title: Differential regulation of calcium homeostasis in adenocarcinoma cell line A549 and its Taxol-resistant subclone.
abstract: Drug resistance is a fundamental problem in cancer chemotherapy. Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+](i)) may play a role in the development of chemoresistance. We investigated the regulatory role of [Ca2+](i) in Taxol resistance in the non-small-cell lung cancer cell line A549 and its chemoresistant subclone A549-T24. Measurement of cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+](c)) in single cells and cell populations revealed similar levels of basal calcium in the two cell lines. However, a reduced response to thapsigargin (a sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) inhibitor) in A549-T24 cells compared to the parent cell line suggested a lower ER Ca2+ content in these cells. mRNA expression of SERCA2b and SERCA3, major Ca2+ pumps involved in ER Ca2+ homeostasis, did not significantly differ between the two cell lines, as revealed by RT-PCR. An altered calcium influx pathway in the Taxol-resistant cell line was observed. Modulation of the ER calcium pools using CMC (4-chloro-m-cresol) and ATP revealed lower ryanodine receptor (RyR) and IP(3) receptor (IP(3)R)-sensitive Ca2+ stores in the chemoresistant cell line. Western blot and RT-PCR studies suggested that A549-T24 cells expressed higher levels of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 and the calcium-binding protein sorcin, respectively, in comparison to the parent cell line. Both of these proteins have been previously implicated in chemoresistance, in part, due to their ability to modulate[Ca2+](i). These results suggest that altered intracellular calcium homeostasis may contribute to the Taxol-resistant phenotype.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Shanthala
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Padar
authors.forename: Cornelis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Breemen
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Uchizono
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Livesey
authors.forename: Roshanak
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rahimian
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002999:Clone Cells; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D017239:Paclitaxel; D002118:Calcium