
P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is one of the highly expressed cancer cell efflux transporters that cause the failure of chemotherapy. To reverse P-gp induced multidrug resistance, we employed a flaxseed-derived lignan; secoisolariciresinol (SECO) that acts as an inhibitor of breast cancer resistance protein; another efflux transporter that shares some substrate/inhibitor specificity with P-gp. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation identified SECO as a possible P-gp inhibitor. Comparing root mean square deviation (RMSD) of P-gp bound with SECO with that bound to its standard inhibitor verapamil showed that fluctuations in RMSD were lower in P-gp bound to SECO demonstrating higher stability of the complex of P-gp with SECO. In addition, the superimposition of P-gp structures after MD simulation showed that the nucleotide-binding domains of P-gp bound to SECO undertook a more central closer position compared with that bound to verapamil. Using rhodamine efflux assay on NCI/ADR-RES cancer cells, SECO was confirmed as a P-gp inhibitor, where cells treated with 25 or 50 µM of SECO showed significantly higher fluorescence intensity compared to control. Using MTT assay, SECO alone showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity, where 25 or 50 µM of SECO caused significantly less NCI/ADR-RES cellular viability compared to control. Furthermore, when 50 µM of SECO was added to doxorubicin (DOX), an anticancer drug, SECO significantly enhanced DOX-induced cytotoxicity compared to DOX alone. The combination index calculated by CompuSyn software indicated synergism between DOX and SECO. Our results suggest SECO as a novel P-gp inhibitor that can re-sensitize cancer cells during DOX chemotherapy.
Secoisolariciresinol, MTT assay, QH301-705.5, Bioinformatics, R, Molecular dynamics, P-glycoprotein, Doxorubicin, Medicine, Rhodamine assay, Biology (General)
Secoisolariciresinol, MTT assay, QH301-705.5, Bioinformatics, R, Molecular dynamics, P-glycoprotein, Doxorubicin, Medicine, Rhodamine assay, Biology (General)
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 16 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
