- Functional expression of the human MDR1 gene in Escherichia coli.
Functional expression of the human MDR1 gene in Escherichia coli.
In this preliminary study, we report the cloning of the human MDR1 cDNA into a prokaryotic expression vector and the consequent functional expression of heterologous P-glycoprotein in Escherichia coli. We demonstrate increased resistance to the P-glycoprotein substrates TPA+, TPP+, and puromycin; reduced accumulation of TPP+ and tetracycline by resistant cells; and the expression of a full-length immunoreactive P-glycoprotein molecule in the membrane fraction of resistant cells. The obvious structural and functional similarities of P-gp to prokaryotic ABC transporters and other efflux transporters argues for a more complete study of the consequences pertaining to the expression of human P-glycoprotein in E. coli.