Chemotherapeutics are the most effective treatment for metastatic tumours. However, the ability of cancer cells to become simultaneously resistant to different drugs--a trait known as multidrug resistance--remains a significant impediment to successful chemotherapy. Three decades of multidrug-resistance research have identified a myriad of ways in which cancer cells can elude chemotherapy, and it has become apparent that resistance exists against every effective drug, even our newest agents. Therefore, the ability to predict and circumvent drug resistance is likely to improve chemotherapy.

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Multidrug resistance in cancer: role of ATP–dependent transporters

Sixteen years have passed since the description of the nuclear factor-кB (NF-кB) as a regulator of к light-chain gene expression in murine B lymphocytes (Sen & Baltimore, 1986a) During that time, over 4,000 publications have appeared, characterizing the family of Rel/NF-кB transcription factors involved in the control of a large number of normal and pathological cellular processes The physiological functions of NF-кB proteins include immunological and inflammatory responses, developmental processes, cellular growth and modulating effects on apoptosis In addition, these factors are activated in a number of diseases, including cancer, arthritis, acute and chronic inflammatory states, asthma, as well as neurodegenerative and heart diseases

Activators and target genes of Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factors.

Effective treatment of metastatic cancers usually requires the use of toxic chemotherapy. In most cases, multiple drugs are used, as resistance to single agents occurs almost universally. For this reason, elucidation of mechanisms that confer simultaneous resistance to different drugs with different targets and chemical structures - multidrug resistance - has been a major goal of cancer biologists during the past 35 years. Here, we review the most common of these mechanisms, one that relies on drug efflux from cancer cells mediated by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. We describe various approaches to combating multidrug-resistant cancer, including the development of drugs that engage, evade or exploit efflux by ABC transporters.

Targeting multidrug resistance in cancer

NF-κB proteins are a family of transcription factors that are of central importance in inflammation and immunity. NF-κB also plays important roles in other processes, including development, cell growth and survival, and proliferation, and is involved in many pathological conditions. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are created by a variety of cellular processes as part of cellular signaling events. While certain NF-κB-regulated genes play a major role in regulating the amount of ROS in the cell, ROS have various inhibitory or stimulatory roles in NF-κB signaling. Here we review the regulation of ROS levels by NF-κB targets and various ways in which ROS have been proposed to impact NF-κB signaling pathways.

/pdf/crosstalk-of-reactive-oxygen-species-and-nf-kb-signaling-1o9ms26vdc.pdf

Crosstalk of reactive oxygen species and NF-κB signaling.

The human ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily

We have isolated the full-length cDNA for human ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A, member 2 transporter (ABCA2). The ORF of this cDNA encodes a protein consisting of 2436 amino acids with apparent molecular weight of Mr 270,000. Accordingly, ABCA2 is the largest known mammalian ABC transporter described thus far. Analysis of mRNA expression levels indicated that ABCA2 is highest in human brain and has a broad expression pattern in a panel of tumor cell lines. Using specific antibodies to ABCA2 and various organelle marker proteins, ABCA2 was found to colocalize with the lysosomal/endosomal marker LAMP1, forming discrete, punctate intracellular vesicles. In ABCA2-transfected cells, the transporter also colocalized with a fluorescently labeled steroid analogue, estramustine. The sequestration of the steroid into the lysosomal/endosomal compartment indicates a potential substrate specificity for ABCA2. Furthermore, the presence of a lipocalin signature motif in the ABCA2 sequence suggests a possible broad role for this protein in the transport of steroids, lipids, and related molecules.

https://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/61/8/3339.full.pdf

Cloning and Characterization of Human Adenosine 5′-triphosphate-binding Cassette, Sub-family A, Transporter 2 (ABCA2)

Cloning and characterization of human colon glyoxalase-I.

Genomic sequence of human glyoxalase-I: analysis of promoter activity and its regulation ☆

The glyoxalase system (glyoxalase I, glyoxalase II and GSH as cofactor) is involved in the detoxification of methylglyoxal (a byproduct of the glycolytic pathway) and other alpha-oxoaldehydes. We have transfected a 622 bp cDNA encoding human glyoxalase I into murine NIH3T3 cells. The recipient cells were shown to express elevated transcript and protein levels and a 10-fold increase in glyoxalase I enzyme activity. This was accompanied by an increased tolerance for exogenous methylglyoxal and enhanced resistance to the cytotoxic effects of two glyoxalase I inhibitors (s-p-bromobenzylglutathione diethyl ester and s-p-bromobenzylglutathione dicyclopentyl ester), a glutathione analogue [gamma-glutamyl-(S)-(benzyl)cysteinyl-(R)-(-)-phenylglycine diethyl ester] and the anti-cancer drugs mitomycin C and adriamycin. Steady-state levels of GSH were significantly lower in the transfected cells, perhaps reflecting increased flux as a consequence of elevated glyoxalase activity. This decrease did not alter the sensitivity to the alkylating agent chlorambucil. Although transfection did not affect the growth or doubling time of the NIH3T3 cells, analysis of glyoxalase I activity showed a consistent increase in tumour tissue when compared with pair-matched controls. Thus increased glyoxalase I is associated with the malignant phenotype and may also contribute to protection against the cytotoxicity of certain anti-cancer drugs.

/pdf/glyoxalase-i-in-detoxification-studies-using-a-glyoxalase-i-3ej1rcknuu.pdf

Eileen S. Walsh

Papers

Cloning and Characterization of Human Adenosine 5′-triphosphate-binding Cassette, Sub-family A, Transporter 2 (ABCA2)

Cloning and characterization of human colon glyoxalase-I.

Genomic sequence of human glyoxalase-I: analysis of promoter activity and its regulation ☆

Glyoxalase I in detoxification: studies using a glyoxalase I transfectant cell line.

Promoter Analysis of a Human Dihydrodiol Dehydrogenase