The influence of glutathione metabolism on multidrug resistance in MRP-overexpressing cells.

The multidrug resistance (+associated) protein (MRP) is one of two ATP-dependent transport molecules which have been shown to be a cause of multidrug resistance in mammalian cells. The protein is ubiquitously expressed in human tissues and in a range of tumor types. In addition to a range of neutral or cationic cytotoxic drugs, MRP also transports heavy metals and organic anions including glutathione (GSH)-conjugates and glucuronate conjugates.

Mitochondria play a critical role in shaping the exocytotic response of rat pancreatic acinar cells.

We have previously demonstrated [M. Campos-Toimil, T. Bagrij, J.

Two modes of secretion in pancreatic acinar cells: involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and regulation by capacitative Ca(2+) entry.

In pancreatic acinar cells, muscarinic agonists stimulate both the release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores and the influx of extracellular Ca(2+). The part played by Ca(2+) released from intracellular stores in the regulation of secretion is well established; however, the role of Ca(2+) influx in exocytosis is unclear. Recently, we observed that supramaximal concentrations of acetylcholine (>or=10 microM) elicited an additional component of exocytosis despite reducing Ca(2+) influx.

Influences of glutathione on anionic substrate efflux in tumour cells expressing the multidrug resistance-associated protein, MRP1.

The ATP-dependent transport of natural product drugs, e.g. vincristine, by multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1) requires reduced glutathione (GSH), whilst that of anionic substrates does not.