Multidrug resistance protein MRP1, glutathione, and related enzymes. Their importance in acute myeloid leukemia

Adv Exp Med Biol. 1999:457:187-98. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4615-4811-9_20.

Abstract

Multidrug resistance (MDR), which is cross-resistance to structurally and functionally unrelated drugs such as anthracyclines, epipodophyllotoxins and vinca alkaloids, is a major cause of treatment failure in malignant disorders. Known mechanisms of MDR are overexpression of the ATP-dependent membrane proteins P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance protein (MRP1), or an increased detoxification of compounds mediated by glutathione (GSH) or GSH related enzymes. MRP1 appeared to transport drugs conjugated to GSH and also unmodified cytostatic agents in presence of GSH. The relation between MRP1, GSH and enzymes involved in GSH metabolism or GSH dependent detoxification reactions recently has drawn a lot of attention. Coordinated induction of MRP1 and GSH related enzymes is reported in malignant cells after exposure to cytostatic agents. Besides MRP1, a number of MRP1 homologs are identified, named MRP2, MRP3, MRP4, MRP5 and MRP6. The relation between MDR and expression of these MRP1 homologs is currently under research.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / genetics
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Genes, MDR*
  • Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase / metabolism*
  • Glutathione / metabolism*
  • Glutathione Transferase / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / genetics
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase
  • Glutathione