P-glycoprotein Homologue Research Articles

Ivermectin resistance in nematodes may be caused by alteration of P-glycoprotein homolog

Resistance to ivermectin and related drugs is an increasing problem for parasite control. The mechanism of ivermectin resistance in nematode parasites is currently unknown. Some P-glycoproteins and multidrug resistance proteins have been found to act as membrane transporters which pump drugs from the cell. A disruption of the mdr1a gene, which encodes a P-glycoprotein in mice, results in hypersensitivity to ivermectin. Genes encoding members of the P-glycoprotein family are known to exist in nematodes but the involvement of P-glycoprotein in nematode ivermectin-resistance has not been described. Our data suggest that a P-glycoprotein may play a role in ivermectin resistance in the sheep nematode parasite Haemonchus contortus. A full length P-glycoprotein cDNA from H. contortus has been cloned and sequenced. Analysis of the sequence showed 61–65% homology to other P-glycoprotein/multidrug resistant protein sequences, such as mice, human and Caenorhabditis elegans. Expression of P-glycoprotein mRNA was higher in ivermectin-selected than unselected strains of H. contortus. An alteration in the restriction pattern was also found for the genomic locus of P-glycoprotein derived from ivermectin-selected strains of H. contortus compared with unselected strains. P-glycoprotein gene structure and/or its transcription are altered in ivermectin-selected H. contortus. The multidrug resistance reversing agent, verapamil, increased the efficacy of ivermectin and moxidectin against a moxidectin-selected strain of this nematode in jirds ( Meriones unguiculatus). These data indicate that a P-glycoprotein may be involved in resistance to ivermectin and other macrocyclic lactones in H. contortus.

Cloning and characterisation of a novel P-glycoprotein homologue from barley

P-glycoproteins are members of a large superfamily of transport proteins (the `traffic ATPases') that utilize ATP to translocate a wide range of substrates across biological membranes. Using a PCR-based approach, and degenerate oligonucleotides corresponding to conserved motifs, two 300-bp cDNA fragments (pBMDR1 and pBMDR2) with a significant sequence similarity to mammalian P-glycoproteins were amplified from barley ( Hordeum vulgare) root poly A + RNA and used as probes to screen a barley root cDNA library. A single full-length clone pHVMDR2 coding for a polypeptide of 1232 residues ( c. 134 kDa) was isolated. Comparison of this barley sequence with Arabidopsis ATPGP1 and human MDR1 and MDR3 P-glycoprotein sequences showed that the barley cDNA has 44%, 37% and 38% amino acid (aa) identity, respectively, with these sequences, and conserved structural features. RNase protection analysis showed that HVMDR2 mRNA is expressed at low levels in both barley roots and leaves. Southern blot analyses indicated that there is a small multigene family related to P-glycoproteins in barley. Possible functions for these barley P-glycoproteins are discussed.

Assessment of pfmdr 1 gene copy number by tandem competitive polymerase chain reaction

The pfmdr 1 gene encodes a Plasmodium falciparum homologue of the human P-glycoprotein expressed on the surface of the parasite food vacuole. Variation in copy number and specific codon mutations of pfmdr 1 have been implicated in the development of parasite resistance to antimalarial drugs. We describe here the technique of Tandem-Competitive Polymerase Chain Reaction (TC-PCR), which allows accurate measurement of pfmdr 1 copy number in parasite DNA obtained directly from small quantities (100 μl) of red blood cells. We reliably quantified pfmdr 1 in previously well characterised strains of Plasmodium falciparum with differing pfmdr 1 gene copy numbers using starting amounts of between 3000 and 40 000 gene copies. We then used TC-PCR to determine pfmdr 1 gene copy number in field specimens of venous blood taken from 10 patients with malaria contracted along the Thai—Burmese border. In this region of high grade parasite resistance to mefloquine greater than 70% of samples had a copy number greater than 1 of pfmdr 1 determined with a repeatability coefficient of 0.58.

Quinoline antimalarials: Mechanisms of action and resistance

The quinoline-containing antimalarial drugs, chloroquine, quinine and mefloquine, are a vital part of our chemotherapeutic armoury against malaria. These drugs are thought to act by interfering with the digestion of haemoglobin in the blood stages of the malaria life cycle. Chloroquine is a dibasic drug which diffuses down the pH gradient to accumulate about a 1000-fold in the acidic vacuole of the parasite. The high intravacuolar concentration of chloroquine is proposed to inhibit the polymerisation of haem. As a result, the haem which is released during haemoglobin breakdown builds up to poisonous levels, thereby killing the parasite with its own toxic waste. The more lipophilic quinolinemethanol drugs, mefloquine and quinine, are not concentrated so extensively in the food vacuole and probably have alternative sites of action. The technique of photoaffinity labelling has been used to identify a series of proteins which interact specifically with mefloquine. These studies have led us to speculate that the quinolinemethanols bind to high density lipoproteins in the serum and are delivered to the erythrocytes where they interact with an erythrocyte membrane protein, known as stomatin, and are then transferred to the intracellular parasite via a pathway used for the uptake of exogenous phospholipid. The final target(s) of quinine and melloquine action are not yet fully characterised, but may include parasite proteins with apparent molecular weights of 22 kDa and 36 kDa. As resistance to the quinoline antimalarials rises inexorably, there is an urgent need to understand the molecular basis for decreased drug sensitivity. A parasite-encoded homologue of P-glycoprotein has been implicated in the development of drug resistance, possibly by controlling the level of accumulation of the quinoline-containing drugs. As our molecular understanding of these processes increases, it should be possible to design novel antimalarial strategies which circumvent the problem of drug resistance.

Fungal lipopeptide mating pheromones: a model system for the study of protein prenylation.

In a variety of fungal species, mating between haploid cells is initiated by the action of peptide pheromones. The identification and characterization of several fungal pheromones has revealed that they have common structural features classifying them as lipopeptides. In the course of biosynthesis, these pheromones undergo a series of posttranslational processing events prior to export. One common modification is the attachment of an isoprenoid group to the C terminus of the pheromone precursor. Genetic and biochemical investigations of this biosynthetic pathway have led to the elucidation of genes and enzymes which are responsible for isoprenylation of other polypeptides including the nuclear lamins, several vesicular transport proteins, and the oncogene product Ras. The alpha-factor of Saccharomyces cerevisiae serves as a model for studying the biosynthesis, export, and bioactivity of lipopeptide pheromones. In addition to being isoprenylated with a farnesyl group, the alpha-factor is secreted by a novel peptide export pathway utilizing a yeast homolog of the mammalian multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein. The identification of putative lipopeptide-encoding loci within other fungi, including the human immunodeficiency virus-associated opportunistic pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans and the plant pathogen Ustilago maydis, has stimulated much interest in understanding possible roles for pheromones in fungal proliferation and pathogenicity. Knowledge of variations within the processing, export, and receptor-mediated signal transduction pathways associated with different fungal lipopeptide pheromones will continue to provide insights into similar mechanisms which exist in higher eukaryotes.

Fungal lipopeptide mating pheromones: a model system for the study of protein prenylation.

In a variety of fungal species, mating between haploid cells is initiated by the action of peptide pheromones. The identification and characterization of several fungal pheromones has revealed that they have common structural features classifying them as lipopeptides. In the course of biosynthesis, these pheromones undergo a series of posttranslational processing events prior to export. One common modification is the attachment of an isoprenoid group to the C terminus of the pheromone precursor. Genetic and biochemical investigations of this biosynthetic pathway have led to the elucidation of genes and enzymes which are responsible for isoprenylation of other polypeptides including the nuclear lamins, several vesicular transport proteins, and the oncogene product Ras. The alpha-factor of Saccharomyces cerevisiae serves as a model for studying the biosynthesis, export, and bioactivity of lipopeptide pheromones. In addition to being isoprenylated with a farnesyl group, the alpha-factor is secreted by a novel peptide export pathway utilizing a yeast homolog of the mammalian multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein. The identification of putative lipopeptide-encoding loci within other fungi, including the human immunodeficiency virus-associated opportunistic pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans and the plant pathogen Ustilago maydis, has stimulated much interest in understanding possible roles for pheromones in fungal proliferation and pathogenicity. Knowledge of variations within the processing, export, and receptor-mediated signal transduction pathways associated with different fungal lipopeptide pheromones will continue to provide insights into similar mechanisms which exist in higher eukaryotes.

A putative nicotine pump at the metabolic blood–brain barrier of the tobacco hornworm

In mammals, P-glycoprotein immunostaining at the blood-brain barrier has implicated the multidrug pump in the restricted movement of many cytotoxic agents into the central nervous system (CNS). Since many insects require a sophisticated blood-brain barrier system to protect their CNS from plant-derived neurotoxins, we have investigated the possibility that a P-glycoprotein homolog constitutes a component of the insect blood-brain barrier. We have used the nicotine-resistant tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) to address this issue. Manduca has been previously shown, in physiological studies, to have an alkaloid (nicotine/morphine/atropine) pump at its excretory malpighian tubules. We show (1) that the tubules are P-glycoprotein immunopositive, (2) that Manduca has a metabolic blood-brain barrier for nicotine, (3) that the barrier co-localizes with P-glycoprotein immunostaining, and (4) that detoxifying enzymes as well as the nicotine pump are likely to account for the metabolic blood-brain barrier to nicotine. These findings may provide insights on two major fronts, the troublesome problem of multi-insecticide resistance, a phenomenon that parallels multidrug resistance in tumor cells, and the problem of tolerance to addictive neuroactive drugs like nicotine or morphine.

Phosphorylation of a P-glycoprotein homologue in Plasmodium falciparum

A P-glycoprotein homologue has been previously identified in Plasmodium falciparum and was termed PGH 1. This paper describes studies analyzing the phosphorylation of the PGH 1 molecule. It was found, by metabolic labeling with [ 32P]orthophosphate, that PGH 1 was phosphorylated throughout the entire asexual erythrocytic life cycle of the parasite, with the maximum level of 32P incorporation during the trophozoite and schizont stages. Incubation of trophozoites with modulators of mammalian protein kinases suggests that a Ca 2+-dependent protein kinase is involved in phosphorylation of PGH 1. PGH 1 could also be phosphorylated in the presence of γ- 32P ATP on purified digestive vacuoles where this protein has previously been localized. Two-dimensional phospho-amino acids analysis revealed that PGH 1 was phosphorylated on serine and threonine residues and the pattern of amino acid phosphorylation was similar for PGH 1 phosphorylated in infected red blood cells and on purified digestive vacuoles. PGH 1 phosphorylation in the presence of some antimalarial drugs was analyzed and it was found that neither chloroquine nor compounds that modulate chloroquine resistance had any effect on PGH 1 phosphorylation.

Drug response and genetic characterization of Plasmodium falciparum clones recently isolated from a Sudanese village

We have isolated 20 clones of Plasmodium falciparum from isolates from patients attending a village clinic in Sudan during 10 d in October–November 1989. The clones were genetically diverse, having highly variable molecular karyotypes and a wide range of drug responses. Chloroquine-sensitive (50% inhibitory concentration [IC 50] in the 4–15 n m range) and chloroquine-resistant clones (IC 50 in the 40–95 n m range) co-existed in the population, but no obvious amplification of the P-glycoprotein homologue gene, Pgh1 (previously known as the multi-drug resistance gene, mdr1) marked the chloroquine-resistant clones. Chloroquine resistance was reversible by verapamil in these clones, although they varied in their susceptibility to verapamil alone. These observations indicate that the biochemical characteristics of the Sudanese chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum are similar to those reported from south-east Asian and Latin American isolates, which is consistent with there being a similar molecular basis for this phenomenon.

Nucleotide binding properties of a P-glycoprotein homologue from Plasmodium falciparum

The Plasmodium falciparum P-glycoprotein homologue 1 (PGH1) is structurally similar to several members of the ATPbinding cassette (ABC) superfamily of membrane transporters. We have examined whether the nucleotide binding domains predicted from the deduced amino sequence are functional by photoaffinity labeling of purified parasite digestive vacuoles with the analogue 8-azido-α[ 32P]ATP (8-N 3-ATP). This reagent labels a 160-kDa protein in vacuoles from both a chloroquine sensitive and a chloroquine-resistant parasite isolate. The 160-kDa protein could be immunoprecipitated with affinity-purified antibodies against the P. falciparum P-glycoprotein homologue (PGH1). Inhibition of photoaffinity labeling of PGH1 could be achieved with ATP, ADP, GTP and GDP but not with AMP or GMP. In order to map the 8-N 3-ATP binding sites on PGH1, photoaffinity-labeled PGH1 was digested with trypsin and immunoprecipitated with site-specific antibodies. Taken together, these results indicate that 8-N 3-ATP specifically labels PGH1 and that one binding site resides within the amino terminal half of the molecule. This supports the contention that PGH1 is involved in a nucleotide-regulated transport function across the membrane of the digestive vacuole.

Drug resistance and the P-glycoprotein homologues of Plasmodium falciparum

The chloroquine resistance phenotype of Plasmodium falciparum shares many similarities to multi-drug resistance in tumour cells and this has led to the identification of two mdr-like genes (pfmdr1, pfmdr2) from this human pathogen. The pfmdr1 gene has been linked to the chloroquine resistance phenotype, although a genetic cross appears to contradict these results. Analysis of drug resistant mutants selected in vitro has shown that the level of expression of the pfmdr1 gene can affect resistance to chloroquine, mefloquine, halofantrine and quinine. Mefloquine isolates from the field appear to always contain amplified levels of the pfmdr1 gene and also overexpress the transcript. They are also resistant to halofantrine suggesting a true multi-drug resistant phenotype.

Susceptibility of an emetine-resistant mutant of Entamoeba histolytica to multiple drugs and to channel blockers.

Previously a cloned emetine-resistant mutant of the protozoal parasite Entamoeba histolytica was shown to overexpress a gene for an ameba homolog of the mammalian P-glycoprotein, a plasma membrane pump that removes hydrophobic drugs from multidrug-resistant tumor cells. Three sets of experiments were performed to better characterize the multidrug-resistant phenotype of the emetine-resistant amebae. First, the emetine resistance of the mutant amebae was reversed by concentrations of calcium and sodium channel blockers effective in reversing drug resistance by multidrug-resistant tumor cells, but it was reversed only in the presence of very high concentrations of the tricyclic antidepressants. Second, the mutant amebae showed cross-resistance to antiamebic drugs used to treat luminal infection (iodoquinol and diloxanide) but were not cross-resistant to drugs used to treat invasive disease (chloroquine and metronidazole). Third, when amebae were loaded with radiolabeled emetine, the mutant parasites released the drug at approximately 1.6 times the rate of the wild-type organisms. We conclude that the emetine-resistant E. histolytica parasites have some but not all the features of the multidrug-resistant phenotype.

Selection for high-level chloroquine resistance results in deamplification of the pfmdr1 gene and increased sensitivity to mefloquine in Plasmodium falciparum.

A chloroquine resistant cloned isolate of Plasmodium falciparum, FAC8, which carries an amplification in the pfmdr1 gene was selected for high-level chloroquine resistance, resulting in a cell line resistant to a 10-fold higher concentration of chloroquine. These cells were found to have lost the amplification in pfmdr1 and to no longer over-produce the protein product termed P-glycoprotein homologue 1 (Pgh1). The pfmdr1 gene from this highly resistant cell line was not found to encode any amino acid changes that would account for increased resistance. Verapamil, which reverses chloroquine resistance in FAC8, also reversed high-level chloroquine resistance. Furthermore, verapamil caused a biphasic reversal of chloroquine resistance as the high-level resistance was very sensitive to low amounts of verapamil. These data suggest that over-expression of the P-glycoprotein homologue is incompatible with high levels of chloroquine resistance. In order to show that these results were applicable to other chloroquine selected lines, two additional mutants were selected for resistance to high levels of chloroquine. In both cases they were found to deamplify pfmdr1. Interestingly, while the level of chloroquine resistance of these mutants increased, they became more sensitive to mefloquine. This suggests a linkage between the copy number of the pfmdr1 gene and the level of chloroquine and mefloquine resistance.

Structure of an mdr-like gene from Arabidopsis thaliana. Evolutionary implications.

Multidrug resistance of mammalian tumor cells is caused by the enhanced expression of P-glycoproteins. These proteins are encoded by mdr genes and mediate the energy-dependent efflux of a variety of lipophilic drugs from cells. To test whether in plants mdr-like genes might be involved in certain cases of cross-resistance to different herbicides, we have cloned and characterized a gene from Arabidopsis thaliana, atpgp1, encoding a putative P-glycoprotein homologue. Like the mammalian P-glycoproteins, with which it shares extensive sequence homology and a similar organization in structural domains, this protein is internally duplicated. Seven of the nine introns in the atpgp1 gene match introns in the mammalian mdr genes to within a few nucleotides, and the positions of these suggest that P-glycoprotein genes evolved by duplication and subsequent fusion of an intron-containing primordial gene prior to the evolutionary separation of plants and mammals. The atpgp1 gene gives rise to transcripts present in all plant parts but particularly abundant in inflorescence axes.

Heavy metal resistance: a new role for P-glycoproteins in Leishmania.

P-glycoproteins are responsible for multidrug resistance in tumor cell lines and are thought to have a physiologic role in exporting cellular metabolites. We now report that a P-glycoprotein gene in the H region of the trypanosomatid protozoan Leishmania confers resistance to heavy metals when present in multiple copies. The Leishmania H region is frequently amplified in drug-resistant lines and is associated with metal resistance. Leishmania expression vectors were used to introduce multiple copies of segments of the Leishmania major H region into wild-type L. major promastigotes. Only constructs bearing a segment of L. major DNA containing the P-glycoprotein lmpgpA conferred arsenite resistance. Deletional analysis of the arsenite-resistant construct mapped resistance to the lmpgpA protein coding region. Lines expressing lmpgpA showed resistance to arsenite and trivalent antimonials, but not to pentavalent antimonials, zinc, cadmium, or the typical multidrug-resistant P-glycoprotein substrates vinblastine and puromycin. Transfection of the Leishmania tarentolae P-glycoprotein homologue ltpgpA resulted in a similar resistance profile. Thus, these pgpAs represent a functionally distinct group of P-glycoproteins which exhibit a substrate specificity similar to prokaryotic heavy metal pumps. Additionally, several arguments suggest that pgpAs may play a role in the susceptibility of Leishmania to clinically utilized antimonials.

A P-glycoprotein homologue of Plasmodium falciparum is localized on the digestive vacuole.

Resistance to chloroquine in Plasmodium falciparum bears a striking similarity to the multi-drug resistance (MDR) phenotype of mammalian tumor cells which is mediated by overexpression of P-glycoprotein. We show here that the P. falciparum homologue of the P-glycoprotein (Pgh1) is a 160,000-D protein that is expressed throughout the asexual erythrocytic life cycle of the parasite. Quantitative immunoblotting analysis has shown that the protein is expressed at approximately equal levels in chloroquine resistant and sensitive isolates suggesting that overexpression of Pgh1 is not essential for chloroquine resistance. The chloroquine-resistant cloned line FAC8 however, does express approximately threefold more Pgh1 protein than other isolates which is most likely because of the increased pfmdr1 gene copy number present in this isolate. Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy has demonstrated that Pgh1 is localized on the membrane of the digestive vacuole of mature parasites. This subcellular localization suggests that Pgh1 may modulate intracellular chloroquine concentrations and has important implications for the normal physiological function of this protein.

The human mdr3 gene encodes a novel P-glycoprotein homologue and gives rise to alternatively spliced mRNAs in liver.

We have found cDNAs corresponding to a novel human P-glycoprotein gene in liver cDNA banks. The sequence of the 3' part of this cDNA reveals a domainal organization of the derived protein similar to that of the known P-glycoproteins and an 80% amino acid homology with the product of the human mdr1 gene (Chen et al., 1986). The new gene lies within 500 kb from mdr1 as determined by pulsed field gradient gel electrophoresis and is designated mdr3, as it appears to correspond to the third of the three P-glycoprotein genes mapped in the hamster multidrug resistance domain. mdr3 yields a transcript of 4100 nucleotides, 400 nucleotides less than the mdr1 transcript; the difference is accounted for by the shorter 3'-untranslated region of the mdr3 mRNA. Our cDNAs provide evidence for alternative splicing of mdr3 pre-mRNAs. One alternative is an insert of seven amino acids between the two major blocks of the nucleotide binding site and another is a deletion of 43 or 47 amino acids covering the putative transmembrane segment 5a. We speculate that these alternatives superimposed on differential expression of P-glycoprotein homologues could provide an explanation for the large variation in cross-resistance patterns observed in cell lines selected for multidrug resistance with different cytostatic drugs.