RLIP76: A novel glutathione-conjugate and multi-drug transporter

Biochem Pharmacol. 2009 Mar 1;77(5):761-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2008.10.006. Epub 2008 Oct 15.

Abstract

RLIP76, a stress-responsive, multi-functional protein with multi-specific transport activity towards glutathione-conjugates (GS-E) and chemotherapeutic agents, is frequently over-expressed in malignant cells. Our recent studies suggest that it plays a prominent anti-apoptotic role selectively in cancer cells. We have previously shown that RLIP76 accounts for up to 80% of the transport of GS-E and blocking the RLIP76-mediated transport of GS-E in cells results in the accumulation of pro-apoptotic endogenous electrophiles and on-set of apoptosis. Here we demonstrate that when RLIP76 mediate transport of GS-E is abrogated either by anti-RLIP76 IgG or accumulation of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and its GSH-conjugate (GS-HNE) occurs and a massive apoptosis is observed in cells, indicate that the inhibition of RLIP76 transport activity at the cell surface is sufficient for observed anti-tumor activity. RLIP76 is linked with certain cellular functions including membrane plasticity and movement (as a primary 'effector' in the Ral pathway, perhaps functioning as a GTPase activating protein, or GAP), and as a component of clathrin-coated pit-mediated receptor-ligand endocytosis-a process that mediates movement of membrane vesicles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / chemistry
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / metabolism*
  • Aldehydes / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple
  • Endocytosis
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / chemistry
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / metabolism*
  • Glutathione / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Kinase C-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • Aldehydes
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • RALBP1 protein, human
  • Protein Kinase C-alpha
  • Glutathione
  • 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal