Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Evers

Publications and source records attributed to R Evers.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

A family of drug transporters: the multidrug resistance-associated proteins.

The human multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) family currently has seven members. The ability of several of these membrane proteins to transport a wide range of anticancer drugs out of cells and their presence in many tumors make them prime suspects in unexplained cases of drug resistance, although proof that they contribute to clinical drug resistance is still lacking. Recent studies have begun to clarify the function of the MRP family members. MRPs are organic anion transporters; i.e., they transport anionic drugs, exemplified by methotrexate, and neutral drugs conjugated to acidic ligands, such as glutathione (GSH), glucuronate, or sulfate. However, MRP1, MRP2, and MRP3 can also cause resistance to neutral organic drugs that are not known to be conjugated to acidic ligands by transporting these drugs together with free GSH. MRP1 can even confer resistance to arsenite and MRP2 to cisplatin, again probably by transporting these compounds in complexes with GSH. MRP4 overexpression is associated with high-level resistance to the nucleoside analogues 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl) adenine and azidothymidine, both of which are used as anti-human immunodeficiency virus drugs. MRPs may, therefore, also have a role in resistance against nucleoside analogues used in cancer chemotherapy. Mice without Mrp1, a high-affinity leukotriene C(4) transporter, have an altered response to inflammatory stimuli but are otherwise healthy and fertile. MRP2 is the major transporter responsible for the secretion of bilirubin glucuronides into bile, and humans without MRP2 develop a mild liver disease known as the Dubin-Johnson syndrome. The physiologic functions of the other MRPs are not known. Whether long-term inhibition of MRPs in humans can be tolerated (assuming that suitable inhibitors will be found) remains to be determined.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed2000

Inhibitory effect of the reversal agents V-104, GF120918 and Pluronic L61 on MDR1 Pgp-, MRP1- and MRP2-mediated transport.

The human multidrug transporter MDR1 P-glycoprotein and the multidrug resistance proteins MRP1 and MRP2 transport a range of cytotoxic drugs, resulting in multidrug resistance in tumour cells. To overcome this form of drug resistance in patients, several inhibitors (reversal agents) of these transporters have been isolated. Using polarized cell lines stably expressing human MDR1, MRP1 or MRP2cDNA, and 2008 ovarian carcinoma cells stably expressing MRP1 cDNA, we have investigated in this study the specificity of the reversal agents V-104 (a pipecolinate derivative), GF120918 (an acridone carboxamide derivative also known as GG918), and Pluronic L61 (a (poly)oxypropethylene and (poly)oxypropylene block copolymer). Transport experiments with cytotoxic drugs with polarized cell lines indicate that all three compounds efficiently inhibit MDR1 Pgp. Furthermore, V-104 partially inhibits daunorubicin transport by MRP1 but not vinblastine transport by MRP2. V-104 reverses etoposide resistance of 2008/MRP1 cells, whereas GF120918 does not reverse resistance due to MRP1. V-104 partially inhibits the export of the organic anion dinitrophenyl S-glutathione by MDCKII-MRP1 but not by MDCKII-MRP2 cells. Unexpectedly, export of the organic anion calcein by MDCKII-MRP1 and MDCKII-MRP2 cells is stimulated by Pluronic L61, probably because it relieves the block on entry of calcein AM into the cell by endogenous MDR1 Pgp.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed2000

Vinblastine and sulfinpyrazone export by the multidrug resistance protein MRP2 is associated with glutathione export.

The multidrug resistance proteins MRP1 and MRP2 are members of the same subfamily of ATP-binding cassette transporters. Besides organic molecules conjugated to negatively charged ligands, these proteins also transport cytotoxic drugs for which no negatively charged conjugates are known to exist. In polarized MDCKII cells, MRP1 routes to the lateral plasma membrane, and MRP2 to the apical plasma membrane. In these cells MRP1 transports daunorubicin, and MRP2 vinblastine; both transporters export reduced glutathione (GSH) into the medium. We demonstrate that glutathione transport in MDCKII-MRP1 cells is inhibited by the inhibitors of organic anion transporters sulfinpyrazone, indomethacin, probenecid and benzbromarone. In MDCKII-MRP2 cells, GSH export is stimulated by low concentrations of sulfinpyrazone or indomethacin, whereas export is inhibited down to control levels at high concentrations. We find that unmodified sulfinpyrazone is a substrate for MRP2, also at concentrations where GSH export is inhibited. We also show that GSH export in MDCKII-MRP2 cells increases in the presence of vinblastine, and that the stoichiometry between drug and GSH exported is between two and three. Our data indicate that transport of sulfinpyrazone and vinblastine is associated with GSH export. However, at high sulfinpyrazone concentrations this compound is transported without GSH. Models of MRP action are discussed that could explain these results.

Anion Transport Proteins↗
PubMed2000

Interactions of the human multidrug resistance proteins MRP1 and MRP2 with organic anions.

The human multidrug resistance protein MRP1 and its homolog, MRP2, are both suggested as being involved in cancer drug resistance and the transport of organic anions. We expressed MRP1 and MRP2 in Spodoptera frugiperda ovarian cells and compared their ATP-dependent transport properties and vanadate-sensitive ATPase activities in isolated membrane vesicles. Both MRP1 and MRP2 actively transported leukotriene C(4) and N-ethylmaleimide glutathione (NEM-GS), although the relative affinity of MRP2 for these substrates was found to be significantly lower than that of MRP1. Methotrexate was actively transported by both proteins, although more efficiently by MRP2. ATP-dependent NEM-GS transport by MRP1 and MRP2 was variably modulated by organic anions. Probenecid and furosemide inhibited, whereas under certain conditions sulfinpyrazone, penicillin G, and indomethacin greatly stimulated, MRP2-mediated NEM-GS uptake. Vanadate-sensitive ATPase activity in isolated membranes containing MRP1 or MRP2 was significantly stimulated by NEM-GS and reduced GS, although these compounds acted only at higher concentrations in MRP2. ATP hydrolysis by MRP2 was also effectively stimulated by methotrexate. Probenecid, sulfinpyrazone, indomethacin, furosemide, and penicillin G all significantly increased MRP2-ATPase activity, whereas these compounds acted more as ATPase inhibitors on MRP1. These results indicate that MRP1 is a more efficient transporter of glutathione conjugates and free glutathione than MRP2, whereas several anions are preferred substrates for MRP2. Our data suggest that MRP2 may be responsible for the active secretion of pharmacologically relevant organic anions, such as diuretics and antibiotics, and indicate different modulation possibilities for MRP1 or MRP2 in drug-resistant tumor cells.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed2000

Characterization of the amino-terminal regions in the human multidrug resistance protein (MRP1).

The human multidrug resistance protein (MRP1) contributes to drug resistance in cancer cells. In addition to an MDR1-like core, MRP1 contains an N-terminal membrane-bound (TMD(0)) region and a cytoplasmic linker (L(0)), both characteristic of several members of the MRP family. In order to study the role of the TMD(0) and L(0) regions, we constructed various truncated and mutated MRP1, and chimeric MRP1-MDR1 molecules, which were expressed in insect (Sf9) and polarized mammalian (MDCKII) cells. The function of the various proteins was examined in isolated membrane vesicles by measuring the transport of leukotriene C(4) and other glutathione conjugates, and by vanadate-dependent nucleotide occlusion. Cellular localization, and glutathione-conjugate and drug transport, were also studied in MDCKII cells. We found that chimeric proteins consisting of N-terminal fragments of MRP1 fused to the N terminus of MDR1 preserved the transport, nucleotide occlusion and apical membrane routing of wild-type MDR1. As shown before, MRP1 without TMD(0)L(0) (Delta MRP1), was non-functional and localized intracellularly, so we investigated the coexpression of Delta MRP1 with the isolated L(0) region. Coexpression yielded a functional MRP1 molecule in Sf9 cells and routing to the lateral membrane in MDCKII cells. Interestingly, the L(0) peptide was found to be associated with membranes in Sf9 cells and could only be solubilized by urea or detergent. A 10-amino-acid deletion in a predicted amphipathic region of L(0) abolished its attachment to the membrane and eliminated MRP1 transport function, but did not affect membrane routing. Taken together, these experiments suggest that the L(0) region forms a distinct domain within MRP1, which interacts with hydrophobic membrane regions and with the core region of MRP1.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1999

The multidrug resistance protein family.

The human multidrug resistance protein (MRP) family contains at least six members: MRP1, the godfather of the family and well known as the multidrug resistance protein, and five homologs, called MRP2-6. In this review, we summarize what is known about the protein structure, the expression in tissues, the routing in cells, the physiological functions, the substrate specificity, and the role in multidrug resistance of the individual members of the MRP family.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B↗
PubMed1999

Canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter/multidrug resistance protein 2 mediates low-affinity transport of reduced glutathione.

The canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter (cMOAT), a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter family, mediates the transport of a broad range of non-bile salt organic anions from liver into bile. cMOAT-deficient Wistar rats (TR-) are mutated in the gene encoding cMOAT, leading to defective hepatobiliary transport of a whole range of substrates, including bilirubin glucuronide. These mutants also have impaired hepatobiliary excretion of GSH and, as a result, the bile flow in these animals is reduced. In the present work we demonstrate a role for cMOAT in the excretion of GSH both in vivo and in vitro. Biliary GSH excretion in rats heterozygous for the cMOAT mutation (TR/tr) was decreased to 63% of controls (TR/TR) (114+/-24 versus 181+/-20 nmol/min per kg body weight). Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) II cells stably expressing the human cMOAT protein displayed >10-fold increase in apical GSH excretion compared with wild-type MDCKII cells (141+/-6.1 pmol/min per mg of protein versus 13.2+/-1.3 pmol/min per mg of protein in wild-type MDCKII cells). Similarly, MDCKII cells expressing the human multidrug resistance protein 1 showed a 4-fold increase in GSH excretion across the basolateral membrane. In several independent cMOAT-transfectants, the level of GSH excretion correlated with the expression level of the protein. Furthermore, we have shown, in cMOAT-transfected cells, that GSH is a low-affinity substrate for the transporter and that its excretion is reduced upon ATP depletion. In membrane vesicles isolated from cMOAT-expressing MDCKII cells, ATP-dependent S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)glutathione uptake is competitively inhibited by high concentrations of GSH (Ki approximately 20 mM). We concluded that cMOAT mediates low-affinity transport of GSH. However, since hepatocellular GSH concentrations are high (5-10 mM), cMOAT might serve an important physiological function in maintenance of bile flow in addition to hepatic GSH turnover.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

The human multidrug resistance protein MRP1 translocates sphingolipid analogs across the plasma membrane.

Recently, we have provided evidence that the ABC-transporter MDR1 P-glycoprotein translocates analogs of various lipid classes across the apical plasma membrane of polarized LLC-PK1 cells transfected with MDR1 cDNA. Here, we show that expression of the basolateral ABC-transporter MRP1 (the multidrug resistance protein) induced lipid transport to the exoplasmic leaflet of the basolateral plasma membrane of LLC-PK1 cells at 15 degreesC. C6-NBD-glucosylceramide synthesized on the cytosolic side of the Golgi complex, but not C6-NBD-sphingomyelin synthesized in the Golgi lumen, became accessible to depletion by BSA in the basal culture medium. This suggests the absence of vesicular traffic and direct translocation of C6-NBD-glucosylceramide by MRP1 across the basolateral membrane. In line with this, transport of the lipid to the exoplasmic leaflet depended on the intracellular glutathione concentration and was inhibited by the MRP1-inhibitors sulfinpyrazone and indomethacin, but not by the MDR1 P-glycoprotein inhibitor PSC 833. In contrast to the broad substrate specificity of the MDR1 P-glycoprotein, MRP1 selectively transported C6-NBD-glucosylceramide and C6-NBD-sphingomyelin, the latter only when it was released from the Golgi lumen by brefeldin A. This shows the specific nature of the lipid translocation. We conclude that the transport activity of MDR1 P-glycoprotein and MRP1 must be taken into account in studies on the transport of lipids to the cell surface.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Functional multidrug resistance protein (MRP1) lacking the N-terminal transmembrane domain.

The human multidrug resistance protein (MRP1) causes drug resistance by extruding drugs from tumor cells. In addition to an MDR-like core, MRP1 contains an N-terminal membrane-bound region (TMD0) connected to the core by a cytoplasmic linker (L0). We have studied truncated MRP1 versions containing either the MDR-like core alone or the core plus linker L0, produced in the baculovirus-insect (Sf9) cell system. Their function was examined in isolated membrane vesicles. Full-length MRP1 showed ATP-dependent, vanadate-sensitive accumulation of leukotriene C4 and N-ethylmaleimide glutathione. In addition, leukotriene C4-stimulated, vanadate-dependent nucleotide occlusion was detected. The MDR-like core was virtually inactive. Co-expression of the core with the N-terminal region including L0 fully restored MRP1 function. Unexpectedly, a truncated MRP1 mutant lacking the entire TMD0 region but still containing L0 behaved like wild-type MRP1 in vesicle uptake and nucleotide trapping experiments. We also expressed the MRP1 constructs in polarized canine kidney derived MDCKII cells. Like wild-type MRP1, the MRP1 protein without the TMD0 region was routed to the lateral plasma membrane and transported dinitrophenyl glutathione and daunorubicin. The TMD0L0 and the MRP1 minus TMD0L0 remained in an intracellular compartment. Taken together, these experiments strongly suggest that the TMD0 region is neither required for the transport function of MRP1 nor for its proper routing to the plasma membrane.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Drug export activity of the human canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter in polarized kidney MDCK cells expressing cMOAT (MRP2) cDNA.

The canalicular (apical) membrane of the hepatocyte contains an ATP-dependent transport system for organic anions, known as the multispecific organic anion transporter (cMOAT). The deduced amino acid sequence of cMOAT is 49% identical to that of the human multidrug resistance- associated protein (MRP) MRP1, and cMOAT and MRP1 are members of the same sub-family of adenine nucleotide binding cassette transporters. In contrast to MRP1, cMOAT was predominantly found intracellularly in nonpolarized cells, suggesting that cMOAT requires a polarized cell for plasma membrane routing. Therefore, we expressed cMOAT cDNA in polarized kidney epithelial MDCK cell lines. When these cells are grown in a monolayer, cMOAT localizes to the apical plasma membrane. We demonstrate that cMOAT causes transport of the organic anions S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-glutathione, the glutathione conjugate of ethacrynic acid, and S-(PGA1)-glutathione, a substrate not shown to be transported by organic anion transporters previously. Transport is inhibited only inefficiently by compounds known to block MRP1. We also show that cMOAT causes transport of the anticancer drug vinblastine to the apical side of a cell monolayer. We conclude that cMOAT is a 5'-adenosine triphosphate binding cassette transporter that potentially might be involved in drug resistance in mammalian cells.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed1997

Transport of glutathione prostaglandin A conjugates by the multidrug resistance protein 1.

The human multidrug resistance protein MRP1 mediates transport of organic substrates conjugated to glutathione, glucuronide, or sulfate. The naturally occurring prostaglandins A1 and A2 can form two diastereomeric glutathione S-conjugates, and it has been speculated that these might be substrates for MRP1. Here we present evidence that polarized MDCKII cells expressing MRP1 cDNA transport PGA1-GS to the basolateral side of a cell monolayer, in accordance with the lateral localization of human MRP1 in these cells. Furthermore, we show that vesicles made from yeast cells expressing MRP1 cDNA and from mouse erythrocytes (known to contain mrpl) actively accumulate both diastereomers of PGA2-GS with a similar efficiency. Recently, we generated mice with a homozygous mutant mrp1 allele. Uptake of PGA2-GS in vesicles made from erythrocytes of these mice was 3.2 times lower than in wild-type vesicles, but was still significantly above background. This residual transport activity was partly inhibited by methotrexate and cAMP, whereas mrp1-mediated activity was unaffected by these compounds. We conclude that mouse erythrocytes contain at least two transport systems for PGA2-GS. One of these is mrp1; the other one has not been identified yet, but can be inhibited by methotrexate and cAMP.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1997

Do cMOAT (MRP2), other MRP homologues, and LRP play a role in MDR?

The discovery of the Multidrug Resistance-associated Protein (MRP or MRP1) as a GS-X pump able to transport both anionic drug conjugates and unmodified anti-cancer drugs out of the cell, has raised the question whether other members of the MRP family might contribute to drug resistance of human tumours. The most extensively studied member of this family is cMOAT, the canalicular Multispecific Organic Anion Transporter. The substrate specificity of this pump was originally defined by an inborn error in rats, lacking this protein. These rats are mildly hyperbilirubinemic, because of their inability to secrete bilirubin glucuronides into their bile. In addition, they have diminished capacity to secrete a variety of other organic anions. Absence of cMOAT in humans results in an analogous inborn error of metabolism, the Dubin-Johnson syndrome. Attempts to determine the effect of cMOAT on the sensitivity of cells to anti-cancer drugs have run into technical problems. Most cells transfected with a cMOAT cDNA construct and overproducing cMOAT seem unable to transport the protein to the cell surface and are not MDR. However, in polarized kidney cell monolayers cMOAT is correctly routed to the apical cell surface and able to transport vinblastine. Hence, overexpression of cMOAT in cancer cells could potentially lead to drug resistance. In studies of cells selected for drug resistance no correlation was found thus far between cMOAT overexpression and MDR, but there was a positive association with cisplatin resistance, raising the possibility that cMOAT might contribute to cisplatin resistance by mediating excretion of cisplatin-glutathione complexes. This remains to be verified by more direct experiments and clinical studies, however. Database searches have yielded four additional MRP family members, MRP3-6. The physiological functions of these putative transporters are not yet known and whether they can contribute to drug resistance needs to be determined. Another putative transporter found in many MDR cells not overproducing P-glycoprotein is the Lung Resistance Protein (LRP), which is the major vault protein. Scheper et al have detected LRP in many MDR cell lines and they have shown that elevated LRP values are a strong and independent predictor of unfavourable outcome for several types of drug-treated human tumours. LRP is a cytoplasmic protein and attempts to demonstrate its involvement in drug transport have failed thus far. The possibility that this protein is only an indicator of resistance caused by upregulation of other proteins, rather than a drug transporter, remains open.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed1997

Increased sensitivity to anticancer drugs and decreased inflammatory response in mice lacking the multidrug resistance-associated protein.

The multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) mediates the cellular excretion of many drugs, glutathione S-conjugates (GS-X) of lipophilic xenobiotics and endogenous cysteinyl leukotrienes. Increased MRP levels in tumor cells can cause multidrug resistance (MDR) by decreasing the intracellular drug concentration. The physiological role or roles of MRP remain ill-defined, however. We have generated MRP-deficient mice by using embryonic stem cell technology. Mice homozygous for the mrp mutant allele, mrp-/-, are viable and fertile, but their response to an inflammatory stimulus is impaired. We attribute this defect to a decreased secretion of leukotriene C4 (LTC4) from leukotriene-synthesizing cells. Moreover, the mrp-/- mice are hypersensitive to the anticancer drug etoposide. The phenotype of mrp-/- mice is consistent with a role for MRP as the main LTC4-exporter in leukotriene-synthesizing cells, and as an important drug exporter in drug-sensitive cells. Our results suggest that this ubiquitous GS-X pump is dispensable in mice, making treatment of MDR with MRP-specific reversal agents potentially feasible.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed1996

Transport of the glutathione conjugate of ethacrynic acid by the human multidrug resistance protein MRP.

The multidrug resistance protein MRP has been shown to mediate the transport of glutathione S-conjugates across membranes. In this study we demonstrate that the glutathione S-conjugate of the diuretic drug ethacrynic acid, which is an efficient inhibitor of glutathione S-transferases, is a high-affinity substrate and inhibitor of the glutathione S-conjugate pump associated with MRP. This implies that ethacrynic acid may modulate drug resistance of tumor cells not only by inhibiting glutathione S-transferase activity, but also by inhibiting the export of drug conjugates from the cell by MRP.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed1996

The human multidrug resistance-associated protein functionally complements the yeast cadmium resistance factor 1.

A Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain with a disrupted yeast cadmium resistance factor (YCF1) gene (DTY168) is hypersensitive to cadmium. YCF1 resembles the human multidrug resistance-associated protein MRP (63% amino acid similarity), which confers resistance to various cytotoxic drugs by lowering the intracellular drug concentration. Whereas the mechanism of action of YCF1 is not known, MRP was recently found to transport glutathione S-conjugates across membranes. Here we show that expression of the human MRP cDNA in yeast mutant DTY168 cells restores cadmium resistance to the wild-type level. Transport of S-(2,4-dinitrobenzene)-glutathione into isolated yeast microsomal vesicles is strongly reduced in the DTY168 mutant and this transport is restored to wild-type level in mutant cells expressing MRP cDNA. We find in cell fractionation experiments that YCF1 is mainly localized in the vacuolar membrane in yeast, whereas MRP is associated both with the vacuolar membrane and with other internal membranes in the transformed yeast cells. Our results indicate that yeast YCF1 is a glutathione S-conjugate pump, like MRP, and they raise the possibility that the cadmium resistance in yeast involves cotransport of cadmium with glutathione derivatives.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1996

Basolateral localization and export activity of the human multidrug resistance-associated protein in polarized pig kidney cells.

The human multidrug resistance-associated protein MRP confers resistance to various cytotoxic drugs by lowering the intracellular drug concentration. Recent evidence indicates that MRP can also transport glutathione S-conjugates across membranes. To study the transport properties of MRP in intact cells, we have expressed human MRP cDNA in the polarized pig kidney epithelial cell line LLC-PK1. MRP mainly localized to the basolateral plasma membrane of these cells, and not to the apical membrane, as determined by immunocytochemistry using confocal laser scanning and electron microscopy. In accordance with this localization, MRP caused increased transport of the glutathione S-conjugate S-(2, 4-dinitrophenyl)-glutathione and of the anticancer drug daunorubicin to the basal side of the epithelial cell layer. Sulfinpyrazone and probenecid, known inhibitors of multispecific organic anion transport, inhibited this basolateral transport, but not the apical transport of daunorubicin mediated by the apically localized human MDR1 P-glycoprotein in MDR1-transfected LLC-PK1 cells. Probenecid and sulfinpyrazone may therefore be useful lead compounds for the development of clinical reversal agents specific for MRP-mediated drug resistance.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed1995

Molecular coevolution of mammalian ribosomal gene terminator sequences and the transcription termination factor TTF-I.

Both the DNA elements and the nuclear factors that direct termination of ribosomal gene transcription exhibit species-specific differences. Even between mammals--e.g., human and mouse--the termination signals are not identical and the respective transcription termination factors (TTFs) which bind to the terminator sequence are not fully interchangeable. To elucidate the molecular basis for this species-specificity, we have cloned TTF-I from human and mouse cells and compared their structural and functional properties. Recombinant TTF-I exhibits species-specific DNA binding and terminates transcription both in cell-free transcription assays and in transfection experiments. Chimeric constructs of mouse TTF-I and human TTF-I reveal that the major determinant for species-specific DNA binding resides within the C terminus of TTF-I. Replacing 31 C-terminal amino acids of mouse TTF-I with the homologous human sequences relaxes the DNA-binding specificity and, as a consequence, allows the chimeric factor to bind the human terminator sequence and to specifically stop rDNA transcription.

Amino Acid Sequence↗