Methotrexate Uptake Research Articles

The effect of non-ionic surfactant vesicle (niosome) entrapment on the absorption and distribution of methotrexate in mice.

Non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) prepared from a non-ionic surfactant, cholesterol and dicetyl phosphate and containing methotrexate (MTX) have been administered to mice. Given intravenously the niosomes prolong the levels of MTX in the blood, large amounts of the drug being taken up by the liver. There was also an increased uptake of MTX into the brain, perhaps due to an effect of the niosome components on the permeability of the blood brain barrier. Absorption of the drug from the gastrointestinal tract following oral ingestion, appeared to be increased at some doses; most of the entrapped MTX was taken up by the liver, but uptake of MTX into the brain was also increased. The metabolic profile of the drug is altered by the niosomes which appear to prevent the rapid formation of 7-hydroxy methotrexate.

A new method for studying cell growth in suspension, and its use to show that indomethacin enhances cell killing by methotrexate.

Microturbidimetry has been used to measure the growth of cells in suspension. Disaggregated mouse NC carcinoma cells in culture medium were added to the wells of a microtitre test plate and incubated. Absorbance of 600 nm light was measured daily for 4 days using a microplate reader. As the cells grew, light absorbance increased. Methotrexate 2-40 ng ml-1 reduced cell growth; this effect was increased by indomethacin 1 microgram ml-1, possibly by displacing methotrexate from its binding by serum protein or by enhancing cell uptake of methotrexate. Similar results were obtained by conventional clonogenic assays. The new technique offers simplicity, better reproducibility, and substantial savings in time and cost.

Facilitation by Polysorbate 80 of Methotrexate Uptake into Mouse Brain

Facilitation by Polysorbate 80 of Methotrexate Uptake into Mouse Brain

Inhibitory Effect of Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitor Etoricoxib on Human Organic Anion Transporter 3 (hOAT3)

It is well known that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) delay the elimination of methotrexate. One of the mechanisms is thought to be inhibition of methotrexate uptake via human organic anion transporter 3 (hOAT3, SLC22A8) in the renal proximal tubule by NSAIDs. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor etoricoxib on hOAT3 by uptake experiments using Xenopus laevis oocytes. The injection of hOAT3 cRNA stimulated the uptake of methotrexate into the oocytes, and its transport was inhibited by etoricoxib. Etoricoxib inhibited estrone sulfate uptake by hOAT3 dose dependently, and the 50% inhibitory concentration was estimated to be 9.8 µM. Eadie-Hofstee plot analysis showed that etoricoxib inhibited hOAT3 in a competitive manner. These findings show that etoricoxib has inhibitory effect on hOAT3, and that the potential is comparable to that of traditional NSAIDs.

Dose-Dependent Inhibition of Transporter-Mediated Hepatic Uptake and Biliary Excretion of Methotrexate by Cyclosporine A in an Isolated Perfused Rat Liver Model

Methotrexate (MTX) and cyclosporine (CyA) are coadministered in a number of diseases. In this study, the effects of CyA on the hepatobiliary disposition of MTX were investigated in an isolated perfused rat liver model. A bolus 5-mg dose of MTX was added to a recirculating perfusate in the absence or presence of a relatively low (0.5 mg) or high (2.5 mg) dose of CyA or vehicle pretreatment, and perfusate, bile, and terminal liver samples were collected for analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In control and vehicle groups, MTX showed a low hepatic extraction ratio (∼0.1) and was almost completely eliminated by excretion into the bile. The low-dose CyA significantly reduced (60%) the hepatic extraction ratio and clearance of MTX, without affecting the bile/liver concentration ratio, suggesting inhibition of sinusoidal uptake of MTX only. In contrast, the high-dose CyA significantly reduced both hepatic uptake and Mrp2-mediated biliary excretion of MTX. Isolated rat hepatocyte uptake studies showed significant inhibition of [(3)H]MTX uptake in the presence of CyA. It is concluded that CyA significantly alters the hepatobiliary disposition of MTX by inhibiting its sinusoidal uptake and/or biliary transport, potentially reducing enterohepatic recirculation of the drug in vivo.

Transnasal Delivery of Methotrexate to Brain Tumors in Rats: A New Strategy for Brain Tumor Chemotherapy

Brain tumors are one of the most lethal and difficult to treat. Their treatment is limited by the inadequate delivery of antitumor drugs to the tumor. In order to overcome this limitation, the possibility of the nose-brain direct transport pathway was evaluated using methotrexate (MTX) as a model antitumor agent. The direct transport of nasal MTX to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was examined by comparing the concentration of MTX in the plasma and the CSF after intraperitoneal (IP) and intranasal (IN) administrations. The brain uptake of MTX was evaluated based on a multiple-time/graphical analysis by measuring the concentration of MTX in the plasma and in the brain. The feasibility of nasal chemotherapy was examined by three nasal dosings of MTX to tumor-bearing rats in vivo at two day intervals with peritoneal application as a positive control. MTX showed a significant inhibitory effect on the in vitro growth of 9L glioma cells with 50% growth inhibitory concentration at 7.99 ng/mL. The pharmacokinetic studies clarified the significant direct transport of MTX from nasal cavity both to the CSF and to the brain. Nasal chemotherapy with MTX significantly reduced the tumor weight as compared to nontreatment control and IP group. The strategy to utilize the nose-brain direct transport can be applicable to a new therapeutic system not only for brain tumors but also for other central nervous system disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases.

ChemInform Abstract: Tubular Localization and Drug Recognition of Kidney-Specific Organic Anion Transporters, OAT-K1 and OAT-K2

The renal proximal tubular cells play a principal role in limiting or preventing toxicity by actively secreting organic anions from the circulation into the urine. We isolated a cDNA coding a novel rat kidney specific organic anion transporter, OAT-K1, mediating transport of methotrexate (MTX). Moreover, we have isolated a new cDNA coding a rat OAT-K2, showing the 91% amino acid identity with OAT-K1. In this study, the mRNA distribution along the nephron segments and the transport characteristics of OAT-K1 and OAT-K2 have been analyzed. By the use of a reverse transcription-coupled PCR, OAT-K1 and OAT-K2 mRNAs were detected predominantly in the proximal straight tubules. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, OAT-K1 mediated the uptake of MTX and folate, but not of taurocholate (TCA) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), although OAT-K2 stimulated the uptake of MTX, folate, TCA and PGE2. In stable transfectants (MDCK OAT-K1 and MDCK-OAT-K2), each transporter was localized functionally to the apical membrane and showed transport activity similar to those in the oocytes. The efflux of preloaded MTX was enhanced in both MDCK-OAT-K1 and MDCK-OAT-K2 cells. These results suggest that both OAT-K1 and OAT-K2 are apical membrane bidirectional organic anion transporters, and participate in epithelial transport of lipophilic organic anions in the kidney.

Drug interaction between celecoxib and methotrexate in organic anion transporter 3–transfected renal cells and in rats in vivo

Methotrexate has a clinically important pharmacokinetic interaction with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) mainly through its competition for tubular secretion via the renal organic anion transporter 3 (OAT3). We have previously reported the usefulness of OAT3-transfected renal tubular cells for screening of the drugs which interfere with the pharmacokinetics of methotrexate. Celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase (COX) 2 inhibitor, has not been reported to interact with methotrexate, but the mechanisms are unclear why the interaction did not occur. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of celecoxib on methotrexate tubular secretion using a renal cell line stably expressing human OAT3 (S2-hOAT3), and to evaluate the pharmacokinetic interaction of the two drugs in rats. [ 3H]methotrexate uptake into S2-hOAT3 cells was significantly inhibited by celecoxib in a concentration-dependent manner and the Ki value was 35.3 µM. However, methotrexate serum concentrations and urinary excretion of methotrexate over 24 h in rats were not affected by celecoxib (50, 200 mg/kg). Celecoxib serum concentrations were increased by the increase in celecoxib dosage and the maximum drug concentration (Cmax) was 20.6 µM (celecoxib 200 mg/kg), which did not reach the Ki value obtained in the in vitro study. These results indicated that celecoxib inhibited the secretion of methotrexate via hOAT3, which suggested that celecoxib was a substrate of hOAT3. However, co-administration of the two drugs at clinical dosage did not affect the pharmacokinetics of methotrexate, because the serum concentrations did not reach the Ki value. Although the accumulation study using S2-hOAT3 cells was useful to predict the interaction between the new drug and methotrexate in vivo, a comparison of the Ki value with the Cmax in clinical dosage was necessary to evaluate the degree of this interaction.

Abstract 3583: 5-Amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside-potentiated methotrexate uptake in CCRF-CEM cells

Abstract We previously showed that 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside (Z) potentiates methotrexate (MTX) uptake in human leukemia CCRF-CEM cells via the reduced folate carrier (RFC) and also enhances MTX growth inhibitory potency. We have now studied the role of protein kinases (PK) in Z-mediated potentiation of MTX uptake. AMP-activated PK (AMPK), the prototypical target of Z, was not involved because an AMPK activator (D942) alone did not potentiate MTX uptake and an AMPK inhibitor (compound C) did not inhibit Z-mediated potentiation. We then assessed the ability of a PK inhibitor library to inhibit Z-mediated potentiation of [3H]MTX uptake. None of the 80 PK inhibitors at 10 µM affected MTX uptake in the absence of Z. At 10 µM, triciribine (Akt), GF 109203X and Ro 31-8220 (both pan-PKC) demonstrated the greatest inhibition (>78%) of Z potentiation, with IC50 values of 4 µM, 1.8 µM and 1.7 µM, respectively. These data suggest that Akt and/or PKC (classical, c; novel, n; or atypical, a) could be involved in Z potentiation. Further studies with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, which can selectively modulate activity of cPKC and nPKC (but not aPKC), and with PKC isotype-specific inhibitors suggested that cPKC and nPKC are not involved, but aPKC (PKC-ι and/or PKC-ζ) are. Expression of PKC-ι but not PKC-ζ in CCRF-CEM cells indicated PKC-ι to be the most likely candidate. Our PK inhibitor screen would identify inhibitors of Z transport and metabolism, as well as of Z-potentiated RFC function. Our previous findings revealed that Z must enter CCRF-CEM cells via equilibrative nucleoside transporter-1 (ENT-1) and that Z potentiates MTX uptake in a concentration-dependent manner. It was reported by others that PKC-δ and/or -ε enhance nucleoside uptake through ENT-1 in other cell types. To investigate if PKC can regulate transport/metabolism of Z, which could ultimately affect Z potentiation, a modified transport assay and HPLC analysis were used to quantitate intracellular [14C]Z ± pan-PKC inhibitor GF 109203X. GF 109203X decreased cellular Z accumulation by 54 ± 0.7% at 20 min, with an 86 ± 6.5% lower Z monophosphate (ZMP) level. Together with the results above, these data suggest that PKC-ι enhances Z accumulation and ZMP levels, which could potentiate MTX uptake. Further studies are underway investigating the effect of PKC-ι on Z transport alone by measuring the effect of GF 109203X on [14C]Z uptake at 10 sec. In addition, Akt inhibitor, triciribine, also decreased cellular [14C]Z accumulation by 48 ± 7.8%. Current evidence showing a role for PKC-ι and/or Akt in Z-potentiated MTX uptake may be partly or largely due to their effects on Z transport/metabolism, rather than on RFC. Because potentiation of MTX uptake requires Z transport and metabolism and at least 1 potentiating process, direct studies on posttranslational modification of RFC may provide better insight into possible mechanisms of Z-potentiated MTX uptake. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3583.

Identification of the Minimal Functional Unit of the Homo-oligomeric Human Reduced Folate Carrier

The reduced folate carrier (RFC) is the major transport system for folates in mammals. We previously demonstrated the existence of human RFC (hRFC) homo-oligomers and established the importance of these higher order structures to intracellular trafficking and carrier function. In this report, we examined the operational significance of hRFC oligomerization and the minimal functional unit for transport. In negative dominance experiments, multimeric transporters composed of different ratios of active (either wild type (WT) or cysteine-less (CLFL)) and inactive (either inherently inactive (Y281L and R373A) due to mutation, or resulting from inactivation of the Y126C mutant by (2-sulfonatoethyl) methanethiosulfonate (MTSES)) hRFC monomers were expressed in hRFC-null HeLa (R5) cells, and residual WT or CLFL activity was measured. In either case, residual transport activity with increasing levels of inactive mutant correlated linearly with the fraction of WT or CLFL hRFC in plasma membranes. When active covalent hRFC dimers, generated by fusing CLFL and Y126C monomers, were expressed in R5 cells and treated with MTSES, transport activity of the CLFL-CLFL dimer was unaffected, whereas Y126C-Y126C was potently (64%) inhibited; heterodimeric CLFL-Y126C and Y126C-CLFL were only partly (27 and 23%, respectively) inhibited by MTSES. In contrast to Y126C-Y126C, trans-stimulation of methotrexate uptake by intracellular folates for Y126C-CLFL and CLFL-Y126C was nominally affected by MTSES. Collectively, these results strongly support the notion that each hRFC monomer comprises a single translocation pathway for anionic folate substrates and functions independently of other monomers (i.e. despite an oligomeric structure, hRFC functions as a monomer).

Site-specific contribution of proton-coupled folate transporter/haem carrier protein 1 in the intestinal absorption of methotrexate in rats

Abstract Objectives Methotrexate is reportedly a substrate for proton-coupled folate transporter/haem carrier protein 1 (PCFT/HCP1) and reduced folate carrier 1 (RFC1). In this study, we examined the contribution of PCFT/HCP1 and RFC1 in the intestinal absorption of methotrexate in rats. Methods Western blot analysis was carried out to evaluate the protein levels of PCFT/HCP1 and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 in brush-border membrane of rat small intestine. Mucosal uptake of methotrexate was studied in the rat everted small intestine and an in-situ intestinal perfusion study of methotrexate was also carried out in rats. Key findings In transport studies using everted intestine, the mucosal methotrexate influx rate in proximal intestine at pH 5.5 was significantly greater than that at pH 7.4. Coadministration of folate or its analogues, such as folinate and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, substrates for both PCFT/HCP1 and RFC1, significantly suppressed the methotrexate influx at pH 5.5, whereas thiamine pyrophosphate, an inhibitor for RFC1 alone, exerted no significant effect. Western blot analysis showed higher PCFT/HCP1 expression in proximal than distal small intestine. In distal small intestine, methotrexate influx rate was low and was not pH dependent. Also, folate and its analogues exerted no significant effect on methotrexate absorption. Conclusions Based on the present and our previous results, the site-specific contributions of various transporters including PCFT/HCP1 in methotrexate intestinal absorption were discussed. The variation in luminal pH and the involvement of multiple transporters in methotrexate absorption may cause variation in oral bioavailability among patients.

Mechanisms for Transport of Methotrexate across Apical and Basolateral Membranes in Human Intestinal Epithelial Caco-2 Cells

To investigate the intestinal absorption mechanisms of methotrexate,we examined the apical uptake and transcellular transport of the drug in human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells.In these cells,the mRNA expression of proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) was much higher than that of reduced folate carrier (RFC).The apical uptake of 1μM methotrexate by Caco-2 cells grown on plastic dishes was markedly increased by acidification (pH 6.5→4.citation=5)of the apical medium,and diminished at a low temperature (4°C).The transcellular transport of 1μM methotrexate across Caco-2 cell monolayers grown on porous membrane filters was only slightly greater in the apical-to-basolateral direction than in the opposite direction.Pharmacokinetic analysis of the transcellular transport revealed that the influx clearance of methotrexate at the apical membrane was greater than that at the basolateral membrane,with significant gradual decreases in the low concentration range (1→10μM).On the other hand,the efflux clearance of methotrexate was much lower than the influx clearance at both apical and basolateral membranes.These findings indicated that high-affinity PCFT was involved in the uptake of methotrexate across the apical membrane in Caco-2 cells,and that there was little or no efflux of the drug at the basolateral membrane.

Transport of Aminopterin by Human Organic Anion Transporters hOAT1 and hOAT3: Comparison with Methotrexate

The transport of antifolate aminopterin by human organic anion transporters hOAT1 (SLC22A6) and hOAT3 (SLC22A8) was characterized using Xenopus laevis oocytes and was compared with that of methotrexate. Although hOAT1 and hOAT3 transported both aminopterin and methotrexate, uptake of methotrexate was greater in hOAT3-expressing oocytes than in hOAT1-expressing oocytes, and aminopterin was transported by hOAT1 more efficiently. The apparent 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of aminopterin for p-aminohippurate uptake by hOAT1 was lower than that of methotrexate (methotrexate: 998 microM, aminopterin: 160 microM). On the other hand, IC(50) values of these antifolates for estrone sulfate transport by hOAT3 were comparable (methotrexate: 61.5 microM, aminopterin: 59.2 microM). The Michaelis-Menten constant and maximum velocity of aminopterin transport by hOAT1 were calculated to be 226 microM and 72.5 pmol/ oocyte/2 hr, respectively. Probenecid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs strongly inhibited the transport. These findings show that both aminopterin and methotrexate are substrates of hOAT1 and hOAT3, and that there are differences between the antifolates in terms of their transport characteristics.

Inhibitory Effect of Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitor Lumiracoxib on Human Organic Anion Transporters hOAT1 and hOAT3

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) delay renal excretion of antifolate methotrexate by inhibiting human organic anion transporters hOAT1 (SLC22A6) and hOAT3 (SLC22A8). In this study, we performed uptake experiments using Xenopus laevis oocytes to assess the inhibitory effect of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors on hOAT1 and hOAT3. The uptake of methotrexate into oocytes was increased by the injection of hOAT1 and hOAT3 cRNA, and transport was strongly inhibited by lumiracoxib. The apparent 50% inhibitory concentrations of lumiracoxib were estimated to be 3.3 µM and 1.9 µM for uptake of p-aminohippurate by hOAT1 and of estrone sulfate by hOAT3, respectively. Eadie-Hofstee plot analysis showed that lumiracoxib inhibited hOAT1 and hOAT3 in a competitive manner. For other cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors celecoxib, etoricoxib, rofecoxib and valdecoxib, slight to moderate inhibition of hOAT3 only was observed. These findings show that lumiracoxib has inhibitory potential toward hOAT1 and hOAT3, comparable to that of nonselective NSAIDs.

Differential Usage of the Transport Systems for Folic acid and Methotrexate in Normal Human T-Lymphocytes and Leukemic Cells

Methotrexate (MTX) has been used as an effective anti-cancer drug for a long time. Conceptually, it is accepted that MTX and folic acid are transported by folate receptors (FRs) in cancerous cells, but the exact mechanism of MTX uptake in human leukemia is unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate different transport systems for FA and MTX, and to delineate their uptake mechanism in MOLT4, K562, Hut78 leukemia cells and normal human T cells. In MOLT4, uptake of MTX was higher than FA, similar to that of K562, Hut78 and normal T cells. In MOLT4 cells, MTX uptake was maximum at pH 7.4 whereas FA uptake was maximum at pH 4.5. Uptake of FA and MTX was significantly inhibited by anions, suggesting anion-dependent transport system. FA uptake was found to be energy dependent whereas MTX uptake was energy independent. RT-PCR and immunofluorescence results demonstrated the presence of reduced folate carrier as well as proton coupled folate transporter and absence of FR in MOLT4 and normal T cells. These data suggest the existence of two separate and independent carrier-mediated transport systems for the uptake of FA and MTX in normal and leukemic human T cells.

Site-specific contribution of proton-coupled folate transporter/haem carrier protein 1 in the intestinal absorption of methotrexate in rats

Methotrexate is reportedly a substrate for proton-coupled folate transporter/haem carrier protein 1 (PCFT/HCP1) and reduced folate carrier 1 (RFC1). In this study, we examined the contribution of PCFT/HCP1 and RFC1 in the intestinal absorption of methotrexate in rats. Western blot analysis was carried out to evaluate the protein levels of PCFT/HCP1 and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 in brush-border membrane of rat small intestine. Mucosal uptake of methotrexate was studied in the rat everted small intestine and an in-situ intestinal perfusion study of methotrexate was also carried out in rats. In transport studies using everted intestine, the mucosal methotrexate influx rate in proximal intestine at pH 5.5 was significantly greater than that at pH 7.4. Coadministration of folate or its analogues, such as folinate and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, substrates for both PCFT/HCP1 and RFC1, significantly suppressed the methotrexate influx at pH 5.5, whereas thiamine pyrophosphate, an inhibitor for RFC1 alone, exerted no significant effect. Western blot analysis showed higher PCFT/HCP1 expression in proximal than distal small intestine. In distal small intestine, methotrexate influx rate was low and was not pH dependent. Also, folate and its analogues exerted no significant effect on methotrexate absorption. Based on the present and our previous results, the site-specific contributions of various transporters including PCFT/HCP1 in methotrexate intestinal absorption were discussed. The variation in luminal pH and the involvement of multiple transporters in methotrexate absorption may cause variation in oral bioavailability among patients.

Functional Reconstitution of Human ABCC3 into Proteoliposomes Reveals a Transport Mechanism with Positive Cooperativity

ABCC3 (MRP3) is a member of the family of multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRP), which belong to the largest family of membrane transport proteins, namely, the ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Members of this family contribute to the excretion of several organic anions from cells and play a critical role in conferring resistance against drugs used in the treatment of cancer. The overexpression of ABCC3 in the yeast Pichia pastoris and its subsequent purification made possible the study of substrate-dependent ATPase activity [Chloupkova, M., et al. (2007) Biochemistry 46, 7992-8003]. Here we describe the successful reconstitution of purified ABCC3 in proteoliposomes and ABCC3-dependent uptake of the anticancer drug methotrexate (MTX), as well as the physiological substrate leukotriene C(4) (LTC(4)). Our results show specific transport in a cell-free environment and in the absence of other proteins, revealing positive allosteric cooperativity for ABCC3-mediated substrate translocation. The ABCC3-mediated transport of MTX indicates a Hill coefficient of 2.3 +/- 1.7, a maximum transport rate (V(max)) of >2 micromol min(-1) mg(-1), and a K(M) in the millimolar range, whereas the translocation of LTC(4) into proteoliposomes displayed a Hill coefficient of 2.3 +/- 0.5 with a maximum transport rate of 4.7 +/- 0.8 nmol min(-1) mg(-1), and a K(M) in the micromolar range (1.7 +/- 0.3 microM). The transport of both substrates, MTX and LTC(4), was inhibited by etoposide, confirming a higher affinity of ABCC3 for LTC(4) than for MTX. The technical advances described in this report represent the basis for the extended and detailed kinetic characterization of ABCC3 with a wide range of implications for the investigation of other human ABC transporters.

Plant Vacuolar ATP-binding Cassette Transporters That Translocate Folates and Antifolates in Vitro and Contribute to Antifolate Tolerance in Vivo

The vacuoles of pea (Pisum sativum) leaves and red beet (Beta vulgaris) storage root are major sites for the intracellular compartmentation of folates. In the light of these findings and preliminary experiments indicating that some plant multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) subfamily ATP-binding cassette transporters are able to transport compounds of this type, the Arabidopsis thaliana vacuolar MRP, AtMRP1 (AtABCC1), and its functional equivalent(s) in vacuolar membrane vesicles purified from red beet storage root were studied. In so doing, it has been determined that heterologously expressed AtMRP1 and its equivalents in red beet vacuolar membranes are not only competent in the transport of glutathione conjugates but also folate monoglutamates and antifolates as exemplified by pteroyl-l-glutamic acid and methotrexate (MTX), respectively. In agreement with the results of these in vitro transport measurements, analyses of atmrp1 T-DNA insertion mutants of Arabidopsis ecotypes Wassilewskia and Columbia disclose an MTX-hypersensitive phenotype. atmrp1 knock-out mutants are more sensitive than wild-type plants to growth retardation by nanomolar concentrations of MTX, and this is associated with impaired vacuolar antifolate sequestration. The vacuoles of protoplasts isolated from the leaves of Wassilewskia atmrp1 mutants accumulate 50% less [(3)H]MTX than the vacuoles of protoplasts from wild-type plants when incubated in media containing nanomolar concentrations of this antifolate, and vacuolar membrane-enriched vesicles purified from the mutant catalyze MgATP-dependent [(3)H]MTX uptake at only 40% of the capacity of the equivalent membrane fraction from wild-type plants. AtMRP1 and its counterparts in other plant species therefore have the potential for participating in the vacuolar accumulation of folates and related compounds.

Antiepileptic drugs reduce efficacy of methotrexate chemotherapy by downregulation of Reduced folate carrier transport activity

Concurrent treatment with methotrexate (MTX) and antiepileptic drugs, such as phenobarbital (PB), reduces the efficacy of MTX chemotherapy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This can result from defective Reduced folate carrier (Rfc1)-dependent cellular uptake of MTX. Indeed, we have shown that functional Rfc1 activity is significantly reduced by clinically relevant concentrations of the anticonvulsant drugs PB or carbamazepine in an adequate in vitro model. As PB is known to regulate carrier-associated transport by the nuclear receptor constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), we investigated the involvement of the CAR signaling cascade and the mode of PB-induced downregulation of Rfc1 activity. CAR activation by PB or the CAR agonist 1,4-bis[2-(3,5-dichloro- pyridyloxy)]-benzene resulted in translocation of Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase Calpha (cPKCalpha) to the plasma membrane related to significantly elevated PKC activities. In contrast, subcellular localization of Ca(2+)-independent PKCdelta was only marginally altered. Studies on intracellular distribution of the Rfc1 protein indicated that PB-induced activation of cPKCalpha was associated with carrier internalization from the plasma membrane into the cytosol independent of the Rfc1 phosphorylation status. In conclusion, we identified for the first time the molecular mechanism of this clinically relevant drug resistance in patients with ALL concurrently receiving MTX chemotherapy and antiepileptic drugs.

A Role for the Proton-coupled Folate Transporter (PCFT-SLC46A1) in Folate Receptor-mediated Endocytosis

Recently, this laboratory identified a proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT), with optimal activity at low pH. PCFT is critical to intestinal folate absorption and transport into the central nervous system because there are loss-of-function mutations in this gene in the autosomal recessive disorder, hereditary folate malabsorption. The current study addresses the role PCFT might play in another transport pathway, folate receptor (FR)-mediated endocytosis. FRalpha cDNA was transfected into novel PCFT(+) and PCFT(-) HeLa sublines. FRalpha was shown to bind and trap folates in vesicles but with minimal export into the cytosol in PCFT(-) cells. Cotransfection of FRalpha and PCFT resulted in enhanced folate transport into cytosol as compared with transfection of FRalpha alone. Probenecid did not inhibit folate binding to FR, but inhibited PCFT-mediated transport at endosomal pH, and blocked FRalpha-mediated transport into the cytosol. FRalpha and PCFT co-localized to the endosomal compartment. These observations (i) indicate that PCFT plays a role in FRalpha-mediated endocytosis by serving as a route of export of folates from acidified endosomes and (ii) provide a functional role for PCFT in tissues in which it is expressed, such as the choroid plexus, where the extracellular milieu is at neutral pH.