Expression of multidrug resistance associated transporters (MDR1, MRP1, LRP and BCRP) in porcine oocyte

Transporters such as P-glycoprotein (MDR1), multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1), lung resistance-related protein (LRP) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) are associated with multidrug resistance in various carcinom a cell lines. The expression of these molecules has been also characterized in human normal tissues. However, the expression of these molecules in ooc yte is still unclear. In order to obtain more insight into the physiologica l role of these transporters, their expression in porcine oocyte were exami ned by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. MDR1, MRP1 and LRP genes, but not BCRP gene were found to be expressed in porcine oocyte. Afte r the subcloning and sequence analysis of MDR1, MRP1 and LRP genes, the hig h homology of these transporters were observed between porcine and human ge ne. These findings suggest that MDR1, MRP1 and LRP play an important physio logical role(s) in an oocyte.