Processing mutations disrupt interactions between the nucleotide binding and transmembrane domains of P-glycoprotein and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR).

P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1) is an ATP-dependent drug pump. Each of its two homologous halves contains a transmembrane domain (TMD) that has six transmembrane (TM) segments and a nucleotide-binding domain (NBD). Determining how the two halves interact may provide insight into the folding of P-gp as the drug-binding pocket and nucleotide-binding sites are predicted to be at the interface between the two halves. Here, we present evidence for NBD1-TMD2 and NBD2-TMD1 interactions. We also show that TMD-NBD interactions in immature and mature P-gp can be affected by the presence of a processing mutation. We found that the NBD-TMD mutants L443C(NBD1)/S909C(TMD2) and A266C(TMD1)/F1086C(NBD2) could be cross-linked at 0 degrees C with oxidant (copper phenanthroline). Cross-linking was inhibited by vanadate-trapping of nucleotide. The presence of a processing mutation (G268V/L443C(NBD1)/S909C(TMD2); L1260A/A266C(TMD1)/F1086C(NBD2)) resulted in the synthesis of the immature (150 kDa) protein as the major product and the mutants could not be cross-linked with copper phenanthroline. Expression of the processing mutants in the presence of a pharmacological chaperone (cyclosporin A), however, resulted in the expression of mature (170 kDa) protein at the cell surface that could be cross-linked. Similarly, CFTR mutants A274C(TMD1)/L1260C(NBD2) and V510C(NBD1)/A1067C(TMD2) could be cross-linked at 0 degrees C with copper phenanthroline. Introduction of DeltaF508 mutation in these mutants, however, resulted in the synthesis of immature CFTR that could not be cross-linked. These results suggest that establishment of NBD interactions with the opposite TMD is a key step in folding of ABC transporters.