem in cancer therapy. We investigated whether indomethacin, which inhibits cyclooxygenases, is able to overcome doxorubicin resistance in K562/ADR leukemia cells. Indomethacin at 10 microM increased the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin and vincristine in K562/ADR cells. Intracellular glutathione content was elevated in K562/ADR cells. Indomethacin treatment decreased glutathione content and glutathione-conjugates in K562/ADR cells. Increased expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) was observed in K562/ADR cells, but this expression was decreased by indomethacin treatment. The activity of the gamma-GCS promoter from K562/ADR cells decreased after indomethacin treatment in MDA231 cells. These data strongly suggest that the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin increases the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin by decreasing the intracellular contents of glutathione and its conjugates with decreasing expression of gamma-GCS by inhibiting gamma-GCS promoter activity.

Redox regulation of multidrug resistance in cancer chemotherapy: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities

The development of multidrug resistance to cancer chemotherapy is a major obstacle to the effective treatment of human malignancies. It has been established that membrane proteins, notably multidrug resistance (MDR), multidrug resistance protein (MRP), and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) of the ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter family encoding efflux pumps, play important roles in the development of multidrug resistance. Overexpression of these transporters has been observed frequently in many types of human malignancies and correlated with poor responses to chemotherapeutic agents. Evidence has accumulated showing that redox signals are activated in response to drug treatments that affect the expression and activity of these transporters by multiple mechanisms, including (a) conformational changes in the transporters, (b) regulation of the biosynthesis cofactors required for the transporter's function, (c) regulation of the expression of transporters at transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and epigenetic levels, and (d) amplification of the copy number of genes encoding these transporters. This review describes various specific factors and their relevant signaling pathways that are involved in the regulation. Finally, the roles of redox signaling in the maintenance and evolution of cancer stem cells and their implications in the development of intrinsic and acquired multidrug resistance in cancer chemotherapy are discussed.

On the synergistic effect of doxorubicin and mitomycin C against breast cancer cells

The combination of doxorubicin and mitomycin C has been shown previously to result in supra-additive tumor cell killing in vitro in both murine and human breast cancer cells and in vivo against murine breast cancer cells. Median effect analysis was used to determine the significance and degree of interaction. The origin of this synergy was sought by evaluating the contribution of membrane efflux pump modulation, formaldehyde production, reactive oxygen species, DNA cross-linking, and DNA double-strand breaks to this effect. The interaction of mitomycin C and doxorubicin in vitro was found to be a true synergy whose mechanism was efflux pump-independent. DNA cross-links were only found to increase additively with co-administration of the drugs; however, a supra-additive increase in DNA double-strand breaks was observed. The results suggest that poisoning of topoisomerase IIalpha by doxorubicin may interact with drug-induced DNA cross-links to enhance the formation of DNA double-strand breaks. This interaction, together with glutathione depletion and mitomycin C-derived formaldehyde, may be the underlying mechanism(s) of the synergy observed between mitomycin C and doxorubicin.

Plasma membrane glutathione transporters and their roles in cell physiology and pathophysiology

Reduced glutathione (GSH) is critical for many cellular processes, and both its intracellular and extracellular concentrations are tightly regulated. Intracellular GSH levels are regulated by two main mechanisms: by adjusting the rates of synthesis and of export from cells. Some of the proteins responsible for GSH export from mammalian cells have recently been identified, and there is increasing evidence that these GSH exporters are multispecific and multifunctional, regulating a number of key biological processes. In particular, some of the multidrug resistance-associated proteins (Mrp/Abcc) appear to mediate GSH export and homeostasis. The Mrp proteins mediate not only GSH efflux, but they also export oxidized glutathione derivatives (e.g., glutathione disulfide (GSSG), S-nitrosoglutathione (GS-NO), and glutathione-metal complexes), as well as other glutathione S-conjugates. The ability to export both GSH and oxidized derivatives of GSH, endows these transporters with the capacity to directly regulate the cellular thiol-redox status, and therefore the ability to influence many key signaling and biochemical pathways. Among the many processes that are influenced by the GSH transporters are apoptosis, cell proliferation, and cell differentiation. This report summarizes the evidence that Mrps contribute to the regulation of cellular GSH levels and the thiol-redox state, and thus to the many biochemical processes that are influenced by this tripeptide.

Reversal of P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 mediated multidrug resistance in cancer cells by HZ08 Isomers, tetrataisohydroquinolin derivatives

Overexpression of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) by tumors results in multidrug resistance (MDR) to structurally unrelated anti-tumor agents. HZ08, a chiral compound, was a newly synthesized tetraisohydroquinoline derivative to reverse Pgp and MRP1 mediated MDR. In present studies, R, S-HZ08 and their racemate reversed the resistance to adriamycin and vincristine of adriamycin-selected human leukemia (K562/ADM) cells that overexpress Pgp. R, S-HZ08 and their racemate modulated adriamycin cytotoxicity when R, S-HZ08 and their racemate were removed 12 h prior to the cytotoxicity assay. In addition, R, S-HZ08 and their racemate increased intracellular accumulation of Rhodamine123 in Caco-2 cells that overexpress Pgp. Furthermore, using a DNA content analysis and an annexin V binding assay, R, S-HZ08 and their racemate effectively reversed the resistance to adriamycin-induced apoptosis in K562/ADM cells. R, S-HZ08 and their racemate also moderately reversed the resistance to adriamycin and vincristine of MCF-7/ADM cells that overexpress MRP1. However, R, S-HZ08 and their racemate hardly affected intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities in MCF-7/ADM cells. The result showed that R, S-HZ08 and their racemate possibly reverse MDR1 mediated multidrug resistance by a direct interaction with MRP1, not interaction with MRP1 via GSH. Thus, R, S-HZ08 and their racemate should be useful for treating patients with tumors that overexpress both Pgp and MRP1.

Interaction between the catalytic and modifier subunits of glutamate-cysteine ligase

Glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis pathway. This enzyme is a heterodimer, comprising a catalytic subunit (GCLC) and a regulatory subunit (GCLM). Although GCLC alone can catalyze the formation of l-gamma-glutamyl-l-cysteine, its binding with GCLM enhances the enzyme activity by lowering the K(m) for glutamate and ATP, and increasing the K(i) for GSH inhibition. To characterize the enzyme structure-function relationship, we investigated the heterodimer formation between GCLC and GCLM, in vivo using the yeast two-hybrid system, and in vitro using affinity chromatography. A strong and specific interaction between GCLC and GCLM was observed in both systems. Deletion analysis indicated that most regions, except a portion of the C-terminal region of GCLC and a portion of the N-terminal region of GCLM, are required for the interaction to occur. Point mutations of selected amino acids were also tested for the binding activity. The GCLC Cys248Ala/Cys249Ala and Pro158Leu mutations enzyme showed the same strength of binding to GCLM as did wild-type GCLC, yet the catalytic activity was dramatically decreased. The results suggest that the heterodimer formation may not be dependent on primary amino-acid sequence but, instead, involves a complex formation of the tertiary structure of both proteins.

A molecular understanding of ATP-dependent solute transport by multidrug resistance-associated protein MRP1

Over a million new cases of cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States and over half of these patients die from these devastating diseases. Thus, cancers cause a major public health problem in the United States and worldwide. Chemotherapy remains the principal mode to treat many metastatic cancers. However, occurrence of cellular multidrug resistance (MDR) prevents efficient killing of cancer cells, leading to chemotherapeutic treatment failure. Numerous mechanisms of MDR exist in cancer cells, such as intrinsic or acquired MDR. Overexpression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) drug transporters, such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp or ABCB1), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP or ABCG2) and/or multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1 or ABCC1), confers an acquired MDR due to their capabilities of transporting a broad range of chemically diverse anticancer drugs. In addition to their roles in MDR, there is substantial evidence suggesting that these drug transporters have functions in tissue defense. Basically, these drug transporters are expressed in tissues important for absorption, such as in lung and gut, and for metabolism and elimination, such as in liver and kidney. In addition, these drug transporters play an important role in maintaining the barrier function of many tissues including blood-brain barrier, blood-cerebral spinal fluid barrier, blood-testis barrier and the maternal-fetal barrier. Thus, these ATP-dependent drug transporters play an important role in the absorption, disposition and elimination of the structurally diverse array of the endobiotics and xenobiotics. In this review, the molecular mechanism of ATP-dependent solute transport by MRP1 will be addressed.

Modulation of GSH levels in ABCC1 expressing tumor cells triggers apoptosis through oxidative stress

The over-expression of ABCC1 transmembrane protein has been shown to cause multidrug resistance in tumor cell lines. ABCC1 is a member of the ABC transmembrane proteins that function as efflux pumps with diverse substrate specificity. Several endogenous cell metabolites, including the leukotriene C4 (LTC(4)) and glutathione (GSH) are substrates for ABCC1 protein. ABCC1 expression in certain tumor cells was demonstrated to confer hypersensitivity to glutathione modulating agents. In this report we have investigated the mechanism of collateral sensitivity seen in tumor cells over-expressing ABCC1 protein. The results of this study show that ABCC1 expression in tumor cells correlates with their hypersensitivity to various glutathione modulating agents, as demonstrated in H69AR-drug selected and HeLa/ABCC1-transfectant cells. This effect was triggered either through inhibition of GSH synthesis with BSO or by increasing ABCC1-mediated GSH transport with verapamil or apigenin. In addition, our results show that the hypersensitivity of ABCC1-expressing cells to BSO, verapamil or apigenin was preceded by an increase in reactive oxygen species (or ROS). A decrease in GSH level is also observed prior the increase in ROS. In addition, we show that hypersensitivity to the BSO, verapamil or apigenin leads to tumor cell death by apoptosis. Together, the results of this study demonstrate that ABCC1 potentiates oxidative stress in tumor cells through reductions in cellular GSH levels.

Perturbation of membrane microdomains in GLC4 multidrug-resistant lung cancer cells − modification of ABCC1 (MRP1) localization and functionality

The multidrug resistance-associated protein transporter ABCC1 (MRP1) is an integral plasma membrane protein involved in the multidrug resistance phenotype. It actively expels a number of cytotoxic molecules from cells. To gain insight into the modulation of the functional properties of this integral membrane protein by cholesterol, a main component of the lipid bilayer, we used multidrug-resistant GLC4/ADR cells, which overexpress MRP1. Upon altering the plasma membrane cholesterol content of these cells, membrane localization and the activity of MRP1 were analyzed. A detergent-free methodology was used to separate "light" and "heavy" plasma membrane fractions. Our data show that MRP1 was exclusively found in "light" fractions known as L0 phase membrane microdomains, together with 23% of gangliosides GM1 and 40% of caveolin-1. Depletion of the membrane cholesterol level to 40% by treatment with the cholesterol-chelating agent methyl-beta-cyclodextrin did not modify MRP1 activity, as evidenced either by the rate of efflux of pirarubicin or that of glutathione. Further cholesterol depletion below 40% yielded both a partial shift of MRP1 to the high-density fraction and a decrease of its functionality. Taken together, these data suggest that MRP1 functionality depends on its localization in cholesterol-rich membrane microdomains.

Transmembrane transport of endo- and xenobiotics by mammalian ATP-binding cassette multidrug resistance proteins

Multidrug Resistance Proteins (MRPs), together with the cystic fibrosis conductance regulator (CFTR/ABCC7) and the sulfonylurea receptors (SUR1/ABCC8 and SUR2/ABCC9) comprise the 13 members of the human "C" branch of the ATP binding cassette (ABC) superfamily. All C branch proteins share conserved structural features in their nucleotide binding domains (NBDs) that distinguish them from other ABC proteins. The MRPs can be further divided into two subfamilies "long" (MRP1, -2, -3, -6, and -7) and "short" (MRP4, -5, -8, -9, and -10). The short MRPs have a typical ABC transporter structure with two polytropic membrane spanning domains (MSDs) and two NBDs, while the long MRPs have an additional NH2-terminal MSD. In vitro, the MRPs can collectively confer resistance to natural product drugs and their conjugated metabolites, platinum compounds, folate antimetabolites, nucleoside and nucleotide analogs, arsenical and antimonial oxyanions, peptide-based agents, and, under certain circumstances, alkylating agents. The MRPs are also primary active transporters of other structurally diverse compounds, including glutathione, glucuronide, and sulfate conjugates of a large number of xeno- and endobiotics. In vivo, several MRPs are major contributors to the distribution and elimination of a wide range of both anticancer and non-anticancer drugs and metabolites. In this review, we describe what is known of the structure of the MRPs and the mechanisms by which they recognize and transport their diverse substrates. We also summarize knowledge of their possible physiological functions and evidence that they may be involved in the clinical drug resistance of various forms of cancer.

Role of GSH in estrone sulfate binding and translocation by the multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1/ABCC1)

Multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1/ABCC1) is an ATP-dependent efflux pump that can confer resistance to multiple anticancer drugs and transport conjugated organic anions. Unusually, transport of several MRP1 substrates requires glutathione (GSH). For example, estrone sulfate transport by MRP1 is stimulated by GSH, vincristine is co-transported with GSH, or GSH can be transported alone. In the present study, radioligand binding assays were developed to investigate the mechanistic details of GSH-stimulated transport of estrone sulfate by MRP1. We have established that estrone sulfate binding to MRP1 requires GSH, or its non-reducing analogue S-methyl GSH (S-mGSH), and further that the affinity (Kd) of MRP1 for estrone sulfate is 2.5-fold higher in the presence of S-mGSH than GSH itself. Association kinetics show that GSH binds to MRP1 first, and we propose that GSH binding induces a conformational change, which makes the estrone sulfate binding site accessible. Binding of non-hydrolyzable ATP analogues to MRP1 decreases the affinity for estrone sulfate. However, GSH (or S-mGSH) is still required for estrone sulfate binding, and the affinity for GSH is unchanged. Estrone sulfate affinity remains low following hydrolysis of ATP. The affinity for GSH also appears to decrease in the post-hydrolytic state. Our results indicate ATP binding is sufficient for reconfiguration of the estrone sulfate binding site to lower affinity and argue for the presence of a modulatory GSH binding site not associated with transport of this tripeptide. A model for the mechanism of GSH-stimulated estrone sulfate transport is proposed.

Non-destructive micromethod for MRP1 functional assay in human lung tumor cells

Defense against toxic endo- and xenobiotics is a major concern of all living species and ABC transporters play a vital role in this defense system. Multidrug resistance associated proteins 1 (MRP1) is a cellular detoxifying factor supposed to transport a wide range of compounds across cell membranes either as GSH conjugates or as co-transport accompanying glutathione transposition. The cellular localization of MRP1 is a determining factor whether the transport function can take place. In this study we have undertaken experiments on the transport activity of MRP1 in cultured human lung tumor cells in order to check whether MRP1 is expressed as a functionally active protein. For this purpose we have adapted a quantitative fluorescence imaging assay to conditions where a small number of attached cells should be repeatedly measured by a non-destructive method. In cultured A549, H358 and H322 cells MRP1 is located in the cell membrane as observed by immunocytochemistry. Efflux of 5,6-carboxy-2'-7'-dichloro-fluorescein (CDF) from lung cells was sensitive toward the MRP1 inhibitor MK571 while verapamil had no effect. On the other hand, efflux of Rhodamin 123, a Pgp-glycoprotein substrate, from lung cells reacted to inhibition by verapamil, while MK571 had no effect. Modulation of glutathion content of lung cells by N-acetyl cystein and buthionine sulfoximine shifted CDF efflux toward higher or lower rates, respectively. These experiments confirm that MRP1 function can be followed in the attached cells in vitro under non-toxic concentrations of the substrates without the need to harvest and destroy the cells.

Prognostic significance of multidrug resistance-related proteins in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

An important problem in the treatment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is pre-existent or acquired resistance to structurally and functionally unrelated chemotherapeutic compounds. Various cellular mechanisms can give rise to multidrug resistance (MDR). Best studied is the transmembrane protein-mediated efflux of cytotoxic compounds that leads to decreased cellular drug accumulation and toxicity. Several MDR-related efflux pumps have been characterised, including P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and lung resistance protein (LRP). P-gp expression and/or activity has been associated with unfavourable outcome in paediatric ALL patients, whereas MRP1 and BCRP do not seem to play a major role. LRP might contribute to drug resistance in B-lineage ALL, but larger studies are needed to confirm these results. The present review summarises the current knowledge concerning multidrug resistance-related proteins and focuses on the clinical relevance and prognostic value of these efflux pumps in childhood ALL.

Molecular mechanisms of reduced glutathione transport: role of the MRP/CFTR/ABCC and OATP/SLC21A families of membrane proteins

The initial step in reduced glutathione (GSH) turnover in all mammalian cells is its transport across the plasma membrane into the extracellular space; however, the mechanisms of GSH transport are not clearly defined. GSH export is required for the delivery of its constituent amino acids to other tissues, detoxification of drugs, metals, and other reactive compounds of both endogenous and exogenous origin, protection against oxidant stress, and secretion of hepatic bile. Recent studies indicate that some members of the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP/CFTR or ABCC) family of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins, as well as some members of the organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP or SLC21A) family of transporters contribute to this process. In particular, five of the 12 members of the MRP/CFTR family appear to mediate GSH export from cells namely, MRP1, MRP2, MRP4, MRP5, and CFTR. Additionally, two members of the OATP family, rat Oatp1 and Oatp2, have been identified as GSH transporters. For the Oatp1 transporter, efflux of GSH may provide the driving force for the uptake of extracellular substrates. In humans, OATP-B and OATP8 do not appear to transport GSH; however, other members of this family have yet to be characterized in regards to GSH transport. In yeast, the ABC proteins Ycf1p and Bpt1p transport GSH from the cytosol into the vacuole, whereas Hgt1p mediates GSH uptake across the plasma membrane. Because transport is a key step in GSH homeostasis and is intimately linked to its biological functions, GSH export proteins are likely to modulate essential cellular functions.

Effects of benzyl-, phenethyl-, and alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanates on P-glycoprotein- and MRP1-mediated transport

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of two dietary isothiocyanates (ITCs), benzyl- (BITC) and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), and one synthetic ITC, alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanate (1-NITC), on the P-glycoprotein (P-gp)- and multidrug-resistance protein 1 (MRP1)-mediated efflux of daunomycin (DNM), determine whether PEITC is a substrate of P-gp and/or MRP1, and elucidate the mechanism(s) involved in the inhibition of transport. BITC, PEITC, and 1-NITC significantly increased the 2-h accumulation of DNM in MCF-7/ADR (P-gp overexpression), PANC-1 (MRP1 overexpression), and human colon adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells (except for 1-NITC). The accumulation of (14)C-PEITC was not changed in Caco-2, human breast cancer MDA435/LCC6 and MDA435/LCC6MDR1 (P-gp overexpression) cells in the absence and presence of the P-gp inhibitor verapamil, but significantly increased with the MRP inhibitor MK571 in PANC-1 cells. The isocyanate and amine metabolites had no effect on DNM accumulation in any cell line. After 2- and 24-h ITC treatments, cellular concentrations of glutathione (GSH) in PANC-1 and Caco-2 cells were depleted by BITC and PEITC, but not by 1-NITC; glutathione-S-transferase activity exhibited small changes. Our results suggest that (1) BITC, PEITC, and 1-NITC inhibit the P-gp- and MRP1-mediated efflux of DNM; (2) PEITC and/or its conjugates do not represent P-gp substrates; (3) BITC and PEITC, but not 1-NITC, inhibit MRP1 through the depletion of intracellular GSH, which acts as a cosubstrate for DNM efflux via MRP1; and (4) PEITC and/or its conjugates are MRP1 substrates so binding interactions with DNM represent a second potential mechanism involved in MRP1 inhibition.

Relation between the ability of some compounds to modulate the MRP1-mediated efflux of glutathione and to inhibit the MRPl-mediated efflux of daunorubicin

Much effort has been recently directed to identify the transport-modulating agents in order to overcome the P-gp- and MRP1-mediated drug resistance. Contrary to what is observed for P-gp, very few compounds have been shown to reverse multi-drug resistance (MDR) mediated by MRP1. On the other hand, despite of critical role of GSH in transporting the MRP1 substrates, not much is known about GSH interactions with MRP1. In this work, three compounds that were shown to inhibit the MRP1-mediated efflux of daunorubicin (DNR) have been studied. Depending on their nature the selected compounds have different effects, e.g. at 40 microM, verapamil inhibits 50% of DNR efflux whereas GSH efflux is increased about two-fold. PAK-104P has shown the same effect, i.e. the inhibition of the MRP1-mediated efflux of DNR is accompanied by a stimulation of GSH efflux. However, the PAK-104P concentration required to obtain the same effect is about 40 times smaller that in the case of verapamil. MK571 has been shown to inhibit the efflux of both DNR and GSH. Based on these observations and those reported earlier, a working model is proposed.

ATP and GSH dependence of MRP1-mediated outward translocation of phospholipid analogs in the human erythrocyte membrane

The active outward translocation of phospholipid analogues from the inner to the outer membrane leaflet of human erythrocytes by the multi-drug resistance protein MRP1 (ABCC1) depends on intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH). Entrapment of ATP and increasing amounts of GSH inside resealed ghosts prepared from erythrocytes resulted in an up to six-fold increase of the translocation rate. Entrapped oxidized glutathione (GSSG) acted inhibitory but produced stimulation after addition of the disulphide-reducing reagent dithioerythritol. Modification of GSH by esterification of the C-terminal carboxylate of Gly, removal of the N-terminal Glu or substitution of the SH group by an anionic S-dicarboxyethyl or sulphonate group abolished stimulation. The effect of S-alkylation of GSH depended on the length of the alkyl group. S-methyl GSH was somewhat more effective than GSH, but maximal stimulation was similar. S-butyl GSH acted poorly stimulatory while S-hexyl GSH was essentially ineffective. Analyses of the kinetic data of translocation revealed K(m) values for GSH and methyl-GSH of respectively 7.4 +/- 2.4 and 4.9 +/- 1.1 mmol l(-1). At high GSH levels and defined constant ATP levels using an ATP-regenerating system, the Km for ATP of the outward translocation was 0.16 +/- 0.02 mmol l(-1). In the same system lacking GSH, the Km for ATP of the inward translocation by the aminophospholipid flippase was 0.53 +/- 0.23 mmol l(-1).

Kinetic analysis of rhodamines efflux mediated by the multidrug resistance protein (MRP1)

Characterization of rhodamine 123 as functional assay for MDR has been primarily focused on P-glycoprotein-mediated MDR. Several studies have suggested that Rh123 is also a substrate for MRP1. However, no quantitative studies of the MRP1-mediated efflux of rhodamines have, up to now, been performed. Measurement of the kinetic characteristics of substrate transport is a powerful approach to enhancing our understanding of their function and mechanism. In the present study, we have used a continuous fluorescence assay with four rhodamine dyes (rhodamine 6G, tetramethylrosamine, tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester, and tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester) to quantify drug transport by MRP1 in living GLC4/ADR cells. The formation of a substrate concentration gradient was observed. MRP1-mediated transport of rhodamine was glutathione-dependent. The kinetics parameter, k(a) = V(M)/k(m), was very similar for the four rhodamine analogs but approximately 10-fold less than the values of the same parameter determined previously for the MRP1-mediated efflux of anthracycline. The findings presented here are the first to show quantitative information about the kinetics parameters for MRP1-mediated efflux of rhodamine dyes.

Kinetic analysis of fluorescein and dihydrofluorescein effluxes in tumour cells expressing the multidrug resistance protein, MRP1

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in tumour cells is often caused by the overexpression of two transporters the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1) which actively pump out multiple chemically unrelated substrates across the plasma membrane. A clear distinction in the mechanism of translocation of substrates by MRP1 or P-gp is indicated by the finding that, in most of cases, the MRP1-mediated transport of substrates is inhibited by depletion of intracellular glutathione (GSH), which has no effect on their P-gp-mediated transport. The aim of the present study was to quantitatively characterise the transport of anionic compounds dihydrofluorescein and fluorescein (FLU). We took advantage of the intrinsic fluorescence of FLU and performed a flow cytometric analysis of dye accumulation in the wild-type drug sensitive GLC4 that do not express MRP1 and its MDR subline which display high level of MRP1. The measurements were made in real time using intact cells. The kinetics parameters, k(a)=V(M)/K(m), which is a measure of the efficiency of the transporter-mediated efflux of a substrate, was very similar for the two FLU analogues. They were highly comparable with values for k(a) of other negatively charged substrates, such as GSH and calcein. The active efflux of both FLU derivatives was inhibited by GSH depletion.

Mechanism of 5-fluorouracil required resistance in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Bel7402

AIM: To investigate the resistance mechanism of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in Bel₇₄₀₂/5-FU cells which was established in our lab by in vitro continuous stepwise exposure of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line Bel₇₄₀₂ to 5-FU.

METHODS: The expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) and thymidylate synthase (TS) in Bel₇₄₀₂ cells was detected by immonocytochemistry. The fluorescein (FLU) accumulation, an index of MRP functional activity, was determined by flow cytometry. The distribution of FLU was observed by confocal laser scanning microscope. The spectrofluorometry was used to show the intracelluar content of glutathione (GSH). Cell growth inhibition was determined by MTT assay. The activity of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) was determined by spectrophotometry.

RESULTS: A higher expression of MRP in the Bel₇₄₀₂/5-FU cells was observed by using monoclonal mouse anti-MRP antibody, MRPr-1, in comparison with Bel₇₄₀₂ cells. Bel₇₄₀₂/5-FU cells also showed a significant decrease of FLU accumulation. FLU mainly accumulated in the nucleus with a high nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio in Bel₇₄₀₂ cells, whereas there was no difference of FLU accumulation between the nucleus and cytoplasm in Bel₇₄₀₂/5-FU cells. The intracellular GSH content in Bel₇₄₀₂/5-FU cells was almost 3 folds higher than that in Bel₇₄₀₂ cells. Addition of D, L-buthione-S, R-sulfoximine (BSO) dose-dependently reduced the GSH content in Bel₇₄₀₂/ 5-FU cells, however, only a weak enhancement on the cytotoxicity of 5-FU and doxorubicin (Dox) to Bel₇₄₀₂/5-FU cells was observed. Bel₇₄₀₂/5-FU cells also exhibited 29.1% higher total GSTs activity than Bel₇₄₀₂ cells. Immunocytochemical staining by using anti-TS monoclonal antibody TS 106 showed that the level of TS in Bel₇₄₀₂/5-FU cells elevated markedly as compared with Bel₇₄₀₂ cells.

CONCLUSION: The continuous exposure of Bel₇₄₀₂ cells to 5-FU led to overexpression of TS and MRP, as well as increased intracellular GSH content and total GST activity.

Mammalian ABC transporters in health and disease

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are a family of large proteins in membranes and are able to transport a variety of compounds through membranes against steep concentration gradients at the cost of ATP hydrolysis. The available outline of the human genome contains 48 ABC genes; 16 of these have a known function and 14 are associated with a defined human disease. Major physiological functions of ABC transporters include the transport of lipids, bile salts, toxic compounds, and peptides for antigen presentation or other purposes. We review the functions of mammalian ABC transporters, emphasizing biochemical mechanisms and genetic defects. Our overview illustrates the importance of ABC transporters in human physiology, toxicology, pharmacology, and disease. We focus on three topics: (a) ABC transporters transporting drugs (xenotoxins) and drug conjugates. (b) Mammalian secretory epithelia using ABC transporters to excrete a large number of substances, sometimes against a steep concentration gradient. Several inborn errors in liver metabolism are due to mutations in one of the genes for these pumps; these are discussed. (c) A rapidly increasing number of ABC transporters are found to play a role in lipid transport. Defects in each of these transporters are involved in human inborn or acquired diseases.

The medicinal chemistry of multidrug resistance (MDR) reversing drugs

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a kind of resistance of cancer cells to multiple classes of chemotherapic drugs that can be structurally and mechanistically unrelated. Classical MDR regards altered membrane transport that results in lower cell concentrations of cytotoxic drug and is related to the over expression of a variety of proteins that act as ATP-dependent extrusion pumps. P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and multidrug resistance protein (MRP1) are the most important and widely studied members of the family that belongs to the ABC superfamily of transporters. It is apparent that, besides their role in cancer cell resistance, these proteins have multiple physiological functions as well, since they are expressed also in many important non-tumoural tissues and are largely present in prokaryotic organisms. A number of drugs have been identified which are able to reverse the effects of Pgp, MRPI and sister proteins, on multidrug resistance. The first MDR modulators discovered and studied in clinical trials were endowed with definite pharmacological actions so that the doses required to overcome MDR were associated with unacceptably high side effects. As a consequence, much attention has been focused on developing more potent and selective modulators with proper potency, selectivity and pharmacokinetics that can be used at lower doses. Several novel MDR reversing agents (also known as chemosensitisers) are currently undergoing clinical evaluation for the treatment of resistant tumours. This review is concerned with the medicinal chemistry of MDR reversers, with particular attention to the drugs that are presently in development.

Preferential efflux by P-glycoprotein, but not MRP1, of compounds containing a free electron donor amine

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in model systems is known to be conferred by two different integral proteins, the 170-kDa P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and the 190-kDa multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1), both of which pump drugs out of MDR cells. The presence of a nitrogen atom, charged at physiological pH, has frequently been considered to be a hallmark of P-gp substrates and inhibitors. The present study was aimed at investigating the role of nitrogen in the ability of the pump to recognise substrate. We measured the kinetics of active efflux of seven new anthracycline derivatives in P-gp-expressing K562/ADR cells and in MRP1-expressing GLC4/ADR cells. Six of these compounds represent analogues of daunorubicin in which the amino sugar nitrogen is bound to an amino- or a nitro-substituted benzyl moiety, the seventh is a doxorubicin derivative in which benzyl group is bound with 4'-oxygen. We found that the compounds with a nitro group on the benzyl ring were poor substrates for P-gp despite the presence of a secondary amine that can be protonated. In contrast, compounds that have a free amino group were very good substrates even though this amine is not protonated in the pH range studied (pK approximately 3). These results show that the nitrogen atom does not interact with P-gp in a charged form but rather as an electron donating group.

The MRP1-mediated effluxes of arsenic and antimony do not require arsenic-glutathione and antimony-glutathione complex formation

Arsenic trioxide is an effective treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia, but resistance to metalloid salts is found in humans. Using atomic absorption spectroscopy, we have measured the rate of uptake of arsenic trioxide and of antimony tartrate in GLC4 and GLC4/ADR cells overexpressing MRP1 and the rate of their MRP1-mediated effluxes as a function of the intracellular GSH concentration. In sensitive cells, after 1 h, a pseudosteady state is reached where intra- and extracellular concentrations of metalloid are the same. This precludes the formation, at short term, of complexes between arsenic or antimony with GSH. In resistant cells reduced intracellular accumulation of arsenic (or antimony), reflecting an increased rate of arsenic (or antimony) efflux from the cells, is observed. No efflux of the metalloid is observed in GSH depleted cells. The two metalloids and GSH are pumped out by MRP1 with the same efficiency. Moreover for the three compounds 50% of the efflux is inhibited by 2 microM MK571. This led us to suggest that As- and Sb-containing species could be cotransported with GSH.