P-glycoprotein depresses cisplatin sensitivity in L1210 cells by inhibiting cisplatin-induced caspase-3 activation.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a phenomenon in which cells become resistant to cytostatic drugs and other substances with diverse chemical structures and cytotoxicity mechanisms. The most often observed molecular mechanism for MDR includes high levels of P-glycoprotein (P-gp)--an ABCB1 member of the ABC drug transporter family. Overexpression of P-gp in neoplastic tissue is an obstacle to chemotherapeutic treatment. Herein, we were focused on differences in apoptosis induced by cisplatin (no substrate for P-gp) between P-gp-positive and P-gp-negative L1210 cells. P-gp-positive cells were obtained by either L1210 cell adaptation to vincristine (R) or L1210 cell transfection with the human gene for P-gp (T) and compared with parental L1210 cells (S). R and T cells were more resistant to CisPt than S cells. R and T cell resistance to CisPt-induced apoptosis could not be reversed by verapamil (a well-known P-gp inhibitor), which excludes P-gp transport activity as a cause of CisPt resistance. CisPt induced a more pronounced entry into apoptosis in S than R and T cells, which was measured using the annexin-V/propidium iodide apoptosis kit. CisPt induced more pronounced caspase-3 activation in S than R and T cells. CisPt did not induce changes in the P-gp protein level for R and T cells. While similar levels of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins were observed in P-gp-negative and P-gp-positive cells, CisPt induced a more significant decrease in Bcl-2 levels for S cells than P-gp-positive cells. Expression of p53 and its molecular chaperone Hsp90 were more pronounced in R and T than S cells. Moreover, CisPt enhanced the upregulation of p53 and Hsp90 in R and T cells to a higher degree than S cells. Apoptosis was shown to be the prevalent mode of cell death in S, R and T cells by the typical DNA fragmentation and cell ultrastructure changes. All of the above findings indicate that P-gp, independent of its drug efflux activity, induced changes in cell regulatory pathways that confer a partial loss of cisplatin sensitivity.

Vincristine-induced overexpression of P-glycoprotein in L1210 cells is associated with remodeling of cell surface saccharides.

Multidrug resistance of murine leukemic cell line L1210/VCR (R), obtained by adaptation of parental L1210 cells (S) on vincristine, is associated with overexpression of P glycoprotein (P-gp, the ATP-dependent drug efflux pump). Previously, we found that cytochemical staining of negatively charged cell surface binding sites (probably sialic acid) by ruthenium red (RR) revealed a compact layer of RR bound to the external coat of S cells. This is in contrast to R cells and L1210/VCR cells cultured in the presence of vincristine during the last cultivation prior to the experiment (V cells), where the RR layer was either reduced or absent. In the current paper, we observed differences in the interactions of S, R and V cells with Concanavalin A (ConA) and tomato lectin (lycopersicum esculentum agglutinin, LEA). ConA bound and induced cell damage more effectively in S cells than in R or V cells. Both of these effects could be prevented by methyl-manopyranose, but not by N-acetylglucosamine. In contrast, LEA lectin preferentially bound to R and V cells. While LEA agglutinated cells more effectively than ConA, it did not cause cell damage comparable to ConA. Binding of LEA to the cell surface could be prevented by chitooligosaccharides. Both LEA and ConA failed to identify P-gp in lectin blots. Thus, changes in ConA and LEA interactions are not caused by massive expression of P-gp in the plasma membrane and the consequent exposure of the inner saccharides to the external side of the plasma membrane.Taken together, the above facts suggest that S cells differ from R and V cells in the composition of cell surface glycosides not directly linked to P-gp.

Does any relationship exist between P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance and intracellular calcium homeostasis.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) of neoplastic tissue represents a real obstacle to the effective chemotherapy of cancer. Several mechanisms of MDR were identified, from which the over-expression and efflux activity of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) - a plasma membrane ATPase (ABCB1 member of ABC transporter family) - represents the most commonly observed reason for neoplastic disease chemotherapy malfunction. The process of P-gp-mediated MDR seems to be related to intracellular calcium homeostasis, at least indirectly, for the following reasons: i. substances blocking calcium influx through L-type of calcium channels like verapamil were often found to antagonize P-gp-mediated MDR; ii. calcium signal abnormalities were observed in cells over-expressing P-gp; iii. cells with P-gp-mediated MDR were often resistant to thapsigargin; iv. several differences in intracellular calcium localization were observed when P-gp-negative and P-gp-positive cells were compared; and v. differences in the contents of several proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum involved in calcium homeostasis were observed to be associated with P-gp over-expression. This current study represents an attempt to summarize the knowledge about the possible relationship between P-gp-mediated MRD and intracellular calcium homeostasis.

Changes in ultrastructure and endogenous ionic channels activity during culture of HEK 293 cell line.

Human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells were characterised as an expression system for voltage-activated cationic channels. Current density for cationic channels intrinsically expressed in HEK 293 cells as well as cell ultrastructure was described after 7-11, 29-30 and 49-63 days of cell culture. Slowly activating outward potassium current with the current density varying between +10 and +26 pA/pF was observed in 72% to 95% of investigated cells. Rapidly inactivating outward potassium current with the current density varying between +7 and +10 pA/pF was present in 38% to 48% of all cells. 30% of cells exhibited voltage-activated calcium channel with the current density less than -1 pA/pF. Tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium current with amplitudes between -1.4 and -2.2 pA/pF was initially present in 5% of cells, nevertheless, after 49-63 days of cell culture this proportion increased to 35%. Ultrastructure of HEK 293 cell surface, but not of cell's interior changed during cell culture. The longer the time after thawing the more microvilli and protrusions appear on the cell surface. Irregular cell contours hinder the cells to appose and only small patches of membranes form attachments. Staining of cells with a polycationic dye ruthenium red initially increased and decreased again following prolonged period of time in culture indicating regression of negatively charged layers of the cell surface coat. We suggest that the optimal time window for patch clamp experiment is between days 7 and 63 of cell culture due to alterations of cell surface.

L1210 cells cultivated under the selection pressure of doxorubicin or vincristine express common mechanisms of multidrug resistance based on the overexpression of P-glycoprotein.

Multidrug resistance of neoplastic tissue is often associated with the overexpression and increased drug transport activity of plasma membrane transporters like P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance associated proteins (MRPs) or breast cancer resistance protein, as well as with the elevation of the glutathione detoxification pathway. We have already described the overexpression of P-gp under the selection pressure of vincristine in L1210 mouse leukemia cells. In the present study, mechanisms of multidrug resistance induced in L1210 cells cultivated in the presence of doxorubicin were analyzed. The selection pressure of both vincristine (yielding a resistant subline of L1210 cells, R(V)) and doxorubicin (yielding a resistant subline of L1210 cells, R(D)) induced a dramatic depression of cell sensitivity to both drugs. Both R(V) and R(D) cells demonstrated a lack of ability to accumulate calcein/AM and fluo-3/AM as fluorescent substrates of P-gp and MRP. The retention of dyes could be reached in both cell sublines by the application of inhibitors of P-gp (like verapamil) but not by probenecid - an inhibitor of anion transporters, including MRPs. Massive protein bands, at a M(r) range of 130-180 kDa that interact with c219 antibody against P-gp, were detected in the crude membrane fraction isolated from both R(V) and R(D) (but not from L1210) cells by Western blot. The cytosolic activity of glutathione S-transferase was found to be similar in R(V) and R(D) cells and did not differ significantly from the activity ascertained in parental L1210 cells. Neither the R(V) nor R(D) cell sublines differed considerably, as measured by cell ultrastructure. In conclusion, based on P-gp overexpression, both doxorubicin and vincristine induce a common multidrug resistance phenotype in L1210 cells.

P-glycoprotein--implications of metabolism of neoplastic cells and cancer therapy.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) of neoplastic tissues is a major obstacle in cancer chemotherapy. The predominant cause of MDR is the overexpression and drug transport activity of P-glycoprotein (P-gp, a product of the MDR gene). P-gp is a member of the ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters family, with broad substrate specificity for several substances including anticancer drugs, linear and cyclic peptides, inhibitors of HIV protease, and several other substances. The development of P-gp-mediated MDR is often associated with several changes in cell structure and metabolism of resistant cells. In the present review are discussed the relations between glucosylceramide synthase activity, Pregnane X receptor and development of P-gp mediated MDR phenotype. Attention is also focused on the changes in protein kinase systems (mitogen-activated protein kinases, protein kinase C, Akt kinase) that are associated with the development of MDR phenotype and to the possible role of these kinase cascades in modulation of P-gp expression and function. The overexpression of P-gp may be associated with changes in metabolism of sugars as well as energy production. Structural and ultrastructural characteristics of multidrug resistant cells expressing P-gp are typical for cells engaged in a metabolically demanding process of protein synthesis and transport. P-gp mediated MDR phenotype is often also associated with alterations in cytoskeletal elements, microtubule and mitochondria distribution, Golgi apparatus, chromatin texture, vacuoles and caveolae formation. The current review also aims at bringing some state-of-the-art information on interactions of P-glycoprotein with various substances. To capture and transport the numerous unrelated substances, P-gp should contain site(s) able to bind compounds with a molecular weight of several hundreds and comprising hydrophobic and/or base regions that are protonated under physiological conditions. Drug binding sites that are able to recognize substances with different chemical structures may have a complex architecture in which different parts are responsible for binding of different drugs. For P-gp substrates and inhibitors, a pharmacophore-based model has been described. The pharmacophores have to contain parts with hydrophobic and aromatic characteristics and functional groups that can act as hydrogen-bond donors and/or acceptors. Several drugs are known to be P-glycoprotein antagonizing agents. They represent a large group of structurally unrelated substances that can act via direct interaction with P-gp and inhibition of its transport activity, or via possible modulation of processes (such as phosphorylation) regulating P-gp transport activity. Effects of MDR reversal agents on the P-gp expression have also been reported. Function and expression of P-gp can be affected indirectly as well, e.g. through cyclooxygenase-2 or carbonic anhydrase-IX expression and effects.

Expression of P-glycoprotein in L1210 cells is linked with rise in sensitivity to Ca2+.

L1210/VCR cell line (R) was obtained by adaptation of the L1210 mouse leukaemia cells (S) to vincristine and showed P-glycoprotein (P-gp) mediated multidrug resistance (MDR). R cells were observed to be more sensitive to high external calcium as parental S. More pronounced calcium uptake was observed for R cells. Moreover, differences in intracellular calcium cell localization between S and R cells were found ultrastructurally following a calcium precipitating cytochemical method. In S cells, calcium precipitates were found to be localized predominantly along the cell surface coat and within mitochondria delineating the cristae. In R cells, precipitates were also found inside nuclei, at the border of heterochromatin clumps, and scattered within the cytoplasm. High extracellular calcium did not influence the P-gp mediated extrusion of calcein/AM as P-gp substrate. These results indicate that calcium enters and consequently damages the MDR cells to a higher extent than parental cells.

Ca2+ -dependent interaction of S100A1 with the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ -ATPase2a and phospholamban in the human heart.

The Ca(2+)-binding S100A1 protein displays a specific and high expression level in the human myocardium and is considered to be an important regulator of heart contractility. Diminished protein levels detected in dilated cardiomyopathy possibly contribute to impaired Ca(2+) handling and contractility in heart failure. To elucidate the S100A1 signaling pathway in the human heart, we searched for S100A1 target proteins by applying S100A1-specific affinity chromatography and immunoprecipitation techniques. We detected the formation of a Ca(2+)-dependent complex of S100A1 with SERCA2a and PLB in the human myocardium. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, we showed that all three proteins co-localize at the level of the SR in primary mouse cardiomyocytes and confirmed these results by immunoelectron microscopy in human biopsies. Our results support a regulatory role of S100A1 in the contraction-relaxation cycle in the human heart.