MUDr. Olga Matoušková - the dissertation theses The influence of individual genetic predisposition to the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of chosen opioids ABSTRACT Introduction: The aim of this thesis is to study the influence of polymorphism of CYP2D6 and MDR1 on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of tramadol in healthy volunteers using measurement. A secondary objective is to evaluate these polymorphisms in relation to the analgesic efficacy and side effects of piritramide for acute postoperative pain. Materials and methods: In two prospective work studying the influence of genetic predisposition on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of tramadol, we included a total of 90 healthy volunteers. Clinical studies on opioid analgesia and influence of genetic predisposition to the pharmaco-therapeutic effects and side effects in patients with acute postoperative pain, we included a total of 161 patients with acute postoperative pain. Polymorphism genotyping CYP2D6 and MDR1 gene we performed PCR - RFLP analysis, to determine concentrations of tramadol and metabolite, we used gas and liquid chromatography and pharmacodynamic effects of opioids was evaluated by pupilometric measurement and visual analogue scale. Results and conclusion: Variability of the opioid effect is influenced by...

O linfoma difuso de grandes células B (LDGCB) é o subtipo de linfoma mais comum em países em desenvolvimento. Entretanto, apesar de sua prevalência e importância, ainda existem poucas publicações com dados epidemiológicos para a população brasileira. Conhecer os fatores de prognóstico é imperativo para identificar os pacientes que responderão melhor ao tratamento, além de permitir sua individualização terapêutica. Alguns estudos demonstraram que pacientes com o mesmo Índice Internacional de Prognóstico (IPI) podem apresentar diferentes sobrevidas, justificando a necessidade de identificar novos marcadores biológicos de prognóstico. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto prognóstico da expressão dos genes BCL2, MDR1 e OCT1, de suas respectivas proteínas e da translocação t(14;18), nos desfechos de resposta completa (RC), sobrevida global (SG), sobrevida livre de doença (SLD) e sobrevida livre de progressão (SLP) em pacientes com LDGCB. Foram avaliados de forma retrospectiva 98 pacientes com LDGCB de novo tratados com R-CHOP. A expressão gênica foi avaliada por PCR em Tempo Real com RNA extraído de amostras parafinadas. A expressão proteica foi avaliada pelo método de imuno-histoquímica. A mediana de idade foi de 54,5 anos e 49 pacientes (50%) eram do sexo masculino. Sessenta e quatro pacientes (85,3%) obtiveram RC, com uma mediana de acompanhamento de 2,66 anos. A expressão mediana de BCL2, MDR1 e OCT1 foi 6,27; 0 e 24,49, respectivamente. Não encontramos impacto prognóstico da expressão do gene BCL2 na RC (p=0,277), SG (p=0,068) e SLD (p=0,860). Porém, a expressão de BCL2 >= à mediana associou-se à menor SLP (p=0,040). Encontramos associação entre expressão do gene OCT1 >= à mediana e pior prognóstico para SG (p=0,010) e SLP (p=0,016). Porém, não observamos impacto prognóstico da expressão de OCT1 para RC (p=0,464) e SLD (p=0,717). Não houve associação entre expressão do gene MDR1 e das proteínas BCL-2, Pg-p e OCT-1 com o prognóstico dos pacientes em relação à RC, SG, SLD e SLP. O número de sítios extralinfonodais (p=0,004 e p=0,005), estádio clínico (p < 0,001 para ambas), IPI (p < 0,001 para ambas) e nível de DHL (p=0,010 e p=0,008) apresentaram impacto prognóstico na SG e SLP, respectivamente. Quando os pacientes foram estratificados pelo estádio, IPI e idade, o grupo com expressão de OCT1 >= à mediana e IPI intermediário-alto ou alto risco apresentou pior SG (p=0,048) e o grupo com idade >= 60 anos e expressão de OCT1 >= à mediana apresentou pior prognóstico para SG e SLP (p=0,025 para ambas). Em conclusão, a expressão de MDR1 não apresentou impacto no prognóstico de portadores de LDGCB, porém, a expressão do gene BCL2 >= à mediana foi associada a menor SLP. Além disso, a hiperexpressão de OCT1 apresentou valor preditivo de prognóstico para a SG e SLP em pacientes com LDGCB tratados com R-CHOP / The diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoma subtype in developing countries. However, despite its prevalence and importance, there are still few publications showing the epidemiological data of the Brazilian population. Knowing the prognostic factors is imperative to identify patients supposed to better respond to treatment, as well as to allow their therapeutic individualization. Some studies have shown that patients with the same International Prognostic Index (IPI) may present different survival rates, thus justifying the need to identify new prognosis biomarkers. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic impact of the genes BCL2, MDR1 and OCT1 and their respective proteins and t (14; 18) translocation on the complete response (CR), overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with DLBCL. We retrospectively assessed 98 patients with de novo DLBCL treated with R-CHOP. The gene expression was assessed through real-time PCR using RNA extracted from paraffin samples. The protein expression was assessed through the immunohistochemistry method. The median age was 54.5 years; 49 patients (50%) were men. Sixty-four patients (85.3%) had CR and median follow-up 2.66 years. The median expression of BCL2, MDR1 and OCT1 was 6.27; 0 and 24.49, respectively. We did not find the prognostic impact of the BCL2 gene expression on CR (p = 0.277), OS (p = 0.068) and on DFS (p = 0.860). However, the expression of BCL2 >= the median was associated with the lower PFS (p = 0.040). We found association between OCT1 gene expression >= the median and worse prognosis for OS (p = 0.010) and PFS (p = 0.016). However, we did not find the prognostic impact of OCT1 expression on CR (p = 0.464) and DFS (p = 0.717). There was no association between the MDR1 gene expression and the BCL-2, Pg-p and OCT-1 proteins, and the patients\' prognosis regarding CR, OS, DFS and PFS. The number of extranodal sites (p = 0.004 and p = 0.005), the clinical status (p <0.001 for both), the IPI (p < 0.001 for both) and DHL levels (p = 0.010 and p = 0.008) presented PFS, respectively. When the patients were stratified by stage, IPI and age, the group with OCT1 expression at the median and intermediate-to-high or high-risk IPI had worse OS results (p = 0.048) and the patients in the age group >= 60 years and expression of OCT1 >= the median presented worse prognosis for OS and PFS (p = 0.025 for both). Therefore, the MDR1 expression had no impact on the prognosis of DLBCL carriers. However, the expression of the BCL2 gene >= the median was associated with lower PFS. In addition, the OCT1 hyperexpression presented a predictive prognosis value for OS and PFS in patients with DLBCL treated with R-CHOP

O linfoma difuso de grandes células B (LDGCB) é o subtipo de linfoma mais comum em países em desenvolvimento. Entretanto, apesar de sua prevalência e importância, ainda existem poucas publicações com dados epidemiológicos para a população brasileira. Conhecer os fatores de prognóstico é imperativo para identificar os pacientes que responderão melhor ao tratamento, além de permitir sua individualização terapêutica. Alguns estudos demonstraram que pacientes com o mesmo Índice Internacional de Prognóstico (IPI) podem apresentar diferentes sobrevidas, justificando a necessidade de identificar novos marcadores biológicos de prognóstico. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto prognóstico da expressão dos genes BCL2, MDR1 e OCT1, de suas respectivas proteínas e da translocação t(14;18), nos desfechos de resposta completa (RC), sobrevida global (SG), sobrevida livre de doença (SLD) e sobrevida livre de progressão (SLP) em pacientes com LDGCB. Foram avaliados de forma retrospectiva 98 pacientes com LDGCB de novo tratados com R-CHOP. A expressão gênica foi avaliada por PCR em Tempo Real com RNA extraído de amostras parafinadas. A expressão proteica foi avaliada pelo método de imuno-histoquímica. A mediana de idade foi de 54,5 anos e 49 pacientes (50%) eram do sexo masculino. Sessenta e quatro pacientes (85,3%) obtiveram RC, com uma mediana de acompanhamento de 2,66 anos. A expressão mediana de BCL2, MDR1 e OCT1 foi 6,27; 0 e 24,49, respectivamente. Não encontramos impacto prognóstico da expressão do gene BCL2 na RC (p=0,277), SG (p=0,068) e SLD (p=0,860). Porém, a expressão de BCL2 >= à mediana associou-se à menor SLP (p=0,040). Encontramos associação entre expressão do gene OCT1 >= à mediana e pior prognóstico para SG (p=0,010) e SLP (p=0,016). Porém, não observamos impacto prognóstico da expressão de OCT1 para RC (p=0,464) e SLD (p=0,717). Não houve associação entre expressão do gene MDR1 e das proteínas BCL-2, Pg-p e OCT-1 com o prognóstico dos pacientes em relação à RC, SG, SLD e SLP. O número de sítios extralinfonodais (p=0,004 e p=0,005), estádio clínico (p < 0,001 para ambas), IPI (p < 0,001 para ambas) e nível de DHL (p=0,010 e p=0,008) apresentaram impacto prognóstico na SG e SLP, respectivamente. Quando os pacientes foram estratificados pelo estádio, IPI e idade, o grupo com expressão de OCT1 >= à mediana e IPI intermediário-alto ou alto risco apresentou pior SG (p=0,048) e o grupo com idade >= 60 anos e expressão de OCT1 >= à mediana apresentou pior prognóstico para SG e SLP (p=0,025 para ambas). Em conclusão, a expressão de MDR1 não apresentou impacto no prognóstico de portadores de LDGCB, porém, a expressão do gene BCL2 >= à mediana foi associada a menor SLP. Além disso, a hiperexpressão de OCT1 apresentou valor preditivo de prognóstico para a SG e SLP em pacientes com LDGCB tratados com R-CHOP / The diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoma subtype in developing countries. However, despite its prevalence and importance, there are still few publications showing the epidemiological data of the Brazilian population. Knowing the prognostic factors is imperative to identify patients supposed to better respond to treatment, as well as to allow their therapeutic individualization. Some studies have shown that patients with the same International Prognostic Index (IPI) may present different survival rates, thus justifying the need to identify new prognosis biomarkers. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic impact of the genes BCL2, MDR1 and OCT1 and their respective proteins and t (14; 18) translocation on the complete response (CR), overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with DLBCL. We retrospectively assessed 98 patients with de novo DLBCL treated with R-CHOP. The gene expression was assessed through real-time PCR using RNA extracted from paraffin samples. The protein expression was assessed through the immunohistochemistry method. The median age was 54.5 years; 49 patients (50%) were men. Sixty-four patients (85.3%) had CR and median follow-up 2.66 years. The median expression of BCL2, MDR1 and OCT1 was 6.27; 0 and 24.49, respectively. We did not find the prognostic impact of the BCL2 gene expression on CR (p = 0.277), OS (p = 0.068) and on DFS (p = 0.860). However, the expression of BCL2 >= the median was associated with the lower PFS (p = 0.040). We found association between OCT1 gene expression >= the median and worse prognosis for OS (p = 0.010) and PFS (p = 0.016). However, we did not find the prognostic impact of OCT1 expression on CR (p = 0.464) and DFS (p = 0.717). There was no association between the MDR1 gene expression and the BCL-2, Pg-p and OCT-1 proteins, and the patients\' prognosis regarding CR, OS, DFS and PFS. The number of extranodal sites (p = 0.004 and p = 0.005), the clinical status (p <0.001 for both), the IPI (p < 0.001 for both) and DHL levels (p = 0.010 and p = 0.008) presented PFS, respectively. When the patients were stratified by stage, IPI and age, the group with OCT1 expression at the median and intermediate-to-high or high-risk IPI had worse OS results (p = 0.048) and the patients in the age group >= 60 years and expression of OCT1 >= the median presented worse prognosis for OS and PFS (p = 0.025 for both). Therefore, the MDR1 expression had no impact on the prognosis of DLBCL carriers. However, the expression of the BCL2 gene >= the median was associated with lower PFS. In addition, the OCT1 hyperexpression presented a predictive prognosis value for OS and PFS in patients with DLBCL treated with R-CHOP

MSc (Microbiology) / Department of Microbiology / Background: Patients on antiretroviral (ART) are expected to be at least 95% adherent to their treatment, as this will increase their chances of achieving treatment success (maximum and durable suppression of HIV-1 viral load); non-adherence may lead to the development of HIV drug resistance, which may lead to virologic failure and treatment failure. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) has been reported to be the most efficient method to assess treatment adherence in HIV individuals, since it quantifies the concentration of ARTs in biological matrices. This is very effective when using a robust technique such as liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS), which has played a significant role in the evaluation and interpretation of bioavailability, bioequivalence and pharmacokinetic data. Even with patient adherence, various intra-individual factors have an influence on the expression and function of the genes responsible for the transport (MDR1) and metabolism (CYP2B6) of Efavirenz (EFV). This may lead to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these genes, and this may affect the way antiretrovirals (ARVs) are metabolized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the EFV concentration in plasma to assess patient adherence to treatment and correlate this with genomic occurrences in human and viral genes. Hypothesis: The concentration of ARVs in patient plasma can be used to estimate adherence to treatment; while ARVs’ transport and metabolism can affect bioavailability in a patient’s system. Research Question: Can EFV concentration in plasma be used to estimate patient adherence to treatment? Can transport and metabolism of EFV affect their bioavailability in the patient’s system? Objectives: To determine EFV concentration in plasma to assess patient adherence to treatment and correlate this with genomic occurrences in human genes and viral genes. Methodology: Twenty blood samples were collected from HIV positive individuals before treatment initiation (baseline) and between six to twelve months following treatment initiation (follow-up). The concentration of EFV in patient plasma was measured by LC-MS/MS technique. To infer other factors influencing patient pharmacokinetics output, drug resistance and human genetic characteristics were analyzed. A 1.65kb fragment of the HIV-1 Pol gene was amplified and sequenced to determine drug resistant mutations; while 363bp and 289bp of the MDR-1 and CYP2B6 human genes respectively, were also amplified and sequenced to determine polymorphisms in the transport and metabolism genes. Obtained sequences were manually edited and analyzed using Geneious Version 11.1.5 software. The Stanford HIV Drug Resistance database was used for drug resistant mutation (DRMs) analysis and MDR1 and CYP2B6 test sequences were compared with variant reference sequences to detect the presence of any SNPs. Results: The plasma EFV concentration at baseline and follow-up range was as follows: 0 – 1183ng/ml and below limits of quantification (BLQ) to 15,670ng/ml, respectively. At baseline, 0ng/ml is the expected plasma EFV concentration for patients about to commence treatment; however, two out of twenty patients had 769.9 and 1,183ng/ml drug levels in their system. Post treatment, plasma EFV levels in patients are expected to range from 1,000 – 4,000ng/ml, however, of the twenty patients, two had <1,000ng/ml, and three patients had >4,000ng/ml in their plasma. For Pol amplification, 35% (7/20) were positively amplified at baseline and 25% (5/20) were positively amplified from the follow-ups; 100% (20/20) samples were amplified for both CYP2B6 and MDR1 genes. Detection of drug resistance in the baseline Pol sequences revealed the absence of major mutations in both NRTI and NNRTI drug classes. The G516T polymorphism was present in 15% of the study participants while the homozygous GG and heterozygous GT genotype was present in 25% and 40% of the study participants, respectively. Allele determination was impossible in 20% of the samples, due to the poor nature of the sequence. The homozygous TT variant polymorphism at position 3435 was absent in the entire population, however, the CC and CT genotype was present in 15% and 85% of the study participants respectively. Analysis of EFV concentration in close proximity with the human genetic characteristics reveals that the presence of a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism affects the pharmacokinetic output observed. Discussion and Conclusion: Post treatment, 90% of the study participants indicate adherence to treatment, with only 10% of them having lower than expected EFV concentrations, implying they were non-adherent to their treatment. However, because plasma drug concentrations only reflect a patient’s adherence pattern for a few hours to at most two days, the adherence patterns of these individuals cannot be concluded with certainty. Using plasma EFV as a biomarker to evaluate adherence to treatment in HIV seropositive individuals is a feasible technique, however, its application in non-research settings is still a drawback due to the cost of the method. Characterizing patient inter-individual differences should be taken into consideration, especially since any polymorphism in their transporter and metabolizing genes may influence their overall treatment success. / NRF

Die Therapie der HIV Infektion besteht aus Kombination mehrerer antiretroviraler Substanzen und birgt ein erhöhtes Risiko an Arzneimittelwechselwirkungen. Das bekannte Problem der Virusresistenz kann zudem durch Enzyminduktion begünstigt werden. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit lag in Untersuchungen zu Einflüssen der Virustatika auf die Expression von Cytochrom P450 Enzymen: 1A1, 1B1, 3A4 sowie der P-Glykoproteins (MDR1) an immortalisierten Zellsystemen. Die Protease Inhibitoren Indinavir, Nelfinavir, Ritonavir und Saquinavir induzierten die Regulation der mRNA Expression über den Aryl-Kohlenwasserstoff-Rezeptor (AhR) und den Pregnan-X-Rezeptor (PXR) dosisabhängig und signifikant. Die Nukleosidischen Reverse Transkriptase Inhibitoren Zalcitabin, Zidovudin und Lamivudin sowie der Nicht-Nukleosidische Inhibitor Nevirapin zeigten induktive Eigenschaften nur für die AhR Zielgene CYP1A1 und CYP1B1. Amprenavir und Efavirenz aktivierten die PXR-Regulation. Die möglichen Auswirkungen der Induktion der untersuchten Gene wurden ausführlich diskutiert. Die molekularen Grundlagen der interindividuell variierenden Aktivität von CYP3A wurden in einer Probandenstudie untersucht. Es wurden die mRNA Expression in den Leukozyten, die Aktivität des Enzyms und einige bekannte Polymorphismen unter Einwirkung von Rifampicin untersucht und diskutiert. / The therapy of HIV infection requires a combination of several antiretroviral substances accompanying risk factors for drug-drug interactions. Moreover, virus resistance can be promoted by enzyme induction caused by antiretroviral drugs. The aim of the study was to investigate the influences of antiretroviral substances on the expression of cytochrome P450 enzymes: 1A1, 1B1, 3A4 and p-glycoprotein (MDR1) using immortalized cell systems. The protease inhibitors indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir and saquinavir induced significantly the regulation of mRNA expression through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and the pregnane-x-receptor (PXR) in a concentration-dependent manner. The nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors zalcitabine, zidovudine and lamivudine and the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor nevirapine showed inductive properties only for the AhR target genes CYP1A1 and CYP1B1.Amprenavir and efavirenz activated the PXR target genes. Potentially effects of the described induction are discussed. In a second part of the work, the molecular mechanisms of the individual varying activity of the CYP3A enzyme were investigated applying an in vivo study. CYP3A4 mRNA expression and rifampicin mediated induction in leucocytes were correlated with systemic enzyme activity under induction and known polymorphisms.

No description available.

Nuclear receptors play significant roles in the regulation of transporters and enzymes to balance the level of endogenous molecules and to protect the body from foreign molecules. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) and its natural ligand, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], was shown to upregulate rat ileal apical sodium dependent bile acid transporter (Asbt) to increase the reclamation of bile acids, ligands of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR). FXR is considered to be an important, negative regulator of the cholesterol metabolizing enzyme, Cyp7a1, which metabolizes cholesterol to bile acids in the liver. In rats, decreased Cyp7a1 and increased P-glycoprotein/multidrug resistance protein 1 (P-gp/Mdr1) expressions pursuant to 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment was viewed as FXR effects in which hepatic VDR protein is poorly expressed. In contrast, changes in rat intestinal and renal transporters such as multidrug resistance associated proteins (Mrp2, Mrp3, and Mrp4), Asbt, and P-gp after administration of 1,25(OH)2D3 were attributed directly as VDR effects due to higher VDR levels expressed in these tissues. Higher VDR expressions were found among mouse hepatocytes compared to those in rats. Hence, fxr(-/-) and fxr(+/+) mouse models were used to discriminate between VDR vs. FXR effects in murine livers. Hepatic Cyp7a1 in mice was found to be upregulated with 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment, via the derepression of the short heterodimer partner (SHP). Putative VDREs, identified in mouse and human SHP promoters, were responsible for the inhibitory effect on SHP. The increase in hepatic Cyp7a1 expression and decreased plasma and liver cholesterol were observed in mice prefed with a Western diet. A strong correlation was found between tissue Cyp7a1 and P-gp changes and 1,25(OH)2D3 plasma and tissue concentrations, confirming that VDR plays an important role in the disposition of xenobiotics and cholesterol metabolism. Moreover, renal and brain Mdr1a/P-gp were found to be directly upregulated by the VDR in mice, and concomitantly, increased renal and brain secretion of digoxin, a P-gp substrate, in vivo. The important observations: the cholesterol lowering and increased brain P-gp efflux activity properties suggest that VDR is a therapeutic target for treatment of hypercholesterolemia and Alzheimer’s diseases, since beta amyloid, precursors of plague, are P-gp substrates.

Nuclear receptors play significant roles in the regulation of transporters and enzymes to balance the level of endogenous molecules and to protect the body from foreign molecules. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) and its natural ligand, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], was shown to upregulate rat ileal apical sodium dependent bile acid transporter (Asbt) to increase the reclamation of bile acids, ligands of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR). FXR is considered to be an important, negative regulator of the cholesterol metabolizing enzyme, Cyp7a1, which metabolizes cholesterol to bile acids in the liver. In rats, decreased Cyp7a1 and increased P-glycoprotein/multidrug resistance protein 1 (P-gp/Mdr1) expressions pursuant to 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment was viewed as FXR effects in which hepatic VDR protein is poorly expressed. In contrast, changes in rat intestinal and renal transporters such as multidrug resistance associated proteins (Mrp2, Mrp3, and Mrp4), Asbt, and P-gp after administration of 1,25(OH)2D3 were attributed directly as VDR effects due to higher VDR levels expressed in these tissues. Higher VDR expressions were found among mouse hepatocytes compared to those in rats. Hence, fxr(-/-) and fxr(+/+) mouse models were used to discriminate between VDR vs. FXR effects in murine livers. Hepatic Cyp7a1 in mice was found to be upregulated with 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment, via the derepression of the short heterodimer partner (SHP). Putative VDREs, identified in mouse and human SHP promoters, were responsible for the inhibitory effect on SHP. The increase in hepatic Cyp7a1 expression and decreased plasma and liver cholesterol were observed in mice prefed with a Western diet. A strong correlation was found between tissue Cyp7a1 and P-gp changes and 1,25(OH)2D3 plasma and tissue concentrations, confirming that VDR plays an important role in the disposition of xenobiotics and cholesterol metabolism. Moreover, renal and brain Mdr1a/P-gp were found to be directly upregulated by the VDR in mice, and concomitantly, increased renal and brain secretion of digoxin, a P-gp substrate, in vivo. The important observations: the cholesterol lowering and increased brain P-gp efflux activity properties suggest that VDR is a therapeutic target for treatment of hypercholesterolemia and Alzheimer’s diseases, since beta amyloid, precursors of plague, are P-gp substrates.

Glycosphingolipid (GSL) metabolism is a complex process involving proteins and enzymes at distinct locations within the cell. Mammalian GSLs are typically based on glucose or galactose, forming glucosylceramide (GlcCer) and galactosylceramide (GalCer). Most GSLs are derived from GlcCer, which is synthesized on the cytosolic leaflet of the Golgi, while all subsequent GSLs are synthesized on the lumenal side. We have utilized both pharamacological and genetic manipulation approaches to selectively regulate GSL metabolism and better understand its mechanistic details. We have developed analogues of GlcCer and GalCer by substituting the fatty acid moiety with an adamanatane frame. The resulting adamantylGSLs are more water-soluble than their natural counterparts. These analogues selectively interfere with GSL metabolism at particular points within the metabolic pathway. At 40 µM, adaGlcCer prevents synthesis of all GSLs downstream of GlcCer, while also elevating GlcCer levels, by inhibiting lactosylceramide (LacCer) synthase and glucocerebrosidase, respectively. AdaGalCer specifically reduces synthesis of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and downstream globo-series GSLs. AdaGalCer also increases Gaucher disease N370S glucocerebrosidase expression, lysosomal localization and activity. AdaGSLs, therefore, have potential as novel therapeutic agents in diseases characterized by GSL anomalies and as tools to study the effects of GSL modulation. Two predominant theories have been developed to explain how GlcCer accesses the Golgi lumen: one involving direct translocation from the cytosolic-to-lumenal leaflet of the Golgi by the ABC transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1, MDR1), and the other involving retrograde transport of GlcCer by FAPP2 to the ER, followed by entry into the vesicular transport system for Golgi lumenal access. To examine the in vivo involvement of P-gp in GSL metabolism, we generated a knockout model by crossbreeding the Fabry disease mouse with the P-gp knockout mouse. HPLC analyses of tissue Gb3 levels revealed a tissue-specific reduction in MDR1/Fabry mice. TLC analyses, however, did not show such reduction. In addition, we performed a gene knockdown study using siRNA against P-gp and FAPP2. Results show these siRNA to have distinct effects on GSL levels that are cell-type specific. These results give rise to the prospect of unique therapeutic approaches by targeting P-gp or FAPP2 for synthesis inhibition of particular GSL pathways.

Glycosphingolipid (GSL) metabolism is a complex process involving proteins and enzymes at distinct locations within the cell. Mammalian GSLs are typically based on glucose or galactose, forming glucosylceramide (GlcCer) and galactosylceramide (GalCer). Most GSLs are derived from GlcCer, which is synthesized on the cytosolic leaflet of the Golgi, while all subsequent GSLs are synthesized on the lumenal side. We have utilized both pharamacological and genetic manipulation approaches to selectively regulate GSL metabolism and better understand its mechanistic details. We have developed analogues of GlcCer and GalCer by substituting the fatty acid moiety with an adamanatane frame. The resulting adamantylGSLs are more water-soluble than their natural counterparts. These analogues selectively interfere with GSL metabolism at particular points within the metabolic pathway. At 40 µM, adaGlcCer prevents synthesis of all GSLs downstream of GlcCer, while also elevating GlcCer levels, by inhibiting lactosylceramide (LacCer) synthase and glucocerebrosidase, respectively. AdaGalCer specifically reduces synthesis of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and downstream globo-series GSLs. AdaGalCer also increases Gaucher disease N370S glucocerebrosidase expression, lysosomal localization and activity. AdaGSLs, therefore, have potential as novel therapeutic agents in diseases characterized by GSL anomalies and as tools to study the effects of GSL modulation. Two predominant theories have been developed to explain how GlcCer accesses the Golgi lumen: one involving direct translocation from the cytosolic-to-lumenal leaflet of the Golgi by the ABC transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1, MDR1), and the other involving retrograde transport of GlcCer by FAPP2 to the ER, followed by entry into the vesicular transport system for Golgi lumenal access. To examine the in vivo involvement of P-gp in GSL metabolism, we generated a knockout model by crossbreeding the Fabry disease mouse with the P-gp knockout mouse. HPLC analyses of tissue Gb3 levels revealed a tissue-specific reduction in MDR1/Fabry mice. TLC analyses, however, did not show such reduction. In addition, we performed a gene knockdown study using siRNA against P-gp and FAPP2. Results show these siRNA to have distinct effects on GSL levels that are cell-type specific. These results give rise to the prospect of unique therapeutic approaches by targeting P-gp or FAPP2 for synthesis inhibition of particular GSL pathways.