Pamela K. Smitherman

Coordinated Action of Glutathione S-Transferases (GSTs) and Multidrug Resistance Protein 1 (MRP1) in Antineoplastic Drug Detoxification MECHANISM OF GST A1-1- AND MRP1-ASSOCIATED RESISTANCE TO CHLORAMBUCIL IN MCF7 BREAST CARCINOMA CELLS

To examine the role of multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) in cellular resistance to antineoplastic drugs, derivatives of MCF7 breast carcinoma cells were developed that express MRP1 in combination with one of three human cytosolic isozymes of GST. Expression of MRP1 alone confers resistance to several drugs representing the multidrug resistance phenotype, drugs including doxorubicin, vincristine, etoposide, and mitoxantrone. However, co-expression with MRP1 of any of the human GST isozymes A1-1, M1-1, or P1-1 failed to augment MRP1-associated resistance to these drugs. In contrast, combined expression of MRP1 and GST A1-1 conferred ∼4-fold resistance to the anticancer drug chlorambucil. Expression of MRP1 alone failed to confer resistance to chlorambucil, showing that the observed protection from chlorambucil cytotoxicity was absolutely dependent upon GST A1-1 protein. Moreover, using inhibitors of GST (dicumarol) or MRP1 (sulfinpyrazone), it was shown that in MCF7 cells resistance to chlorambucil requires both intact MRP1-dependent efflux pump activity and, for full protection, GST A1-1 catalytic activity. These results are the first demonstration that GST A1-1 and MRP1 can act in synergy to protect cells from the cytotoxicity of a nitrogen mustard, chlorambucil.

Role of Multidrug Resistance Protein 1 (MRP1) and Glutathione S-Transferase A1-1 in Alkylating Agent Resistance KINETICS OF GLUTATHIONE CONJUGATE FORMATION AND EFFLUX GOVERN DIFFERENTIAL CELLULAR SENSITIVITY TO CHLORAMBUCIL VERSUSMELPHALAN TOXICITY

We investigated the role of phase II (conjugation) and phase III (efflux) detoxification of the anticancer drugs melphalan (MLP) and chlorambucil (CHB). Although both drugs are substrates of Alpha-class glutathioneS-transferases (GST) and the monoglutathionyl conjugates formed in these enzymatic reactions are transported by MRP1, we found that GSTA1-1 and MRP1 acted in synergy to confer resistance to CHB but not to MLP (Morrow, C. S., Smitherman, P. K., Diah, S. K., Schneider, E., and Townsend, A. J. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 20114–20120). To explain this selectivity of MRP1/GST-mediated resistance, we report results of side-by-side experiments comparing the kinetics of MLP- versusCHB-glutathione conjugate: formation, product inhibition of GSTA1-1 catalysis, and transport by MRP1. The monoglutathionyl conjugate of CHB, CHB-SG, is a very strong competitive inhibitor of GSTA1-1 (K i 0.14 μm) that is >30-fold more potent than that of the corresponding conjugate of MLP, MLP-SG (K i 4.7 μm). The efficiency of GSTA1-1-mediated monoglutathionyl conjugate formation is more than 4-fold higher for CHB than MLP. Lastly, both CHB-SG and MLP-SG are efficiently transported by MRP1 with similarV max although the K m for CHB-SG (0.37 μm) is significantly lower than for MLP-SG (1.1 μm). These results indicate that MRP1 is required for GSTA1-1-mediated resistance to CHB in order to relieve potent product inhibition of the enzyme by intracellular CHB-SG formed. The kinetic properties of MRP1 are well suited to eliminate CHB-SG at pharmacologically relevant concentrations. For MLP detoxification, where product inhibition of GSTA1-1 is less important, GSTA1-1 does not confer resistance because of the relatively poorer catalytic efficiency of MLP-SG formation. Similar analyses can be useful for predicting the pharmacological and toxicological consequences of MRP and GST expression on cellular sensitivity to various other electrophilic xenobiotics.

Role of glutathione S-transferase P1-1 in the cellular detoxification of cisplatin

Cells expressing elevated levels of allelic variants of human glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) and/or efflux transporters, MRP1 or MRP2, were used to evaluate the role of GSTP1-1 in cisplatin resistance. These studies revealed that GSTP1-1 confers low-level resistance (1.4- to 1.7-fold) to cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in MCF7 cells. However, expression of MRP1 (MCF7 cells) or MRP2 (HepG2 cells) failed to augment or potentiate GSTP1-1-mediated resistance in either cell line. To understand the mechanism by which variants of GSTP1-1 confer resistance to cisplatin, their relative abilities to catalyze conjugation of cisplatin with glutathione were examined. Enzymes encoded by all three alleles tested, GSTP1a (I104A113), GSTP1b (V104A113), and GSTP1c (V104V113), increased the formation rate of the mono-platinum/glutathione derivative of cisplatin with relative catalytic activities of 1.0 (GSTP1a-1a variant) and 1.8 to 1.9 (GSTP1b-1b and GSTP1c-1c variants). Although these data are consistent with the idea that very low level resistance to cisplatin may be conferred by GSTP1-1-mediated cisplatin/glutathione conjugation, two observations indicate that such catalysis plays a minor role in the protection from cisplatin toxicity. First, the rates of GSTP1-1-mediated conjugation are extremely slow (1.7-2.6 h−1 at 25°C). Second, despite an 80% to 90% increase in catalysis of cisplatin conjugation by GSTP1b-1b or GSTP1c-1c over GSTP1a-1a, we observed no discernable differences in relative resistances conferred by these alternative variants when expressed in MCF7 cells. We conclude that high-level cisplatin resistance attributed to GSTP1-1 in other studies is not likely due to catalysis of cisplatin conjugation but rather must be explained by other mechanisms, which may include GSTP1-mediated modulation of signaling pathways. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(10):3247–55]

ROLE OF MULTIDRUG- RESISTANCE PROTEIN 2 IN GLUTATHIONE S-TRANSFERASE P1-1- MEDIATED RESISTANCE TO 4-NITROQUINOLINE 1-OXIDE TOXICITIES IN HEPG2 CELLS

Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that the phase III efflux transporter multidrug‐resistance protein (MRP)1 can act synergistically with the phase II conjugating glutathione S‐transferases (GST) to confer resistance to the toxicities of some electrophilic drugs and carcinogens. To determine whether the distinct efflux transporter MRP2 could also potentiate GST‐mediated protection from electrophilic toxins, we examined the effect of regulatable GSTP1‐1 expression in MRP2‐rich HepG2 cells on 4‐nitroquinoline 1‐oxide (4NQO)–induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity (nucleic‐acid adduct formation). Expression of GSTP1‐1 was associated with a fourfold to tenfold protection from 4NQO‐induced cytotoxicity. Inhibition of MRP2‐mediated efflux activity by sulfinpyrazone or cyclosporin A completely reversed GSTP1‐1–associated resistance—a result indicating that GSTP1‐1–mediated cytoprotection is absolutely dependent on MRP2 efflux activity. Moreover, MRP2 efflux activity also augmented GSTP1‐1–mediated protection from 4NQO‐induced nucleic‐acid adduct formation. We conclude that MRP2‐mediated efflux of the glutathione conjugate of 4NQO and/or another toxic derivative of 4NQO is required to support GSTP1‐1–associated protection from 4NQO toxicities in HepG2 cells. Mol. Carcinog. 29:170–178, 2000.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) inhibit transcriptional activation by the peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) ligand, 15-deoxy-delta 12,14prostaglandin J2 (15-d-PGJ2).

15-Deoxy-Delta(12,14)prostaglandin J(2) (15-d-PGJ(2)), a terminal metabolite of the J-series cyclopentenone prostaglandins, influences a variety of cellular processes including gene expression, differentiation, growth, and apoptosis. As a ligand of peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma), 15-d-PGJ(2) can transactivate PPAR gamma-responsive promoters. Previously, we showed that multidrug resistance proteins MRP1 and MRP3 attenuate cytotoxic and transactivating activities of 15-d-PGJ(2) in MCF7 breast cancer cells. Attenuation was glutathione-dependent and was associated with formation of the glutathione conjugate of 15-d-PGJ(2), 15-d-PGJ(2)-SG, and its active efflux by MRP. Here we have investigated whether the glutathione S-transferases (GST) can influence biological activities of 15-d-PGJ(2). MCF7 cells were stably transduced with human cytosolic GST isozymes M1a, A1, or P1a. These GSTs had no effect on 15-d-PGJ(2) cytotoxicity when expressed either alone or in combination with MRP1. However, expression of any of the three GSTs significantly inhibited 15-d-PGJ(2)-dependent transactivation of a PPAR gamma-responsive reporter gene. The degree of inhibition correlated with the level of GST expressed. Under physiologic conditions, the nonenzymatic rate of 15-d-PGJ(2) conjugation with glutathione was significant. Of the three GST isozymes, only GSTM1a-1a further stimulated the rate of 15-d-PGJ(2)-SG formation. Moreover, GSTM1a-1a rate enhancement was only a transient burst that was complete within 15 s. Hence, catalysis plays little, if any, role in GST inhibition of 15-d-PGJ(2)-dependent transactivation. In contrast, inhibition of transactivation was associated with strong GST/15-d-PGJ(2) interactions. Potent inhibition by 15-d-PGJ(2) and 15-d-PGJ(2)-SG of GST activity was observed with K(i) in the 0.15-2.0 microM range for the three GST isozymes, results suggesting avid associations between GST and 15-d-PGJ(2) or 15-d-PGJ(2)-SG. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI/MS) studies revealed no stable adducts of GST and 15-d-PGJ(2) indicating that GST/15-d-PGJ(2) interactions are primarily noncovalent. These results are consistent with a mechanism of GST-mediated inhibition of transactivation in which GST binds 15-d-PGJ(2) and 15-d-PGJ(2)-SG thereby sequestering the ligands in the cytosol away from their nuclear target, PPAR gamma.

Combined expression of multidrug resistance protein (MRP) and glutathione S-transferase P1-1 (GSTP1-1) in MCF7 cells and high level resistance to the cytotoxicities of ethacrynic acid but not oxazaphosphorines or cisplatin

We tested the hypothesis that combined increased expression of human glutathione S-transferase P1-1 (GSTP1-1), an enzyme that catalyzes the conjugation with glutathione of several toxic electrophiles, and the glutathione-conjugate efflux pump, multidrug resistance protein (MRP), confers high level resistance to the cytotoxicities of anticancer and other drugs. To accomplish this, we developed MCF7 breast carcinoma cell derivatives that express high levels of GSTP1-1 and MRP, alone and in combination. Parental MCF7 cells, which express no GSTP1-1 and negligible MRP, served as control cells. We found that either MRP or GSTP1-1 alone conferred significant resistance to ethacrynic acid cytotoxicity. Moreover, combined expression of GSTP1-1 and MRP conferred a high level of resistance to ethacrynic acid that was greater than resistance conferred by either protein alone. Increased MRP was also associated with modest resistance to the oxazaphosphorine compounds mafosfamide, 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide, and 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide. However, coordinated expression of GSTP1-1 with MRP failed to augment this modest resistance. Similarly, GSTP1-1 had no effect on the sensitivities to cisplatin of MCF7 cells regardless of MRP expression. These results establish that coordinated expression of MRP and GSTP1-1 can confer high level resistance to the cytotoxicities of some drugs, including ethacrynic acid, but that such resistance is variable and does not apply to all toxic drugs that can potentially form glutathione conjugates in either spontaneous or GSTP1-1-catalyzed reactions.

Expression of MRP1 and GSTP1-1 modulate the acute cellular response to treatment with the chemopreventive isothiocyanate, sulforaphane

A major component of the anticarcinogenic activity of the dietary chemopreventive agent sulforaphane (SFN) is attributed to its ability to induce expression of phase II detoxification genes containing the antioxidant response element (ARE) within their promoters. Because SFN is a reactive electrophile--readily forming conjugates with glutathione (GSH)--we asked whether expression of glutathione S-transferase (GST) P1-1 and the GSH conjugate efflux pump, multidrug resistance or resistance-associated protein (MRP) 1, would significantly modify the cellular response to SFN exposure. This was investigated using GST- and MRP1-poor parental MCF7 cells and transgenic derivatives expressing GSTP1-1 and/or MRP1. Compared with parental cells, expression of GSTP1-1 alone enhanced the rate of intracellular accumulation of SFN and its glutathione conjugate, SFN-SG--an effect that was associated with increased ARE-containing reporter gene induction. Expression of MRP1 greatly reduced SFN/SFN-SG accumulation and resulted in significant attenuation of SFN-mediated induction of ARE-containing reporter and endogenous gene expression. Coexpression of GSTP1-1 with MRP1 further reduced the level of induction. Depletion of GSH prior to SFN treatment or the substitution of tert-butylhydroquinone for SFN abolished the effects of MRP1/GSTP1-1 on ARE-containing gene induction-indicating that these effects are GSH dependent. Lastly, analysis of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)--a transcription factor operating via binding to the ARE--showed that the increased levels of Nrf2 following SFN treatment were considerably less sustained in MRP1-expressing, especially those coexpressing GSTP1-1, than in MRP1-poor cells. These results suggest that the regulating effects of MRP1 and GSTP1-1 expression on SFN-dependent induction of phase II genes are ultimately mediated by altering nuclear Nrf2 levels.

Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ (PPARγ) by Nitroalkene Fatty Acids: Importance of Nitration Position and Degree of Unsaturation

Nitroalkene fatty acids are potent endogenous ligand activators of PPARgamma-dependent transcription. Previous studies with the naturally occurring regioisomers of nitrolinoleic acid revealed that the isomers are not equivalent with respect to PPARgamma activation. To gain further insight into the structure-activity relationships between nitroalkenes and PPARgamma, we examined additional naturally occurring nitroalkenes derived from oleic acid, 9-nitrooleic acid (E-9-NO2-18:1 [1]) and 10-nitrooleic acid (E-10-NO2-18:1 [2]), and several synthetic nitrated enoic fatty acids of variable carbon chain length, double bonds, and nitration site. At submicromolar concentrations, E-12-NO2 derivatives were considerably more potent than isomers nitrated at carbons 5, 6, 9, 10, and 13, and chain length (16 versus 18) or number of double bonds (1 versus 2) was of little consequence for PPARgamma activation. Interestingly, at higher concentrations (>2 microM) the nitrated enoic fatty acids (E-9-NO2-18:1 [1], E-9-NO2-16:1 [3], E-10-NO2-18:1 [2], and E-12-NO2-18:1 [7]) deviated significantly from the saturable pattern of PPARgamma activation observed for nitrated 1,4-dienoic fatty acids (E-9-NO2-18:2, E-10-NO2-18:2, E-12-NO2-18:2, and E-13-NO2-18:2).

Comparison of alkylacylglycerol vs. diacylglycerol as activators of mitogen-activated protein kinase and cytosolic phospholipase A2 in human neutrophil priming.

In human neutrophils, the choline-containing phosphoglycerides contain almost equal amounts of alkylacyl- and diacyl-linked subclasses. In contrast to phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis which yields diacylglycerol, hydrolysis of choline-containing phosphoglycerides by phospholipase D coupled with phosphohydrolase yields both alkylacyl- and diacylglycerol. While diacylglycerol activates protein kinase C, alkylacylglycerol does not, and its role is unclear. Yet previous studies have shown that exogenous alkylacyl- and diacylglycerols can prime for the release of radiolabeled arachidonic acid (AA) in intact neutrophils stimulated by formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. We have now examined the effects of both diacylglycerol (1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol; OAG) and alkylacylglycerol (1-O-hexadecyl-2-acetylglycerol; EAG) on the activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and the 85-kDa cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) in human neutrophils. We observed that while OAG could effectively activate p42 and p44 MAP kinases along with cPLA2 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, EAG could not. A novel p40 MAP kinase isoform is also present and activated in response to OAG treatment; the behavior of this MAP kinase isoform is discussed. The activation of cPLA2 and MAP kinase by 20 microM OAG could be inhibited by pretreatment with 1 microM GF-109203X, a selective inhibitor of protein kinase C. Although only OAG activated cPLA2, both OAG and EAG primed for the release of AA mass as determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The priming of AA release by OAG may be explained by the phosphorylation of cPLA2 through the activation of protein kinase C linked to MAP kinase. However, priming by EAG appears to involve a separate mechanism that is dependent on a different PLA2. Our results support a role for phospholipase D-derived products modulating the activation of cPLA2, further supporting the idea of cross-talk among various phospholipases.

Nitroalkene fatty acids mediate activation of Nrf2/ARE-dependent and PPARγ-dependent transcription by distinct signaling pathways and with significantly different potencies.

Naturally occurring nitroalkene fatty acids (NAs) derived from oleic (NO(2)-OA) and linoleic (NO(2)-LA) acids mediate a variety of cellular responses. We examined the signaling pathways involved in NA activation of Nrf2/ARE-dependent versus PPARγ/PPRE-dependent transcription in human MCF7 breast cancer cells. Additionally, we compared the relative potencies of NO(2)-OA and NO(2)-LA in activating these two transcriptional programs. Here it is demonstrated that, in addition to the direct adduct formation of NA with the Nrf2 inhibitory protein, Keap1, shown by others, NA activation of Nrf2/ARE-mediated transcription results from increased nuclear Nrf2 levels and depends upon activation of the PI3K/AKT and PKC, but not ERK and JNK MAPK, signaling pathways. Examination of the relationship between NA stimulation of the Nrf2/ARE versus PPARγ/PPRE transcriptional programs revealed concentration-dependent activation of distinct signaling pathways that were readily distinguished by selective attenuation of Nrf2/ARE-dependent, but not PPARγ-dependent, transcription by inhibitors of PI3K and PKC. Moreover, measurable, statistically significant activation of PPARγ/PPRE-dependent transcription occurred at nanomolar concentrations of NAs-the 12-NO(2) isomer of NO(2)-LA showing the most potent activity-whereas significant activation of Nrf2/ARE-dependent transcription occurred at much higher NA concentrations (≥3 μM) with the NO(2)-OA isomers the most potent. These findings have implications for the physiological roles of NAs, suggesting that, at concentrations likely to be encountered in vivo, their direct activation of PPARγ transcription will dominate over their electrophilic activation of Nrf2 antioxidant/protective responses.