

Overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) contributes to the multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype found in many cancer cells. P-gp has been identified as a promising molecular target, although attempts to find successful therapies to counteract its function as a drug efflux pump have largely failed to date. Apart from its role in drug efflux, P-gp may have other cellular functions such as being involved in apoptosis, and is found in various locations in the cell. Its expression is highly regulated, namely by microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs). In addition, P-gp may regulate the expression of miRs in the cell. Furthermore, both P-gp and miRs may be found in microvesicles or exosomes and may be transported to neighboring, drug-sensitive cells. Here, we review this current issue together with recent evidence of this network of interactions between P-gp and miRs. © 2013 UICC.
| EMTREE drug terms: | messenger RNAmultidrug resistance protein |
|---|---|
| EMTREE medical terms: | binding affinitybinding sitecancer resistancecellular distributiondown regulationexosomegene expressiongene functiongene identificationgene locationhumanmicrovasculaturemolecular dynamicsnonhumanpriority journalprotein determinationprotein expressionprotein functionprotein localizationprotein RNA bindingprotein synthesisprotein transportreviewRNA transcriptionRNA transportsignal transduction |
| Medline keywords: | cancerdrug resistanceexosomesmicroRNAsmicrovesiclesP-glycoprotein |
| MeSH: | AnimalsDrug Resistance, MultipleDrug Resistance, NeoplasmGene Expression RegulationHumansMicroRNAsP-GlycoproteinSignal Transduction |
multidrug resistance protein, 149200-37-3, 208997-77-7
| Funding sponsor | Funding number | Acronym |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Fuel Cycle Technologies | SFRH/BD/47428/2008 | FCT |
| Office of Fuel Cycle Technologies | SFRH/BD/87646/2012 | FCT |
| Office of Fuel Cycle Technologies | SFRH/BPD/68787/2010 | FCT |
Vasconcelos, M.H.; IPATIMUP, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias s/n, Portugal;
© Copyright 2014 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.