Clinically relevant mutations in the ABCG2 transporter uncovered by genetic analysis linked to erythrocyte membrane protein expression

Sci Rep. 2018 May 10;8(1):7487. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-25695-z.

Abstract

The ABCG2 membrane protein is a key xeno- and endobiotic transporter, modulating the absorption and metabolism of pharmacological agents and causing multidrug resistance in cancer. ABCG2 is also involved in uric acid elimination and its impaired function is causative in gout. Analysis of ABCG2 expression in the erythrocyte membranes of healthy volunteers and gout patients showed an enrichment of lower expression levels in the patients. By genetic screening based on protein expression, we found a relatively frequent, novel ABCG2 mutation (ABCG2-M71V), which, according to cellular expression studies, causes reduced protein expression, although with preserved transporter capability. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated a stumbled dynamics of the mutant protein, while ABCG2-M71V expression in vitro could be corrected by therapeutically relevant small molecules. These results suggest that personalized medicine should consider this newly discovered ABCG2 mutation, and genetic analysis linked to protein expression provides a new tool to uncover clinically important mutations in membrane proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2 / chemistry
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2 / genetics*
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2 / metabolism*
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Animals
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Dogs
  • Erythrocyte Membrane / metabolism*
  • Genetic Testing
  • Gout / blood
  • Gout / genetics
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Hyperuricemia / blood
  • Hyperuricemia / genetics
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Models, Molecular
  • Mutant Proteins / genetics
  • Mutant Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mutation*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / chemistry
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Sf9 Cells
  • Spodoptera

Substances

  • ABCG2 protein, human
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2
  • Mutant Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins