The multidrug resistance (mdr1) gene product functions as an ATP channel. |
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| Authors: | E H Abraham A G Prat L Gerweck T Seneveratne R J Arceci R Kramer G Guidotti H F Cantiello |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138. |
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| Abstract: | The multidrug resistance (mdr1) 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 ATP-conducting channel in the plasma membrane. These findings suggest an unusual role for the P-glycoprotein. |
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