MYCN enhances P-gp/MDR1 gene expression in the human metastatic neuroblastoma IGR-N-91 model

Am J Pathol. 2003 Jul;163(1):321-31. doi: 10.1016/S0002-9440(10)63656-5.

Abstract

Despite intensive high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, disseminated neuroblastoma (NB) frequently proves to be chemosensitive but not chemocurable, and more often so in NB-presenting MYCN amplification. To assess the direct relationship between the MYCN oncogene and chemoresistance acquisition during NB metastatic dissemination, we have studied MYCN and MDR1 genes using the human IGR-N-91 ectopic xenograft metastatic model. This characterized experimental in vitro model includes human neuroblasts derived from a subcutaneous primary tumor xenograft, disseminated blood cells, myocardium, and bone marrow (BM) metastatic cells. All IGR-N-91-derived neuroblasts harbor a consistent MYCN genomic content but, unlike primary tumor xenograft, BM, and myocardium, human neuroblasts elicit a concomitant increase in MYCN and MDR1 transcripts levels, consistent with chemoresistance phenotype and active P-gp. In contrast, no variation of MRP1 transcript level was associated with the metastatic process in this model. Using an MDR1 promoter-CAT construct, we have shown that the MycN protein activates MDR1 transcription both in exogenous transient MYCN-transfected SK-N-SH cells and in endogenous BM metastatic neuroblasts with an increase in the MYCN transcript level. Band-shift experiments indicate that IGR-N-91 cells enriched with the MycN transcription factor do bind to two E-box motifs localized within the MDR1 promoter. Overall, our data indicate that MYCN overexpression increment contributes to the acquired drug resistance that occurs throughout the NB metastatic process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / genetics*
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Neuroblastoma / drug therapy
  • Neuroblastoma / metabolism*
  • Neuroblastoma / pathology
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Transplantation, Heterologous
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • MYCN protein, human
  • N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Oncogene Proteins