Hormonal regulation of glutathione efflux

The efflux of GSH has been shown previously to be a saturable process in both isolated rat hepatocytes and perfused liver, suggesting a carrier-mediated transport mechanism. The possibility in hormonal regulation of this process has been raised by recent reports. Our present work examined the role of hormones known to affect intracellular signal transduction mechanisms on GSH efflux in cultured rat hepatocytes and perfused rat livers. We found that cAMP-dependent factors, such as cholera toxin (CT), dibutyryl cAMP, forskolin, and glucagon all stimulated GSH efflux in cultured rat hepatocytes. The efflux kinetics were compared in cultured cells incubated with or without CT; the stimulation of GSH efflux was related to a near doubling of the Vmax while exhibiting no significant alteration of the Km. The increase in intracellular cAMP level associated with the threshold for this stimulatory effect was 25% above control. The stimulatory effect of CT could not be blocked by cyclohexamide pretreatment or reversed by colchicine treatment. The stimulatory effect of glucagon was abolished in the presence of ouabain but not in the presence of barium. On the other hand, hormones which act through Ca2+ and protein kinase C, such as phenylephrine and vasopressin, had no effect on GSH efflux in the cultured cells. In the perfused liver model, glucagon (10 nM) and dibutyryl cAMP (8 microM) stimulated sinusoidal GSH efflux to 130 and 144% of control values, respectively, and increased bile flow while not affecting biliary GSH efflux. Finally, the physiological significance of glucagon-mediated stimulation of sinusoidal GSH efflux was assessed by both plasma GSH and glucose levels in response to in vivo glucagon infusion. The threshold dose of glucagon for significant increase in plasma GSH (5.21 pmol/min) was lower than for glucose (15.61 pmol/min). At the highest glucagon infusion rate (261 pmol/min), plasma GSH level doubled while glucose level increased 80%. In conclusion, increased cAMP stimulates GSH efflux in cultured rat hepatocytes and perfused livers. The stimulatory effect of cAMP is exerted at the sinusoidal pole and appears to be mediated by hyperpolarization of hepatocytes by stimulation of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. In vivo studies confirmed the importance of cAMP-mediated stimulation of sinusoidal GSH efflux as it resulted in significant elevation of the plasma GSH level.     

Role of reduced glutathione efflux in apoptosis of immortalized human keratinocytes induced by UVA

We have investigated the role played by GSH efflux in apoptosis of human HaCaT keratinocytes induced by UVA irradiation. UVA irradiation of HaCaT cells caused a rapid rise in GSH efflux across the intact cell membrane, followed by an increase in apoptosis. GSH efflux was stimulated by glucose and was reduced by the addition of exogenous GSH and intracellular GSH depletion by buthionine sulfoximine, suggesting that GSH transport is active and is influenced by the GSH concentration gradient across the cell membrane. Verapamil and cyclosporin A, blockers of the multidrug resistance-associated protein, decreased UVA-induced GSH efflux. GSH efflux occurred within 2 h of UVA irradiation, suggesting that the stimulation of GSH efflux is due to an increase in the activity of pre-existing multidrug resistance-associated protein transporter carrier. Although inhibition of GSH efflux did not affect caspase activation and DNA fragmentation, it delayed the gradual increase in plasma membrane permeability and reduced phosphatidylserine translocation in HaCaT cells. It is therefore likely that upon UVA irradiation, GSH efflux increased the intracellular oxidative stress without intervention of reactive oxygen species, thus resulting in more phosphatidylserine externalization and membrane rearrangement. These provide targets for macrophage recognition and phagocytosis and thus minimize the potential to invoke inflammation or neoplastic transformation.     

V1-receptor mediated GSH efflux by vasopressin from rat hepatocytes.

Vasopression increases sinusoidal efflux of GSH in the perfused rat liver. The mechanism of this effect was studied in the perfused rat liver and in isolated rat hepatocytes. Vasopressin stimulated GSH efflux in both systems and a V1-receptor antagonist (OPC-21268) significantly inhibited the effect of vasopressin suggesting that vasopressin stimulates GSH efflux from rat hepatocytes via V1-receptor.     

Efflux of T4 from the in situ perfused liver of rainbow trout: effect of T4, dithiothreitol and cysteine in the perfusate

A Cortland saline-perfused rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) liver model was used to study aspects of T4 efflux from the intact organ system. There was a consistent efflux of T4 in the absence of T4 in the perfusate, and the T4 efflux was increased in the presence of T4 in the perfusate, but the efflux was not T4-dose dependent. The addition of the thiol-containing compound dithiothreitol (DTT, 2 mM) to the perfusate had no significant effect on the flux of T4 from the liver, whereas the addition of cysteine (2 mM), a thiol-containing amino acid suppressed T4 efflux. The results are consistent with the known mechanisms of thyroid hormone trafficking across cell membranes, and suggest that organ systems, such as the liver, may act as a major reserve of hormone, thus participating in plasma thyroid hormone homeostasis.     

Acetaminophen-induced liver oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity: influence of Kupffer cell activity assessed in the isolated perfused rat liver

Summary

The influence of acetaminophen (APAP) treatment (400 mg/kg) on Kupffer cell function was studied in the isolated perfused liver by colloidal carbon infusion, concomitantly with parameters related to oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactants (TBARS) formation and glutathione (GSH) content) and tissue injury (sinusoidal efflux of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)). APAP led to increased rates of hepatic TBARS formation, GSH depletion, and higher sinusoidal LDH efflux compared to control values, without changes in the basal rate of O₂ consumption. In addition, APAP significantly enhanced the rate of carbon uptake by perfused livers and the associated carbon-induced O₂ consumption, with carbon-induced LDH effluxes being increased by 411% over control values or by 124% compared to basal LDH release in APAP-treated rats. APAP-induced changes in liver TBARS formation and GSH levels were attenuated by gadolinium chloride (GdCl₃) pretreatment, whereas those in carbon uptake, carbon-induced respiration, and LDH efflux were abolished. GdCl₃ pretreatment decreased liver O₂ consumption irrespectively of APAP treatment, an effect that seems to be due to depression of mitochondrial respiration. It is concluded that APAP intoxication enhances Kupffer cell function as assessed in the intact liver, which may represent an important source of reactive O₂ species and chemical mediators conditioning the increased oxidative stress status and the tissue injury which developed.     

Factors affecting the permeability of isolated fat-cells from the rat to [42K]potassium and [36Cl]chloride ions

1. The effluxes of (42)K(+) and (36)Cl(-) from isolated fat-cells from the rat were studied under a variety of conditions known to affect the metabolism of the cells. 2. (42)K(+) efflux from isolated fat cells was increased in a Na(+)-free-high-K(+) medium and decreased in a K(+)-free medium. The existence of K(+) exchange diffusion across the fat-cell membrane is suggested. 3. (36)Cl(-) efflux from isolated fat-cells was decreased when the Cl(-) component of the wash medium was replaced by acetate. The basal (36)Cl(-) efflux is suggested to be partly by Cl(-) exchange diffusion and partly in company with a univalent cation. 4. A variety of lipolytic stimuli, adrenaline, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, N-6,O-2'-dibutyryladenosine cyclic 3':5'-monophosphate and theophylline, increased (42)K(+) efflux from isolated fat-cells. The adrenaline stimulation was biphasic; an initial, rapid and transient increase in (42)K(+) loss from the fat-cells was followed by a slower, more prolonged, increase in (42)K(+) efflux. The initial phase was inhibited by phentolamine but not by propranolol. 5. Insulin increased (42)K(+) efflux only after preincubation with the cells.     

Bidirectional mechanism of plasma membrane transport of reduced glutathione in intact rat hepatocytes and membrane vesicles.

We determined the trans effects of extracellular reduced glutathione (GSH) on the rate of efflux of endogenous labeled GSH from freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. The presence of GSH (10 mM) in the medium significantly stimulated the fractional rate of efflux of [35S]GSH from 5.2 to 12.6%/15 min (p < 0.01). This effect was concentration-dependent, had sigmoid type of kinetics (D50 of 0.32 mM), and was reversible upon removal of external GSH. trans-Stimulation (counter-transport) was also observed with 5 mM oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and ophthalmic acid (fractional [35S] GSH efflux: 13.4% +/- 4.1 and 8.8% +/- 2.3 in 15 min, respectively, compared with control: 4.7 +/- 2.5/15 min). Bromosulphthalein-glutathione (BSP-GSH, 5 mM) in Krebs buffer inhibited the fractional [35S]GSH efflux (1.1%/15 min), whereas in Cl(-)-free buffer, GSH efflux was stimulated (14.2%/15 min) compared with control. trans-Stimulation was independent of chloride. BSP-GSH cis-inhibited and trans-stimulated the initial rate of GSH transport in basolateral-enriched membrane vesicles (bLPM) but not in canalicular-enriched membrane vesicles (cLPM). gamma-Glutamyl compounds also cis-inhibited and trans-stimulated GSH transport in bLPM vesicles. GSH-depleted hepatocytes incubated with 10 mM [35S]GSH accumulated more GSH than repleted cells, but the initial rate of uptake of radioactivity was faster in repleted cells. In contrast, repleted hepatocytes incubated with tracer or 50 microM [35S]GSH did not take up GSH. Thus, the sinusoidal membrane GSH transporter exhibits low affinity kinetics with sigmoid features for both GSH uptake and trans-stimulation of efflux, explaining the lack of uptake of GSH at low physiologic extracellular concentrations. Therefore, our findings support and explain the widely held view that GSH transport is unidirectional under physiologic conditions. However, the efflux of GSH may also occur in exchange for the uptake of organic anions and gamma-glutamyl compounds.     

Intertissue flow of glutathione (GSH) as a tumor growth-promoting mechanism: interleukin 6 induces GSH release from hepatocytes in metastatic B16 melanoma-bearing mice

B16 melanoma F10 (B16-F10) cells with high glutathione (GSH) content show high metastatic activity in vivo. An intertissue flow of GSH, where the liver is the main reservoir, can increase GSH content in metastatic cells and promote their growth. We have studied here possible tumor-derived molecular signals that could activate GSH release from hepatocytes. GSH efflux increases in hepatocytes isolated from mice bearing liver or lung metastases, thus suggesting a systemic mechanism. Fractionation of serum-free conditioned medium from cultured B16-F10 cells and monoclonal antibody-induced neutralization techniques facilitated identification of interleukin (IL)-6 as a tumor-derived molecule promoting GSH efflux in hepatocytes. IL-6 activates GSH release through a methionine-sensitive/organic anion transporter polypeptide 1- and multidrug resistance protein 1-independent channel located on the sinusoidal site of hepatocytes. Specific siRNAs were used to knock down key factors in the main signaling pathways activated by IL-6, which revealed a STAT3-dependent mechanism. Our results show that IL-6 (mainly of tumor origin in B16-F10-bearing mice) may facilitate GSH release from hepatocytes and its interorgan transport to metastatic growing foci.     

Sinusoidal efflux of taurocholate correlates with the hepatic expression level of Mrp3

Multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (Mrp3/ABCC3), which can mediate the cellular extrusion of bile acids, is induced on the hepatic sinusoidal membrane of Mrp2/ABCC2-deficient rats (Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rats; EHBRs) and phenobarbital-treated Sprague-Dawley rats. In the present study, the correlation between the sinusoidal efflux clearance (PS(eff)) of [3H]taurocholate (TC) and the hepatic expression of Mrp3 was investigated using perfused liver from these rats. A significant correlation was observed between the PS(eff) and the hepatic expression level of Mrp3, suggesting a contribution by Mrp3 to the sinusoidal efflux of TC. The results of the kinetic analysis also suggested that other transporter(s) on the sinusoidal plasma membrane may participate in the efflux of TC under physiological conditions. The contribution of Mrp3 to the sinusoidal efflux of TC in EHBRs and phenobarbital (80 and 40 mg/kg)-treated rats was revealed to be 58%, 48%, and 31%, respectively.     

Hepatic glutathione and glutathione S-conjugate transport mechanisms.

Glutathione (GSH) plays a critical role in many cellular processes, including the metabolism and detoxification of oxidants, metals, and other reactive electrophilic compounds of both endogenous and exogenous origin. Because the liver is a major site of GSH and glutathione S-conjugate biosynthesis and export, significant effort has been devoted to characterizing liver cell sinusoidal and canalicular membrane transporters for these compounds. Glutathione S-conjugates synthesized in the liver are secreted preferentially into bile, and recent studies in isolated canalicular membrane vesicles indicate that there are multiple transport mechanisms for these conjugates, including those that are energized by ATP hydrolysis and those that may be driven by the electrochemical gradient. Glutathione S-conjugates that are relatively hydrophobic or have a bulky S-substituent are good substrates for the canalicular ATP-dependent transporter mrp2 (multidrug resistance-associated protein 2, also called cMOAT, the canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter, or cMrp, the canalicular isoform of mrp). In contrast with the glutathione S-conjugates, hepatic GSH is released into both blood and bile. GSH transport across both of these membrane domains is of low affinity and is energized by the electrochemical potential. Recent reports describe two candidate GSH transport proteins for the canalicular and sinusoidal membranes (RcGshT and RsGshT, respectively); however, some concerns have been raised regarding these studies. Additional work is needed to characterize GSH transporters at the functional and molecular level.     

ATP-dependent GSH and glutathione S-conjugate transport in skate liver: role of an Mrp functional homologue

Multidrug resistance-associated proteins 1 and 2 (Mrp1 and Mrp2) are thought to mediate low-affinity ATP-dependent transport of reduced glutathione (GSH), but there is as yet no direct evidence for this hypothesis. The present study examined whether livers from the little skate (Raja erinacea) express an Mrp2 homologue and whether skate liver membrane vesicles exhibit ATP-dependent GSH transport activity. Antibodies directed against mammalian Mrp2-specific epitopes labeled a 180-kDa protein band in skate liver plasma membranes and stained canaliculi by immunofluorescence, indicating that skate livers express a homologous protein. Functional assays of Mrp transport activity were carried out using (3)H-labeled S-dinitrophenyl-glutathione (DNP-SG). DNP-SG was accumulated in skate liver membrane vesicles by both ATP-dependent and ATP-independent mechanisms. ATP-dependent DNP-SG uptake was of relatively high affinity [Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)) = 32 +/- 9 microM] and was cis-inhibited by known substrates of Mrp2 and by GSH. Interestingly, ATP-dependent transport of (3)H-labeled S-ethylglutathione and (3)H-labeled GSH was also detected in the vesicles. ATP-dependent GSH transport was mediated by a low-affinity pathway (K(m) = 12 +/- 2 mM) that was cis-inhibited by substrates of the Mrp2 transporter but was not affected by membrane potential or pH gradient uncouplers. These results provide the first direct evidence for ATP-dependent transport of GSH in liver membrane vesicles and support the hypothesis that GSH efflux from mammalian cells is mediated by members of the Mrp family of proteins.     

Effect of thyroid hormone administration on the depletion of circulating glutathione in the isolated perfused rat liver and its relationship to basolateral γ-glutamyltransferase activity

The influence of thyroid hormone administration on liver glutathione (GSH) extraction in the isolated perfused liver was studied in fed rats for a period of 1–7 days following a single dose of 0.1 mg 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T₃)/kg. T₃ treatment led to an early and transient calorigenic response, as well as an enhancement in liver GSH removal, reaching a maximal effect at 2 days after hormone administration, which was normalized in the 3- to 7-day period studied. Addition of the γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) inhibitor DL-serineborate (4 mM) to the perfusate abolished the increase in the hepatic removal of GSH elicited by T₃, and enhanced the sinusoidal concentration of GSH, studied at 2 days after hormone administration. These data support the role of hepatic basolateral γ-GT ectoactivity in the depletion of portally added and liver-derived GSH as an adaptive response to recover GSH levels after reduction by T₃-induced oxidative stress.     

The Ca2+-mobilizing actions of vasopressin and angiotensin differ from those of the alpha-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine in the perfused rat liver.

A Ca2+-sensitive electrode was used to study net Ca2+-flux changes induced by the administration of phenylephrine, vasopressin and angiotensin to the perfused rat liver. The studies reveal that, although the Ca2+ responses induced by vasopressin and angiotensin are similar, they are quite different from the Ca2+ fluxes induced by phenylephrine. The administration of phenylephrine is accompanied by a stimulation of a net amount of Ca2+ efflux (140 nmol/g of liver). A re-uptake of a similar amount of Ca2+ occurs only after the hormone is removed. In contrast, the administration of vasopressin or angiotensin to livers perfused with 1.3 mM-Ca2+ induces the release of a relatively small amount of Ca2+ (approx. 40 nmol/g of liver) during the first 60 s. This is followed by a much larger amount of Ca2+ uptake (70-140 nmol/g of liver) after 1-2.5 min of hormone administration, and a slow efflux or loss of a similar amount of Ca2+ over a period of 6-8 min. At lower concentrations of perfusate Ca2+ (less than 600 microM) these hormones induce only a net efflux of the ion. These results suggest that at physiological concentrations of extracellular Ca2+ the mechanism by which alpha-adrenergic agonists mobilize cellular Ca2+ is different from that involving vasopressin and angiotensin. It seems that the hormones may have quite diverse effects on Ca2+ transport across the plasma membrane and perhaps organellar membranes in liver.     

Factors influencing the inhibition of biliary glutathione efflux induced by biliary obstruction

The aim of this study was to investigate mechanisms responsible for the inhibition of biliary glutathione efflux in rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis. Rats were studied after bile duct obstruction for 28 days. The biliary secretion of reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidised glutathione (GSSG) and cysteine were completely inhibited in biliary obstructed rats. Hepatic gamma glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) activity increased significantly, but following its inhibition by acivicin administration GSH, GSSG and cysteine were still absent in bile. Biliary obstruction resulted in a significant increase of the permeability of the paracellular pathway, as shown by the higher bile/plasma ratio and hepatic clearance of [14C]sucrose. GSH and GSSG were, however, significantly lower in the carotid artery and hepatic vein of obstructed animals and the arteriovenous difference across the liver was reduced. The concentration of GSH was significantly reduced and that of GSSG increased in the liver of obstructed rats. Biliary obstruction induced an increase in the hepatic concentration of cysteine and an inhibition of both gamma glutamylcysteine synthetase and methionine adenosyl transferase activities. Dichlorofluorescein (DCF) and the GSSG/GSH ratio and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration, markers of reactive oxygen species production and lipid peroxidation, respectively, were significantly increased. Our data indicate that increased degradation or blood reflux of glutathione do not participate in the disruption of its secretion into bile and support the view that impairment of glutathione synthesis and oxidative stress could contribute to the decline in biliary glutathione output.     

Effects of Dietary Glutathione on Plasma and Liver Lipid Levels in Rats Fed on a High Cholesterol Diet

The effects of dietary glutathione (GSH) on plasma and liver lipid concentrations were investigated with rats fed on a high cholesterol diet. When graded levels of GSH, 0.75 to 5.0%, were added to the 25% casein basal diet, the plasma total cholesterol level was significantly decreased and the HDL-cholesterol level was inversely increased in all addition levels without influence on the growth of animals except for the 5% addition level; the dietary addition of 5% GSH markedly depressed the growth and food consumption of rats and caused a slight diarrhea. Plasma triglyceride and phospholipid levels were decreased by the dietary addition of GSH. The contents of cholesterol and triglyceride in the liver were decreased as the dietary addition level of GSH was increased. The dietary addition of a mixture of glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine, or cysteine alone corresponding to 2.5% GSH resulted in a cholesterol-lowering effect which could not be distinguished from the effect of GSH in rats fed on the 25% casein diet. When 1.5% GSH was added to a low (10%) casein diet, the plasma cholesterol-lowering effect of GSH was also observed and the effect was comparable to that of cysteine. These results indicate that dietary-added GSH has a plasma and liver cholesterol-lowering efficacy and that this effect is largely attributable to the cysteine residue of GSH rather than to the tripeptide itself or the other amino acid residues.     

Mitochondria and xanthine oxidase both generate reactive oxygen species in isolated perfused rat liver after hypoxic injury

Hypoxia caused severe damage in isolated perfused livers from fasted male Fischer rats without evidence of the formation of reactive oxygen species during hypoxia. Reoxygenation caused a significant increase in intracellular oxygen species in the injured liver, as indicated by increases in sinusoidal GSSG efflux and tissue GSSG levels. Both parameters were elevated further by addition of KCN (100 microM) or antimycin A (8 microM). Sinusoidal GSSG efflux was suppressed in part by addition of allopurinol (500 microM) and enhanced by hypoxanthine (250 microM). Xanthine oxidase appears to be a partial source, and damaged mitochondria a continuous and quantitatively greater source, of reactive oxygen as a result of liver injury following hypoxia.     

Mechanism of RPE cell death in α-crystallin deficient mice: a novel and critical role for MRP1-mediated GSH efflux

Absence of α-crystallins (αA and αB) in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells renders them susceptible to oxidant-induced cell death. We tested the hypothesis that the protective effect of α-crystallin is mediated by changes in cellular glutathione (GSH) and elucidated the mechanism of GSH efflux. In α-crystallin overexpressing cells resistant to cell death, cellular GSH was >2 fold higher than vector control cells and this increase was seen particularly in mitochondria. The high GSH levels associated with α-crystallin overexpression were due to increased GSH biosynthesis. On the other hand, cellular GSH was decreased by 50% in murine retina lacking αA or αB crystallin. Multiple multidrug resistance protein (MRP) family isoforms were expressed in RPE, among which MRP1 was the most abundant. MRP1 was localized to the plasma membrane and inhibition of MRP1 markedly decreased GSH efflux. MRP1-suppressed cells were resistant to cell death and contained elevated intracellular GSH and GSSG. Increased GSH in MRP1-supressed cells resulted from a higher conversion of GSSG to GSH by glutathione reductase. In contrast, GSH efflux was significantly higher in MRP1 overexpressing RPE cells which also contained lower levels of cellular GSH and GSSG. Oxidative stress further increased GSH efflux with a decrease in cellular GSH and rendered cells apoptosis-prone. In conclusion, our data reveal for the first time that 1) MRP1 mediates GSH and GSSG efflux in RPE cells; 2) MRP1 inhibition renders RPE cells resistant to oxidative stress-induced cell death while MRP1 overexpression makes them susceptible and 3) the antiapoptotic function of α-crystallin in oxidatively stressed cells is mediated in part by GSH and MRP1. Our findings suggest that MRP1 and α crystallin are potential therapeutic targets in pathological retinal degenerative disorders linked to oxidative stress.     

Adrenaline causes potassium influx in skeletal muscle and potassium efflux in cardiac muscle in rats: the role of Na/K ATPase

Previous in vitro evidence suggests that adrenaline causes K influx in skeletal muscle by stimulating a ouabain sensitive Na/K ATPase membrane pump. However in rabbits, adrenaline induced hypokalaemia was not significantly altered by pretreatment with digoxin (50 micrograms/kg). Rats were infused with adrenaline or saline after being given a tracer dose of 42KCl. Adrenaline caused a highly significant uptake of 42K in skeletal muscle and a decrease in 42K uptake in ventricle. Rats were also studied after receiving a high dose of digoxin (1.4 mg/kg) which by itself produced a significant increase in plasma K, a decrease in plasma Na and a decreased uptake of 42K in ventricle and lung. These results suggest that adequate widespread Na/K ATPase inhibition had been achieved by this dose of digoxin but despite this, adrenaline still caused hypokalaemia and also still caused significant 42K tissue uptake by skeletal muscle. These results suggest that adrenaline causes K influx by skeletal muscle and K efflux by cardiac tissue. Furthermore, the former mechanism was not inhibited by pretreatment with digoxin.     

The function of Gp170, the multidrug resistance gene product, in rat liver canalicular membrane vesicles

Gp170 (also known as P-glycoprotein) is a transmembrane glycoprotein which is overexpressed in multidrug-resistant tumor cells and is also found in the apical plasma membrane domain of several normal human and animal tissues. Gp170 has been postulated to function as an energy-dependent efflux pump for cytotoxic drugs. In rat liver, Gp170 is restricted to the bile canalicular domain of the plasma membrane. Canalicular membrane vesicles (CMV), but not sinusoidal membrane vesicles, contained a approximately 160-kDa protein which reacts with anti-Gp170 monoclonal antibody and manifest ATP-dependent [3H]daunomycin transport which is temperature dependent, osmotically sensitive, and saturable. Among several nucleotides, ATP was a potent stimulator of transport whereas non- or slowly hydrolyzable analogues (adenosin-5-O-(3-thiotriphosphate, adenyl-5-yl-imidodiphosphate) were ineffective. ATP-dependent daunomycin transport was inhibited by cytotoxic drugs (vinblastine, vincristine, and adriamycin) and other drugs, such as verapamil and quinidine, which restore anti-cancer drug sensitivity in resistant cells. Inside-out CMV were separated from right side-out CMV by antibody-induced affinity density perturbation. Only inside-out CMV manifested ATP-dependent daunomycin transport. These results suggest that Gp170 is an ATP-dependent efflux pump which is responsible for the undirectional, energy-dependent transport of daunomycin and other drugs by rat liver into the bile.