Functional Expression of P-Glycoprotein in an Immortalised Cell Line of Rat Brain Endothelial Cells, RBE4

Abstract: The presence of P-glycoprotein in the cell plasma membrane limits the penetration of many cytotoxic substances into cells that express the gene product. There is considerable evidence also to indicate that P-glycoprotein is expressed as part of the normal blood-brain barrier in the luminal membranes of the cerebral capillary endothelial cells, where it presumably performs a protective function for the brain. This report describes the functional expression of P-glycoprotein in an immortalised cell line, RBE4, derived from rat cerebral capillary endothelial cells. The expression of P-glycoprotein is demonstrated by western immunoblotting and by immunogold and fluorescent staining with monoclonal antibodies. The cellular accumulation of [³H]colchicine and [³H]vinblastine is investigated and shown to be enhanced by the presence of azidothymidine, chlorpromazine, verapamil, cyclosporin A, and PSC 833 ([3'-keto-Bmt¹]-[Val²]-cyclosporin) at 50 or 100 µ M concentration. It is concluded that the RBE4 cell line is a valuable tool for investigating the mechanisms of P-glycoprotein activity both in the blood-brain barrier and in multidrug resistance in general.     

Repetitive DNA sequences located in the central region of the human mdr1 (multidrug resistance) gene may account for a gene fusion event during its evolution

The mdr1 gene, first member of the human multidrug-resistance gene family, is a major gene involved in cellular resistance to several drugs used in anticancer chemotherapy. Its product, the drug-excreting P-glycoprotein, shows a bipartite structure formed by two similar adjacent halves. According to one hypothesis, the fusion of two related ancestral genes during evolution could have resulted in this structure. The DNA sequence analysis of the introns located in the region connecting the two halves of the human mdr1 gene revealed a highly conserved poly(CA) · poly (TG) sequence in intron 15 and repeated sequences of the Alu family in introns 14 and 17. These repeated sequences most likely represent molecular fossils of ancient DNA elements which were involved in such a recombination event. Correspondence to: M. Pauly     

Multidrug resistance gene deficient (mdr1a–/–) mice have an altered caecal microbiota that precedes the onset of intestinal inflammation

Aim:  To compare caecal microbiota from mdr1a ^–/– and wild type (FVB) mice to identify differences in the bacterial community that could influence the intestinal inflammation.
Methods and Results:  Caecal microbiota of mdr1a ^–/– and FVB mice were evaluated at 12 and 25 weeks of age using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and quantitative real-time PCR. DGGE fingerprints of FVB and mdr1a ^–/– mice (with no intestinal inflammation) at 12 weeks revealed differences in the presence of DNA fragments identified as Bacteroides fragilis , B. thetaiotaomicron , B. vulgatus and an uncultured alphaproteobacterium. Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter sp. were only identified in DGGE profiles of mdr1a ^–/– mice at 25 weeks (with severe intestinal inflammation), which also had a lower number of total bacteria in the caecum compared with FVB mice at same age.
Conclusions:  Differences found in the caecal microbiota of FVB and mdr1a ^–/– mice (12 weeks) suggest that the lack of Abcb1 transporters in intestinal cells due to the disruption of the mdr1a gene might lead to changes in the caecal microbiota. The altered microbiota along with the genetic defect could contribute to the development of intestinal inflammation in mdr1a ^–/– mice.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Differences in caecal microbiota of mdr1a ^–/– and FVB mice (12 weeks) suggest genotype specific colonization. The results provide evidence that Abcb1 transporters may regulate host interactions with commensal bacteria. Future work is needed to identify the mechanisms involved in this possible cross-talk between the host intestinal cells and microbiota.     

mdr1 Ribozyme mediated reversal of the multi-drug resistant phenotype in human lung cell lines

Anmdr1 hammerhead was introduced into two adriamycin-selected multi-drug resistant human lung cell lines both of which over-express p-glycoprotein. Expression of the ribozyme resulted in a decrease inmdr1 mRNA expression and an increase in drug sensitivity in both cell lines. This would suggest that the use of specific ribozymes may represent an effective and specific approach in order to restore cellular sensitivity towards anti-cancer drugs.     

多药耐药基因分型芯片的制备及优化

目的:建立多药耐药基因(mdr1)分型芯片,以检测患者的单核苷酸多态性(SNPs)。方法:设计并合成探针和引物,制备芯片;构建野生型和突变型质粒,以其为模板经PCR仪扩增后,与芯片上的探针杂交,并用扫描仪分析结果。结果:构建了野生型和突变型质粒,与芯片杂交能很好地区分基因型;优化了制备条件,建立了分型标准。结论:该基因芯片是一种快速特异的基因分型方法。     

PKC对人mdr1基因转录调控的研究

研究了ＰＫＣα、β１和β２亚型对多药耐药基因ｍｄｒ１转录的调控作用．以ｍｄｒ１基因上游调控序列驱动的虫荧光素酶报告基因表达载体和ＰＫＣ基因表达载体共同转染ＣＯＳ７细胞后,测定虫荧光素酶报告基因表达水平．实验结果表明,ＰＫＣα、β１及β２对ｍｄｒ１基因的转录有下调作用,ＰＭＡ可进一步加强这一作用;在此转染体系中,ＰＫＣ抑制剂ｓｔａｕｒｏｓｐｏｒｉｎｅ也可抑制ｍｄｒ１基因的转录,但在只转染ｍｄｒｌｕｃ的细胞中,ｓｔａｕｒｏｓｐｏｒｉｎｅ对ｍｄｒ１的转录则没有影响,提示ｓｔａｕｒｏｓｐｏｒｉｎｅ仅在ＰＫＣ过量表达的细胞中抑制ｍｄｒ１基因的转录．     

Whole genome re-sequencing identifies a mutation in an ABC transporter (mdr2) in a Plasmodium chabaudi clone with altered susceptibility to antifolate drugs

In malaria parasites, mutations in two genes of folate biosynthesis encoding dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) and dihydropteroate synthase (dhps) modify responses to antifolate therapies which target these enzymes. However, the involvement of other genes which modify the availability of exogenous folate, for example, has been proposed. Here, we used short-read whole-genome re-sequencing to determine the mutations in a clone of the rodent malaria parasite, Plasmodium chabaudi, which has altered susceptibility to both sulphadoxine and pyrimethamine. This clone bears a previously identified S106N mutation in dhfr and no mutation in dhps. Instead, three additional point mutations in genes on chromosomes 2, 13 and 14 were identified. The mutated gene on chromosome 13 (mdr2 K392Q) encodes an ABC transporter. Because Quantitative Trait Locus analysis previously indicated an association of genetic markers on chromosome 13 with responses to individual and combined antifolates, MDR2 is proposed to modulate antifolate responses, possibly mediated by the transport of folate intermediates.     

Multidrug resistance gene expression is controlled by steroid hormones in the secretory epithelium of the uterus

The multidrug resistance (mdr) gene family has been shown to encode a membrane glycoprotein, termed the P-glycoprotein, which functions as a drug efflux pump with broad substrate specificity. This multigene family is expressed in a tissue-specific fashion in a wide variety of normal and neoplastic tissues. The regulation of mdr gene expression in normal tissues is not understood. We have recently shown that mdr mRNA and the P-glycoprotein increases dramatically in the secretory luminal and glandular epithelium of the gravid murine uterus. This observation has suggested that mdr gene expression in the uterus is controlled by the physiologic changes associated with pregnancy. This report now demonstrates that mdr mRNA and P-glycoprotein are induced at high levels in the uterine secretory epithelium by the combination of estrogen and progesterone, the major steroid hormones of pregnancy. This regulation of mdr gene expression in the uterus does not require any other contribution from the fetus or placenta. The data indicate that this gene locus is hormonally responsive to estrogen and progesterone in the uterine secretory epithelium, suggesting an important and physiologically regulated role during pregnancy.