Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model
Published on: March 20, 2020
Peroxynitrite and 4-Hydroxynonenal Inactivate Breast Cancer Resistance Protein/ABCG2
Svetlana Verenich1, Phillip M Gerk1
1Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 980533, Richmond, VA 23298-0533, USA.
Abstract:
Oxidative stress may arise from a variety of pathologies and results in the formation of toxic and reactive chemical species. Extensive research has been done to establish mechanisms of formation and cytotoxic effects of a number of different products of oxidation stress including peroxynitrite (PN) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE). However, relatively few studies have investigated their effects on ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. The objective of this investigation was to determine the effects of PN and 4HNE on BCRP/ABCG2. To eliminate the effect of metabolic enzymes, the experiments were carried out with inside-out Sf9 membrane vesicles overexpressing BCRP/ABCG2 using riboflavin as a substrate. The experiments revealed that PN produced IC50 of about 31.2 ± 2.7 μM, based upon initial concentrations. The IC50 for 4HNE was estimated to be 92 ± 1.4 μM. Preincubation of membrane vesicles with either PN or 4HNE caused the maximal rate of transport (Vmax) to drop drastically, up to 19 times, with no or much smaller effect on Km. Thus, PN and 4NE can inhibit BCRP transport activity.
Insights
Oxidative stress products, peroxynitrite (PN) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE), significantly inhibit BCRP/ABCG2 transporter activity. These compounds drastically reduce transport rates, impacting cellular function.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Oxidative stress generates reactive species like peroxynitrite (PN) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE).
- These compounds have known cytotoxic effects, but their impact on ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters is less understood.
- BCRP/ABCG2 is a crucial ABC transporter involved in effluxing various substrates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the inhibitory effects of PN and 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE) on the BCRP/ABCG2 transporter.
- To quantify the potency of PN and 4HNE as inhibitors of BCRP/ABCG2-mediated transport.
Main Methods:
- Experiments utilized inside-out Sf9 membrane vesicles overexpressing BCRP/ABCG2.
- Riboflavin was employed as a substrate to measure BCRP/ABCG2 transport activity.
- Inhibition kinetics were determined by measuring IC50 values and effects on Vmax and Km.
Main Results:
- Peroxynitrite (PN) exhibited an IC50 of approximately 31.2 ± 2.7 μM.
- 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE) showed an IC50 of approximately 92 ± 1.4 μM.
- Preincubation with PN or 4HNE drastically reduced the maximal transport rate (Vmax) by up to 19-fold, with minimal impact on the Michaelis constant (Km).
Conclusions:
- Both PN and 4HNE act as potent inhibitors of BCRP/ABCG2 transporter activity.
- The inhibition mechanism primarily affects the transporter's catalytic rate (Vmax) rather than substrate affinity (Km).
- These findings highlight a potential mechanism by which oxidative stress can impair cellular efflux functions mediated by BCRP/ABCG2.
Related Concept Videos
X-Inactivation
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins
Treatment Resistant Cancers
Resistivity
Resistance
Equivalent Resistance

