There is a renewed attention on the multidrug resistance genes and the
ir products, P-glycoproteins, since recent molecular and functional st
udies revealed unexpected functions in normal tissues. There are two t
ypes of human P-glycoprotein: Type I, encoded by the MDR1 gene, presen
t in excretory organs and in non-polarized cells; and Type II, encoded
by MDR2, present in the canalicular membrane of hepatocytes. MDR1 Pgp
transports xenobiotics, peptides, steroids, and phospholipids, and is
also a regulator of swelling-activated chloride channels. MDR2 Pgp is
exclusively a phosphatidylcholine translocase. In the kidney, the MDR
1 gene and protein are expressed in mesangial, proximal tubule, thick
loop of Henle, and collecting duct cells. In mesangial and proximal tu
bule cells Pgp transports xenobiotics. Concomitant exposure of kidney
cells to two Pgp substrates results in increased cell toxicity. Extrac
ts from supernatants of mesangial cell cultures inhibit Pgp-mediated t
ransport, suggesting that a mesangial-cell metabolite could be a subst
rate of Pgp. Active vitamin D-3 and platelet activating factor inhibit
Pgp transport and are possible endogenous substrates in proximal tubu
le and mesangial cells, respectively. Pgp could be also a regulator of
swelling-activated chloride channels present in the kidney.