COX-2 contributes to P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance via phosphorylation of c-Jun at Ser63/73 in colorectal cancer

Carcinogenesis. 2011 May;32(5):667-75. doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgr016. Epub 2011 Feb 3.

Abstract

Cross-drug resistance in multidrug-resistant (MDR) cells, which overexpress P-glycoprotein (P-gp) encoded by the MDR1 gene, is a major impediment to successful chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. In the present study, drug-sensitive HCT8 and multidrug-resistant (vincristine, VCR) HCT8/V colorectal cancer cell lines were used to examine the role of c-Jun NH2-Terminal Kinase- (JNK) signaling pathway in P-gp-mediated MDR associated with Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2). The results showed that SP600125, a JNK inhibitor, and NS-398, a COX-2 inhibitor, significantly reduced the degree of MDR in HCT8/V cells. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in gene level of MDR1 and protein level of P-gp in HCT8/V cells. Notably, addition of a JNK inhibitor had no significant effect on the expression of COX-2 in both HCT8 and HCT8/V cells. Interestingly, inhibition of COX-2 activity by a chemical inhibitor or its silence by small interfering RNA significantly decreased the level of phosphorylated c-Jun at Ser63/73 in HCT8/V cells. In contrast, upregulation of COX-2 significantly increased the levels of P-gp and p-c-Jun at Ser63/73 in HCT8 cells, but not in HCT8/V cells. Moreover, the intracellular vincristine accumulation in HCT8/V cells significantly increased after inhibiting COX-2 and JNK activity. Taken together, our study has provided the first direct evidence that COX-2 contributes to P-gp-mediated multidrug resistance via phosphorylation of c-Jun at Ser63/73 in colorectal cancer 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 / metabolism*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm*
  • Humans
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Phosphorylation
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Serine / metabolism*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • ABCB1 protein, human
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Serine
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • PTGS2 protein, human