Distinct regulation of two hydroxysteroid sulfotransferases, ST2A1 and ST2A2, by growth hormone: a unique type of growth hormone regulation in rats

In the present study, changes in the mRNAs of two major forms of hydroxysteroid sulfotransferases (STs), ST2A1 and ST2A2, have been determined in different growth hormone (GH) states. Hepatic ST2A1 mRNA was detected in both sexes of mature Sprague-Dawley rats. The level was 5 times higher in the females than in the males. ST2A1 mRNA was undetectable in GH-deficient animals, such as hypophysectomized rats and spontaneous dwarf rats. Continuous infusion of GH (mimicking the female secretory pattern) increased hepatic levels of ST2A1 mRNA in both GH-deficient animals. ST2A2 mRNA was detected only in the livers of mature female rats and in both sexes of GH-deficient animals. Intermittent injection of GH (mimicking male secretory pattern) strongly suppressed hepatic levels of ST2A2 mRNA in both GH-deficient animals. These results indicate that pituitary GH independently regulates both ST2A1 and ST2A2 at the pretranslational levels. These differences in GH responses between ST2A1 and ST2A2 are in good agreement with their female-dominant and female-specific modes of expression in normal rats. Furthermore, the present study demonstrates a unique response of ST2A2 to the secretory pattern of GH among the drug-metabolizing enzymes in rat livers, in which ST2A2 mRNA levels are suppressed by the male secretory pattern but not by the female secretory pattern of GH.

Arylamine activating sulfotransferase in liver

Carcinogenic N-hydroxy-arylamines and -arylamides undergo metabolic activation by several enzymes in mammals to cause the DNA damage. Cytosolic sulfotransferases in rat and human livers, which belong to the ST1 (SULT1) family, have been studied to assess their properties to mediate the metabolic activation. A human orthologue of rat ST1C1 from, which catalyzes sulfation of N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene, was screened in a EMBL genomic library with ST1C1 cDNA [Nagata, K., S. Ozawa, M. Miyata, M. Shimada, D.-W. Gong, Y. Yamazoe and R. Kato (1993) J. Biol. Chem., 268, 24720-24725]. Sequencing of the hybridized clones indicate that at least 3'-terminal region of human ST1C1 orthologue contains sequence highly homologus to rat ST1C1 at both nucleotide and deduced amino acid levels. The experiments using anti-rat ST1C1 antibody and nucleotide probes for human ST1C1 showed no detectable band in Western blots and an mRNA-detecting method with polymerase chain reaction, respectively, in human liver samples.

Grapefruit component interacting with rat and human P450 CYP3A: possible involvement of non-flavonoid components in drug interaction

Active components in grapefruit juice, which modulate a cytochrome P450 (CYP3A) activity, were investigated. CYP3A-catalyzed 6beta-hydroxylation of testosterone in livers of rat and human was inhibited by the addition of an ethyl acetate-extract of grapefruit juice. Several components of grapefruit juice, including naringin, naringenin, limonin and obacunone, also showed inhibitory effects in human liver microsomes. However, the amounts of these components in grapefruit juice are too low to account for the inhibition by the ethyl acetate-extracts. Analyses with HPLC indicate the existence of inhibitory components in the extract, which are distinct from these known compounds and are specific to grapefruit juice. These results suggest that hydrophobic components other than flavonoids, probably coumarin derivatives, are responsible for the inhibitory effect of grapefruit juice.

Dexamethasone and nitric oxide synthase gene expression in brain

Systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which causes endotoxemia and systemic inflammation, has been reported to induce expression of the gene for type II inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in peripheral organs. This study was carried out to examine whether intraperitoneally injected LPS elicits the expression of iNOS messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in the rat brain. We also investigated whether intraperitoneal treatment with dexamethasone (DEX) prevents this induction. To determine levels of iNOS mRNA, a quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was employed. Treatment with LPS induced the expression of iNOS mRNA in various brain regions, accounting for approximately 1 x 10(5) to 4 x 10(5) molecules per micrograms of poly A+ RNA, and these inductions were markedly suppressed by DEX. The results suggest that, during systemic inflammation, iNOS mRNA induction occurs in brain through a DEX-sensitive mechanism.

A specific loss of growth hormone abolished sex-dependent expression of hepatic cytochrome P450 in dwarf rats: reversal of the profiles by growth hormone-treatment

A spontaneous dwarf rat derived from a colony of Sprague-Dawley (SD) strain has no detectable level of growth hormone (GH) in pituitary, although it contained other hormones like prolactin and ACTH. Hepatic profile of cytochrome P450 (P450) differed clearly between dwarf and normal SD rats. A male-specific form of P450, CYP2C11, was detected in dwarf male rat livers, while the level was one-third of the normal SD livers. This P450 was also detected in dwarf females. Other male-specific CYP3A2 and CYP3A18 were also contained in both sexes of dwarf rats, whereas a female-specific form, CYP2C12, was not detectable in dwarf females. Phenobarbital-inducible CYP2B1 and CYP2B2 were constitutively expressed in dwarf rats, although substantially absent in normal SD rats. To assess the role of GH on hepatic P450 expression, GH was given to dwarf rats for 7 to 9 days. The intermittent injection (mimicking the male secretory pattern) resulted in the elevation of CYP2C11 to a level as observed in normal SD males. Continuous infusion of GH (mimicking the female secretory pattern) evoked CYP2C12 in livers of both sexes of dwarf rats, whereas the treatment decreased levels of CYP3A2, CYP3A18, and CYP2B1. These results clearly demonstrate that specific defect of GH, but not pituitary, cause the clear changes in hepatic P450 forms including sex-specific forms. The present study provides evidence further to strengthen the principal role of GH on the regulation of expression of P450 in rat livers.

Modulation of doxorubicin resistance in a doxorubicin-resistant human leukaemia cell by an immunoliposome targeting transferring receptor

Using a doxorubicin-resistant subline (K562/ADM) of human leukaemia K562 cells (Tsuruo et al, 1986), the effect of immunoliposomes that targeted a cellular transferrin receptor (TFR) was examined by neutralization of doxorubicin (DOX) resistance. OKT9-CIL, prepared by conjugation of DOX-encapsulated liposome with an anti-TFR monoclonal antibody, OKT9 (Aisenberg and Wilkes, 1980), showed similar binding to both K562 and K562/ADM. Although an 80-fold higher sensitivity to free DOX on cell growth inhibition in K562 than in K562/ADM was found, the difference was clearly diminished after OKT9-CIL treatment through the increased sensitivity of K562/ADM. The cellular DOX level 30 min after the exposure of free DOX was 45-fold lower in K562/ADM than in K562, whereas nearly equivalent DOX levels were detected in K562 and K562/ADM after OKT9-CIL treatment. In addition, DOX in K562/ADM in the free DOX treatment was efficiently excreted by 54% within 120 min of incubation, whereas almost all DOX supplied by OKT9-CIL remained uncleared. Fluorescence microscopic observation showed that OKT9-CIL was internalized into juxtanuclear vesicles in K562/ADM cells. These results suggest that OKT9-CIL has a potency to accumulate DOX, resulting in augmentation of DOX cytotoxicity in DOX-resistant tumour cells.

Differential production of interleukin-6 and its close relation to liver metastasis in clones from murine P815 mastocytoma

Interleukin-6 (IL-6)-producing abilities of plastic-adherent and plastic-non-adherent P815 clones were investigated in connection with the liver metastasis. Most adherent clones produced IL-6 at high level (over 10 ng/10(5) cells per 48 h), and they coincided with highly liver-metastatic clones. The remaining adherent and all the non-adherent clones tested produced IL-6 at low level (under 1.5 ng/10(5) cells), and they coincided with the low or non-liver-metastatic clones. The IL-6 production was greatly enhanced by IL-1 alpha, but not by IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha or interferon-gamma.

Nefiracetam hydroxylation by rat liver microsomes and expressed human cytochrome P450s

1. The metabolism of nefiracetam, a novel cognition-enhancer, by rat liver microsomes has been studied. 2. Formation of 5-hydroxy (5-OH-NEF) and hydroxymethyl (HM-NEF) derivatives was the principal pathway of NEF oxidation in male rats, and followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with Km values of 2.9 and 3.3 mM, and Vmax values of 7.8 and 4.5 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively. 3. Enzymes catalysing the formation of these two major metabolites were examined. 5-OH-NEF formation was inhibited by antibody to rat CYP3A2 by 60%, and antibodies to CYP2B1, CYP2C11 and CYP2E1 also showed 15-25% inhibition of the formation of 5-OH-NEF. The formation of HM-NEF was inhibited by antibodies to CYP2C11 and CYP2B1 by 80% and 35%, respectively. These findings indicate that CYP3A plays a major role in the formation of 5-OH-NEF, and CYP2B, CYP2C11 and CYP2E1 are also involved to some extent in the 5-hydroxylation, and that CYP2C11 is mainly responsible for HM-NEF formation, and CYP2B is also involved in that catalysis in male rats. The results from the studies of the effects of various chemical inducers, of selective substrates or inhibitors of P450s on the formation of these metabolites also supported these latter findings. 4. NEF metabolism in microsomes prepared from B-lymphoblastoid cells expressing human cytochrome P450s showed that 5-OH-NEF formation by CYP3A4 is the principal metabolic pathway in humans.

Inhibitory effect of TMK688 on skin tumor initiation caused by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in relation to inhibition of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity and Cyp1a1 mRNA induction

Oral administration of TMK688 (1-([5'-(3"-methoxy-4"-ethoxycarbonyloxyphenyl)-2',4'-pentadien oyl] aminoethyl)-4-diphenylmethoxypiperidine: 30 mg/kg) at 6 h and 30 min prior to and at 30 min after a single topical application of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) to dorsal skins of mice reduced both tumor incidence and number of tumors per mouse in the DMBA-initiated and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-promoted two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis. TMK688 and its active metabolite TMK777 (1-([5'-(3"-methoxy-4"- hydroxyphenyl)-2',4'-pentadienoyl]-aminoethyl)-4-diphenylmethox y piperidine) inhibited 3-methylchol-anthrene (MC)-induced epidermal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity in a concentration-dependent manner. IC50 of TMK688 and TMK777 was 0.18 and 0.01 mumol/l, respectively. Oral administration of TMK688 (30 mg/kg) almost completely suppressed Cyp1a1 mRNA levels in mouse epidermis induced by a topical application of MC (40 mg/kg) or benzo[a]pyrene (200 nmol) to mouse skin. Oral administration of TMK688 (30 mg/kg) also almost completely inhibited induction of epidermal AHH activity caused by a topical application of MC. These results indicate that oral administration of TMK688 inhibited DMBA-caused skin tumor initiation at least in part by inhibiting Cyp1a1 mRNA induction and epidermal AHH activity.

Chemical carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, and teratogenesis

An international symposium entitled Chemical Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis and Teratogenesis: a Tribute to James and Elizabeth Miller was held in Toronto, Ont., July 19, 1994. This symposium theme was discussed in the presence of James Miller, 79 years young, who with his wife, Elizabeth Miller (1920-1987), are considered to be the pioneers of this medical and environmental toxicology research field. It is generally believed that the susceptibility of an individual to chemical carcinogenesis or teratogenesis varies considerably depending upon their genetic makeup, diet, lifestyle, and their environmental exposure. One goal of the research discussed at this symposium was an examination of the role of the enzymes involved in the metabolic activation and detoxification of carcinogens and teratogens. The interindividual variabilities in the levels and activity of these enzymes could contribute to the susceptibility of the individual to chemical carcinogens or teratogens. At the symposium evidence was presented indicating that theta-class glutathione (GSH) S-transferase levels activate dihalomethanes and could therefore initiate the carcinogenic response to butadiene and 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane. The dramatic genetic polymorphism of this class of GSH S-transferase could thereby contribute to the individual's susceptibility to these carcinogens. Similarly, the GSH S-transferase and GSH levels in the embryo and yolk sac that are determined during organogenesis could also be important factors in determining the susceptibility of the embryo to teratogens. The levels of cytochrome P450 1A2, aromatic amine N-acetyltransferases, and sulfotransferases could also determine the susceptibility of the individual to carcinogenic arylamines. Accordingly, an Ames tester strain was described that was genetically engineered so as to express both aromatic amine N-acetyltransferase and human cytochrome P450 1A2. This should prove useful for predicting which arylamines are likely to be carcinogenic to humans. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may also prove useful in inhibiting the cytochrome P450s that activate the nitrosamines found in tobacco smoke suspected to cause lung cancer. Finally, the sulfotransferase isoforms involved in the metabolic activation of carcinogenic arylamines were identified.

Distinct effects of phenobarbital and its N-methylated derivative on liver cytochrome P450 induction

The relationship between barbiturate structures and their effects on induction of rat cytochrome P450 forms was studied in primary cultured hepatocytes. Treatment of hepatocytes cultured on matrigel with 1 mM barbital, N-methylbarbital, cyclobarbital, hexobarbital, phenobarbital (PB), or mephobarbital (N-methyl-PB) resulted in increased amounts of CYP2B1/2 and CYP2C6 forms. Microsomal CYP3A content was also enhanced by treatment with these barbiturates, except for barbital. Although no relationship was observed between the levels of CYP2B1/2 and CYP3A, ratios of CYP3A/CYP2B1 plus CYP2B2 contents were invariably higher with hepatocytes treated with N-methylated barbiturates than with the nonmethylated analogs. Consistent results were also observed in vivo in rats treated with PB and N-methyl-PB. These results indicate the difference in the structure requirement for induction of CYP2B and CYP3A. In addition, N-methyl-PB was found to suppress PB-mediated induction of CYP2B1. Hepatic levels of CYP2B1 mRNA and protein were increased by treatment with PB or N-methyl-PB alone, but decreased by cotreatment with 1 mM PB and N-methyl-PB. The suppression has been shown to occur at the transcriptional level of the CYP2B1 gene by using a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter-CYP2B1 fused gene system.

Isolation and characterization of a new rat P450 (CYP3A18) cDNA encoding P450(6)beta-2 catalyzing testosterone 6 beta- and 16 alpha-hydroxylations

A cytochrome P450 cDNA, encoding a new form of CYP3A protein, was isolated from a liver cDNA library of a male rat using anti-P450(6)beta-1 and anti-P450(6)beta-2 antibodies and the CYP3A2 cDNA. The cDNA (CYP3A18 cDNA) consisted of 1987 nucleotides, in which were contained an open reading frame of 1491 bp (corresponding to 497 amino acids), 5'-(59 bp) and 3'-noncoding regions (437 bp). The deduced amino acid sequence of CYP3A18 cDNA was completely identical in the first 27 N-terminal residues of P450(6)beta-2 previously isolated by us (Nagata et al. J Biochem 1990: 107, 718-725) from livers of rats treated with dexamethasone, and also shared higher extents of similarity with hamster CYP3A10 (78.5%) than with rat CYP3As previously sequenced (66.3-69.3%). Northern blot analyses indicated a male-dominant expression of this new CYP3A mRNA and enhanced expression in dexamethasone-or pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile (PCN)-treated, but not phenobarbital-or 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats. Expressed CYP3A18 protein in COS-1 cells migrated at a position identical to that of purified P450(6)beta-2 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-acrylamide gel electrophoresis and catalyzed 16 beta- and 6 alpha-hydroxylations of testosterone. In contrast to CYP3A1 and CYP3A2, cytochrome b5 was not essential for maximal catalytic activities of recombinant CYP3A18 protein. These results, together with ontogenic profiles of CYP3A18 mRNA and P450(6)beta-2 protein, indicate that the newly isolated CYP3A18 cDNA encodes P450(6)beta-2 in rat liver.

Mechanisms of retinoid resistance in leukemic cells: possible role of cytochrome P450 and P-glycoprotein

Retinoic acid (RA) regulates the differentiation and proliferation of a wide variety of different cell types and all-trans RA induces complete remission in a high proportion of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). However, clinical resistance to retinoids may develop and poses a serious problem for differentiation-inducing therapy. We studied the effects of RA in combination with a cytochrome P450 inhibitor (clotrimazole) and a P-glycoprotein antagonist (verapamil) on cell growth and differentiation of RA-resistant HL-60 cells and fresh RA-resistant leukemic cells from two APL patients. RA-resistant HL-60 cells and APL cells differentiated to mature granulocytes when cultured with all-trans RA and either clotrimazole and verapamil but not with either of the agents alone. These findings were confirmed in these cells by their increased expression of CD11b antigen and migration-inhibitory factor-related protein-8/14 mRNAs and decreased levels of c-myc mRNA. These combinations also markedly decreased the number of viable cells and inhibited cellular proliferation. After isolation of microsomes, measurements showed that levels of cytochrome P450 activities in both wild-type and RA-resistant HL-60 cells were almost comparable. Moreover, expression of the CYP1A1-type cytochrome P450 gene could not be detected in either cell type. However, RA-resistant HL-60 cells and APL cells, but not RA-sensitive HL-60 cells and APL cells, expressed multidrug-resistance-1 gene transcripts. Taken together, acquired resistance to RA may be explained in part by drug metabolism in leukemic cells. Possible mechanisms for accelerated clearance of RA include the induction of non-CYP1A1 cytochrome P450 enzymes and P-glycoprotein.

Effects of dicarboxylic acids on fatty acid-metabolizing enzymes in cultured rat hepatocytes

A clear chain-length dependent effect was observed for peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation and carnitine acetyltransferase and also for mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. The extent of modulation of peroxisomal beta-oxidation was higher with even-carbon numbered dicarboxylic acids than with odd-carbon numbered ones, although such a tendency was not detected in the mitochondrial reactions. These results indicate difference in the effect of fatty acid-derived dicarboxylates on peroxisomal and mitochondrial functions.

Primary structures and properties of two related forms of aryl sulfotransferases in human liver

cDNAs and genes of ST1A2 and ST1A3 section were isolated from human liver cDNA and genomic libraries and shown to encode arylsulfotransferases. Studies on their mRNAs and proteins expressed indicate the existence of two distinct phenol-sulfating enzymes which are involved in the metabolic activation of carcinogenic arylamines in human livers.

Age- and sex-related alterations of microsomal drug- and testosterone-oxidizing cytochrome P450 in Sprague-Dawley strain-derived dwarf rats

Effect of growth hormone (GH) on the age-related changes in hepatic cytochrome P450 (P450) was studied using GH-deficient dwarf and parental Sprague-Dawley rats. Microsomal testosterone (T) T2 alpha- and T2 beta-hydroxylations were lower in livers of mature male dwarf rats than the normals, whereas T16 beta-hydroxylation was rather higher in male dwarf rats. Although T2 alpha-, T2 beta-, T6 beta-, T16 alpha- and T16 beta-hydroxylations were barely detectable in senescence normal rats (24 months old), considerable levels of T6 beta-, T16 alpha- and T16 beta-hydroxylations were maintained in senescence dwarf rats (after 22 months old). These results are caused by the alteration of specific P450 forms including CYP2B1, CYP2B2, CYP2C11 and CYP3A2 in dwarf rats. Appearance of male-specific CYP2C11 and CYP3A2 and high levels of CYP2B1 and CYP2B2 in female dwarf rats indicate the role of pituitary GH on liver of normal rats. However, the additional role of a factor other than GH was suggested on the sex-related differences and age-associated alterations of specific P450 contents in dwarf rats. CYP2C11 appears in dwarf female rats with the same developmental profile as observed in normal male rats. This form appears apparently with the development of GH receptor in livers, suggesting the possibility that a factor independent from androgen and GH governs the ontogeny of this P450 in the liver. A female-specific protein, CYP2C12, in normal rat livers, also appeared in both sexes of senescence dwarf rats, suggesting the role of non-GH factor on the expression of this P450 in liver.

Suppression of clofibrate-induction of peroxisomal and microsomal fatty acid-oxidizing enzymes by growth hormone and thyroid hormone in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes

Using primary cultures of rat hepatocytes on a matri-gel, effects of peroxisome proliferator and omega-hydroxydodecanoic acid on cellular levels of acyl-CoA oxidase and CYP4A have been studied to determine the hormonal influence in serum-free media. Peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidation, microsomal CYP4A content and laurate omega-hydroxylation were increased in rat hepatocytes by the addition of 100 microM clofibrate or Wy14,643 for two days. omega-Hydroxydodecanoic acid (100 microM) also increased peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidation, but had no clear effect on microsomal CYP4A level and laurate omega-hydroxylation. CYP4A-mediated laurate omega-hydroxylation in hepatocytes was suppressed by the addition of pituitary growth hormone (0.05 mU/ml), but was not altered by the addition of triiodothyronine (30 nM). In contrast, clofibrate-mediated induction of acyl-CoA oxidase activity was decreased by the addition of either one of the hormones in hepatocytes. Suppression by those hormones was also observed with omega-hydroxydodecanoic acid-mediated induction of acyl-CoA oxidase activity. These results indicate the possibility that GH and T3 exert the suppressive effects on peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidation through plural mechanisms with and without the alteration of CYP4A levels in livers.

A new cytochrome P450 form belonging to the CYP2D in dog liver microsomes: purification, cDNA cloning, and enzyme characterization

A new form of cytochrome P450 (P450 DUT2) was purified from untreated male dog liver microsomes. The final preparation (a specific content of 19.1 nmol P450/mg protein) showed a single band with an apparent monomeric molecular weight of 50,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, but was further separated into two apoproteins (P450 DUT2a and P450 DUT2b) by reverse-phase HPLC. Both proteins had identical NH2-terminal amino acid sequences, but the first three amino acids of P450 DUT2b were truncated in P450 DUT2a. Purified P450 DUT2 showed 5 to 18 times higher catalytic activities than did hepatic microsomes toward desipramine, metoprolol, and dextromethorphan. These activities in dog liver microsomes were strongly inhibited by anti-P450 DUT2-IgG. A 1.7-kilobase pair cDNA (cDUT2) encoding a male dog liver P450 of 500 amino acid residues (molecular weight 56,400) was isolated and sequenced. The first 35 NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of P450 DUT2b coincided with the deduced amino acid sequence of cDUT2 at 2-36. The deduced total amino acid sequence of cDUT2 shared high similarity with the reported 2D forms (with 2D6, 74.6%; 2D14, 75.4%; 2D1, 65.4%; and 2D9, 63.6%). Moreover, the expressed P450 DUT2 in COS-7 cells had catalytic activities similar to those of purified P450 DUT2. Therefore, this paper is the first report about dog CYP2D. Furthermore, Northern and Western blot analyses indicated that the expressed levels of mRNA and protein were almost equal between male and female dogs. Western blot analysis suggested that P450 DUT2 is a constitutive and major (approximately 20% of the total P450) form, indicating that the 2D subfamily P450 in dog liver is quite unique from CYP2D members of other species.

Transcriptional elements directing a liver-specific expression of P450/6 beta A (CYP3A2) gene-encoding testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase

The P450/6 beta A (CYP3A2) gene encoding a testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase is expressed predominantly in liver and induced by the treatment of rats with various compounds. To understand the mechanism of the basal transcriptional activation of the CYP3A2 gene, the cis-acting elements in the proximal promoter region (-165 to -73) of the CYP3A2 gene were identified in this study. Nuclear extract from rat livers interacted with three sites, 6 beta A-A (-106 to -87), 6 beta A-B (-140 to -119) and 6 beta A-C (-163 to -145). These sites were detectable by DNase I footprinting and gel mobility shift assays and found to share nucleotide sequence similarity with each other (T(A/C)(A/C)N(A/G)AAG(G/T)(C/T)CA). Direct repeats of AGTTCA (-134 to -120) and AG(G/C)TCA (-162 to -148) are also detected in 6 beta A-B and 6 beta A-C sites, respectively. To elucidate the relationship of these sites with basal transcriptional activation of the CYP3A2 gene, varying lengths of the proximal promoter region (-164 to +41) fused to a CAT reporter gene were transfected in human hepatoma (HepG2) and mouse adrenal tumor (Y-1) cells. The relative level of CAT activity in HepG2 cells was slightly increased by the deletion of the 5'-portion from -164 to -111 bp, but was reduced to 14% of the control (the construct including from -110 to +41) by the deletion from -110 to -81 including the 6 beta A-A site. On the other hand, these deletions have no clear effect on the level of the activity in Y-1 cells. Substitution mutations at two nucleotides in the 6 beta A-A site resulted in the reduction of CAT activity in HepG2 cells to 12% of the activity in the wild-type construct. The interaction of an oligonucleotide corresponding to the 6 beta A-A site (-106 to -87) with liver nuclear factors was completely inhibited by the addition of a typical oligonucleotide for hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 (HNF-4) binding site (F. M. Sladek, W. Zhong, E. Lai, and J. E. Darnell, Jr., 1990, Genes Dev. 4, 2353-2365) but not of oligonucleotides corresponding to 6 beta A-B or 6 beta A-C sites. These results suggest an essential role of the binding of HNF-4 and/or HNF-4-related nuclear factors to the 6 beta A-A site on the basal transcriptional activation of the CYP3A2 gene in liver cells.

Formation of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline- and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline-sulfamates by cDNA-expressed mammalian phenol sulfotransferases

In rat liver cytosol systems, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) were converted into their sulfamates in the presence of 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate at rates of 51.2 and 50.7 pmol/min/mg cytosol in the male, and 23.7 and 22.5 pmol/min/mg cytosol in the female, respectively. IQ-sulfamate formation was low (0.24 pmol/min/mg cytosol) in human liver cytosols, and MeIQx-sulfamate was not detected (< 0.1 pmol/min/mg cytosol). These results suggest only a minor contribution of IQ- and MeIQx-sulfamate formation to the detoxification of both heterocyclic amines in humans. Using sulfotransferase cDNA-expression systems, a rat ST1A1 arylsulfotransferase has been shown to catalyze the formation of the sulfamates, suggesting a role of the ST1A type of sulfotransferase in the N-sulfation of heterocyclic amines.

Lack of low Km diazepam N-demethylase in livers of poor metabolizers for S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation

Metabolism of diazepam was studied in vitro to identify the forms of cytochrome P450 (CYP) responsible for N-demethylation (nordazepam formation) and 3-hydroxylation (temazepam formation), using liver microsomes obtained from extensive (EM) and poor metabolizers (PM) for S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation. Involvement of at least two P450 forms in diazepam N-demethylation was suggested by a biphasic pattern in Lineweaver-Burk and Eadie-Hofstee plots from the EM, whereas a monophasic pattern was observed from the PM liver microsomes. The kinetic parameters for the N-demethylation in the EM group were: Km 1, 19.4 +/- 0.4 microM; Vmax 1, 0.27 +/- 0.04 nmol min-1 per mg protein; Km 2, 346 +/- 34 microM; Vmax2, 1.82 +/- 0.63 nmol min-1 per mg protein (n = 3, mean +/- SD). The PM group showed the mean values of Km and Vmax (Km, 319 +/- 30 microM; Vmax, 1.49 +/- 0.62 nmol min-1 per mg protein) (n = 3) similar to those of Km2 and Vmax2 in the EM group. An antibody raised against CYP2C9 (anti-human CYP2C) strongly inhibited diazepam N-demethylation in EM liver microsomes at a low substrate concentration (20 microM). However, the anti-human CYP2C showed no clear inhibition of N-demethylation in EM liver microsomes at a high substrate concentration (200 microM). Diazepam N-demethylation in PM liver microsomes was not clearly inhibited by the anti-human CYP2C at either the low or high substrate concentrations. These data suggest that different P450 forms mediated diazepam N-demethylation in EM and PM liver microsomes, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Activation of 2-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine by cDNA-expressed human and rat arylsulfotransferases

Sulfation plays an obligatory role in the activation of N-hydroxy derivatives of carcinogenic arylamine (amide)s and heterocyclic amines. We found that the hepatic sulfotransferase-mediated covalent binding of 3H-labeled 2-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine (N-OH-PhIP) to calf thymus DNA was 3.3 and 12.9 times higher with human cytosol preparation than with male and female rat cytosol preparations, respectively, in the presence of 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate. To assess the activating capacities of individual phenol-sulfating sulfotransferases, five different forms, human ST1A2 and ST1A3 and rat ST1A1, ST1B1 and ST1C1, were expressed in heterologous cells. All five sulfotransferases mediated the activation of N-OH-PhIP to DNA-bound products. The extents of the binding, however, differed considerably among these forms. Human ST1A2 and ST1A3 mediated the activation of N-OH-PhIP at 5.2- and 6.2-fold higher rates than did rat ST1C1, a main N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene-activating sulfotransferase, in rat liver. Extents of the binding of N-OH-PhIP in human hepatic cytosols of different individuals were positively correlated with the contents of immunoreactive ST1A2/3. These results suggest a potential role of human liver sulfotransferases in N-OH-PhIP activation. In contrast, the low sulfotransferase-mediated activation of N-OH-PhIP in rat liver is consistent with the lack of PhIP hepatocarcinogenicity in this species.