Tissue distribution and hormonal regulation of the breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp/Abcg2) in rats and mice

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005 Jan 7;326(1):181-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.11.012.

Abstract

Breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp/Abcg2) is a member of the ABC transporter family. The purpose of this study was to quantify Bcrp mRNA in rat and mouse tissues, and to determine whether there are gender differences in Bcrp mRNA expression. Rat Bcrp mRNA levels were high in intestine and male kidney, and intermediate in testes. Mouse Bcrp expression was highest in kidney, followed by liver, ileum, and testes. Male-predominant expression of Bcrp was observed in rat kidney and mouse liver. Furthermore, gonadectomy and hypophysectomy experiments were conducted to determine whether sex steroids and/or growth hormone are responsible for Bcrp gender-divergent expression patterns. Male-predominant expression of Bcrp in rat kidney appears to be due to the suppressive effect of estradiol, and male-predominant expression of Bcrp in mouse liver appears to be due to the inductive effect of testosterone.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Castration
  • Estradiol / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy / methods
  • Hypophysectomy
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Organ Specificity / drug effects
  • Ovariectomy
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Sex Factors
  • Species Specificity
  • Testosterone / pharmacology*
  • Tissue Distribution / drug effects

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • Abcg2 protein, rat
  • Testosterone
  • Estradiol