Pregnane X Receptor and P-glycoprotein: a connexion for Alzheimer's disease management

Mol Divers. 2014 Nov;18(4):895-909. doi: 10.1007/s11030-014-9550-6. Epub 2014 Sep 12.

Abstract

The translational failure between preclinical animal models and clinical outcome has alarmed us to search for a new strategy in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Interlink between Pregnane X Receptor (PXR) and P-glycoprotein (Pgp) at the blood brain barrier (BBB) has raised hope toward a new disease modifying therapy in AD. Pgp is a major efflux transporter for beta amyloid (Aβ) at human BBB. A literature survey reveals diminished expression of Pgp transporter at the BBB in AD patients. Pregnane X Receptor is a major transcriptional regulator of Pgp. Restoration of Pgp at the BBB enhances the elimination of the Aβ from brain alongside and inhibits the apical to basolateral movement of Aβ from the circulatory blood. This review concentrates on in vitro, in vivo, and in silico advancements on the study of the PXR in context to Pgp and discusses the substrate and inhibitor specificity between PXR and Pgp.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / chemistry
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / genetics
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism*
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy
  • Alzheimer Disease / etiology
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Disease Management
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / etiology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Pregnane X Receptor
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Receptors, Steroid / chemistry
  • Receptors, Steroid / genetics
  • Receptors, Steroid / metabolism*

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • Pregnane X Receptor
  • Receptors, Steroid