Basal expression of the human MAPEG members microsomal glutathione transferase 1 and prostaglandin E synthase genes is mediated by Sp1 and Sp3

Microsomal glutathione transferase 1 in cancer and the regulation of ferroptosis

Microsomal glutathione transferase 1 (MGST1) is a member of the MAPEG family (membrane associated proteins in eicosanoid and glutathione metabolism), defined according to enzymatic activities, sequence motifs, and structural properties. MGST1 is a homotrimer which can bind three molecules of glutathione (GSH), with one modified to a thiolate anion displaying one-third-of-sites-reactivity. MGST1 has both glutathione transferase and peroxidase activities. Each is based on stabilizing the GSH thiolate in the same active site. MGST1 is abundant in the liver and displays a broad subcellular distribution with high levels in endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial membranes, consistent with a physiological role in protection from reactive electrophilic intermediates and oxidative stress. In this review paper, we particularly focus on recent advances made in understanding MGST1 activation, induction, broad subcellular distribution, and the role of MGST1 in apoptosis, ferroptosis, cancer progression, and therapeutic responses.

Role of AccMGST1 in oxidative stress resistance in Apis cerana cerana

As detoxification enzymes, proteins in the glutathione S-transferase (GST) superfamily are reported to participate in oxidative stress resistance. Nevertheless, microsomal GSTs (MGSTs), a unique subclass of the GST superfamily associated with membranes, are rarely studied in insects. Here, we isolated an MGST gene in Apis cerana cerana (AccMGST1) and verified its role in oxidative stress response. We found higher expression of AccMGST1 in protective or defensive tissue, that is, the epidermis, which indicated its role in stress resistance. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that AccMGST1 was upregulated by oxidative stresses at the transcriptional level. In contrast, AccMGST1 expression was inhibited when the antioxidant vitamin C (VC) was fed to experimental bees. Through western blotting, we found that the protein level of AccMGST1 under oxidative stress corresponded to the transcript level. Disc diffusion and mixed-function oxidation (MFO) assays suggested that AccMGST1 can protect not only cells but also DNA against oxidative damage. Furthermore, we discovered that the expression patterns of known antioxidant genes were changed in A. cerana cerana after AccMGST1 was silenced by RNA interference (RNAi). Thus, we concluded that the gene AccMGST1 exerts a significant role in the antioxidant mechanism.

Antioxidants reduce reactive oxygen species but not embryotoxicity in the metabolic Danio rerio test (mDarT)

Mammalian liver microsomes are occasionally used as a metabolic activation system (MAS) to compensate for the low CYP-mediated bioactivation of drugs in zebrafish embryos, in the so-called mDarT. However, this MAS is embryotoxic and consequently zebrafish embryos are only exposed during a very limited developmental window. The main aim of this study was to try to reduce the embryotoxic properties of MAS in order to extend the exposure window in the mDarT. Removing the microsomes from the incubation medium prior to exposure of the zebrafish embryos did not reduce embryotoxicity. Free radicals (ROS) in the incubation medium were successfully reduced by antioxidants, but the medium remained embryotoxic. Single dosing of NADPH or omitting toxic components from the MAS preparation did also not reduce embryotoxicity. In conclusion, the exposure window in the mDarT could not be extended by reducing ROS levels, single dosing of NADPH or modifications of the MAS preparation.

Temporal proteomic profiling of Chlamydia trachomatis-infected HeLa-229 human cervical epithelial cells

Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading causative agent of bacterial sexually transmitted infections worldwide which can lead to female pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. A greater understanding of host response during chlamydial infection is essential to design intervention technique to reduce the increasing incidence rate of genital chlamydial infection. In this study, we investigated proteome changes in epithelial cells during C. trachomatis infection by using an isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) labeling technique coupled with a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS(3) ) analysis. C. trachomatis (serovar D, MOI 1)-infected HeLa-229 human cervical carcinoma epithelial cells (at 2, 4 and 8 h) showed profound modifications of proteome profile which involved 606 host proteins. MGST1, SUGP2 and ATXN10 were among the top in the list of the differentially upregulated protein. Through pathway analysis, we suggested the involvement of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in host cells upon C. trachomatis infection. Network analysis underscored the participation of DNA repair mechanism during C. trachomatis infection. In summary, intense modifications of proteome profile in C. trachomatis-infected HeLa-229 cells indicate complex host-pathogen interactions at early phase of chlamydial infection.

Statins Modulate Cyclooxygenase-2 and Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 in Human Hepatic Myofibroblasts

Statins have been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrogenic properties in the liver. In the present study, we explored the mechanisms underlying anti-fibrogenic effects of statins in isolated hepatic myofibroblasts and focused on cyclooxyegnase-2, a major anti-proliferative pathway in these cells. We show that simvastatin and fluvastatin inhibit thymidine incorporation in hMF in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment of cells with NS398, a COX-2 inhibitor, partially blunted this effect. cAMP levels, essential to the inhibition of hMF proliferation, were increased by statins and inhibited by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Since statins modify prenylation of some important proteins in gene expression, we investigated the targets involved using selective inhibitors of prenyltransferases. Inhibition of geranylgeranylation resulted in the induction of COX-2 and mPGES-1. Using gel retardation assays, we further demonstrated that statins potentially activated the NFκB and CRE/E-box binding for COX-2 promoter and the binding of GC-rich regions and GATA for mPGES-1. Together these data demonstrate that statin limit hepatic myofibroblasts proliferation via a COX-2 and mPGES-1 dependent pathway. These data suggest that statin-dependent increase of prostaglandin in hMF contributes to its anti-fibrogenic effect.

Perspective of microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 as drug target in inflammation-related disorders

Prostaglandin (PG)E2 encompasses crucial roles in pain, fever, inflammation and diseases with inflammatory component, such as cancer, but is also essential for gastric, renal, cardiovascular and immune homeostasis. Cyclooxygenases (COX) convert arachidonic acid to the intermediate PGH2 which is isomerized to PGE2 by at least three different PGE2 synthases. Inhibitors of COX - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - are currently the only available therapeutics that target PGE2 biosynthesis. Due to adverse effects of COX inhibitors on the cardiovascular system (COX-2-selective), stomach and kidney (COX-1/2-unselective), novel pharmacological strategies are in demand. The inducible microsomal PGE2 synthase (mPGES)-1 is considered mainly responsible for the excessive PGE2 synthesis during inflammation and was suggested as promising drug target for suppressing PGE2 biosynthesis. However, 15 years after intensive research on the biology and pharmacology of mPGES-1, the therapeutic value of mPGES-1 as drug target is still vague and mPGES-1 inhibitors did not enter the market so far. This commentary will first shed light on the structure, mechanism and regulation of mPGES-1 and will then discuss its biological function and the consequence of its inhibition for the dynamic network of eicosanoids. Moreover, we (i) present current strategies for interfering with mPGES-1-mediated PGE2 synthesis, (ii) summarize bioanalytical approaches for mPGES-1 drug discovery and (iii) describe preclinical test systems for the characterization of mPGES-1 inhibitors. The pharmacological potential of selective mPGES-1 inhibitor classes as well as dual mPGES-1/5-lipoxygenase inhibitors is reviewed and pitfalls in their development, including species discrepancies and loss of in vivo activity, are discussed.

Kruppel-like factor 5 transcription factor promotes microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase 1 gene transcription in breast cancer

The KLF5 (Krüppel-like factor 5) transcription factor is specifically expressed in a subset of estrogen receptor α-negative breast cancers. Although KLF5 promotes breast cancer cell cycle progression, survival, and tumorigenesis, the mechanism by which KLF5 promotes breast cancer is still not entirely understood. Here, we demonstrate that mPGES1, encoding microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase 1 (mPGES1), is a KLF5 direct downstream target gene. KLF5 overexpression or knockdown positively altered the levels of mPGES1 mRNA and protein in multiple breast cell lines. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate induced the expression of both KLF5 and mPGES1 in dosage- and time-dependent manners. The induction of KLF5 was essential for 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate to induce mPGES1 expression. Additionally, KLF5 bound to the mPGES1 gene proximal promoter and activated its transcription. Both KLF5 and mPGES1 promoted prostaglandin E2 production; regulated p21, p27, and Survivin downstream gene expression; and likewise stimulated cell proliferation. Overexpression of mPGES1 partially rescued the KLF5 knockdown-induced downstream gene expression changes and growth arrest in MCF10A cells. Finally, we demonstrate that the expression of mPGES1 was positively correlated with the estrogen receptor α/progesterone receptor/HER2 triple-negative status. These findings suggest that mPGES1 is a target gene of KLF5, making it a new biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for triple-negative breast cancers.

Increased expression of miR-34a and miR-93 in rat liver during aging, and their impact on the expression of Mgst1 and Sirt1

Age-dependent loss of oxidative defense is well recognized in rodent models, although the control mechanism is still obscure; a few studies have shown how microRNAs, a non-coding RNA species, regulate the expression of their target genes at the post-transcriptional level. In the current study, miR-34a and miR-93 are observed to increase in middle- and old-age rat liver, compared to young rats; the up-regulation of these two miRNAs is determined by qPCR through a grind-and-find approach, and histochemical in situ hybridization. Three commonly used miRNA target prediction programs suggest four candidate targets of miR-34a and miR-93: Sp1, Nrf2 (Nfe2l2), Sirt1 and Mgst1; their expression is found to be reduced inversely to the up-regulation of the two miRNAs by Western blotting of protein extracts, as well as immunofluorescence staining of intact liver tissues. Furthermore, the suppression of the four proteins by miR-34a/miR-93 is examined in HEK 293 cells by transfection and co-transfection; miR-34a represses all four proteins' expression, whereas miR-93 affects only Sp1, Sirt1 and Mgst1. Taken together, our study suggests a model of post-transcriptional repression, not only of genes involved in oxidative stress regulation and oxidative stress defense proteins, such as Sirt1 and Mgst1, but also of upstream transcription factors (TFs) regulating their activation, since Sp1 is the TF for both Sirt1 and Mgst1, and Nrf2 is the TF of Mgst1. Thus, up-regulation of both miR-34a and miR-93 constitutes an inescapable repression of two vital oxidative defense genes, by targeting not only the targets, but also transcription factors controlling their activation, a double dampening regulation at the post-transcriptional level.

Prostaglandin E(2) synthase inhibition as a therapeutic target

BACKGROUND

Most NSAIDs function by inhibiting biosynthesis of PGE(2) by inhibition of COX-1 and/or COX-2. Since COX-1 has a protective function in the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT), non-selective inhibition of both cycloxy genases leads to moderate to severe gastro-intestinal intolerance. Attempts to identify selective inhibitors of COX-2, led to the identification of celecoxib and rofecoxib. However, long-term use of these drugs has serious adverse effects of sudden myocardial infarction and thrombosis. Drug-mediated imbalance in the levels of prostaglandin I(2) (PGI(2)) and thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) with a bias towards TXA(2) may be the primary reason for these events. This resulted in the drugs being withdrawn from the market, leaving a need for an effective and safe anti-inflammatory drug.

METHODS

Recently, the focus of research has shifted to enzymes downstream of COX in the prosta glandin biosynthetic pathway such as prostaglandin E(2) synthases. Microsomal prostaglandin E(2) synthase-1 (mPGES-1) specifically isomerizes PGH(2) to PGE(2), under inflammatory conditions. In this review, we examine the biology of mPGES-1 and its role in disease. Progress in designing molecules that can selectively inhibit mPGES-1 is reviewed.

CONCLUSION

mPGES-1 has the potential to be a target for anti-inflammatory therapy, devoid of adverse GIT and cardiac effects and warrants further investigation.

Membrane prostaglandin E synthase-1: a novel therapeutic target

Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) is the most abundant prostaglandin in the human body. It has a large number of biological actions that it exerts via four types of receptors, EP1-4. PGE(2) is formed from arachidonic acid by cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2)-catalyzed formation of prostaglandin H(2) (PGH(2)) and further transformation by PGE synthases. The isomerization of the endoperoxide PGH(2) to PGE(2) is catalyzed by three different PGE synthases, viz. cytosolic PGE synthase (cPGES) and two membrane-bound PGE synthases, mPGES-1 and mPGES-2. Of these isomerases, cPGES and mPGES-2 are constitutive enzymes, whereas mPGES-1 is mainly an induced isomerase. cPGES uses PGH(2) produced by COX-1 whereas mPGES-1 uses COX-2-derived endoperoxide. mPGES-2 can use both sources of PGH(2). mPGES-1 is a member of the membrane associated proteins involved in eicosanoid and glutathione metabolism (MAPEG) superfamily. It requires glutathione as an essential cofactor for its activity. mPGES-1 is up-regulated in response to various proinflammatory stimuli with a concomitant increased expression of COX-2. The coordinate increased expression of COX-2 and mPGES-1 is reversed by glucocorticoids. Differences in the kinetics of the expression of the two enzymes suggest distinct regulatory mechanisms for their expression. Studies, mainly from disruption of the mPGES-1 gene in mice, indicate key roles of mPGES-1-generated PGE(2) in female reproduction and in pathological conditions such as inflammation, pain, fever, anorexia, atherosclerosis, stroke, and tumorigenesis. These findings indicate that mPGES-1 is a potential target for the development of therapeutic agents for treatment of several diseases.

Down-regulation of microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 in adipose tissue by high-fat feeding

OBJECTIVE

Prostaglandin (PG)E2 is a lipid mediator implicated in inflammatory diseases and in the regulation of lipolysis and adipocyte differentiation. This work was, thus, undertaken to study the regulation of the various PGE2 synthases (PGESs) in obesity.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

C57Bl/6 mice were subjected to a high-fat or regular diet for 12 weeks. The levels of PGE2 in white adipose tissue (WAT) of lean and obese mice were quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the change in expression of the three major PGES caused by diet-induced obesity was characterized by Western blotting. Human preadipocytes and 3T3-L1 cells were used to assess the expression of microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 (mPGES-1) during adipogenesis.

RESULTS

mPGES-1, mPGES-2, and cytosolic PGES proteins were all detected in WAT of lean animals. mPGES-1 was expressed at higher levels in WAT than in any other tissues examined and was more abundant (3- to 4-fold) in epididymal (visceral) compared with inguinal (subcutaneous) WAT. Expression of mPGES-1 was also detected in undifferentiated and differentiated 3T3-L1 cells and in human primary subcutaneous preadipocytes at all stages of adipogenesis. The mPGES-1 protein was substantially down-regulated in epididymal and inguinal WAT of obese mice, whereas mPGES-2 and cytosolic PGES remained relatively stable. Concordantly, the PGE2 levels in obese inguinal WAT were significantly lower than those of lean animals.

DISCUSSION

These data suggest that mPGES-1 is the major form of PGESs contributing to the synthesis of PGE2 in WAT and that its down-regulation might be involved in the alterations of lipolysis and adipogenesis associated with obesity.

Contrasting effects of peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma agonists on membrane-associated prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 in IL-1beta-stimulated rat chondrocytes: evidence for PPARgamma-independent inhibition by 15-deoxy-Delta12,14prostaglandin J2

Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES)-1 is a newly identified inducible enzyme of the arachidonic acid cascade with a key function in prostaglandin (PG)E2 synthesis. We investigated the kinetics of inducible cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 and mPGES-1 expression with respect to the production of 6-keto-PGF1alpha and PGE2 in rat chondrocytes stimulated with 10 ng/ml IL-1beta, and compared their modulation by peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma agonists. Real-time PCR analysis showed that IL-1beta induced COX-2 expression maximally (37-fold) at 12 hours and mPGES-1 expression maximally (68-fold) at 24 hours. Levels of 6-keto-PGF1alpha and PGE2 peaked 24 hours after stimulation with IL-1beta; the induction of PGE2 was greater (11-fold versus 70-fold, respectively). The cyclopentenone 15-deoxy-Delta12,14prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) decreased prostaglandin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner (0.1 to 10 microM), with more potency on PGE2 level than on 6-keto-PGF1alpha level (-90% versus -66% at 10 microM). A high dose of 15d-PGJ2 partly decreased COX-2 expression but decreased mPGES-1 expression almost completely at both the mRNA and protein levels. Rosiglitazone was poorly effective on these parameters even at 10 microM. Inhibitory effects of 10 microM 15d-PGJ2 were neither reduced by PPARgamma blockade with GW-9662 nor enhanced by PPARgamma overexpression, supporting a PPARgamma-independent mechanism. EMSA and TransAM analyses demonstrated that mutated IkappaBalpha almost completely suppressed the stimulating effect of IL-1beta on mPGES-1 expression and PGE2 production, whereas 15d-PGJ2 inhibited NF-kappaB transactivation. These data demonstrate the following in IL-1-stimulated rat chondrocytes: first, mPGES-1 is rate limiting for PGE2 synthesis; second, activation of the prostaglandin cascade requires NF-kappaB activation; third, 15d-PGJ2 strongly inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins, in contrast with rosiglitazone; fourth, inhibition by 15d-PGJ2 occurs independently of PPARgamma through inhibition of the NF-kappaB pathway; fifth, mPGES-1 is the main target of 15d-PGJ2.

Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor γ Inhibits Interleukin-1β-induced Membrane-associated Prostaglandin E2 Synthase-1 Expression in Human Synovial Fibroblasts by Interfering with Egr-1

Membrane-associated prostaglandin (PG) E(2) synthase-1 (mPGES-1) catalyzes the conversion of PGH(2) to PGE(2), which contributes to many biological processes. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a ligand-activated transcription factor and plays an important role in growth, differentiation, and inflammation in different tissues. Here, we examined the effect of PPARgamma ligands on interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-induced mPGES-1 expression in human synovial fibroblasts. PPARgamma ligands 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14) prostaglandin J(2) (15d-PGJ(2)) and the thiazolidinedione troglitazone (TRO), but not PPARalpha ligand Wy14643, dose-dependently suppressed IL-1beta-induced PGE(2) production, as well as mPGES-1 protein and mRNA expression. 15d-PGJ(2) and TRO suppressed IL-1beta-induced activation of the mPGES-1 promoter. Overexpression of wild-type PPARgamma further enhanced, whereas overexpression of a dominant negative PPARgamma alleviated, the suppressive effect of both PPARgamma ligands. Furthermore, pretreatment with an antagonist of PPARgamma, GW9662, relieves the suppressive effect of PPARgamma ligands on mPGES-1 protein expression, suggesting that the inhibition of mPGES-1 expression is mediated by PPARgamma. We demonstrated that PPARgamma ligands suppressed Egr-1-mediated induction of the activities of the mPGES-1 promoter and of a synthetic reporter construct containing three tandem repeats of an Egr-1 binding site. The suppressive effect of PPARgamma ligands was enhanced in the presence of a PPARgamma expression plasmid. Electrophoretic mobility shift and supershift assays for Egr-1 binding sites in the mPGES-1 promoter showed that both 15d-PGJ(2) and TRO suppressed IL-1beta-induced DNA-binding activity of Egr-1. These data define mPGES-1 and Egr-1 as novel targets of PPARgamma and suggest that inhibition of mPGES-1 gene transcription may be one of the mechanisms by which PPARgamma regulates inflammatory responses.