Pyrazole-inducible proteins in DBA/2 mouse liver bind with high affinity to the 3'-untranslated regions of the mRNAs of coumarin hydroxylase (CYP2A5) and c-jun

Straightforward synthesis of diverse dipyrazolylmethane derivatives and their application for fluorescence sensing of Cu2+ ions

Various dipyrazolylmethanes were synthesized and nitro-substituted compound displayed an excellent turn-off fluorescence sensing property for the detection of Cu²⁺ ions.

Regulatory sequence responsible for insulin destabilization of cytochrome P450 2B1 (CYP2B1) mRNA

Diabetes has been reported to increase CYP2E1 (cytochrome P450) and CYP2B1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels in rat livers. This increase has been attributed to mRNA stabilization and can be reversed by daily insulin treatment. In a previous study, we showed that this hormone directly down-regulates CYP2E1 and 2B1 expression through a post-transcriptional mechanism in rat hepatoma cell lines. We then aimed to identify the molecular mechanisms involved in this regulation. We first identified a 16-mer sequence that we later showed to be the actual functional target of insulin on the rat CYP2E1 mRNA. Similar work was performed with CYP2B1. We first investigated the presence of mRNA-protein interactions. Using cytoplasmic proteins of Fao cells treated or not with insulin (0.1 microM) and the full-length CYP2B1 mRNA as a probe, a major CYP2B1 RNA-protein complex was observed with RNase T1 protection experiments. With the use of different CYP2B1 mRNA probes and by means of competition experiments with antisense oligonucleotides, a protein fixation site was located on a 16-nt sequence in the 5' part of the coding region. This sequence has a hairpin loop structure, shows 80% sequence identity with a structure previously identified on CYP2E1 and is also responsible for the post-transcriptional effects of insulin on this mRNA. Protein(s) bound to both CYP2B1 and CYP2E1 sequences are cytosolic and have an apparent molecular mass of 60 kDa. The protein(s) that bind(s) to both these sequences and the insulin transduction signal involved in this regulation remain(s) to identified.

Molecular pathological analysis for determining the possible mechanism of piperonyl butoxide-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice

Piperonyl butoxide (PBO), alpha-[2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethoxy]-4,5-methylene-dioxy-2-propyltoluene, is widely used as a synergist for pyrethrins. In order to clarify the possible mechanism of non-genotoxic hepatocarcinogenesis induced by PBO, molecular pathological analyses consisting of low-density microarray analysis and real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR were performed in male ICR mice fed a basal powdered diet containing 6000 or 0 ppm PBO for 1, 4, or 8 weeks. The animals were sacrificed at weeks 1, 4, and 8, and the livers were histopathologically examined and analyzed for gene expression using the microarray at weeks 1 and 4 followed by real-time RT-PCR at each time point. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) products were also measured using liver microsomes. At each time point, the hepatocytes of PBO-treated mice showed centrilobular hypertrophy and increased lipofuscin deposition in Schmorl staining. The ROS products were significantly increased in the liver microsomes of PBO-treated mice. In the microarray analysis, the expression of oxidative and metabolic stress-related genes--cytochrome P450 (Cyp) 1A1, Cyp2A5 (week 1 only), Cyp2B9, Cyp2B10, and NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (Por) was over-expressed in mice given PBO at weeks 1 and 4. Fluctuations of these genes were confirmed by real-time RT-PCR in PBO-treated mice at each time point. In additional real-time RT-PCR, the expression of Cyclin D1 gene, key regulator of cell-cycle progression, and Xrcc5 gene, DNA damage repair-related gene, was significantly increased at each time point and at week 8, respectively. These results suggest the possibility that PBO has the potential to generate ROS via the metabolic pathway and to induce oxidative stress, including oxidative DNA damage, resulting in the induction of hepatocellular tumors in mice.

Regulation of cytochrome P450 gene expression in the olfactory mucosa

The mammalian olfactory mucosa (OM) is unique among extrahepatic tissues in having high levels, and tissue-selective forms, of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. These enzymes may have important toxicological implications, as well as biological functions, in this chemosensory organ. In addition to a tissue-selective, abundant expression of CYP1A2, CYP2A, and CYP2G1, some of the OM CYPs are also known to have an early developmental expression, a resistance to xenobiotic inducers, and a lack of responsiveness to circadian rhythm. Efforts to fully characterize the regulation of CYP expression in the OM, and to identify the underlying mechanisms, are important for our understanding of the physiological functions and toxicological significance of these biotransformation enzymes, and may also shed unique light on the general mechanisms of CYP regulation. The aim of this mini-review is to provide a summary of current knowledge of the various modes of regulation of CYPs expressed in the OM, an update on our mechanistic studies on tissue-selective CYP expression, and a review of the literature on xenobiotic inducibility of OM CYPs. Our goal is to stimulate further studies in this exciting research area, which is of considerable importance, in view of the constant exposure of the human nasal tissues to inhaled, as well as systemically derived, chemicals, the prevalence of olfactory system damage in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases, and the current uncertainty in risk assessments for potential olfactory toxicants.

Cell-specific expression of CYP2A5 in the mouse respiratory tract: effects of olfactory toxicants

We performed a detailed analysis of mouse cytochrome P450 2A5 (CYP2A5) expression by in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the respiratory tissues of mice. The CYP2A5 mRNA and the corresponding protein co-localized at most sites and were predominantly detected in the olfactory region, with an expression in sustentacular cells, Bowman's gland, and duct cells. In the respiratory and transitional epithelium there was no or only weak expression. The nasolacrimal duct and the excretory ducts of nasal and salivary glands displayed expression, whereas no expression occurred in the acini. There was decreasing expression along the epithelial linings of the trachea and lower respiratory tract, whereas no expression occurred in the alveoli. The hepatic CYP2A5 inducers pyrazole and phenobarbital neither changed the CYP2A5 expression pattern nor damaged the olfactory mucosa. In contrast, the olfactory toxicants dichlobenil and methimazole induced characteristic changes. The damaged Bowman's glands displayed no expression, whereas the damaged epithelium expressed the enzyme. The CYP2A5 expression pattern is in accordance with previously reported localization of protein and DNA adducts and the toxicity of some CYP2A5 substrates. This suggests that CYP2A5 is an important determinant for the susceptibility of the nasal and respiratory epithelia to protoxicants and procarcinogens.

Identification of a 16-Nucleotide Sequence That Mediates Post-transcriptional Regulation of Rat CYP2E1 by Insulin

Insulin directly down-regulates the gene expression of the rat CYP2E1 by altering its mRNA stability (De Waziers, I., Garlatti, M., Bouguet, J., Beaune, P. H., and Barouki, R. (1995) Mol. Pharmacol. 47, 474-479). Because the regulation of CYP mRNA stability was poorly understood, the molecular mechanisms involved in this regulation in the rat hepatoma H4IIEC3 cell line were studied. By using RNase T1 protection methods, the formation of a major CYP2E1 RNA-protein complex was observed. By competition experiments, the binding site of this complex was located on a 16-nucleotide sequence in the 5'-proximal region of the CYP2E1-coding sequence. Insulin did not modify the binding pattern of proteins to this sequence. and transfections of expression vectors or antisense oligonucleotides were undertaken to demonstrate the actual functionality of the 16-mer sequence. The insertion of this sequence in a luciferase gene was sufficient to render the chimeric mRNA sensitive to insulin. Furthermore, transfection of H4IIEC3 cells with antisense oligonucleotide complementary to this sequence blocked the insulin effect on the CYP2E1 mRNA expression, i.e. its rapid degradation. All these results demonstrate that this 16-nucleotide sequence is implicated in the CYP2E1 post-transcriptional regulation by insulin.

Acute sodium arsenite treatment induces Cyp2a5 but not Cyp1a1 in the C57Bl/6 mouse in a tissue (kidney) selective manner

Modulation of hepatic and extrahepatic detoxication enzymes Cyp1a1, Cyp2a5, glutathione S-transferse Ya (GSTYa) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (QOR) dependent catalytic activity and mRNA levels were investigated at 1, 2, or 4 days in liver, lung, or kidney of male, adult CD57 Bl/6 mice treated sc with a single dose (85 micromol/kg) of sodium arsenite (As3+). Maximum decreases of total hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) monooxygenase content and catalytic activities, occurring at 24 h, corresponded with maximum increases of heme oxygenase (HO-1) in all tissues, as well as maximum plasma total bilirubin. Extrahepatic increases in CYP were observed only in non-AHR dependent isozymes in the kidney, where both Cyp2a5 mRNA and catalytic activity increased maximally 24 h after treatment. In contrast, no significant changes in Cyp2b1/2-dependent PROD or mRNA activity and decreases in Cyp1a1-dependent-EROD activity were noted 1, 2, or 4 days after treatment. Increases in QOR catalytic activities were observed in all tissues examined with increased mRNA in kidney. On the other hand, GSTYa catalytic activity and mRNA increases were only detected in kidney. This study demonstrates the differential modulation of CYP, QOR, and GST-Ya, important drug metabolizing enzymes after acute As3+ administration. The induction of Cyp2a5, QOR, and GSTYa catalytic activity and gene expression occurred primarily in kidney during or shortly after conditions of oxidant stress.

Identification of a 43-kDa protein in human liver cytosol that binds to the 3'-untranslated region of CYP2A6 mRNA

Hepatic expression of cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) varies widely in humans and is induced during hepatitis; however, the mechanism regulating CYP2A6 has not been established. The murine orthologue Cyp2a5 is regulated post-transcriptionally by mRNA stabilization. A 43-kDa protein that binds to the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of Cyp2a5 mRNA has been identified, but its role in mRNA stabilization is unclear. We hypothesized that similar interactions occur between cytosolic proteins in human liver and CYP2A6 3'-UTR mRNA. We identified, by RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assay, an hepatic cytosolic protein that binds specifically to sequences in the 3'-UTR of CYP2A6. Complexes did not form with denatured proteins and were eliminated with proteinase K digestion. Complex formation was inhibited with a molar excess of unlabeled CYP2A6 RNA but not by non-specific competitor RNA. Protein-mRNA interactions were not affected by probe denaturation, suggesting that RNA secondary structure is not essential for binding. UV cross-linking of complexes revealed RNA-binding proteins in both human and mouse liver cytosols with molecular masses of approximately 43 kDa. Using truncated RNA probes corresponding to various lengths of CYP2A6 mRNA, the protein-binding site was localized to a 50-nucleotide region between bases 1478 and 1527 of the 3'-UTR. Complex formation with hepatic cytosolic protein from four human subjects correlated with levels of hepatic CYP2A6 microsomal protein, suggesting a possible regulatory role. Further characterization of the RNA-binding protein, the primary binding site, and the influence of this interaction on CYP2A6 mRNA stability will help to elucidate the relevance of these findings to the post-transcriptional control of CYP2A6.

Post-transcriptional regulation of rat CYP2E1 expression: role of CYP2E1 mRNA untranslated regions in control of translational efficiency and message stability

Altered expression of hepatic CYP2E1 by xenobiotic or physiological stimuli is largely mediated through post-transcriptional mechanisms that may include altered CYP2E1 mRNA translation and/or protein degradation. Examination of the polyribosomal distribution of rat hepatic P450 mRNAs indicated that, whereas nearly all of the CYP2B, CYP3A, and CYP4A mRNAs were recovered in the polysomal fractions, indicating active translation, approximately 30-40% of CYP2E1 mRNA was not associated with polysomes and therefore not actively engaged in protein synthesis. To examine the CYP2E1 mRNA molecule for sequences that might affect its translational efficiency, a series of CYP2E1 recombinant RNAs (rcRNAs) with modified 5' or 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) was translated in vitro using the rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. Deletion of most of the CYP2E1 5' UTR, which was predicted to contain secondary structure, increased in vitro CYP2E1 protein synthesis. Polysomal distribution analyses of 5'-modified rcRNAs demonstrated that, as seen for hepatic CYP2E1 mRNA, a substantial fraction of each CYP2E1 rcRNA was not associated with polysomes. The polysomal distribution analyses of the CYP2E1 rcRNAs also confirmed that the observed changes in CYP2E1 protein synthesis were associated with altered ribosomal loading. Deletion of the poly(A) tail, and partial or complete deletion of the 3' UTR, decreased CYP2E1 protein synthesis. These changes in protein synthesis were accompanied by increased degradation of the CYP2E1 rcRNAs. Incubation with translational inhibitors, but not increased levels of RNase inhibitor, decreased the degradation of the rcRNAs during in vitro translation. In conclusion, these studies suggest that secondary structure in the 5' UTR of CYP2E1 mRNA is at least partially responsible for the inefficient translation of this mRNA. The poly(A) tail and sequences contained within the 3' UTR appear to be important for protecting CYP2E1 mRNA from RNase activity associated with the translation machinery.

Analysis of RNA-protein interactions of mouse liver cytochrome P4502A5 mRNA

In our previous studies we have identified a 37/39 kDa, pyrazole-inducible, cytochrome P4502A5 (CYP2A5) mRNA binding protein and provided evidence that it may play a role in the stabilization and processing of the RNA [Geneste, Rafalli and Lang (1996) Biochem. J. 313, 1029-1037; Thulke-Gross, Hergenhahn, Tilloy-Ellul, Lang and Bartsch (1998) Biochem. J. 331, 473-481]. Details of the RNA-protein interactions are, however, not known. In this report we have performed an analysis of the interaction between the CYP2A5 mRNA and the 37/39 kDa protein. With UV-cross linking experiments, using RNA probes corresponding to various parts of the CYP2A5 mRNA, and with antisense oligonucleotides complementary to certain areas of the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR), we could map the primary binding site to the tip of a 71 nt hair-pin loop at the 3'-UTR. This analysis also showed that the protein may have more than one site of interaction with the RNA and/or that, within the binding region, there could be more than one protein molecule binding to the RNA. Analysis of the probable conformations of the various probes used in the UV cross-linking experiments, in combination with the estimated binding affinities of the protein to the different probes, suggests that important factors in the high-affinity binding are the UAG triplet flanked by GA-rich sequences at the tip of the hair-pin loop, in addition to the conformation of the loop itself. Within the binding region, similarities with known binding sites of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A1 in other RNA molecules were revealed by sequence alignment analysis. Moreover, competition experiments with an oligoribonucleotide corresponding to a known high-affinity binding site of hnRNP A1, and immunoprecipitation of the UV cross-linked 37/39 kDa complex showed that the protein binding to the CYP2A5 mRNA could be hnRNP A1 or its close analogue. It was also shown that the 37/39 kDa protein binds with less affinity to CYP2A4 mRNA than to CYP2A5 mRNA. This is in accordance with experiments characterizing the binding site, since these two otherwise highly homologous genes are kown to have a three nucleotide difference within the region important for the high binding affinity. Since the response of CYP2A4 to pyrazole is known to be weak, as compared with CYP2A5, this observation provides further evidence for a regulatory role of the 37/39 kDa protein in CYP2A5 mRNA metabolism.