The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) gene family encodes a diverse group of transporter proteins that pump a wide variety of compounds across the membranes of cells and tissues. Several human ABC transporters are overexpressed in tumor cells that are resistant to chemotherapy drugs. In addition, several ABC genes ( CFTR , SUR , ALDP ) are mutated in inherited diseases. Previous work with DCS scientists showed that the MXR/ABCP gene is overexpressed in tumor cell lines that are resistant to mitoxantrone, topotecan and several other drugs. We have now shown that the gene is expressed in the trophoblast cells of the placenta and may play a role in transport of substances into or out of the fetus. Characterization of additional expressed sequences from the human genome demonstrates that there are at least 55 ABC genes. One of these genes ABCG5 is expressed exclusively in the liver and is mutated in a sterol transport disorder. We also demonstrated that the ABCA1 gene is the gene responsible for Tangier disease, a disorder of cholesterol transport. Together these two findings will provide considerable insight into how cholesterol is absorbed by the intestine, transported from peripheral tissues, and excreted. Preliminary data suggests that other ABC genes my be involved in cis-platinum resistance.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Division of Basic Sciences - NCI (NCI)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01BC005725-09
Application #
6433056
Study Section
(LGD)
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Basic Sciences
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code
Idelman, Gila; Jacobson, Eric M; Tuttle, Traci R et al. (2011) Lactogens and estrogens in breast cancer chemoresistance. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 6:411-422
Borcherding, Dana C; Hugo, Eric R; Idelman, Gila et al. (2011) Dopamine receptors in human adipocytes: expression and functions. PLoS One 6:e25537
LaPensee, Elizabeth W; LaPensee, Christopher R; Fox, Sejal et al. (2010) Bisphenol A and estradiol are equipotent in antagonizing cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells. Cancer Lett 290:167-73
Jacobson, Eric M; Hugo, Eric R; Tuttle, Traci R et al. (2010) Unexploited therapies in breast and prostate cancer: blockade of the prolactin receptor. Trends Endocrinol Metab 21:691-8
Lapensee, Elizabeth W; Tuttle, Traci R; Fox, Sejal R et al. (2009) Bisphenol A at low nanomolar doses confers chemoresistance in estrogen receptor-alpha-positive and -negative breast cancer cells. Environ Health Perspect 117:175-80
Dean, Michael (2009) ABC transporters, drug resistance, and cancer stem cells. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 14:3-9
Ben-Jonathan, Nira; Hugo, Eric R; Brandebourg, Terry D (2009) Effects of bisphenol A on adipokine release from human adipose tissue: Implications for the metabolic syndrome. Mol Cell Endocrinol 304:49-54
Sturm, Armin; Cunningham, Phil; Dean, Michael (2009) The ABC transporter gene family of Daphnia pulex. BMC Genomics 10:170
Henrich, Curtis J; Robey, Robert W; Bokesch, Heidi R et al. (2007) New inhibitors of ABCG2 identified by high-throughput screening. Mol Cancer Ther 6:3271-8
Lou, H; Dean, M (2007) Targeted therapy for cancer stem cells: the patched pathway and ABC transporters. Oncogene 26:1357-60

Showing the most recent 10 out of 41 publications