Induction of multidrug resistance associated protein 2 in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells

Endocr Relat Cancer. 2007 Jun;14(2):293-303. doi: 10.1677/ERC-06-0016.

Abstract

Acquired resistance to tamoxifen (TAM) is a serious therapeutic problem in breast cancer patients. The transition from chemotherapy-responsive breast cancer cells to chemotherapy-resistant cancer cells is mainly accompanied by the increased expression of multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs). In this study, it was found that TAM-resistant MCF-7 (TAMR-MCF-7) cells expressed higher levels of MRP2 than control MCF-7 cells. Molecular analyses using MRP2 gene promoters supported the involvement of the pregnane X receptor (PXR) in MRP2 overexpression in TAMR-MCF-7 cells. Although CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta was overexpressed continuously in TAMR-MCF-7 cells, this might not be responsible for the transcriptional activation of the MRP2 gene. In addition, the basal activities of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) were higher in the TAMR-MCF-7 cells than in the control cells. The inhibition of PI3-kinase significantly reduced both the PXR activity and MRP2 expression in TAMR-MCF-7 cells. Overall, MRP2 induction plays a role in the additional acquisition of chemotherapy resistance in TAM-resistant breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B / genetics
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B / metabolism*
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Sub-Family B Member 4
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use*
  • Aromatase / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple* / genetics
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Pregnane X Receptor
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Receptors, Steroid / metabolism
  • Tamoxifen / therapeutic use*
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta
  • Pregnane X Receptor
  • Receptors, Steroid
  • Tamoxifen
  • Aromatase
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases