ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter A Subfamily 8 Is a Sinusoidal Efflux Transporter for Cholesterol and Taurocholate in Mouse and Human Liver

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter A subfamily 8 (ABCA8) belongs to the ABCA6-like transporters subgroup, which is distinct from the ABCA1-like subgroup in the ABCA family. The expression and function of the short-size human ABCA8 lacking one of the two ATP-binding domains for ATP hydrolysis, which are regularly present in the other ABCA transporters, have been reported. However, the functional differences between the short-size human ABCA8 and full-size human ABCA8, which has the two ATP-binding domains, remain unknown. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the tissue expression profiles of ABCA6-like and ABCA1-like subgroup transporters and the functional characteristics of ABCA8 in mouse and human. The tissue distribution of mouse ABCA (mABCA) transporter protein and the changes in mABCA8 protein expression levels in a mouse model of obstructive cholestasis were elucidated by means of quantitative targeted absolute proteomics (QTAP). The transport characteristics were clarified in a HEK293 cell line overexpressing full-size ABCA8 protein. QTAP and immunohistochemical analyses revealed that mABCA transporters exhibited the distinct protein expression patterns in the tissues, and mABCA8b, its mouse orthologue, was abundant in the liver and predominantly distributed in sinusoidal membranes of the hepatocytes. Further, protein expression of mABCA8b was decreased in the mouse cholestasis liver. Changes of mABCA8b expression level in cholestasis were similar to those of mABCA1, a sinusoidal cholesterol efflux transporter. Uptake and efflux assays showed that ABCA8 mediates efflux of [³H]­cholesterol and [³H]­taurocholate, while it showed no significant efflux activity for [³H]­estrone sulfate, [³H]­digoxin, [³H]­vinblastine, [³H]<i>para</i>-aminohippuric acid, [³H]­oleic acid, [¹⁴C]­nicotine, or [³H]­methotrexate. [³H]­Cholesterol efflux was increased by extracellularly applied taurocholate. These results suggest that mABCA8b/ABCA8 functions as a sinusoidal efflux transporter for at least cholesterol and taurocholate in mouse and human liver

LC–MS/MS Based Quantitation of ABC and SLC Transporter Proteins in Plasma Membranes of Cultured Primary Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells and Immortalized ARPE19 Cell Line

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) forms the outer blood–retinal barrier between neural retina and choroid. The RPE has several important vision supporting functions, such as transport mechanisms that may also modify pharmacokinetics in the posterior eye segment. Expression of plasma membrane transporters in the RPE cells has not been quantitated. The aim of this study was to characterize and compare transporter protein expression in the ARPE19 cell line and hfRPE (human fetal RPE) cells by using quantitative targeted absolute proteomics (QTAP). Among 41 studied transporters, 16 proteins were expressed in hfRPE and 13 in ARPE19 cells. MRP1, MRP5, GLUT1, 4F2hc, TAUT, CAT1, LAT1, and MATE1 proteins were detected in both cell lines within 4-fold differences. MPR7, OAT2 and RFC1 were detected in the hfRPE cells, but their expression levels were below the limit of quantification in ARPE19 cells. PCFT was detected in both studied cell lines, but the expression was over 4-fold higher in hfRPE cells. MCT1, MCT4, MRP4, and Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase were upregulated in the ARPE19 cell line showing over 4-fold differences in the quantitative expression values. Expression levels of 25 transporters were below the limit of quantification in both cell models. In conclusion, we present the first systematic and quantitative study on transporter protein expression in the plasma membranes of ARPE19 and hfRPE cells. Overall, transporter expression in the ARPE19 and hfRPE cells correlated well and the absolute expression levels were similar, but not identical. The presented quantitative expression levels could be a useful basis for further studies on drug permeation in the outer blood–retinal barrier

Identification of blood biomarkers in glioblastoma by SWATH mass spectrometry and quantitative targeted absolute proteomics

<div><p>Molecular biomarkers in blood are needed to aid the early diagnosis and clinical assessment of glioblastoma (GBM). Here, in order to identify biomarker candidates in plasma of GBM patients, we performed quantitative comparisons of the plasma proteomes of GBM patients (n = 14) and healthy controls (n = 15) using SWATH mass spectrometry analysis. The results were validated by means of quantitative targeted absolute proteomics analysis. As a result, we identified eight biomarker candidates for GBM (leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein (LRG1), complement component C9 (C9), C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (SERPINA3), apolipoprotein B-100 (APOB), gelsolin (GSN), Ig alpha-1 chain C region (IGHA1), and apolipoprotein A-IV (APOA4)). Among them, LRG1, C9, CRP, GSN, IGHA1, and APOA4 gave values of the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of greater than 0.80. To investigate the relationships between the biomarker candidates and GBM biology, we examined correlations between plasma concentrations of biomarker candidates and clinical presentation (tumor size, progression-free survival time, or overall survival time) in GBM patients. The plasma concentrations of LRG1, CRP, and C9 showed significant positive correlations with tumor size (R² = 0.534, 0.495, and 0.452, respectively).</p></div

Quantification of Transporter and Receptor Proteins in Dog Brain Capillaries and Choroid Plexus: Relevance for the Distribution in Brain and CSF of Selected BCRP and P‑gp Substrates

Transporters at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) play a pivotal role as gatekeepers for efflux or uptake of endogenous and exogenous molecules. The protein expression of a number of them has already been determined in the brains of rodents, nonhuman primates, and humans using quantitative targeted absolute proteomics (QTAP). The dog is an important animal model for drug discovery and development, especially for safety evaluations. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the relevance of the transporter protein expression for drug distribution in the dog brain and CSF. We used QTAP to examine the protein expression of 17 selected transporters and receptors at the dog BBB and BCSFB. For the first time, we directly linked the expression of two efflux transporters, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), to regional brain and CSF distribution using specific substrates. Two cocktails, each containing one P-gp substrate (quinidine or apafant) and one BCRP substrate (dantrolene or daidzein) were infused intravenously prior to collection of the brain. Transporter expression varied only slightly between the capillaries of different brain regions and did not result in region-specific distribution of the investigated substrates. There were, however, distinct differences between brain capillaries and choroid plexus. Largest differences were observed for BCRP and P-gp: both were highly expressed in brain capillaries, but no BCRP and only low amounts of P-gp were detected in the choroid plexus. <i>K</i>_p,uu,brain and <i>K</i>_p,uu,CSF of both P-gp substrates were indicative of drug efflux. Also, <i>K</i>_p,uu,brain for the BCRP substrates was low. In contrast, <i>K</i>_p,uu,CSF for both BCRP substrates was close to unity, resulting in <i>K</i>_p,uu,CSF/<i>K</i>_p,uu,brain ratios of 7 and 8, respectively. We conclude that the drug transporter expression profiles differ between the BBB and BCSFB in dogs, that there are species differences in the expression profiles, and that CSF is not a suitable surrogate for unbound brain concentrations of BCRP substrates in dogs

Identification of blood biomarkers in glioblastoma by SWATH mass spectrometry and quantitative targeted absolute proteomics - Fig 3

<p><b>Kaplan–Meier curve of progression-free survival time (PFS) (A) and overall survival time (OS) (B) in patients with glioblastoma (GBM) showed prognostic significance of gelsolin (GSN).</b> GBM patients were classified into two categories on the basis of GSN level: low (0–472 fmol/μL plasma) and high (> 472 fmol/μL plasma). Mean GSN plasma level in GBM patients was selected as the cut-off point. (A) PFS interval was determined as the interval between the date of initial operation and the date of patient’s recurrence or determined endpoint (for those no recurrent on August 1, 2015). (B) OS interval was determined as the interval between the date of the initial operation and date of patient’s death or determined end point (for those alive on August 1, 2015).</p

Summary of the differentially expressed proteins in plasma validated by QTAP analysis.

<p>Summary of the differentially expressed proteins in plasma validated by QTAP analysis.</p

Characteristics of subjects.

<p>Characteristics of subjects.</p

Box plot showing the plasma levels of each differentially expressed protein in GBM plasma (n = 14) compared with healthy plasma (n = 15).

<p>Each dot represents the protein level of an individual sample. In box plots, the band inside the box represents the median. The bottom and top of the box represent the first and third quartiles. The whiskers reflect the minimum and maximum values that fall within 1.5 times the interquartile range. Any data not included between the whiskers is an outlier. *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01; ***, p < 0.001. Cont, Healthy controls; GBM, glioblastoma.</p

Total number of proteins and peptides in spectral library.

<p>Total number of proteins and peptides in spectral library.</p

Flow diagram of GBM biomarker discovery.

<p>Flow diagram of GBM biomarker discovery.</p