Selective photodynamic inactivation of a multidrug transporter by a cationic photosensitising agent.

We have characterised sites of photodamage catalysed by the cationic photosensitiser tetrabromorhodamine 123, using P388 murine leukaemia cells and a subline (P388/ADR) which has a multidrug resistance phenotype and hyperexpresses mdr1 mRNA for P-glycoprotein. Fluorescence emission spectra were consistent with sensitiser localisation in hydrophobic regions of the P388 cell, and in more aqueous loci in P388/ADR. Subsequent irradiation resulted in photodamage to the P388 cells, resulting in loss of viability. In contrast, P388/ADR cells were unaffected except for an irreversible inhibition of P-glycoprotein, leading to enhanced accumulation of daunorubicin and rhodamine 123 and a corresponding increase in daunorubicin cytotoxicity. These results are consistent with the premise that substrates for P-glycoprotein are confined to membrane loci associated with the transporter, and indicate a very limited migration of cytotoxic photo-products in a cellular environment.