A novel way to spread drug resistance in tumor cells: functional intercellular transfer of P-glycoprotein (ABCB1).
Intercellular transfer of proteins is a mode of communication between cells that is crucial for certain physiological processes. Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice for approximately 50% of all cancers. However, multidrug resistance mediated by drug-efflux pumps such as P-glycoprotein (Pgp) minimizes the effectiveness of such therapy in a large number of patients. A new study demonstrates the functional intercellular transfer of Pgp. Non-genetic transfer of the multidrug resistance phenotype raises fascinating questions about the mechanism and regulation of cell-surface membrane-protein-mediated spread of traits.
Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-4256, USA. ambudkar@helix.nih.gov
Suresh V
SV
Ambudkar
Zuben E
ZE
Sauna
Michael M
MM
Gottesman
Gergely
G
Szakacs
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000502:physiology*; D000074063:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily D, Member 1; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000502:physiology*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
C115572:ABCD1 protein, human; D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D000074063:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily D, Member 1; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters