Role of FoxO1 activation in MDR1 expression in adriamycin-resistant breast cancer cells

Carcinogenesis. 2008 Sep;29(9):1837-44. doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgn092. Epub 2008 Apr 4.

Abstract

The development of multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) can be mediated by a number of different mechanisms but elevated gene expression of MDR1 (P-glycoprotein) has often been a major cause of chemoresistance in many cancer cells. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the role of forkhead box-containing protein, O subfamily (FoxO), transcription factors in regulating the MDR1 gene expression. The proximal promoter region of the human MDR1 contained a putative FoxO-binding site, which partially overlapped with the enhancer/enhancer-binding protein beta-binding region. Gel shift and immunoblot analysis of subcellular fractions revealed that nuclear levels of FoxO1 and its DNA-binding activity were selectively enhanced in MCF-7/ADR cells, which was reversed by a FoxO1 antibody. Reporter gene assays showed that the transcription of MDR1 gene is stimulated by FoxO1 overexpression. Moreover, both MDR1 expression and doxorubicin resistance in MCF-7/ADR cells were reversed by FoxO1 small interfering RNA (siRNA). The MDR1 expression in MCF-7/ADR cells was also inhibited by insulin, a functional FoxO1 inactivator. In conclusion, FoxO1 is a novel transcriptional activator of MDR1 and is crucial for MDR1 induction in MCF-7/ADR cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / genetics*
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism*
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / pharmacology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta / genetics
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta / metabolism
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm*
  • Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Insulin / pharmacology
  • Plasmids
  • Pregnane X Receptor
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Steroid / genetics
  • Receptors, Steroid / metabolism
  • Transcriptional Activation / drug effects
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • ABCB1 protein, human
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta
  • FOXO1 protein, human
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Insulin
  • Pregnane X Receptor
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, Steroid
  • Doxorubicin