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Differential transport properties of two mdr gene products are distinguished by progesterone

C P Yang1, D Cohen, L M Greenberger

  • 1Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461.

Insights

Multidrug resistance involves P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux pumps. Mouse cell lines show mdr1a P-gp is a more efficient pump than mdr1b P-gp, with progesterone differentiating their drug interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is an integral membrane protein overproduced in multidrug-resistant cells.
  • P-gp functions as an energy-dependent drug efflux pump, maintaining intracellular drug concentrations below cytotoxic levels.
  • Murine cell lines J7.V1-1 and J7.V3-1 overproduce P-gp encoded by mdr1b and mdr1a genes, respectively.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the transport properties and drug binding characteristics of P-glycoproteins encoded by mdr1a and mdr1b genes.
  • To analyze the effects of verapamil and progesterone on drug sensitivity, binding, and efflux in these cell lines.
  • To determine if verapamil or progesterone can differentiate between the mdr1a and mdr1b gene products.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of drug transport and binding in multidrug-resistant murine cell lines.
  • Utilizing membrane vesicles from J7.V1-1 (mdr1b) and J7.V3-1 (mdr1a) cell lines.
  • Assessing the effects of verapamil and progesterone on vinblastine binding and efflux.

Main Results:

  • The mdr1a gene product functions as a more efficient efflux pump than the mdr1b gene product.
  • J7.V1-1 membrane vesicles exhibit one class of vinblastine binding sites, while J7.V3-1 vesicles show two classes.
  • Progesterone demonstrated greater potency in inhibiting drug binding and efflux, and increasing vinblastine sensitivity in J7.V1-1 cells compared to J7.V3-1 cells.

Conclusions:

  • The mdr1a gene product is a more efficient P-glycoprotein efflux pump than the mdr1b gene product.
  • Distinct vinblastine binding site characteristics exist between the mdr1a and mdr1b P-glycoproteins.
  • Progesterone can differentiate the functional properties of the mdr1a and mdr1b gene products, unlike verapamil.

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