Stable suppression of MDR1 gene expression and function by RNAi in Caco-2 cells

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Nov 5;324(1):365-71. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.09.061.

Abstract

Vector-based RNAi was used to establish a stable Caco-2 cell line with a persistent knockdown of multidrug resistant gene 1 (MDR1) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Several positive clones were collected, many of which showed significantly reduced levels of MDR1 mRNA and P-gp compared to wt Caco-2 cells. Selected clones were sub-cultivated for six passages and real-time PCR showed that MDR1 expression remained significantly reduced (up to 96%) over this period of time. RNAi-MDR1 clones frozen long term also kept their low MDR1 expression levels when re-cultured. Permeability studies were performed across RNAi-MDR1 clone cell monolayers, and the efflux of cyclosporine A, digoxin, vinblastine, and vincristine showed 58%, 61%, 91%, and 78% decrease in active transport, respectively, compared to wt Caco-2 cells. This stably modified Caco-2 cell line provides a novel tool for studies on MDR1 and other ABC transporter protein gene cellular functions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / genetics*
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Cell Membrane Permeability
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Genetic Vectors / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • RNA, Small Interfering