CK2-mediated phosphorylation of Hsp90β as a novel mechanism of rifampin-induced MDR1 expression

Abstract The P-glycoprotein (P-gp) encoded by the MDR1 gene is a drug-exporting transporter located in the cellular membrane. P-gp induction is regarded as one of the main mechanisms underlying drug-induced resistance. Although there is great interest in the regulation of P-gp expression, little is known about its underlying regulatory mechanisms. In this study, we demonstrate that casein kinase 2 (CK2)-mediated phosphorylation of heat shock protein (Hsp) 90β, and subsequent stabilization of PXR, is a key mechanism in the regulation of MDR1 expression. Furthermore, we show that CK2 is directly activated by rifampin. Upon exposure to rifampin, CK2 catalyzes the phosphorylation of Hsp90β at the Ser225/254 residues. Phosphorylated Hsp90β then interacts with PXR, causing a subsequent increase in its stability, leading to the induction of P-gp expression. In addition, inhibition of CK2 and Hsp90β enhances the downregulation of PXR and P-gp expression. The results of this study may facilitate the development of new strategies to prevent multidrug resistance, and provide a plausible mechanism for acquired drug resistance by CK2-mediated regulation of P-gp expression.