* Profiling Gene Expression of an ABCA2 Transfected Cell Line

The human ABCA2 transporter is a member of a large family of ATP-binding proteins that transport a variety of macromolecules across biological membranes and more specifically its over-expression has been implicated in the acquired resistance of cells to the chemotherapeutic drug estramustine. Amplified Differential Gene Expression (ADGE) and ADGE microarray were developed in this laboratory to detect small changes of gene expression with little starting material.

Application of ADGE microarray to an ABCA2 transfected cell line revealed altered expression of gene clusters with functions related either to (1) transport or (2) oxidative stress response and β-amyloid metabolism. These included: (1) fatty acid binding protein, phospholipid binding protein, phospholipid synthesis protein and transporter cofactors; (2) seladin-1, amyloid β precursor protein, vimentin and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein. The ABCA2 transfected cell line was resistant to the free radical initiator, AAPH. Additionally, ABCA2 expression patterns are aberrant in brain sections of some Alzheimer’s disease samples, suggesting a possible role for the transporter in this disease.