Functional Evidence of Multidrug Resistance Transporters (MDR) in Rodent Olfactory Epithelium

Background: P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1) are membrane transporter proteins which function as efflux pumps at cell membranes and are considered to exert a protective function against the entry of xenobiotics. While evidence for Pgp and MRP transporter activity is reported for olfactory tissue, their possible interaction and participation in the olfactory response has not been investigated. Principal Findings: Functional activity of putative MDR transporters was assessed by means of the fluorometric calcein acetoxymethyl ester (calcein-AM) accumulation assay on acute rat and mouse olfactory tissue slices. Calcein-AM uptake was measured as fluorescence intensity changes in the presence of Pgp or MRP specific inhibitors. Epifluorescence microscopy measured time course analysis in the olfactory epithelium revealed significant inhibitor-dependent calcein uptake in the presence of each of the selected inhibitors. Furthermore, intracellular calcein accumulation in olfactory receptor neurons was also significantly increased in the presence of either one of the Pgp or MRP inhibitors. The presence of Pgp or MRP1 encoding genes in the olfactory mucosa of rat and mouse was confirmed by RT-PCR with appropriate pairs of speciesspecific primers. Both transporters were expressed in both newborn and adult olfactory mucosa of both species. To assess a possible involvement of MDR transporters in the olfactory response, we examined the electrophysiological response to odorants in the presence of the selected MDR inhibitors by recording electroolfactograms (EOG). In both animal species

Expression of mdr isoforms in mice during estrous cycle and under hormone stimulation

The multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype is associated with the expression of P-glycoprotein (Pgp), coded by the multigenic mdr family. Mice present the isoforms mdr1 and mdr3, which are responsible for multidrug resistance, and mdr2, that is involved in the transport of phospholipids. mdr1 expression has more recently been associated also with the secretion of steroid hormones. This work presents an RT-PCR analysis of the expression of mdr isoforms, in several organs of mice during different phases of the estrous cycle. Additionally, females were ovariectomized, submitted to different hormone treatments, and their uterus was analyzed for the expression of mdr isoforms. The results show that in the adrenal gland and ovaries mdr1 is the main isoform during proestrus, and that progesterone or a combination of progesterone and estrogen induce the expression of all mdr isoforms in the uterus of ovariectomized females. We suggest that the functions of mdr1 and mdr3 are overlapping, that mdr3 may be the more efficient isoform in the detoxification function, and that mdr1 may be more closely related to the secretion of steroid hormones

New evidence for balancing selection at the HLA-G locus in South Amerindians

HLA-G is a non-classical HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) molecule characterized by limited tissue distribution under normal physiological conditions and low variability at both DNA and protein levels. Several studies suggest that HLA-G could play a role, as an immunoregulatory molecule, in situations as diverse as transplantation, cancer, viral infections and inflammatory diseases. A total of 237 individuals from 21 South American tribes speaking nine different linguistic families were studied in relation to the 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism at the HLA-G gene. A consistent (seven in nine) excess of heterozygosity in samples classified by language was obtained. Our data supply evidences for balancing selection acting at the HLA-G 14 bp INDEL region. Enhanced fetal survival in a pathogen-rich environment may account for these findings