Regulation of the multidrug resistance gene in regenerating rat liver

The MDR1 gene encodes an Mr 170,000 energy-dependent drug efflux pump (P-glycoprotein) which transports hydrophobic agents such as Adriamycin, colchicine, the Vinca alkaloids, and actinomycin D out of cells. Increased expression of the mdr gene has been observed in preneoplastic and neoplastic carcinogen-induced rat liver nodules as well as in regenerating rat liver, suggesting that the mdr gene is regulated in response to liver injury. To determine whether the increased levels of mdr mRNA seen in regenerating liver are the result of an increased rate of transcription or a posttranscriptional event, nuclear run-on assays were performed on nuclei isolated from regenerating rat livers 4-72 h after partial hepatectomy. Whereas Northern blot analysis of regenerating rat liver demonstrated a greater than 20-fold increase in mdr mRNA levels, there was little or no increase in mdr gene transcription as measured by nuclear run-on analyses. beta-Actin and metallothionein gene transcription levels, known to increase transiently in regenerating liver, both showed increased nuclear run-on activity 4 h posthepatectomy, indicating that the nuclei were functional. Failure to demonstrate a substantial increase in mdr gene transcription suggests that the observed increase in mdr mRNA levels may result from a posttranscriptional event such as message stabilization. The sequence of the 3' noncoding region of the MDR1 gene shares strong homology with other unstable mRNAs, suggesting that RNA stabilization could account for the rise of mdr mRNA after partial hepatectomy.