Stimulus-induced expression of the ABCG2 multidrug transporter in HepG2 hepatocarcinoma model cells involves the ERK1/2 cascade and alternative promoters

► HGF increases ABCG2 protein expression on the plasma membrane in HepG2 cells. ► HGF and PMA activate ABCG2 gene expression via both the A and B promoters. ► HGF activates ABCG2 expression via the ERK1/2 cascade mainly through the A promoter. ► Oxidative stress induces ABCG2 without specificity for the variants. ► AhR activates the expression of ABCG2 specifically via the B variant in HepG2 cells.