Glycolipid and transporter
protein gene expression in ovarian serous
carcinoma-derived 2008 cells, and their
paclitaxel-resistant Px2 and
cisplatin-resistant C13 forms was examined to confirm the previous finding, i.e., that it was characteristically altered in anticancer drug-resistant cells established on continuous cultivation of ovarian
carcinoma-derived KF28 cells in the different anticancer drug-containing media. Although the concentrations of
lipid constituents in 2008 cells were higher than those in KF28 cells, and the
glycolipid compositions were different, the following
glycolipids and genes were commonly altered in KF28- and 2008-derived resistant cells. Gb(3)Cer was increased in all resistant cells, irrespective of whether the resistance was to
paclitaxel or
cisplatin, and expression of the MDR1 gene and
gangliosides was enhanced in
paclitaxel-resistant cells, but
gangliosides were absent in
cisplatin-resistant cells. In accord with the decreased amounts of
gangliosides in
cisplatin-resistant cells, the gene expression and specific activity of
GM3 synthase were greatly decreased in
cisplatin-resistant cells. Furthermore,
paclitaxel- and
cisplatin-resistant cells were converted to forms more sensitive to the respective anticancer drugs on cultivation with D-
PDMP, an inhibitor of
GlcCer synthase, and GM3, respectively, prior to the addition of anticancer drugs, indicating the possible involvement of
glycolipids in anticancer drug resistance.