Multidrug resistance gene expression response to cisplatin and 5FU treatment in hepatoma, prostate and colon cancer cells

Abstract

Variable expression of drug transporters at the plasma membrane of tumor cells contributed to drug resistance. The aim of the present study was to explore the expression levels of MRP2 and MRP3genes in Cisplatin and 5 fluorouracil (5FU) treated Hep3B, PC3 and HT29 cell lines. MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin and 5FU. The results from the MTT assay revealed that PC3 cell line is the most sensitive for cisplatin treatment presenting the lowest IC50 value (0.5 µg/ml) for 48h. 5FU treatment altered the proliferation of PC3 cells with the IC50 values 6.0 µg/ml for 48 h and 8.2 µg/ml for 72h. The mRNA expression levels of MRP2 and MRP3 were determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. qRT-PCR results revealed that while the expression levels of MRP3 mRNA was generally down regulated in all cell lines treated with cisplatin and 5FU, MRP2 was upregulated in PC3 and Hep3B cells.