Interactions of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors AT-7519, flavopiridol and SNS-032 with ABCB1, ABCG2 and ABCC1 transporters and their potential to overcome multidrug resistance in vitro

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters play an important role in multidrug resistance (MDR) toward anticancer drugs. Here, we evaluated interactions of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKi) AT-7519, flavopiridol and SNS-032 with the following ABC transporters in vitro: P-glycoprotein (ABCB1), breast cancer resistance protein (ABCG2) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (ABCC1). Inhibitory potency of studied CDKi to the transporters was evaluated by accumulation assays using fluorescent substrates and MDCKII cells overexpressing human ABCB1, ABCG2 or ABCC1. Resistance of transporter-expressing cells to the CDKi was evaluated by XTT proliferation assay. Observed interactions of CDKi were verified by ATPase assay in ABC transporter-expressing Sf9 membrane vesicles. Combination index analysis was additionally performed in ABC transporter-expressing cancer cell lines, HepG2 and T47D. Flavopiridol showed a significant inhibitory potency toward ABCG2 and ABCC1. SNS-032 also decreased ABCG2-mediated efflux, while AT-7519 failed to inhibit ABCB1, ABCG2 or ABCC1. Both flavopiridol and SNS-032 showed synergistic antiproliferative effects in combination with relevant ABC transporter substrates such as daunorubicin and topotecan in cancer cells. ABCB1 was found to confer significant resistance to AT-7519 and SNS-032, but not to flavopiridol. In contrast, ABCG2 and ABCC1 conferred resistance to flavopiridol, but not to AT-7519 and SNS-032. Our data provide detailed information on interactions of flavopiridol, SNS-032 and AT-7519 with ABC transporters, which may help elucidate the pharmacokinetic behavior and toxicity of these compounds. Moreover, we show the ability of flavopiridol and SNS-032, but not AT-7519, to overcome ABC transporter-mediated MDR.