Activation of the activator protein-1 by the peroxisome proliferator clofibric acid in rat H4IIEC3 hepatoma cells

Effect of acute and chronic psychostimulant drugs on redox status, AP-1 activation and pro-enkephalin mRNA in the human astrocyte-like U373 MG cells

In order to approach the astroglial implication of addictive and neurotoxic processes associated with psychostimulant drug abuse, the effects of amphetamine or cocaine (1-100 microM) on redox status, AP-1 transcription factor and pro-enkephalin, an AP-1 target gene, were investigated in the human astrocyte-like U373 MG cells. We demonstrated an early increase in the generation of radical oxygen species and in the formation of 4-hydroxynonenal-adducts reflecting the pro-oxidant action of both substances. After 1 h or 96 h of treatment, Fos and Jun protein levels were altered and the DNA-binding activity of AP-1 was increased in response to both substances. Using supershift experiments, we observed that the composition of AP-1 dimer differed according to the substance and the duration of treatment. FRA-2 protein represented the main component of the chronic amphetamine- or cocaine-activated complexes, which suggests its relevance in the long-term effects of psychostimulant drugs. Concomitantly, the pro-enkephalin gene was differently regulated by either 6 h or 96 h of treatment. Because astrocytes interact extensively with the neurons in the brain, our data led us to conclude that oxidation-regulated AP-1 target genes may represent one of the molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal adaptation associated with psychostimulant dependence.

Characterization of Cd-induced molecular events prior to cellular damage in primary rat hepatocytes in culture: activation of the stress activated signal protein JNK and transcription factor AP-1

The effect of Cadmium (Cd) on the expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), c-jun, and activator protein-1 (AP-1) has been investigated. We previously reported that Cd causes cell damage as indicated by increases in the cytotoxic parameters, lactate dehydrogenase and lipid peroxidation, and this damage was mediated by decreases in cellular concentration of glutathione. In the present study, we investigate the molecular events involved prior to the Cd-induced cellular toxicity and damage in primary rat hepatocytes. We propose that Cd, through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and prior to significant cellular damage, activates the stress activated signal protein JNK, regulates c-jun expression, and promotes the binding of a redox sensitive transcription factor AP-1. We show JNK activity and c-jun mRNA level significantly increased at 1 h and AP-1 DNA binding activity significantly enhanced at 3 h in the presence of 4 microM cadmium chloride. Blocking the Cd induction of JNK activity, c-jun mRNA level, and AP-1 binding activity using the antioxidants N-acetyl cysteine (10 mM) or carnosol (0.5 microg/mL) suggests a role for ROS. Blocking JNK activity and c-jun mRNA by SP600125 (20 microM), a JNK inhibitor, supports the role of JNK in transmission of signals induced by Cd.

Characterization, expression and regulation of a third gene encoding glutathione S-transferase from the fission yeast

A third gene encoding glutathione S-transferase (GSTIII) was cloned from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The nucleotide sequence determined was found to contain 2110 base pairs including an open reading frame of 242 amino acids that would encode a protein of a molecular mass of 26,620 Da. The cloned GSTIII gene could be expressed in S. pombe, S. cerevisiae and Escherichia coli cells which gave 1.4-, 2.1-, and 3.0-fold higher GST activity in an assay using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as a substrate, respectively. The cloned GSTIII gene caused higher survivals of S. pombe cells on solid media with cadmium chloride or mercuric chloride. The GSTIII protein has 16% and 18% homologies with the GSTI and GSTII proteins, respectively. To independently monitor the regulation of the GSTIII gene, its 1168 bp upstream region and N-terminal 33 amino acid-coding region was fused into the promoterless beta-galactosidase gene of the shuttle vector YEp357. The synthesis of beta-galactosidase from the fusion plasmid pGY357 was greatly enhanced by cadmium chloride (50 microM), cupric chloride (10 microM), aluminum chloride (5 mM, 10 mM), mercuric chloride (1 microM), and zinc chloride (10 mM). However, the synthesis of beta-galactosidase from the fusion plasmid pGY357 was not affected by superoxide-generating menadione, and o-dinitrobenzene, whereas they could significantly induce the expression of the GSTI and GSTII genes of S. pombe. The overproduced Pap1 inhibited the induction of beta-galactosidase synthesis from the fusion plasmid pGY357 by cadmium chloride, which is opposite to the previously known role of Pap1 in the response to oxidative stress. Our results collectively indicate that the three GST genes of S. pombe are subjected to different regulatory mechanisms. The major role of the GSTIII protein in S. pombe may be the detoxification of various metals.