Question

Why would overexpression of an MDR transporter in a cancer cell make cancer more difficult to treat?

Short answer

The MDR transporter removes the anti-cancer drugs from the cell, thus preventing the treatment of cancer cells.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction

The ABC transporter family includes the multidrug resistance (MDR) transporter. This transporter is responsible for removing a range of amphiphilic compounds from the cell, including medicines.

MDR transporter in cancer cells

The capacity of cancer cells to excreteanti-cancer medicines would be increased if the MDR transporter was overexpressed. Anti-cancer drug molecules are pumped out of the cell via theMDR transporter.

Overexpression of theP-glycoprotein membrane protein,an MDR protein, explains why anti-cancer medicines fail to kill cancer cells. In order to reduce the quantity of P- glycoprotein, larger medication concentrations are required.