The multidrug resistance (mdrl) gene product functions as an ATP channel

EDWARD H. ABRAHAM, ADRIANA G. PRAT, LEO GERWECK, TARA SENEVERATNE, ROBERT J. ARCECI, ROBERT KRAMER, GUIDO GUIDOTTI AND HORACIO F. CANTIELLO

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Año: 1993 p. 312 - 316

0027-8424

The multidrug resistance (mdrl) gene product, P-glycoprotein, is responsible for the ATP-dependent extrusion of a variety of compounds, including chemotherapeutic drugs, from cells. The data presented here show that cells with increased levels of the P-glycoprotein release ATP to the medium in proportion to the concentration of the protein in their plasma membrane. Furthermore, measurements of whole-cell and single-channel currents with patch-clamp electrodes indicate that the P-glycoprotein serves as an ATPconducting channel in the plasma membrane. These findings suggest an unusual role for the P-glycoprotein.resistance (mdrl) gene product, P-glycoprotein, is responsible for the ATP-dependent extrusion of a variety of compounds, including chemotherapeutic drugs, from cells. The data presented here show that cells with increased levels of the P-glycoprotein release ATP to the medium in proportion to the concentration of the protein in their plasma membrane. Furthermore, measurements of whole-cell and single-channel currents with patch-clamp electrodes indicate that the P-glycoprotein serves as an ATPconducting channel in the plasma membrane. These findings suggest an unusual role for the P-glycoprotein.