Expression of Na,K-ATPase-β(1) subunit increases uptake and sensitizes carcinoma cells to oxaliplatin

PURPOSE: The ovarian carcinoma subline A2780/C10B (C10B) is an oxaliplatin resistant clone derived from the human ovarian carcinoma cell line A2780. The C10B cells are characterized by mesenchymal phenotype, decreased platinum uptake and increased glutathione levels (Hector et al. in Cancer Lett 245:195–204, 2007; Varma et al. in Oncol Rep 14:925–932, 2005). Na,K-ATPase-β subunit (Na,K-β(1)) functions as a cell–cell adhesion molecule in epithelial cells and is reduced in a variety of carcinoma cells that show mesenchymal phenotype. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between Na,K-β expression and sensitivity to oxaliplatin. METHODS: Cell lines used include A2780, C10B, C10B transfected with Na,K-β(1) (C10B-Na,K-β) and a canine kidney carcinoma cell line MSV-MDCK also transfected with Na,K-β(1) (MSV-MDCK-β subunit). Cytotoxicity studies were performed by sulforhodamine-blue assay. The Na,K-α(1) and Na,K-β(1) subunit localization and expression were by immunofluorescence microscopy and Western blot analysis. Platinum accumulation measurements were by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. RESULTS: C10B cells express highly reduced levels of Na,K-β(1) subunit. Exogenous expression of Na,K-β(1) increased platinum accumulation and sensitized C10B cells to oxaliplatin. The pharmacological inhibitor of Na,K-ATPase ouabain did not alter the oxaliplatin accumulation indicating that Na,K-β(1) sensitizes cells in a Na,K-ATPase enzyme activity independent manner. These findings were also confirmed in MSV-MDCK-β subunit cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study for the first time reveals that reduced expression of the Na,K-β(1) protein is associated with oxaliplatin resistance in cancer cells and demonstrates a novel role for this protein in sensitizing the cells to oxaliplatin. This study suggests a potentially important role for Na,K-β(1) in both prognosis and therapy of oxaliplatin resistant malignancies.