Molecular dissection of dual pseudosymmetric solute translocation pathways in human P-glycoprotein

Mol Pharmacol. 2011 Mar;79(3):443-52. doi: 10.1124/mol.110.067611. Epub 2010 Dec 21.

Abstract

The human multispecific drug efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) causes drug resistance and modulates the pharmacological profile of systemically administered medicines. It has arisen from a homodimeric ancestor by gene duplication. Crystal structures of mouse MDR1A indicate that P-gp shares the overall architecture with two homodimeric bacterial exporters, Sav1866 and MsbA, which have complete rotational symmetry. For ATP-binding cassette transporters, nucleotide binding occurs in two symmetric positions in the motor domains. Based on the homology with entirely symmetric half-transporters, the present study addressed the key question: can biochemical evidence for the existence of dual drug translocation pathways in the transmembrane domains of P-gp be found? P-gp was photolabeled with propafenone analogs, purified, and digested proteolytically, and peptide fragments were identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Labeling was assigned to two regions in the protein by projecting data into homology models. Subsequently, symmetric residue pairs in the putative translocation pathways were identified and replaced by site-directed mutagenesis. Transport assays corroborated the existence of two pseudosymmetric translocation pathways. Although rhodamine123 has a preference to take one path, verapamil, propafenones, and vinblastine preferentially use the other. Two major findings ensued from this study: the existence of two solute translocation pathways in P-gp as a reflection of evolutionary origin from a homodimeric ancestor and selective but not exclusive use of one of these pathways by different P-gp solutes. The pseudosymmetric behavior reconciles earlier kinetic and thermodynamic data, suggesting an alternative concept of drug transport by P-gp that will aid in understanding the off-target quantitative structure activity relationships of P-gp interacting drugs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B / chemistry
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B / metabolism
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B / physiology
  • 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 Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / physiology*
  • Animals
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Protein Transport
  • Rhodamine 123 / metabolism
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Rhodamine 123
  • multidrug resistance protein 3