Abstract
We have characterised sites of photodamage catalysed by the cationic photosensitiser tetrabromorhodamine 123, using P388 murine leukaemia cells and a subline (P388/ADR) which has a multidrug resistance phenotype and hyperexpresses mdr1 mRNA for P-glycoprotein. Fluorescence emission spectra were consistent with sensitiser localisation in hydrophobic regions of the P388 cell, and in more aqueous loci in P388/ADR. Subsequent irradiation resulted in photodamage to the P388 cells, resulting in loss of viability. In contrast, P388/ADR cells were unaffected except for an irreversible inhibition of P-glycoprotein, leading to enhanced accumulation of daunorubicin and rhodamine 123 and a corresponding increase in daunorubicin cytotoxicity. These results are consistent with the premise that substrates for P-glycoprotein are confined to membrane loci associated with the transporter, and indicate a very limited migration of cytotoxic photo-products in a cellular environment.
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Kessel, D., Woodburn, K. Selective photodynamic inactivation of a multidrug transporter by a cationic photosensitising agent. Br J Cancer 71, 306–310 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1995.61
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1995.61
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