Analysis of human multidrug resistance protein 1 (ABCC1) by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight mass spectrometry: toward identification of leukotriene C4 binding sites

GSH facilitates the binding and inhibitory activity of novel multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) modulators

MRP1 (ABCC1) is a membrane transporter that confers multidrug resistance in cancer cells by exporting chemotherapeutic agents, often in a reduced glutathione (GSH)-dependent manner. This transport activity can be altered by compounds (modulators) that block drug transport while simultaneously stimulating GSH efflux by MRP1. In MRP1-expressing cells, modulator-stimulated GSH efflux can be sufficient to deplete GSH and increase sensitivity to chemotherapy, enhancing cancer cell death. Further development of clinically useful MRP1 modulators requires a better mechanistic understanding of modulator binding and its relationship to GSH binding and transport. Here, we explore the mechanism of two MRP1 small molecule modulators, 5681014 and 7914321, in relation to a bipartite substrate-binding cavity of MRP1. Binding of these modulators to MRP1 was dependent on the presence of GSH but not its reducing capacity. Accordingly, the modulators poorly inhibited organic anion transport by K332L-mutant MRP1, where GSH binding and transport is limited. However, the inhibitory activity of the modulators was also diminished by mutations that limit E₂ 17βG but spare GSH-conjugate binding and transport (W553A, M1093A, W1246A), suggesting overlap between the E₂ 17βG and modulator binding sites. Immunoblots of limited trypsin digests of MRP1 suggest that binding of GSH, but not the modulators, induces a conformation change in MRP1. Together, these findings support the model, in which GSH binding induces a conformation change that facilitates binding of MRP1 modulators, possibly in a proposed hydrophobic binding pocket of MRP1. This study may facilitate the structure-guided design of more potent and selective MRP1 modulators.

Molecular analysis of the massive GSH transport mechanism mediated by the human Multidrug Resistant Protein 1/ABCC1

The transporter Multidrug Resistance Protein 1 (MRP1, ABCC1) is implicated in multidrug resistant (MDR) phenotype of cancer cells. Glutathione (GSH) plays a key role in MRP1 transport activities. In addition, a ligand-stimulated GSH transport which triggers the death of cells overexpressing MRP1, by collateral sensitivity (CS), has been described. This CS could be a way to overcome the poor prognosis for patients suffering from a chemoresistant cancer. The molecular mechanism of such massive GSH transport and its connection to the other transport activities of MRP1 are unknown. In this context, we generated MRP1/MRP2 chimeras covering different regions, MRP2 being a close homolog that does not trigger CS. The one encompassing helices 16 and 17 led to the loss of CS and MDR phenotype without altering basal GSH transport. Within this region, the sole restoration of the original G1228 (D1236 in MRP2) close to the extracellular loop between the two helices fully rescued the CS (massive GSH efflux and cell death) but not the MDR phenotype. The flexibility of that loop and the binding of a CS agent like verapamil could favor a particular conformation for the massive transport of GSH, not related to other transport activities of MRP1.

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).

Multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1, ABCC1), a "multitasking" ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter

The multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) encoded by ABCC1 was originally discovered as a cause of multidrug resistance in tumor cells. However, it is now clear that MRP1 serves a broader role than simply mediating the ATP-dependent efflux of drugs from cells. The antioxidant GSH and the pro-inflammatory cysteinyl leukotriene C4 have been identified as key physiological organic anions effluxed by MRP1, and an ever growing body of evidence indicates that additional lipid-derived mediators are also substrates of this transporter. As such, MRP1 is a multitasking transporter that likely influences the etiology and progression of a host of human diseases.

Molecular docking simulations provide insights in the substrate binding sites and possible substrates of the ABCC6 transporter

The human ATP-binding cassette family C member 6 (ABCC6) gene encodes an ABC transporter protein (ABCC6), primarily expressed in liver and kidney. Mutations in the ABCC6 gene cause pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), an autosomal recessive connective tissue disease characterized by ectopic mineralization of the elastic fibers. The pathophysiology underlying PXE is incompletely understood, which can at least partly be explained by the undetermined nature of the ABCC6 substrates as well as the unknown substrate recognition and binding sites. Several compounds, including anionic glutathione conjugates (N-ethylmaleimide; NEM-GS) and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) were shown to be modestly transported in vitro; conversely, vitamin K3 (VK3) was demonstrated not to be transported by ABCC6. To predict the possible substrate binding pockets of the ABCC6 transporter, we generated a 3D homology model of ABCC6 in both open and closed conformation, qualified for molecular docking and virtual screening approaches. By docking 10 reported in vitro substrates in our ABCC6 3D homology models, we were able to predict the substrate binding residues of ABCC6. Further, virtual screening of 4651 metabolites from the Human Serum Metabolome Database against our open conformation model disclosed possible substrates for ABCC6, which are mostly lipid and biliary secretion compounds, some of which are found to be involved in mineralization. Docking of these possible substrates in the closed conformation model also showed high affinity. Virtual screening expands this possibility to explore more compounds that can interact with ABCC6, and may aid in understanding the mechanisms leading to PXE.

Mammalian multidrug-resistance proteins (MRPs)

Subfamily C of the human ABC (ATP-binding cassette) superfamily contains nine proteins that are often referred to as the MRPs (multidrug-resistance proteins). The 'short' MRP/ABCC transporters (MRP4, MRP5, MRP8 and ABCC12) have a typical ABC structure with four domains comprising two membrane-spanning domains (MSD1 and MSD2) each followed by a nucleotide-binding domain (NBD1 and NBD2). The 'long' MRP/ABCCs (MRP1, MRP2, MRP3, ABCC6 and MRP7) have five domains with the extra domain, MSD0, at the N-terminus. The proteins encoded by the ABCC6 and ABCC12 genes are not known to transport drugs and are therefore referred to as ABCC6 and ABCC12 (rather than MRP6 and MRP9) respectively. A large number of molecules are transported across the plasma membrane by the MRPs. Many are organic anions derived from exogenous sources such as conjugated drug metabolites. Others are endogenous metabolites such as the cysteinyl leukotrienes and prostaglandins which have important signalling functions in the cell. Some MRPs share a degree of overlap in substrate specificity (at least in vitro), but differences in transport kinetics are often substantial. In some cases, the in vivo substrates for some MRPs have been discovered aided by studies in gene-knockout mice. However, the molecules that are transported in vivo by others, including MRP5, MRP7, ABCC6 and ABCC12, still remain unknown. Important differences in the tissue distribution of the MRPs and their membrane localization (apical in contrast with basolateral) in polarized cells also exist. Together, these differences are responsible for the unique pharmacological and physiological functions of each of the nine ABCC transporters known as the MRPs.

Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of opioid receptor genes: present and future

Three opioid receptors (ORs) are known: μ opioid receptors (MORs), δ opioid receptors (DORs), and κ opioid receptors (KORs). Each is encoded by a distinct gene, and the three OR genes share a highly conserved genomic structure and promoter features, including an absence of TATA boxes and sensitivity to extracellular stimuli and epigenetic regulation. However, each of the genes is differentially expressed. Transcriptional regulation engages both basal and regulated transcriptional machineries and employs activating and silencing mechanisms. In retinoic acid-induced neuronal differentiation, the opioid receptor genes undergo drastically different chromatin remodeling processes and display varied patterns of epigenetic marks. Regulation of KOR expression is distinctly complex, and KOR exerts a unique function in neurite extension, indicating that KOR is not simply a pharmacological cousin of MOR and DOR. As the expression of OR proteins is ultimately controlled by extensive posttranscriptional processing, the pharmacological implication of OR gene regulation at the transcriptional level remains to be determined.

The human breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) shows conformational changes with mitoxantrone

BCRP/ABCG2 mediates efflux of drugs and xenobiotics. BCRP was expressed in Pichia pastoris, purified to > 90% homogeneity, and subjected to two-dimensional (2D) crystallization. The 2D crystals showed a p12(1) symmetry and projection maps were determined at 5 A resolution by cryo-electron microscopy. Two crystal forms with and without mitoxantrone were observed with unit cell dimensions of a = 55.4 A, b = 81.4 A, gamma = 89.8 degrees , and a = 57.3 A, b = 88.0 A, gamma = 89.7 degrees , respectively. The projection map without mitoxantrone revealed an asymmetric structure with ring-shaped density features probably corresponding to a bundle of transmembrane alpha helices, and appeared more open and less symmetric than the map with mitroxantrone. The open and closed inward-facing forms of BCRP were generated by homology modeling, representing the substrate-free and substrate-bound conformations in the absence of nucleotide, respectively. These models are consistent with the experimentally observed conformational change upon substrate binding.

Structure of a human multidrug transporter in an inward-facing conformation

Multidrug resistance protein 1 (ABCC1) is a member of the 'C' class of ATP-binding cassette transporters, which can give rise to resistance to chemotherapy via drug export from cells. It also acts as a leukotriene C4 transporter, and hence has a role in adaptive immune response. Most C-class members have an additional NH(2)-terminal transmembrane domain versus other ATP-binding cassette transporters, but little is known about the structure and role of this domain. Using electron cryomicroscopy of 2D crystals, data at 1/6per A(-1) resolution was generated for the full-length ABCC1 protein in the absence of ATP. Analysis using homologous structures from bacteria and mammals allowed the core transmembrane domains to be localised in the map. These display an inward-facing conformation and there is a noteworthy separation of the cytoplasmic nucleotide-binding domains. Examination of non-core features in the map suggests that the additional NH(2)-terminal domain has extensive contacts on one side of both core domains, and mirrors their inward-facing configuration in the absence of nucleotide.

Transport of lipids by ABC proteins: interactions and implications for cellular toxicity, viability and function

Members of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family of membrane-bound transporters are involved in multiple aspects of transport and redistribution of various lipids and their conjugates. Most ABC transporters localize to the plasma membrane; some are associated with liquid-ordered cholesterol-/sphingolipid-rich microdomains, and to a lesser extent the membranes of the Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum. Hence, ABC transporters are well placed to regulate plasma membrane lipid composition and the efflux and redistribution of structural phospholipids and sphingolipids during periods of cellular stress and recovery. ABC transporters can also modulate cellular sensitivity to extrinsic pro-apoptotic signals through regulation of sphingomyelin-ceramide biosynthesis and metabolism. The functionality of ABC transporters is, in turn, modulated by the lipid content of the microdomains in which they reside. Cholesterol, a major membrane microdomain component, is not only a substrate of several ABC transporters, but also regulates ABC activity through its effects on microdomain structure. Several important bioactive lipid mediators and toxic lipid metabolites are also effluxed by ABC transporters. In this review, the complex interactions between ABC transporters and their lipid/sterol substrates will be discussed and analyzed in the context of their relevance to cellular function, toxicity and apoptosis.

Exploring the possible interaction between anti-epilepsy drugs and multidrug efflux pumps; in vitro observations

Approximately one-third of patients with epilepsy display an inherent resistance to pharmacological therapy, manifest as continuing seizures despite maximal tolerated doses of anti-epileptic drugs. One hypothesis for the underlying mechanism of anti-epileptic drug pharmacoresistance is lower drug entry to the epileptic neurones due to the activity of multidrug efflux pumps from the ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) superfamily at the blood-brain barrier. There has been a steady accumulation of animal and human data supporting this theory, particularly for ABC(B1) (P-glycoprotein). However, much of this evidence is indirect. In the present study, several anti-epileptic drugs (carbamazepine, valproic acid, phenytoin, lamotrigine and primidone) were examined for their ability to interact with three ABC transporters that have been implicated pharmacoresistance of anti-epileptic drugs - ABC(B1), ABC(C1) and ABC(G2). Interaction of anti-epileptic drugs with the transporters was assessed by determining whether they could reverse the ability of multidrug ABC transporters to confer a drug resistance phenotype on cancer cell lines. None of these compounds was able to affect the phenotype, suggesting an absence of any interaction with the multidrug transporters. This finding was further investigated by examination of transporter activity; namely the ability to reduce steady-state intracellular [(3)H]-radiolabelled drug accumulation. None of the anti-epileptic drugs affected labelled drug accumulation by any of the triumvirate of multidrug transporters examined, indicating that they are unlikely to be substrates. The lack of direct modulation by anti-epileptic drugs of ABC transporter function suggests that these proteins do not contribute significantly to resistance in epilepsy.

Efficient digestion and mass spectral analysis of vesicular glutamate transporter 1: a recombinant membrane protein expressed in yeast

Attempts to characterize recombinant integral membrane proteins (IMPs) by mass spectrometry are frequently hindered by several factors including the detergents required for extraction and purification that interferes with analysis, poor solubility, incomplete digestion, and limited identification of the transmembrane domain-spanning peptides. The goal of this study was to examine and develop methods for purification of an IMP that are amenable to downstream digestion of the protein and peptide analysis by mass spectrometry. In this study, we have overexpressed a candidate IMP, the vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) in Pichia pastoris and examined conditions for the efficient affinity purification, in-solution digestion, and analysis of the protein. Analysis of the intact purified protein without detergent was performed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The purified IMP was digested with trypsin, and the resulting peptides were identified. A method that utilizes differential solubility and ionization properties of hydrophobic and hydrophilic peptides was developed. Large hydrophobic peptides were only detected in solutions containing 50% formic acid. Ionization of hydrophilic peptides was suppressed in formic acid, but they produced a strong signal in 50% acetonitrile. Eighty-seven percent sequence coverage of the protein was obtained with only one large hydrophobic peptide that remained unidentified. The results demonstrate a simple method to purify and digest a recombinant IMP for analysis by mass spectrometry.

Genetic Variations and Haplotype Structures of the ABC Transporter Gene ABCC1 in a Japanese Population

Multidrug resistance-related protein 1 (MRP1), an ATP-binding cassette transporter encoded by the ABCC1 gene, is expressed in many tissues, and functions as an efflux transporter for glutathione-, glucuronate- and sulfate-conjugates as well as unconjugated substrates. In this study, the 31 exons and their flanking introns of ABCC1 were comprehensively screened for genetic variations in 153 Japanese subjects to elucidate the linkage disequilibrium (LD) profiles and haplotype structures of ABCC1 that is necessary for pharmacogenetic studies of the substrate drugs. Eighty-six genetic variations including 31 novel ones were found: 1 in the 5'-flanking region, 1 in the 5'-untranslated region (UTR), 20 in the coding exons (9 synonymous and 11 nonsynonymous variations), 4 in the 3'-UTR, and 60 in the introns. Of these, eight novel nonsynonymous variations, 726G>T (Trp242Cys), 1199T>C (Ile400Thr), 1967G>C (Ser656Thr), 2530G>A (Gly844Ser), 3490G>A (Val1164Ile), 3550G>A (Glu1184Lys), 3901C>T (Arg1301Cys), and 4502A>G (Asp1501Gly), were detected with an allele frequency of 0.003. Based on the LD profiles, the analyzed regions of the gene were divided into five LD blocks (Blocks -1 and 1 to 4). The multiallelic repeat polymorphism in the 5'-UTR was defined as Block -1. For Blocks 1, 2, 3 and 4, 32, 23, 23 and 13 haplotypes were inferred, and 9, 7, 7 and 6 haplotypes commonly found on > or = 10 chromosomes accounted for > or = 91% of the inferred haplotypes in each block. Haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms for each block were identified to capture the common haplotypes. This study would provide fundamental and useful information for the pharmacogenetic studies of MRP1-dependently effluxed drugs in Japanese.

Portrait of multifaceted transporter, the multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1/ABCC1)

MRP1 (ABCC1) is a peculiar member of the ABC transporter superfamily for several aspects. This protein has an unusually broad substrate specificity and is capable of transporting not only a wide variety of neutral hydrophobic compounds, like the MDR1/P-glycoprotein, but also facilitating the extrusion of numerous glutathione, glucuronate, and sulfate conjugates. The transport mechanism of MRP1 is also complex; a composite substrate-binding site permits both cooperativity and competition between various substrates. This versatility and the ubiquitous tissue distribution make this transporter suitable for contributing to various physiological functions, including defense against xenobiotics and endogenous toxic metabolites, leukotriene-mediated inflammatory responses, as well as protection from the toxic effect of oxidative stress. In this paper, we give an overview of the considerable amount of knowledge which has accumulated since the discovery of MRP1 in 1992. We place special emphasis on the structural features essential for function, our recent understanding of the transport mechanism, and the numerous assignments of this transporter.

The predicted transmembrane fragment 17 of the human multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) behaves as an interfacial helix in membrane mimics

The human multidrug resistance protein MRP1 (or ABCC1) is one of the most important members of the large ABC transporter family, in terms of both its biological (tissue defense) and pharmacological functions. Many studies have investigated the function of MRP1, but structural data remain scarce for this protein. We investigated the structure and dynamics of predicted transmembrane fragment 17 (TM17, from Ala(1227) to Ser(1251)), which contains a single Trp residue (W(1246)) involved in MRP1 substrate specificity and transport function. We synthesized TM17 and a modified peptide in which Ala(1227) was replaced by a charged Lys residue. Both peptides were readily solubilized in dodecylmaltoside (DM) or dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles, as membrane mimics. The interaction of these peptides with DM or DPC micelles was studied by steady-state and time-resolved Trp fluorescence spectroscopy, including experiments in which Trp was quenched by acrylamide or by two brominated analogs of DM. The secondary structure of these peptides was determined by circular dichroism. Overall, the results obtained indicated significant structuring ( approximately 50% alpha-helix) of TM17 in the presence of either DM or DPC micelles as compared to buffer. A main interfacial location of TM17 is proposed, based on significant accessibility of Trp(1246) to brominated alkyl chains of DM and/or acrylamide. The comparison of various fluorescence parameters including lambda(max), lifetime distributions and Trp rotational mobility with those determined for model fluorescent transmembrane helices in the same detergents is also consistent with the interfacial location of TM17. We therefore suggest that TM17 intrinsic properties may be insufficient for its transmembrane insertion as proposed by the MRP1 consensus topological model. This insertion may also be controlled by additional constraints such as interactions with other TM domains and its position in the protein sequence. The particular pattern of behavior of this predicted transmembrane peptide may be the hallmark of a fragment involved in substrate transport.

Transport of glutathione and glutathione conjugates by MRP1

Glutathione (GSH)-conjugated xenobiotics and GSH-conjugated metabolites (e.g. the cysteinyl leukotriene C4) must be exported from the cells in which they are formed before they can be eliminated from the body or act on their cellular targets. This efflux is often mediated by the multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) transporter, which also confers drug resistance to tumour cells and can protect normal cells from toxic insults. In addition to drugs and GSH conjugates, MRP1 exports GSH and GSH disulfide, and might thus have a role in cellular responses to oxidative stress. The transport of several drugs and conjugated organic anions by MRP1 requires the presence of GSH, but it is not well understood how GSH (and its analogues) enhances transport. Site-directed mutagenesis studies and biophysical analyses have provided important insights into the structural determinants of MRP1 that influence GSH and GSH conjugate binding and transport.

Substrate recognition and transport by multidrug resistance protein 1 (ABCC1)

Multidrug resistance protein (MRP) 1 belongs to the 'C' branch of the ABC transporter superfamily. MRP1 is a high-affinity transporter of the cysteinyl leukotriene C(4) and is responsible for the systemic release of this cytokine in response to an inflammatory stimulus. However, the substrate specificity of MRP1 is extremely broad and includes many organic anion conjugates of structurally unrelated endo- and xenobiotics. In addition, MRP1 transports unmodified hydrophobic compounds, such as natural product type chemotherapeutic agents and mutagens, such as aflatoxin B(1). Transport of several of these compounds has been shown to be dependent on the presence of reduced glutathione (GSH). More recently, GSH has also been shown to stimulate the transport of some conjugated compounds, including sulfates and glucuronides. Here, we summarize current knowledge of the substrate specificity and modes of transport of MRP1 and discuss how the protein may recognize its structurally diverse substrates.