J Lipid Res. 2021;62:100087. doi: 10.1016/j.jlr.2021.100087. Epub 2021 May 20.

Monomeric bile acids modulate the ATPase activity of detergent-solubilized ABCB4/MDR3.

Journal of lipid research

Tim Kroll, Sander H J Smits, Lutz Schmitt

PMID: 34022183 PMCID: PMC8233136 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2021.100087

Abstract

ABCB4, also called multidrug-resistant protein 3 (MDR3), is an ATP binding cassette transporter located in the canalicular membrane of hepatocytes that specifically translocates phosphatidylcholine (PC) lipids from the cytoplasmic to the extracellular leaflet. Due to the harsh detergent effect of bile acids, PC lipids provided by ABCB4 are extracted into the bile. While it is well known that bile acids are the major extractor of PC lipids from the membrane into bile, it is unknown whether only PC lipid extraction is improved or whether bile acids also have a direct effect on ABCB4. Using in vitro experiments, we investigated the modulation of ATP hydrolysis of ABC by different bile acids commonly present in humans. We demonstrated that all tested bile acids stimulated ATPase activity except for taurolithocholic acid, which inhibited ATPase activity due to its hydrophobic nature. Additionally, we observed a nearly linear correlation between the critical micelle concentration and maximal stimulation by each bile acid, and that this modulation was maintained in the presence of PC lipids. This study revealed a large effect of 24-nor-ursodeoxycholic acid, suggesting a distinct mode of regulation of ATPase activity compared with other bile acids. In addition, it sheds light on the molecular cross talk of canalicular ABC transporters of the human liver.

Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords: ABC transporter; ABCB4/MDR3; ATPase activity; Nor-UDCA; TLCA; bile acids; cholesterol; critical micelle concentration

Conflict of interest statement

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• Journal Article