Glucuronide Efflux Research Articles

Selectivity in the Efflux of Glucuronides by Human Transporters: MRP4 Is Highly Active toward 4-Methylumbelliferone and 1-Naphthol Glucuronides, while MRP3 Exhibits Stereoselective Propranolol Glucuronide Transport.

Xenobiotic and endobiotic glucuronides, which are generated in hepatic and intestinal epithelial cells, are excreted via efflux transporters. Multidrug resistance proteins 2-4 (MRP2-MRP4) and the breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) are efflux transporters that are expressed in these polarized cells, on either the basolateral or apical membranes. Their localization, along with expression levels, affects the glucuronide excretion pathways. We have studied the transport of three planar cyclic glucuronides and glucuronides of the two propranolol enantiomers, by the vesicular transport assay, using vesicles from baculovirus-infected insect cells expressing human MRP2, MRP3, MRP4, or BCRP. The transport of estradiol-17β-glucuronide by recombinant MRP2-4 and BCRP, as demonstrated by kinetic values, were within the ranges previously reported. Our results revealed high transport rates and apparent affinity of MRP4 toward the glucuronides of 4-methylumbelliferone, 1-naphthol, and 1-hydroxypyrene (Km values of 168, 13, and 3 μM, respectively) in comparison to MRP3 (Km values of 278, 98, and 8 μM, respectively). MRP3 exhibited lower rates, but stereoselective transport of propranolol glucuronides, with higher affinity toward the R-enantiomer than the S-enantiomer (Km values 154 vs 434 μM). The glucuronide of propranolol R-enantiomer was not significantly transported by either MRP2, MRP4, or BCRP. Of the tested small glucuronides in this study, BCRP transported only 1-hydroxypyrene glucuronide, at very high rates and high apparent affinity (Vmax and Km values of 4400 pmol/mg/min and 11 μM). The transport activity of MRP2 with all of the studied small glucuronides was relatively very low, even though it transported the reference compound, estradiol-17β-glucuronide, at a high rate (Vmax = 3500 pmol/mg/min). Our results provide new information, at the molecular level, of efflux transport of the tested glucuronides, which could explain their disposition in vivo, as well as provide new tools for in vitro studies of MRP3, MRP4, and BCRP.

Efflux Transport Characterization of Resveratrol Glucuronides in UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 Transfected HeLa Cells: Application of a Cellular Pharmacokinetic Model to Decipher the Contribution of Multidrug Resistance-Associated Protein 4.

Resveratrol undergoes extensive metabolism to form biologically active glucuronides in humans. However, the transport mechanisms for resveratrol glucuronides are not fully established. Here, we aimed to characterize the efflux transport of resveratrol glucuronides using UGT1A1-overexpressing HeLa cells (HeLa1A1 cells), and to determine the contribution of multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) 4 to cellular excretion of the glucuronides. Two glucuronide isomers [i.e., resveratrol 3-O-glucuronide (R3G) and resveratrol 4'-O-glucuronide (R4'G)] were excreted into the extracellular compartment after incubation of resveratrol (1-100 μM) with HeLa1A1 cells. The excretion rate was linearly related to the level of intracellular glucuronide, indicating that glucuronide efflux was a nonsaturable process. MK-571 (a dual inhibitor of UGT1A1 and MRPs) significantly decreased the excretion rates of R3G and R4'G while increasing their intracellular levels. Likewise, short-hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated silencing of MRP4 caused a significant reduction in glucuronide excretion but an elevation in glucuronide accumulation. Furthermore, β-glucuronidase expressed in the cells catalyzed the hydrolysis of the glucuronides back to the parent compound. A cellular pharmacokinetic model integrating resveratrol transport/metabolism with glucuronide hydrolysis/excretion was well fitted to the experimental data, allowing derivation of the efflux rate constant values in the absence or presence of shRNA targeting MRP4. It was found that a large percentage of glucuronide excretion (43%-46%) was attributed to MRP4. In conclusion, MRP4 participated in cellular excretion of R3G and R4'G. Integration of mechanistic pharmacokinetic modeling with transporter knockdown was a useful method to derive the contribution percentage of an exporter to overall glucuronide excretion.

Stable knock-down of efflux transporters leads to reduced glucuronidation in UGT1A1-overexpressing HeLa cells: the evidence for glucuronidation-transport interplay.

Efflux of glucuronide is facilitated by the membrane transporters including BCRP and MRPs. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of transporter expression on glucuronide efflux and cellular glucuronidation. Single efflux transporter (i.e., BCRP, MRP1, MRP3, or MRP4) was stably knocked-down in UGT1A1-overexpressing HeLa cells. Knock-down of transporters was performed by stable transfection of short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) using lentiviral vectors. Glucuronidation and glucuronide transport in the cells were characterized using three different aglycones (i.e., genistein, apigenin, and emodin) with distinct metabolic activities. BCRP knock-down resulted in significant reductions in excretion of glucuronides (42.9% for genistein glucuronide (GG), 21.1% for apigenin glucuronide (AG) , and 33.7% for emodin glucuronide (EG); p < 0.01) and in cellular glucuronidation (38.3% for genistein, 38.6% for apigenin, and 34.7% for emodin; p < 0.01). Knock-down of a MRP transporter led to substantial decreases in excretion of GG (32.3% for MRP1, 36.7% for MRP3, and 36.6% for MRP4; p < 0.01) and AG (59.3% for MRP1, 24.7% for MRP3, and 34.1% for MRP4; p < 0.01). Also, cellular glucuronidation of genistein (38.3% for MRP1, 32.3% for MRP3, and 31.1% for MRP4; p < 0.01) and apigenin (40.6% for MRP1, 32.4% for MRP3, and 34.6% for MRP4; p < 0.001) was markedly suppressed. By contrast, silencing of MRPs did not cause any changes in either excretion of EG or cellular glucuronidation of emodin. In conclusion, cellular glucuronidation was significantly altered by decreasing expression of efflux transporters, revealing a strong interplay of glucuronidation with efflux transport.

Breast Cancer Resistance Protein-Mediated Efflux of Luteolin Glucuronides in HeLa Cells Overexpressing UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase 1A9

UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) are responsible for the formation of glucuronides of polyphenolic flavonoids. This study investigated the UGT1A9-mediated glucuronidation of luteolin and the kinetics of luteolin glucuronide efflux. HeLa cells overexpressing UGT1A9 (HeLa-UGT1A9) were used to determine the kinetics of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP)-mediated transport of luteolin glucuronides. Human UGT isoforms were used to determine glucuronidation rates. UGT1A9 was found to catalyze the production of four luteolin glucuronides, including three known monoglucuronides and a novel 3', 4'-diglucuronide. Ko143, a potent specific inhibitor of BCRP, significantly inhibited efflux of luteolin monoglucuronides from HeLa1A9 cells and increased their intracellular levels in a dose-dependent manner. The formation of luteolin diglucuronide was observed when intracellular concentration of total monoglucuronides went above 0.07nM. Intracellular accumulation of diglucuronide was detected at high monoglucuronide concentrations (>0.07nM). Diglucuronide production is speculated to be a compensatory pathway for luteolin disposition.

Echinacea sanguinea and Echinacea pallida extracts stimulate glucuronidation and basolateral transfer of Bauer alkamides 8 and 10 and ketone 24 and inhibit P-glycoprotein transporter in Caco-2 cells.

The use of Echinacea as a medicinal herb is prominent in the United States, and many studies have assessed the effectiveness of Echinacea as an immunomodulator. We hypothesized that Bauer alkamides 8, 10, and 11 and ketone 24 were absorbed similarly either as pure compounds or from Echinacea sanguinea and Echinacea pallida ethanol extracts, and that these Echinacea extracts could inhibit the P-glycoprotein transporter in Caco-2 human intestinal epithelial cells. Using HPLC analysis, the permeation rate of Bauer alkamides by passive diffusion across Caco-2 cells corresponded with compound hydrophilicity (alkamide 8 > 10 > 11), independent of the plant extract matrix. Both Echinacea ethanol extracts stimulated apparent glucuronidation and basolateral efflux of glucuronides of alkamides 8 and 10 but not alkamide 11. Bauer ketone 24 was totally metabolized to more hydrophilic metabolites when administered as a single compound, but was also glucuronidated when present in Echinacea extracts. Bauer alkamides 8, 10, and 11 (175-230 µM) and ethanol extracts of E. sanguinea (1 mg/mL, containing ~ 90 µM total alkamides) and E. pallida (5 mg/mL, containing 285 µM total alkamides) decreased the efflux of the P-glycoprotein transporter probe calcein-AM from Caco-2 cells. These results suggest that other constituents in these Echinacea extracts facilitated the metabolism and efflux of alkamides and ketones, which might improve therapeutic benefits. Alkamides and Echinacea extracts might be useful in potentiating some chemotherapeutics, which are substrates for the P-glycoprotein transporter.

Coupling of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases and multidrug resistance-associated proteins is responsible for the intestinal disposition and poor bioavailability of emodin

Emodin is a poorly bioavailable but promising plant-derived anticancer drug candidate. The low oral bioavailability of emodin is due to its extensive glucuronidation in the intestine and liver. Caco-2 cell culture model was used to investigate the interplay between UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) and efflux transporters in the intestinal disposition of emodin. Bidirectional transport assays of emodin at different concentrations were performed in the Caco-2 monolayers with or without multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) efflux transporter chemical inhibitors. The bidirectional permeability of emodin and its glucuronide in the Caco-2 monolayers was determined. Emodin was rapidly metabolized to emodin glucuronide in Caco-2 cells. LTC4, a potent inhibitor of MRP2, decreased the efflux of emodin glucuronide and also substantially increased the intracellular glucuronide level in the basolateral-to-apical (B–A) direction. MK-571, chemical inhibitor of MRP2, MRP3, and MRP4, significantly reduced the efflux of glucuronide in the apical-to-basolateral (A–B) and B–A directions in a dose-dependent manner. However, dipyridamole, a BCRP chemical inhibitor demonstrated no effect on formation and efflux of emodin glucuronide in Caco-2 cells. In conclusion, UGT is a main metabolic pathway for emodin in the intestine, and the MRP family is composed of major efflux transporters responsible for the excretion of emodin glucuronide in the intestine. The coupling of UGTs and MRP efflux transporters causes the extensive metabolism, excretion, and low bioavailability of emodin.

A New Strategy to Rapidly Evaluate Kinetics of Glucuronide Efflux by Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP/ABCG2)

The efflux transporter breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) plays an important role in excretion of anionic drugs and metabolites including glucuronides in humans. In this article, our recently published cell model (i.e., HeLa cells over-expressing UGT1A9 (HeLa1A9)) is used to determine the kinetic parameters of BCRP-mediated transport of glucuronides. After incubation of the aglycone with the cells, a steady-state (i.e., zero-order or near zero-order) excretion of its glucuronide is rapidly achieved and then maintained. Kinetic profiling with different (intracellular) glucuronide concentrations and their corresponding excretion rates is enabled by varying the concentration of the aglycone, which allows for the determination of kinetic parameters responsible for BCRP-mediated efflux of glucuronides. This approach was validated theoretically using a cellular pharmacokinetic model incorporating various enzymatic and transporter-mediated kinetic processes. It was also validated experimentally in that kinetic parameters of efflux of glucuronides of 6-hydroxyflavone and 4-methylumberiferone in the HeLa1A9 cell model were shown to be consistent with those derived with BCRP-overexpressing membrane vesicles. This study provides a new strategy for rapidly evaluating the kinetics of glucuronide efflux by BCRP.

Use of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Models to Evaluate the Impact of Intestinal Glucuronide Hydrolysis on the Pharmacokinetics of Aglycone

Drug elimination via glucuronidation pathway is a complex process involving glucuronide excretion. Glucuronide excreted into the gut lumen either directly from the enterocytes or from the hepatobiliary route can be recovered back to the precursor (aglycone) through bacteria-mediated hydrolysis. As a result, the pharmacokinetics [e.g., plasma terminal half-life (T(1/2))] of aglycone might be altered. Here, impact of intestinal glucuronide hydrolysis on the pharmacokinetics of aglycone is evaluated using physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models with liver and/or intestine as eliminating organs. It is found that compared with its absence, the presence of intestinal glucuronide hydrolysis leads to increases in the oral systemic bioavailability (F(sys)) of aglycone. The magnitude of fold increase is positively correlated with the level of metabolism, as metabolic clearance mainly contributes to recycled amount of glucuronide. Although F(sys) is independent of the glucuronide efflux in a traditional model and a segregated-flow model of the intestine, dependence of F(sys) on the glucuronide efflux can be observed in a segmental segregated-flow model of the intestine and whole-body PBPK models. Interestingly, when the ratio of apical versus basolateral efflux intrinsic clearances (of glucuronide) is fixed, their effects on the intestinal bioavailability and F(sys) cease to exist. In addition, glucuronide hydrolysis can lead to a significantly delayed elimination of the aglycone as evidenced by a prolonged (e.g., a 2.1-fold increase) T(1/2). Surprisingly, when a pharmacokinetic profile for aglycone is simulated with a flat terminal portion (a reflection of the experimental observations), changes in the aglycone bioavailabilities are limited (i.e., ≤ 1.3-fold). In conclusion, this study explores the possible role of intestinal glucuronide hydrolysis in the disposition of aglycone via simulations utilizing various PBPK models. The mechanistic observations should be helpful to better understand the complex glucuronidation in vivo.

Insulin growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1) regulates translation of the multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2) by binding to its 5′‐untranslated region (5′UTR)

MRP2 is a member of the ATP binding cassette superfamily (ABC) of efflux transporters and mediates the ATP‐dependent efflux of glucuronide and glutathione conjugates from liver, kidney and intestinal cells. The MRP2 5′UTR was investigated for its regulation of downstream gene expression. Both transient gene expression in HepG2 cells and in vitro translation assays of MRP2 5′UTR‐luciferase constructs showed that a 35 nt RNA motif in the MRP2 5′UTR stimulates downstream open reading frame (ORF) translation. One, 2, 3 and 5 copies of the 35 nt motif were inserted between renilla and firefly luciferase ORFs in bicistronic constructs and transfected into HepG2 cells, where analysis of gene expression showed that the 35 nt motif enhanced translation of the 3′ cistron without affecting its mRNA expression. In vitro translation assays of the bicistronic transcripts showed that the 35 nt motif increased translation of the 3′ cistron, consistent with potential Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES) activity of the 35 nt RNA motif. Using RNA EMSA, affinity purification and Mass Spectrometry, IGF2BP1 was identified as a protein that bound to the 35 nt RNA motif, while over‐expression of IGF2BP1 in HepG2 cells increased MRP2 translation. Thus, IGF2BP1 stimulates cap‐dependent and cap‐independent translation initiation through binding to the MRP2 5′UTR 35 nt motif.

Multidrug Resistance Proteins Restrain the Intestinal Absorption of trans-Resveratrol in Rats1–3

trans-Resveratrol, a natural antioxidant, has been described as a nutraceutic compound with important beneficial effects on health, but its low oral bioavailability hinders its therapeutic activity. Here, we studied the mechanisms of apical transport of trans-resveratrol in enterocytes and the role of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in the secretion of resveratrol glucuronide and sulfate resulting from the rapid intracellular metabolism. An intestinal perfusion method with recirculation in vivo was used in rats. Jejunal loops were perfused with increasing concentrations of trans-resveratrol and results showed that its uptake occurs by simple diffusion without the participation of a mediated transport. The apparent diffusion constant was 8.1 ± 0.3 μL/(5 min·mg dry weight). The glycoprotein-P (Pgp, ABCB1), multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2, ABCC2), and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP, ABCG2) located in the apical membrane of enterocytes were investigated using specific inhibitors. The Pgp inhibitors verapamil (5 μmol/L) and cyclosporin A (5 μmol/L) did not affect the efflux of trans-resveratrol and its conjugates. The MRP2 inhibitors probenecid (2 mmol/L) and MK571 (10 μmol/L) reduced the efflux of glucuronide by 61 and 55%, respectively, and of sulfate by 43 and 28%, respectively. The BCRP inhibitor Ko143 (0.5 μmol/L) decreased the secretion of glucuronide by 64% and of sulfate by 46%. Our experiments identify MRP2 and BCRP as the 2 apical transporters involved in the efflux of resveratrol conjugates.

Functional characterization of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene encoding human multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1/ABCC1)

The 190-kDa ATP-binding cassette (ABC) multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) encoded by the MRP1/ABCC1 gene mediates the active cellular efflux of glucuronide, glutathione and sulfate conjugates. It can also confer resistance to a diverse spectrum of chemotherapeutic agents and transport a variety of toxicants. In the present study, we examined 10 MRP1/ABCC1 missense genetic variants [non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)] to determine whether or not they affect expression or function of the transporter. Variants 218C>T (Thr73Ile), 257C>T (Ser92Phe), 350C>T (Thr117Met), 689G>A (Arg230Gln), 1898G>A (Arg633Gln), 2168G>A (Arg723Gln), 2965G>A (Ala989Thr), 3140G>C (Cys1047Ser), 3173G>A (Arg1058Gln) and 4535C>T (Ser1512Leu) were recreated using site-directed mutagenesis and transfected into human embryonic kidney cells. Immunoblotting experiments showed that all mutant proteins were expressed at levels comparable to wild-type MRP1. Vesicular transport assays revealed that the Ala989Thr mutation caused a significant decrease in estradiol 17beta-glucuronide transport due to a decrease in apparent affinity (Km) for this organic anion. The transport properties of the other mutants were comparable to wild-type MRP1. When the MRP1/ABCC1 non-synonymous SNPs were evaluated by the SIFT algorithm using subsets of homologs and orthologs of MRP1/ABCC1, Arg230Gln, Val353Met, Arg433Ser, Gly671Val and Arg1058 mutations were predicted to be deleterious, whereas the PolyPhen algorithm predicted Ser92Phe and Gly671Val to be potentially damaging. Thus most predictions of these algorithms were not in accordance with our experimental results. In conclusion, our data suggest that none of the MRP1/ABCC1 variants studied are likely by themselves to have major deleterious effects in healthy individuals, and the SIFT and PolyPhen algorithms appear to be poor predictors of the phenotypic consequences of these MRP1 mutations at least in vitro.

Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (Bcrp1/Abcg2) Limits Net Intestinal Uptake of Quercetin in Rats by Facilitating Apical Efflux of Glucuronides

The intestinal absorption of the flavonoid quercetin in rats is limited by the secretion of glucuronidated metabolites back into the gut lumen. The objective of this study was to determine the role of the intestinal efflux transporters breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp1)/Abcg2 and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2)/Abcc2. To study the possible involvement of Mrp2, we compared intestinal uptake of quercetin-3-glucoside between control and Mrp2-deficient rats, using an in situ intestinal perfusion system. The contribution of Bcrp1 was determined using the specific inhibitor fumitremorgin C (FTC) in Mrp2-deficient rats. Furthermore, vectorial transport of quercetin was studied in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK)II cells transfected with either human MRP2 or murine Bcrp1. In these MDCKII cells, we showed an efficient efflux-directed transport of quercetin by mouse Bcrp1, whereas in control and MRP2-transfected cells no vectorial transport of quercetin was observed. In Mrp2-deficient rats, intestinal uptake of quercetin from quercetin-3-glucoside, efflux of quercetin glucuronides to the gut lumen, and plasma concentration of quercetin were similar to that in control rats. When intestinal Bcrp1 was inhibited by FTC in Mrp2-deficient rats, total plasma concentrations of quercetin and its methylated metabolite isorhamnetin after 30 min of perfusion were more than twice that of controls (12.3 +/- 1.5 versus 5.6 +/- 1.3 muM; p < 0.01), whereas uptake of free quercetin from the intestinal lumen was not affected. Instead, inhibition of Bcrp1 lowered the efflux of quercetin glucuronides into the perfusion fluid by approximately 4-fold. In conclusion, Bcrp1 limits net intestinal absorption of quercetin by pumping quercetin glucuronides back into the lumen.

Disposition mechanisms of raloxifene in the human intestinal Caco-2 model.

The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanisms responsible for transport of raloxifene and its hydrophilic conjugates. Human intestinal Caco-2 cell culture model and Caco-2 cell lysate were used for the studies. The results indicated that absorptive permeability (PAB) of raloxifene was lower than its secretory permeability (PAB). As the concentration increased, the efflux ratio (PBA/PAB) decreased, but PBA increased. PAB was also increased in the presence of verapamil and cyclosporine A, two P-glycoprotein inhibitors. Raloxifene was extensively metabolized into sulfated and glucuronidated conjugates. The extent of metabolism or clearance was decreased as the concentration increased from 3.4 (96%) to 30 (22%) microM. Multidrug resistance-related protein inhibitors MK-571 (C26H26ClN2O3S2) and leukotriene C4 significantly decreased (maximal 80%) apical efflux of both conjugates. They also significantly decreased (maximal 85%) basolateral efflux of glucuronides but not sulfates. On the other hand, organic anion transporter (OAT) inhibitor estrone sulfate and estrone glucuronide significantly decreased (maximal 50%) the efflux of sulfate from both sides but had variable effects on glucuronide efflux. Inhibition of conjugate efflux with the OAT inhibitor estrone sulfate was concentration dependent, which resulted in increased transport of intact raloxifene (maximal 90%). This increase in raloxifene transport was also observed in the presence of another OAT inhibitor estrone glucuronide (70%). In conclusion, this is the first report that inhibition of an efflux transporter responsible for the transport of metabolites can result in increase in the transport of the intact compound. It also provides additional explanation why raloxifene has low bioavailability but a long half-life.

Absorption and presystemic glucuronidation of 1-naphthol in the vascularly fluorocarbon emulsion perfused rat small intestine. The influence of 1-naphthol concentration, perfusate flow and noradrenaline.

Using the isolated vascularly fluorocarbon emulsion perfused rat small intestine some factors which determine the extent of the intestinal glucuronidation of 1-naphthol to 1-naphthol-beta-D-glucuronide were studied. Increasing the luminal 1-naphthol concentration resulted in a concomitant increase in the 1-naphthol appearance in the vascular perfusate. In contrast, the total appearance of 1-naphthol-beta-D-glucuronide increased less than proportional to the increase in the luminal 1-naphthol concentration. About 88% of the total amount of 1-naphthol-beta-D-glucuronide excreted was released into the vascular perfusate. The capacity-limited intestinal glucuronide efflux is most likely due to saturation of the excretory mechanism for 1-naphthol-beta-D-glucuronide. Decreasing the vascular flow rate influenced both the appearance of 1-naphthol and 1-naphthol-beta-D-glucuronide in the vascular perfusate, whereas the appearance of 1-naphthol-beta-D-glucuronide in the luminal perfusate was essentially flow-independent. A noradrenaline-induced change in the haemodynamic state of the vascular bed (with the total flow kept constant) resulted in a marked decrease in the naphthol vascular concentration. The vascular 1-naphthol-beta-D-glucuronide concentration was only slightly affected. These results indicate that changes in blood flow and blood flow distribution within the intestinal wall can affect the extent of presystemic intestinal metabolism by interfering with the absorption of the parent compound and the efflux of formed conjugates. These parameters can be of paramount importance for causing variable intestinal first-pass effects of drugs in vivo.