Upstream stimulatory factor 1 (USF1) suppresses induction of CYP1A1 mRNA by 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) in HepG2 cells

The effect of dietary phytochemicals on nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation: a systematic review of human intervention trials

We conducted a systematic review of human trials examining the effects of dietary phytochemicals on Nrf2 activation. In accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, Medline, Embase and CAB abstracts were searched for articles from inception until March 2020. Studies in adult humans that measured Nrf2 activation (gene or protein expression changes) following ingestion of a phytochemical, either alone or in combination were included. The study was pre-registered on the Prospero database (Registration Number: CRD42020176121). Twenty-nine full-texts were retrieved and reviewed for analysis; of these, eighteen were included in the systematic review. Most of the included participants were healthy, obese or type 2 diabetics. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Assessment tool. Twelve different compounds were examined in the included studies: curcumin, resveratrol and sulforaphane were the most common (n = 3 each). Approximately half of the studies reported increases in Nrf2 activation (n = 10); however, many were of poor quality and had an unclear or high risk of bias. There is currently limited evidence that phytochemicals activate Nrf2 in humans. Well controlled human intervention trials are needed to corroborate the findings from in vitro and animal studies.

Transcriptional regulation of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase genes

Glucuronidation is an important metabolic pathway for many small endogenous and exogenous lipophilic compounds, including bilirubin, steroid hormones, bile acids, carcinogens and therapeutic drugs. Glucuronidation is primarily catalyzed by the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A and two subfamilies, including nine functional UGT1A enzymes (1A1, 1A3-1A10) and 10 functional UGT2 enzymes (2A1, 2A2, 2A3, 2B4, 2B7, 2B10, 2B11, 2B15, 2B17 and 2B28). Most UGTs are expressed in the liver and this expression relates to the major role of hepatic glucuronidation in systemic clearance of toxic lipophilic compounds. Hepatic glucuronidation activity protects the body from chemical insults and governs the therapeutic efficacy of drugs that are inactivated by UGTs. UGT mRNAs have also been detected in over 20 extrahepatic tissues with a unique complement of UGT mRNAs seen in almost every tissue. This extrahepatic glucuronidation activity helps to maintain homeostasis and hence regulates biological activity of endogenous molecules that are primarily inactivated by UGTs. Deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying tissue-specific UGT expression has been the subject of a large number of studies over the last two decades. These studies have shown that the constitutive and inducible expression of UGTs is primarily regulated by tissue-specific and ligand-activated transcription factors (TFs) via their binding to cis-regulatory elements (CREs) in UGT promoters and enhancers. This review first briefly summarizes published UGT gene transcriptional studies and the experimental models and tools utilized in these studies, and then describes in detail the TFs and their respective CREs that have been identified in the promoters and/or enhancers of individual UGT genes.

Evidence for regulation of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1 protein expression and activity via DNA methylation in healthy human livers

OBJECTIVES

Interindividual variability in glucuronidation of bilirubin and drugs by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) is considerable and only partially explained by genetic polymorphisms and enzyme inducers. Here we determined whether a well-known epigenetic modification, cytosine methylation, explains a proportion of this variability in human liver.

METHODS

UGT1A1 phenotypes, including UGT1A1 protein and bilirubin glucuronidation, and UGT1A1*28 genotype were determined using a human liver bank (n = 46). Methylation levels were quantified at 5 CpG sites associated with known transcription factor response elements in the UGT1A1 promoter and distal enhancer, as well as a CpG-rich island 1.5 kb further upstream.

KEY FINDINGS

Individual CpG sites showed considerable methylation variability between livers, ranging from 10- to 29-fold variation with average methylation levels from 25 to 41%. Multivariate regression analysis identified *28/*28 genotype, -4 CpG site methylation and alcohol history as significant predictors of UGT1A1 protein content. Exclusion of livers with *28/*28 genotype or alcohol history revealed positive correlations of -4 CpG methylation with bilirubin glucuronidation (R = 0.73, P < 0.00001) and UGT1A1 protein content (R = 0.54, P = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that differential methylation of the -4 CpG site located within a known USF response element may explain a proportion of interindividual variability in hepatic glucuronidation by UGT1A1.

Regulation of the estrogen receptor alpha minimal promoter by Sp1, USF-1 and ERalpha

The exact molecular mechanisms regulating estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) expression in breast tumors are unclear, but studies suggest that they are partly at the level of transcription. We have focused on the transcription factors that regulate the ERalpha minimal promoter, which we have previously shown to reside within the first 245 bp of the 5'-flanking region of the gene. Within this region are several elements essential for full ERalpha promoter transcriptional activity, including a GC box and an imperfect E box. In earlier studies we demonstrated an essential function for the Sp1 family of transcription factors in the regulation of ERalpha expression. We have now identified both USF-1 and ERalpha itself as components of a multi-protein complex of transcription factors that interacts at the ERalpha minimal promoter and is essential for its full transcriptional activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that Sp1 and USF-1, but not ERalpha, bind directly to the ERalpha minimal promoter. We showed by GST pull-down assays that ERalpha is able to interact in vitro with USF-1, suggesting, in addition to a possible interaction between ERalpha and Sp1, a mechanism whereby ERalpha is able to interact with the protein complex. Combined exogenous expression of the components of the complex in MCF-7 breast cancer cells resulted in a synergistic effect on transactivation of the ERalpha minimal promoter, suggesting that the importance of the protein complex is in the interactions among the components. Based upon these findings, we propose a possible model for transcription from the ERalpha minimal promoter.

Interaction of upstream stimulatory factor proteins with an E-box located within the human CYP1A2 5'-flanking gene contributes to basal transcriptional gene activation

Cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A2 is abundantly expressed in the liver of all vertebrate species. In most, its expression is restricted to the liver. Sequence analysis of the human CYP1A2 5'-flanking region from +3 to -3201 identified six E-box motifs within the 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) enhancer element (-1987 to -3201). The E-box motif is recognized by members of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family of transcription factors. Gel mobility shift and antibody supershift assays were used to examine each of the six upstream E-box motifs for their ability to bind nuclear proteins and to compete with the ubiquitously expressed bHLH protein, upstream stimulatory factor (USF), for binding. We found that USF-1 and USF-2 proteins bind to the upstream E-box motifs EB2, EB3, and EB4. Transient transfection assays in HepG2 cells were performed with different segments of the human CYP1A2 5'-flanking region linked to a luciferase reporter gene. Site-directed mutagenesis of one of the E-box motifs, EB2, resulted in a 60% reduction in basal reporter gene activity. Mutations in EB3 and EB4 had no effect. We found that transfection of expression vectors containing USF-1 or USF-2 cDNAs activated CYP1A2 reporter gene activity, while a dominant-negative USF-2 expression vector blocked such activity. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that the interaction of USF proteins with the CYP1A2 EB2 site occurs in vivo. These data support the role of USF as a constitutive transcriptional activator of human CYP1A2.

Transient expression of CYP1A1 in rat epithelial cells cultured in suspension

Suspension of human epidermal cells in methylcellulose-containing medium induces CYP1A1 by a mechanism requiring functional Ah receptor (AhR). In present work CYP1A1 mRNA was induced in a variety of cultured rat epithelial cells by suspension, but the induction was transient, with CYP1A1 mRNA reaching maximal levels by 5 h and disappearing by 12 h. Though the methylcellulose itself contained no detectable ligand, (a) suspension activated the AhR, as judged by mobility shift assays, (b) the AhR competitive inhibitor alpha-naphthoflavone inhibited suspension-mediated induction, and (c) induction was dependent upon dioxin responsive transcriptional elements in the CYP1A1 promoter. The rapid disappearance of CYP1A1 mRNA after 5 h of suspension was unaffected by the addition of TCDD but was prevented by the inclusion of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Thus the downregulation appears to be mediated by a novel short-lived protein induced or activated by suspension.

Immunohistochemical evidence for the expression and induction of paraoxonase in rat liver, kidney, lung and brain tissue. Implications for its physiological role

Studies on the localization of paraoxonases (PON's) are of interest because of its involvement in both the detoxication of activated organophosphorus pesticides and in the prevention of peroxidative damage to phospholipids and cholesteryl-esters in LDL and HDL particles and cell membranes during the atherogenic process. In the present study, we have investigated the cellular localization of PON1 by immunohistochemistry in different rat tissues. The protein was mainly detected in the endothelial lining of every tissue studied (liver, kidney, lung and brain). Besides, it was found in hepatocytes from the centrolobular region of the liver, in the glomeruli and basal pole of the proximal convoluted tubule of the kidney, in cells from bronchiolar epithelium and type I pneumocytes of the lung, and in leptomeningeal cells, ependymal cells and ventricular side of choroid plexus cells of the brain. However, neurons and glia lacked immunostaining. After 3-methylcholanthrene induction an increase in the intensity of immunostaining was observed in the same areas, as well as an additional staining in midzonal hepatocytes. On the basis of the tissue distribution observed for PON1, it is proposed that this enzyme might have a function related to the inactivation of oxidative stress by-products (either at a cellular level or blood-vessel wall) and other environmental chemicals. At present it has not yet been established whether the paraoxonase detected in the various tissues is truly a product of the PON1 gene or could represent products of the PON2 or PON3 genes.

Transcriptional activation of cathepsin D gene expression by 17beta-estradiol: mechanism of aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated inhibition

17beta-estradiol (E2) induces cathepsin D gene expression in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and this response is inhibited by aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Analysis of the cathepsin D gene promoter initially identified a pentanucleotide GCGTG core dioxin responsive element (DRE) that blocked E2 action by inhibiting formation of a transcriptionally active estrogen receptor (ER)-Sp1 complex. A second functional downstream inhibitory DRE (iDRE2) (-130 to -126) has now been identified in the cathepsin D gene promoter and inhibition of E2-induced transactivation involves inhibitory AhR crosstalk with the E2-responsive adenovirus major late promoter element (MLPE) at -124 to -104 in the cathepsin D gene promoter. The MLPE site primarily binds USF1/USF2 and ERalpha, and gel mobility shift and DNA footprinting assays show that the AhR complex decreases binding of these transcription factors to the MLPE.

Failure of Ah receptor to mediate induction of cytochromes P450 in the CYP1 family in the human hepatoma line SK-Hep-1

The Ah receptor mediates the induction of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and toxicities of 2,3,7,8tetrachlorodibanzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). It has been detected in tissues of many species and in murine and human hepatoma lines. We show that the human hepatoma line SK-Hep-1 has cytosolic Ah receptor detectable by specific binding of [3H]TCDD. Concentrations of Ah receptor were low (mean = 43 +/- 3 fmol/mg cytosol protein compared to 430 fmol/mg protein in Hepa-1); the estimated number of receptor sites per cell is approximately 9,000, compared to 35,000 in Hepa-1. Ah receptor in SK-Hep-1 cells was physicochemically similar to Ah receptor in C57BL/6 mouse liver and in other human hepatoma lines studied to date except that binding affinity for TCDD, the most avidly bound ligand, was lower (estimated Kd was 14 nM by Woolf plot analysis). Translocation of the Ah receptor-ligand complex to the nucleus was shown; binding of the activated Ah receptor-ligand complex to an XRE in the 5'-upstream region of the CYP1A1 gene was demonstrated by gel-shift analysis. However, after SK-Hep-1 cells were incubated with typical PAHs including 3-methylcholanthrene, benzanthracene, and dibenz(a,h)anthracene, each over a wide range of concentrations, no induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity was detectable. On Northern analysis, no message for human CYP1A1 was detected in mRNA prepared from noninduced SK-Hep-1 cells or from cells treated for 24 h with 13 microM dibenz(a,h)anthracene. Further analysis by RT-PCR did not detect the induction of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, or CYP1B1 message in response to 10(-7) M TCDD, 10(-5) M benzanthracene, or 10(-5) M 3-methylcholanthrene. Transient transfection of reporter constructs containing either a minimal promoter or the CYP1A1 promoter fused to a reporter gene (luciferase) did not show any expression in response to increasing concentrations of TCDD up to 10(-8) M. Estimation of the size of the transcripts for AhR and ARNT protein revealed normal sizes, 2.7 and 2.4 kb, respectively. Together, these data suggest that SK-Hep-1 cells express an Ah receptor defective at the level of trans-activation of gene expression. SK-Hep-1 is the first human hepatoma line described with a demonstrable defect in CYP1A1 or its regulation.

Role of the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor and [Ah] gene battery in the oxidative stress response, cell cycle control, and apoptosis

The chronology and history of characterizing the aromatic hydrocarbon [Ah] battery is reviewed. This battery represents the Ah receptor (AHR)-mediated control of at least six, and probably many more, dioxin-inducible genes; two cytochrome P450 genes-P450 1A1 and 1A2 (Cypla1, Cypla2-and four non-P450 genes, have experimentally been documented to be members of this battery. Metabolism of endogenous and exogenous substrates by perhaps every P450 enzyme, but certainly CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 (which are located, in part, in the mitochondrion), have been shown to cause reactive oxygenated metabolite (ROM)-mediated oxidative stress. Oxidative stress activates genes via the electrophile response element (EPRE) DNA motif, whereas dioxin (acutely) activates genes via the AHR-mediated aromatic hydrocarbon response element (AHRE) DNA motif. In contrast to dioxin, AHR ligands that are readily metabolized to ROMs (e.g. benzo[a]pyrene, beta-naphthoflavone) activate genes via both AHREs and the EPRE. The importance of the AHR in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis has just begun to be realized. Current evidence suggests that the CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 enzymes might control the level of the putative endogenous ligand of the AHR, but that CYPA1/1A2 metabolism generates ROM-mediated oxidative stress which can be ameliorated by the four non-P450 EPRE-driven genes in the [Ah] battery. Oxidative stress is a major signal in precipitating apoptosis; however, the precise mechanism, or molecule, which determines the cell's decision between apoptosis and continuation with the cell cycle, remains to be elucidated. The total action of AHR and the [Ah] battery genes therefore represents a pivotal upstream event in the apoptosis cascade, providing an intricate balance between promoting and preventing ROM-mediated oxidative stress. These proposed endogenous functions of the AHR and [Ah] enzymes are, of course, in addition to the frequently described functions of "metabolic potentiation" and "detoxification" of various foreign chemicals.

Differential roles of upstream stimulatory factors 1 and 2 in the transcriptional response of liver genes to glucose

USF1 and USF2 are ubiquitous transcription factors of the basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper family. They form homo- and heterodimers and recognize a CACGTG motif termed E box. In the liver, USF binding activity is mainly accounted for by the USF1/USF2 heterodimer, which binds in vitro the glucose/carbohydrate response elements (GlRE/ChoRE) of glucose-responsive genes. To assign a physiological role of USFs in vivo, we have undertaken the disruption of USF1 and USF2 genes in mice. We present here the generation of USF1-deficient mice. In the liver of these mice, we demonstrate that USF2 remaining dimers can compensate for glucose responsiveness, even though the level of total USF binding activity is reduced by half as compared with wild type mice. The residual USF1 binding activity was similarly reduced in the previously reported USF2 -/- mice in which an impaired glucose responsiveness was observed (Vallet, V. S., Henrion, A. A., Bucchini, D., Casado, M. , Raymondjean, M., Kahn, A., and Vaulont, S. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 21944-21949). Taken together, these results clearly suggest differential transactivating efficiencies of USF1 and USF2 in promoting the glucose response. Furthermore, they support the view that USF2 is the functional transactivator of the glucose-responsive complex.

Silencing of CYP1A1 expression in rabbits by DNA methylation

Unlike most experimental animals, treatment of adult rabbits with 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) does not induce the expression of the CYP1A1 gene. In this study, we show that DNA methylation plays one of the key roles in the suppression of CYP1A1 gene expression. S1 nuclease protection assay showed that the induction of CYP1A1 mRNA by MC occurred in rabbit kidney RK13 cells but not in rabbit lung R9ab cells, while aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and AhR nuclear translocator (Arnt) mRNAs were expressed in both cells at similar levels. Interestingly, the treatment of R9ab cells with a DNA demethylating agent, 5-aza-2'-deoxycitidine, resulted in the induction of the expression of the CYP1A1 gene by MC. The results indicate that DNA methylation is one of the factors involved in the loss of the MC-induced expression of the CYP1A1 gene. Thus, it seemed that the binding of the AhR/Arnt complex to the xenobiotic-responsive element (XRE) was inhibited by the hypermethylation of CpG dinucleotides within an XRE core sequence (5'-CGTG-3'). To explore this possibility, we compared the methylation status of XRE in R9ab cells with that in RK13 cells. A bisulfite sequence analysis using genomic DNAs from R9ab cells showed that the CpG site within XRE was highly methylated on both coding and non-coding strands. In contrast to this result, the hypomethylation of XRE was seen in RK13 cells. To examine whether or not the binding of the AhR/Arnt heterodimer to XRE is affected by the methylation status of XRE, a gel shift assay using a methylated XRE as a probe was carried out. As expected, the AhR/Arnt complex could not bind to the methylated XRE. From these results, we conclude that the cell type-specific transcription of the rabbit CYP1A1 gene is caused by DNA methylation.