Autoregulation plus upstream positive and negative control regions associated with transcriptional activation of the mouse P1(450) gene

Biological effects of 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ) in vivo are enhanced by loss of CYP1A function in an Ahr2-dependent manner

6-Formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ) is a potent aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonist that is efficiently metabolized by AHR-regulated cytochrome P4501 enzymes. FICZ is a proposed physiological AHR ligand that induces its own degradation as part of a regulatory negative feedback loop. In vitro studies in cells show that CYP1 inhibition in the presence of FICZ results in enhanced AHR activation, suggesting that FICZ accumulates in the cell when its metabolism is blocked. We used zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos to investigate the in vivo effects of FICZ when CYP1A is knocked down or inhibited. Embryos were injected with morpholino antisense oligonucleotides targeting CYP1A (CYP1A-MO), Ahr2, or a combination of both. FICZ exposure of non-injected embryos or embryos injected with control morpholino had little effect. In CYP1A-MO-injected embryos, however, FICZ dramatically increased mortality, incidence and severity of pericardial edema and circulation failure, reduced hatching frequency, blocked swim bladder inflation, and strongly potentiated expression of Ahr2-regulated genes. These effects were substantially reduced in embryos with a combined knockdown of Ahr2 and CYP1A, indicating that the toxicity was mediated at least partly by Ahr2. Co-exposure to the CYP1 inhibitor alpha-naphthoflavone (αNF) and FICZ had similar effects as the combination of CYP1A-MO and FICZ. HPLC analysis of FICZ-exposed embryos showed increased levels of FICZ after concomitant CYP1A-MO injection or αNF co-exposure. Together, these results show that a functioning CYP1/AHR feedback loop is crucial for regulation of AHR signaling by a potential physiological ligand in vivo and further highlights the role of CYP1 enzymes in regulating biological effects of FICZ.

An aryl hydrocarbon receptor induces VEGF expression through ATF4 under glucose deprivation in HepG2

Background

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) not only regulates drug-metabolizing enzyme expression but also regulates cancer malignancy. The steps to the development of malignancy include angiogenesis that is induced by tumor microenvironments, hypoxia, and nutrient deprivation. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a central role in the angiogenesis of cancer cells, and it is induced by activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4).

Results

Recently, we identified that glucose deprivation induces AhR translocation into the nucleus and increases CYP1A1 and 1A2 expression in HepG2 cells. Here, we report that the AhR pathway induces VEGF expression in human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells under glucose deprivation, which involves ATF4. ATF4 knockdown suppressed VEGF expression under glucose deprivation. Moreover, AhR knockdown suppressed VEGF and ATF4 expression under glucose deprivation at genetic and protein levels.

Conclusions

The AhR-VEGF pathway through ATF4 is a novel pathway in glucose-deprived liver cancer cells that is related to the microenvironment within a cancer tissue affecting liver cancer malignancy.

Modified expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor-related genes by deoxymiroestrol, a phytoestrogen, in mouse hepatocytes in primary culture

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Deoxymiroestrol (DM), a strong phytoestrogen from Pueraria candollei Wall. ex Benth. var. mirifica (family Leguminosae). This plant has long been used in traditional medicine for rejuvenation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor-related genes in mouse hepatocytes in primary culture was quantified by real-time RT-PCR and hepatic microsomal P450 activity was assessed by using ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylation.

RESULTS

The mRNA expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), AhR nuclear translocator, and CYP1A1 was suppressed, whereas that of CYP1B1, estrogen receptor α (ERα), CYP2B9, and glutathione-S-transferase a2 (GSTa2) was increased. The effects of DM on the gene expression depended on treatment period and concentrations, and were similar to those of β-estradiol (E2). DM and E2 at pharmacological concentrations had a marked synergistic effect on CYP1A1 expression after combined treatment with a typical CYP1 inducer, β-naphthoflavone (βNF), at the level of both transcription and enzymatic activity. DM enhanced the inducible mRNA expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 similar to E2. Meanwhile, the expression of ERα mRNA was not affected by βNF, which, on the contrary, completely eliminated the DM-induced mRNA expression of ERα, CYP2B9, and GSTa2.

CONCLUSION

The findings that DM modified the expression of several metabolism-related genes suggest the need for caution when using health supplements having phytoestrogenic activity.

Transcriptional factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) controls cardiovascular and respiratory functions by regulating the expression of the Vav3 proto-oncogene

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) is a transcriptional factor involved in detoxification responses to pollutants and in intrinsic biological processes of multicellular organisms. We recently described that Vav3, an activator of Rho/Rac GTPases, is an Ahr transcriptional target in embryonic fibroblasts. These results prompted us to compare the Ahr(-/-) and Vav3(-/-) mouse phenotypes to investigate the implications of this functional interaction in vivo. Here, we show that Ahr is important for Vav3 expression in kidney, lung, heart, liver, and brainstem regions. This process is not affected by the administration of potent Ahr ligands such as benzo[a]pyrene. We also report that Ahr- and Vav3-deficient mice display hypertension, tachypnea, and sympathoexcitation. The Ahr gene deficiency also induces the GABAergic transmission defects present in the Vav3(-/-) ventrolateral medulla, a main cardiorespiratory brainstem center. However, Ahr(-/-) mice, unlike Vav3-deficient animals, display additional defects in fertility, perinatal growth, liver size and function, closure, spleen size, and peripheral lymphocytes. These results demonstrate that Vav3 is a bona fide Ahr target that is in charge of a limited subset of the developmental and physiological functions controlled by this transcriptional factor. Our data also reveal the presence of sympathoexcitation and new cardiorespiratory defects in Ahr(-/-) mice.

Regulatory xenobiotic responsive elements in the distal 5'-flanking region of the mouse Cyp1a2 gene required for transcriptional activation by 3-methylcholanthrene and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

We examined the xenobiotic responsive element (XRE) responsible for induction of the mouse Cyp1a2 gene by 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) using a reporter gene assay in mouse hepatocytes in primary culture. Although, the 5'-flanking region up to -9.5 kilobase pairs did not show a significant increase in transcriptional activity after treatment with 3MC or TCDD, a further distal 5'-flanking region from -13,958 to -12,520 containing 12 putative XREs (5'-GCGTG-3') demonstrated distinctive transcriptional activity after treatment with 3MC or TCDD. When a mutation was introduced into XRE14 at -12,972, the activation was decreased, and concurrent mutations in XRE14, XRE13, and XRE15 completely abolished it. However, mutations in XRE13, XRE15, XRE16, or XRE17 did not affect the inducible transcriptional activation of the mouse Cyp1a2 gene. These results suggest that XRE14 is important and that XRE13 at -12,897 and/or XRE15 at -13,061 are cooperative to the inducible transcriptional activation of the mouse Cyp1a2 gene by ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.

Internal genomic sequence of human CYP1A1 gene is involved in superinduction of dioxin-induced CYP1A1 transcription by cycloheximide

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induces CYP1A1 mRNA expression, and co-treatment with the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (CHX) magnifies its expression severalfold further. Although this phenomenon has been reported as superinduction, its molecular mechanism is still obscure. In the present study, we analyzed the influence of the CYP1A1 internal genomic sequence on CHX-mediated superinduction. Partial sequences of the human CYP1A1 were inserted at the 5' end of the internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) connected to luciferase cDNA, and generated constructs were transiently transfected into CHO or HepG2 cells. Intron-1 deletion constructs showed higher inductivity than intron-1 intact constructs by TCDD. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses revealed that the superinduced levels by CHX of the intron-1 intact constructs were greater than those of the intron-1 deletion constructs. The present results indicate that internal genomic sequences of the human CYP1A1 gene, especially the internal sequence of intron-1, are involved in superinduction of the CYP1A1 gene by CHX.

Human CYP1A1GFP Expression in Transgenic Mice Serves as a Biomarker for Environmental Toxicant Exposure

The human CYP1A1 gene is regulated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and induction of CYP1A1 is known to play an important role in xenobiotic metabolism. To examine the regulation of human CYP1A1 in vivo, we created a transgenic mouse strain (Tg-CYP1A1(GFP)) expressing a chimeric gene consisting of the entire human CYP1A1 gene (15 kb) fused with a GFP reporter gene. The treatment of Tg-CYP1A1(GFP) mice with a single intraperitoneal dose of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) or benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) led to the induction of CYP1A1(GFP) in both the liver and the lung as determined by fluorescence and Western blot analysis. The localization of induced fluorescence in liver also demonstrated the usefulness of cultured hepatocytes in examining the actions of AhR agonists toward induction of CYP1A1(GFP). Other routes of B[a]P administration, such as by oral exposure at 100 mg/kg for 3 days, led to reduced induction of CYP1A1(GFP) in liver and lung. In liver, expression of CYP1A1(GFP) was a sensitive marker for oral exposure, while mouse CYP1A1 was not induced at these doses. While first pass metabolism of B[a]P in the gastrointestinal tract reduces the potential of the AhR to induce CYP1A1(GFP) in the liver, adequate concentrations reach the hepatic circulation as demonstrated by induction of human UGT1A proteins in transgenic mice that express the human UGT1 locus. The capability to identify fluorescently labeled CYP1A1 in vivo provides a sensitive measurement of gene response and links exposure to potential environmental toxicants and activation of the AhR.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation by cAMP vs. dioxin: divergent signaling pathways

Even before the first vertebrates appeared on our planet, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) gene was present to carry out one or more critical life functions. The vertebrate AHR then evolved to take on functions of detecting and responding to certain classes of environmental toxicants. These environmental pollutants include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., benzo[a]pyrene), polyhalogenated hydrocarbons, dibenzofurans, and the most potent small-molecular-weight toxicant known, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD or dioxin). After binding of these ligands, the activated AHR translocates rapidly from the cytosol to the nucleus, where it forms a heterodimer with aryl hydrocarbon nuclear translocator, causing cellular responses that lead to toxicity, carcinogenesis, and teratogenesis. The nuclear form of the activated AHR/aryl hydrocarbon nuclear translocator complex is responsible for alterations in immune, endocrine, reproductive, developmental, cardiovascular, and central nervous system functions whose mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the second messenger, cAMP (an endogenous mediator of hormones, neurotransmitters, and prostaglandins), activates the AHR, moving the receptor to the nucleus in some ways that are similar to and in other ways fundamentally different from AHR activation by dioxin. We suggest that this cAMP-mediated activation may reflect the true endogenous function of AHR; disruption of the cAMP-mediated activation by dioxin, binding chronically to the AHR for days, weeks, or months, might be pivotal in the mechanism of dioxin toxicity. Understanding this endogenous activation of the AHR by cAMP may help in developing methods to counteract the toxicity caused by numerous environmental and food-borne toxic chemicals that act via the AHR.

Blockade by SB203580 ofCyp1a1Induction by 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, and the Possible Mechanism: Possible Involvement of the p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway in Shuttling of Ah Receptor Overexpressed in COS-7 Cells

A transiently overexpressed aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) became translocated into the nucleus of COS-7 cells without treatment with any ligand, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. This spontaneous AhR translocation into the nucleus was reduced by pretreatment of the recipient cells with the p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase inhibitor SB203580. Immunofluorescent microscopic analysis revealed that SB203580 treatment increased the fluorescence intensity of AhR within the cytoplasm. An analogue compound, SB202474, which does not inhibit p38 MAP kinase, did not reduce AhR translocation into the nucleus. Moreover, a reporter gene assay showed that the AhR spontaneously translocated into the nucleus activated reporter gene transcription and that SB203580 suppressed its transcriptional activity. From these data we conclude that the p38 MAP kinase pathway is involved in determining AhR cellular localization in COS-7 cells overexpressing AhR.

Lead-induced cytotoxicity and transcriptional activation of stress genes in human liver carcinoma (HepG2) cells

Lead is a non-essential element that exhibits a high degree of toxicity, especially in children. Most research on lead has focused on its effects on organ systems such as the nervous system, the red blood cells, and the kidneys which are considered to be the primary targets of lead toxicity. However, the molecular mechanisms by which it induces toxicity, and carcinogenesis remain to be elucidated. In this research, we performed the MTT assay to assess the cytotoxicity, and the CAT-Tox assay to assess the transcriptional responses associated with lead exposure to thirteen different recombinant cell lines generated from human liver carcinoma cells (HepG2), by creating stable transfectants of mammalian promoter chloramphenicol (CAT) gene fusions. Study results indicated that lead nitrate is cytotoxic to HepG2 cells, showing LD50 values of 49.0 +/- 18.0 microg/mL, 37.5 +/- 9.2 microg/mL, and 3.5 +/- 0.7 microg/mL for cell mortality upon 24, 48 and 72 h of exposure, respectively; indicating a dose- and time-dependent response with regard to the cytotoxic effect of lead nitrate. A dose-response relationship was also recorded with respect to the induction of stress genes in HepG2 cells exposed to lead nitrate. Overall, six out of the thirteen recombinant cell lines tested showed inductions to statistically significant levels (p < 0.05). At 50 microg/mL of lead nitrate, the average fold inductions were: 2.1 +/- 1.0, 5.4 +/- 0.4, 12.1 +/- 6.2, 5.0 +/- 1.7, 2.5 +/- 1.3, and 4.8 +/- 4.5 for XRE, HSP70, CRE, GADD153, and GRP78, respectively. These results indicate the potential for lead nitrate to undergo biotransformation in the liver (XRE), to cause cell proliferation (c-fos), protein damage (HSP70, GRP78), metabolic perturbation (CRE), and growth arrest and DNA damage (GADD153). Marginal but not significant inductions were also obtained with the GSTYa (1.5 +/- 0.8), and GADD45 (5.7 +/- 8.1) promoters, and the NF-KB (2.0 +/- 1.7) response element, indicating the potential for oxidative stress. No significant inductions (p > 0.05) were recorded for CYP1A1, HMTIIA, p53RE, and RARE.

The human CYP1A1 gene is regulated in a developmental and tissue-specific fashion in transgenic mice

Regulation and expression of human CYP1A1 is demonstrated in transgenic mice. We have developed two transgenic mouse lines. One mouse strain (CYPLucR) carries a functional human CYP1A1 promoter (-1612 to +293)-luciferase reporter gene, and the other strain (CYP1A1N) expresses CYP1A1 under control of the full-length human CYP1A1 gene and 9 kb of flanking regulatory DNA. With CYPLucR(+/-) mice, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and several other aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands induced hepatocyte-specific luciferase activity. When other tissues were examined, TCDD induced luciferase activity in brain with limited induction in lung and no detectable luciferase activity in kidney. Treatment of CYP1A1N(+/-) mice with TCDD resulted in induction of human CYP1A1 in liver and lung, while mouse Cyp1a1 was induced in liver, lung, and kidney. Although induced CYP1A1/Cyp1a1 could not be detected by Western blot analysis in brains from CYP1A1N(+/-) mice, induction in brain was verified by detection of CYP1A1/Cyp1a1 RNA. The administration of TCDD to nursing mothers to examine the effect of lactational exposure via milk demonstrated prominent induction of luciferase activity in livers of CYPLucR(+/-) newborn pups with limited induction in brain. However, TCDD treatment of adult CYPLucR(+/-) mice led to a 7-10-fold induction of brain luciferase activity. Combined these results indicate that tissue-specific and developmental factors are controlling aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated induction of human CYP1A1.

Suppression by p38 MAP Kinase Inhibitors (Pyridinyl Imidazole Compounds) of Ah Receptor Target Gene Activation by 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and the Possible Mechanism

Cytochrome P-450 1A1 (CYP1A1) is known to be induced by aromatic hydrocarbons, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), through activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). We found that p38 MAP kinase inhibitors (SB203580 and SB202190; 40 microm each; pyridinyl imidazole compounds) suppressed CYP1A1-mRNA induction by TCDD (2 nm) in mouse hepatoma Hepa-1 cells and in human hepatoma HepG2 cells, and also suppressed CYP1B1-mRNA induction by TCDD (2 nm) in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF7 cells. An analogue compound, SB202474, which does not inhibit p38 MAP kinase, also suppressed CYP1A1-mRNA induction by TCDD. Moreover, overexpression of a dominant-negative gene for p38 MAP kinase in Hepa-1 cells did not suppress Cyp1a1 reporter gene induction by TCDD. Therefore, the suppression of Cyp1a1 transcription by pyridinyl imidazole compounds is not because of their inhibition of p38 MAP kinase activity. Because SB203580 did not inhibit in vitro AhR transformation by TCDD, this compound was not acting as a simple AhR antagonist. SB203580 decreased TCDD-induced histone acetylation levels in the region of the Cyp1a1 gene promoter, especially around the TATA box sequence. This result suggests the possibility that pyridinyl imidazole compounds suppress the recruitment of some co-activator that has the histone acetyltransferase activity necessary for CYP1A1-mRNA transcription.

Reversible stepwise negative regulation of CYP1A1 in cultured rat epidermal cells

When serially passaged, rat epidermal keratinocytes lose the inducibility of CYP1A1 gene expression in response to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure. In present experiments, loss of CYP1A1 inducibility occurred in a stepwise fashion, with some keratinocyte lines progressing through a transiently inducible state before becoming completely uninducible. The negative regulation occurred at the level of transcription, but the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway appeared fully functional. Transient and stable transfection of uninducible cells with reporter constructs containing up to 4.2kb of the CYP1A1 5'-flanking region resulted in a TCDD-inducible increase in luciferase activity, despite no induction of the endogenous gene. Co-treatment with protein synthesis inhibitors and TCDD restored responsiveness of the endogenous CYP1A1 gene, indicating that the negative regulation was reversible and likely mediated by a labile protein. Together, these results demonstrate a novel mechanism of CYP1A1 transcriptional repression that does not involve any previously reported negative regulatory elements for CYP1A1.

Specificity of nuclear protein binding to a CYP1A1 negative regulatory element

Primary cultures of rat epidermal keratinocytes lose the ability to respond to chemicals with the induction of CYP1A1 gene expression after approximately 15 passages. This repression is mediated by a CT-rich direct repeat negative regulatory DNA (NeRD) element present in the upstream regulatory region of the CYP1A1 gene. Competitive gel retardation analysis using keratinocyte nuclear extracts and mutant NeRD oligonucleotides revealed the presence of two specific protein-NeRD complexes and revealed the specific nucleotides important for the formation of each complex. These studies demonstrate that these two factors bind to overlapping sites within the NeRD element. Nucleotide specificity of complex A formation is similar to that of previously identified nuclear silencing factors, while that of complex B appears to represent a unique CT-rich binding factor. These results suggest that repression of CYP1A1 gene expression in high passage keratinocytes may involve the interplay between at least two specific NeRD binding factors.

Bioanalytical screening methods for dioxins and dioxin-like compounds a review of bioassay/biomarker technology

Determination of environmental pollutants utilizing biodetectors such as bioassays, biomarkers, enzyme immunoassays (EIAs), or other bioanalytical tools is a continuously growing area. The present literature review describes the principles and advantages/limitations of several bioanalytical detection methods (BDMs) for the screening and diagnosis of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. This study characterizes briefly the family of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, discusses potential Ah receptor (AhR) ligands and cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 1A1-enzyme-inducing compounds. 'Milestones' in the development of BDMs are summarized and explained in detail for a number of bioanalytical tools that can be used to detect these classes of dioxin-like persistent bioaccumulative toxicants (PBTs). The design of a screening profile with a battery of bioassays/biomarkers coupled with the chemical analysis is evaluated. The relative potencies (REPs) to 2,3,7,8-TCDD for dioxin-like compounds are reviewed for various BDMs and the differences are noted.

Cytotoxicity and transcriptional activation of stress genes in human liver carcinoma cells (HepG2) exposed to cadmium chloride

Epidemiological studies have shown that there exists some correlation between cadmium exposure and human cancers. The evidence that cadmium and cadmium compounds are probable human carcinogens is also supported by experimental studies reporting induction of malignant tumors formation in multiple species of laboratory animals exposed to these compounds. In vitro studies with mammalian cells have also shown that cadmium is clastogenic, but its mutagenic potential is rather weak. In this research, we performed the MTT assay for cell viability to assess the cytotoxicity of cadmium chloride (CdCl2), and the CAT-Tox (L) assay to measure the induction of stress genes in thirteen different recombinant cell lines generated from human liver carcinoma cells (HepG2), by creating stable transfectants of different mammalian promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene fusions. Cytotoxicity experiments with the parental cell line yielded a LC50 of 6.1 +/- 0.8 microg/mL, upon 48 h of exposure. Four (metallothionein--HMTIIA, 70-kDa heat shock protein--HSP70, xenobitic response element--XRE, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element--CRE) out of the 13 constructs evaluated showed statistically significant inductions (p < 0.05). The induction of these genes was concentration-dependent. Marginal inductions were also recorded for the c-fos, and 153-kDa growth arrest DNA damage (GADD153) promoters, indicating a potential for CdCl2 to damage DNA. However, no significant inductions (p > 0.05) of gene expression were recorded for cytochrome P4501A1--CYP1A1, glutathion-S-transferase Ya subunit--GST Ya, nuclear factor kappa (B site) response element--NFkappaBRE, tumor suppressor protein response element--p53RE, 45-kDa growth arrest DNA damage--GADD45, 78-kDa glucose regulated protein--GRP78, and retinoic acid response element--RARE. As expected, these results indicate that metallothioneins and heat shock proteins appear to be excellent candidates for biomarkers for detecting cadmium-induced proteotoxic effects at the molecular and cellular levels. Induction of XRE indicates the potential involvement of CdCl2 in the biotransformation process in the liver, while activation of CRE indicates stimulation of cellular signaling through the protein kinases pathway.

Regulation of CYP1A1 transcription via the metabolism of the tryptophan-derived 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole

A functional cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) enzyme has been suggested to metabolize endogenous substrates and to autoregulate its own transcription in mouse hepatoma cells. In the present study, the regulation of CYP1A1 gene transcription by 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), a suggested endogenous ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), has been studied in mouse Hepa-1 cell lines. The tryptophan photoproduct, FICZ, has previously been characterized to possess very high AhR binding affinity and to transiently induce CYP1A1 gene expression in cultured cells at picomolar concentrations. The results from this study show that a transient induction of CYP1A1 mRNA at a low concentration of FICZ was only seen in wild-type cells. In c37 cells, deficient in CYP1A1, FICZ caused a sustained induction. Interestingly, we found that a higher amount of tryptophan in culture medium increased the constitutive level of CYP1A1 mRNA expression in the c37 cells but not in the wild-type cells. This suggests that a tryptophan-derived AhR ligand in the medium regulates the basal CYP1A1 expression. In metabolism studies performed with S9 prepared from c37 cells no metabolites were formed from FICZ and no loss of FICZ was observed, while with wild-type cells FICZ was rapidly metabolized. HPLC analysis revealed that at least three metabolites were formed in an NADPH-dependent manner from FICZ when incubated with rat liver S9. The CYP1A1 inhibitor ellipticine totally blocked the metabolism of FICZ. Ellipticine also enhanced both basal and FICZ-induced CYP1A1 mRNA expression. Taken together, these results indicate that tryptophan is a precursor of the endogenous ligand and that the suggested tryptophan-derived ligand FICZ is a substrate for the CYP1A1 enzyme and is involved in autoregulation of CYP1A1 transcription.

Stress gene activity in HepG2 cells after sulfur mustard exposure

Monitoring temporal stress gene (SG) levels is one method of characterizing cellular responses to toxic-level chemical exposures. The goal of this study was to determine human cellular SG profiles following sulfur mustard (SM) exposure. This would establish a baseline for development of a rapid screening method for potential therapeutic compounds that could modulate SM toxicity. We used a panel of cells consisting of 14 HepG2-derived cell lines each stably transformed with a stress gene promoter (SGP) or stress gene response element (SGRE) controlling the transcription of the reporter gene chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT). The SGP and SGRE reporter constructs represent SGs associated with DNA damage, protein damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, second messenger systems and xenobiotic metabolism enzymes. All SGP and SGRE activities were changed from control following SM exposure over dose and the 24-h time-course study. Metallothionein 2A promoter (MT2A) was induced throughout the study time at high SM concentration. DNA-damage markers were induced after 12 h. Protein damage, inflammation and second messenger systems increased after 16 h post-SM exposure. These results show that over time and increasing SM exposure concentrations the HepG2 cells produced differential activation of SGPs and SGREs associated with DNA and protein damage, second messenger system activation and inflammation/oxidative stress. This suggests that the HepG2 cell reporter construct system would be a useful tool for studying the effects of known therapeutic drug families that may lower these cell-damage markers during SM exposure.

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.

An autoregulatory loop controlling CYP1A1 gene expression: role of H(2)O(2) and NFI

Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), like many monooxygenases, can produce reactive oxygen species during its catalytic cycle. Apart from the well-characterized xenobiotic-elicited induction, the regulatory mechanisms involved in the control of the steady-state activity of CYP1A1 have not been elucidated. We show here that reactive oxygen species generated from the activity of CYP1A1 limit the levels of induced CYP1A1 mRNAs. The mechanism involves the repression of the CYP1A1 gene promoter activity in a negative-feedback autoregulatory loop. Indeed, increasing the CYP1A1 activity by transfecting CYP1A1 expression vectors into hepatoma cells elicited an oxidative stress and led to the repression of a reporter gene driven by the CYP1A1 gene promoter. This negative autoregulation is abolished by ellipticine (an inhibitor of CYP1A1) and by catalase (which catalyzes H(2)O(2) catabolism), thus implying that H(2)O(2) is an intermediate. Down-regulation is also abolished by the mutation of the proximal nuclear factor I (NFI) site in the promoter. The transactivating domain of NFI/CTF was found to act in synergy with the arylhydrocarbon receptor pathway during the induction of CYP1A1 by 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-p-dibenzodioxin. Using an NFI/CTF-Gal4 fusion, we show that NFI/CTF transactivating function is decreased by a high activity of CYP1A1. This regulation is also abolished by catalase or ellipticine. Consistently, the transactivating function of NFI/CTF is repressed in cells treated with H(2)O(2), a novel finding indicating that the transactivating domain of a transcription factor can be targeted by oxidative stress. In conclusion, an autoregulatory loop leads to the fine tuning of the CYP1A1 gene expression through the down-regulation of NFI activity by CYP1A1-based H(2)O(2) production. This mechanism allows a limitation of the potentially toxic CYP1A1 activity within the cell.

Mechanisms of ligand-induced aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated biochemical and toxic responses

The ubiquitous environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD, dioxin) is a member of a broad group of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (HAHs) that is known to induce a wide range of toxic and biochemical responses in laboratory animals and humans. The effects of HAH exposure are mediated by binding to the cytosolic aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which is expressed in a tissue- and cell type-specific manner. The AhR is a ligand-activated transcription factor belonging to the basic helix-loop-helix/Per-AhR-Arnt-Sim (bHLH/PAS) superfamily of proteins. The mechanism of induction of gene transcription by TCDD involves ligand recognition and binding by the AhR, nuclear translocation, and dimerization with the AhR cofactor, AhR nuclear translocator (Arnt). The nuclear heterodimer interacts with cognate xenobiotic responsive elements (XREs) in promoter/enhancer regions of multiple Ah-responsive genes. Subsequent changes in chromatin structure and/or interaction of the AhR complex with the basal transcriptional machinery play a significant role in AhR-mediated gene expression. Although Arnt is a necessary component of a functional nuclear AhR complex, this protein also forms transcriptionally active heterodimers with other bHLH/PAS factors, including those involved in the transcriptional response to hypoxia. Arnt is ubiquitously expressed in mammalian systems, and results from transgenic mouse studies suggest that this protein plays a vital role in early mammalian embryonic development. Similar experiments suggest that the AhR may be involved in development of various organ systems. Thus, molecular mechanistic studies of TCDD action have contributed significantly to an improved understanding of the role of at least 2 bHLH/PAS proteins, as well as organ- and tissue-specific biochemical and toxic responses to this class of environmental toxins.

A pharmacodynamic analysis of TCDD-induced cytochrome P450 gene expression in multiple tissues: dose- and time-dependent effects

The ability of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD, dioxin) to alter gene expression and the demonstration that the induction of CYP1A2 is responsible for hepatic TCDD sequestration suggest that both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic events must be incorporated for a quantitative description of TCDD disposition. In this paper, a biologically based pharmacodynamic (BBPD) model for TCDD-induced biochemical responses in multiple tissues was developed. The parameters responsible for tissue response were estimated simultaneously with a refined physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model developed by Wang et al. (1997a), by using the time-dependent effects of TCDD on induced CYP1A1/CYP1A2 gene expression in multiple target tissues (liver, lungs, kidneys, and skin) of female Sprague-Dawley rats treated with 10 microgram TCDD/kg for 30 min, 1, 3, 8, or 24 h, or 7, 14, or 35 days. This refined BBPD model developed based on the time-course of TCDD-induced CYP1A1/CYP1A2 protein expression, and associated enzymatic activities well described the dose-dependent effects of TCDD on cytochrome P450 protein expression and associated enzyme activities in the multiple tissues of female Sprague-Dawley rats at 3 days following a single exposure to TCDD (0.01-30.0 micromgram TCDD/kg). This is the first BBPD model to quantitatively describe the time- and dose-dependent effects of TCDD on induced CYP1A1/CYP1A2 protein expression and associated enzyme activities in multiple target tissues for TCDD-induced biochemical responses.

Ah receptor-independent induction of CYP1A2 gene expression in genetically inbred mice

Acenaphthylene is a tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbon which induces hepatic methoxyresorufin O-demethylase (MROD) activity and CYP1A2 mRNA levels in 2 week-old male B6C3F1 mice. In the present study, this induction response was further investigated in genetically-inbred mice which differ in their aryl-hydrocarbon (Ah)-responsiveness. Acenapthylene (300 mg/kg) induced a 5- to 23-fold induction of MROD activity in Ah-nonresponsive (DBA and SJL) and responsive (C3H, C57/BL6, A/J, CBA and B6C3F1) mice. The highest induction response was observed in the DBA strain in which there was a 23- and 15-fold increase in activity in males and females, respectively. Acenaphthylene also caused a 2-fold increase in CYP1A2 mRNA and immunoreactive protein levels in 2 week-old DBA mice; however, this induction response was not observed in 6 week-old animals. For example, MROD activity in 6 week-old DBA mice was induced <2-fold by acenaphthylene, mainly as a consequence of increased basal CYP1A2 expression and MROD activity which, at the age of 6 weeks, approached levels induced by acenaphthylene in the 2 week-old mice. This was also observed by immunohistochemical staining with CYP1A2 antibodies of 2 and 6 week-old hepatic tissue from treated and control mice which also showed that CYP1A2 induction was dependent on the age of the animals.

Constitutive activation of the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor

The ligand-activated aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) dimerizes with the AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT) to form a functional complex that transactivates expression of the cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 gene and other genes in the dioxin-inducible [Ah] gene battery. Previous work from this laboratory has shown that the activity of the CYP1A1 enzyme negatively regulates this process. To study the relationship between CYP1A1 activity and Ah receptor activation we used CYP1A1-deficient mouse hepatoma c37 cells and CYP1A1- and AHR-deficient African green monkey kidney CV-1 cells. Using gel mobility shift and luciferase reporter gene expression assays, we found that c37 cells that had not been exposed to exogenous Ah receptor ligands already contained transcriptionally active AHR-ARNT complexes, a finding that we also observed in wild-type Hepa-1 cells treated with Ellipticine, a CYP1A1 inhibitor. In CV-1 cells, transient expression of AHR and ARNT leads to high levels of AHR-ARNT-dependent luciferase gene expression even in the absence of an agonist. Using a green fluorescent protein-tagged AHR, we showed that elevated reporter gene expression correlates with constitutive nuclear localization of the AHR. Transcriptional activation of the luciferase reporter gene observed in CV-1 cells is significantly decreased by (i) expression of a functional CYP1A1 enzyme, (ii) competition with chimeric or truncated AHR proteins containing the AHR ligand-binding domain, and (iii) treatment with the AHR antagonist alpha-naphthoflavone. These results suggest that a CYP1A1 substrate, which accumulates in cells lacking CYP1A1 enzymatic activity, is an AHR ligand responsible for endogenous activation of the Ah receptor.

Studies on the relationship between estrogen receptor content, glutathione S-transferase pi expression, and induction by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and drug resistance in human breast cancer cells

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induces both phase I and phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes in rodent liver and hepatoma cell lines and this induction is mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor. Induction of CYP1A1 by TCDD in human breast cancer cells has been reported and results of several studies suggest that the estrogen receptor (ER) may be required for Ah responsiveness. This study investigates the induction of GST pi by TCDD in human breast cancer cells and the role of the ER in mediating this response. TCDD did not induce chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) activity in ER positive (ER+) MCF-7 and ER- MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines transiently transfected with GST pi (human) or GSTP (rat) promoter-reporter constructs containing the -291/+36 and -2.9/+59 region, respectively, of the GST pi and GSTP gene promoters. Furthermore, TCDD did not induce GST pi or GSTP in MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells stably transfected with the ER. RT-PCR confirmed that GST pi mRNA levels were low in ER+ MCF-7 cells and high in ER- MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells; however, in MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells stably transfected with the ER GST pi mRNA levels remained elevated and were not inducible. MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells stably transfected with the ER exhibited increased GST activity and decreased GSH content compared to wild-type cells; however, in MDA-MB-468 cells stably transfected with ER, the susceptibility to doxorubicin, ellipticine, chlorambucil, malphalan, or cisplatin was similar to that observed in wild-type cells. Adriamycin accumulation was similar in wild-type and ER stably transfected cells and verapamil did not affect this response, suggesting that ER expression did not influence p-glycoprotein activity. Taken together these data suggest that not all GST isoforms are responsive to TCDD and stable transfection of ER- cells with ER is not sufficient to restore the ER+ phenotype in some breast cancer cell lines.

Lesions of aryl-hydrocarbon receptor-deficient mice

We have analyzed the possible role of the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in the aging process of mice using a homozygous null mouse (Ahr-/-) line as a model. We studied 52 male and female Ahr-/- mice aged from 6-13 months. Forty-six percent died or were ill by 13 months of age. Ahr-/- mice developed age-related lesions in several organs, some of which were apparent after only 9 months of age. Cardiovascular alterations included cardiomyopathy (100%) with hypertrophy and focal fibrosis. Vascular hypertrophy and mild fibrosis were found in the portal areas of the liver (81%), and vascular hypertrophy and mineralization were common in the uterus (70%). Gastric hyperplasia that progressed with age into polyps was evident in the pylorus of 71% of the mice over 9 months of age. Ahr-/- mice had T-cell deficiency in their spleens but not in other lymphoid organs. The immune system deficiency described previously could be the origin for the rectal prolapse found in 48% of the null mice, associated with Helicobacter hepaticus infection. In the dorsal skin (53% incidence), severe, localized, interfollicular and follicular epidermal hyperplasia, with hyperkeratosis and acanthosis, and marked dermal fibrosis, associated with the presence of anagenic hair follicles, were also evident. None of these lesions were found in 42 control (Ahr +/+ or +/-) mice of similar ages. These observations suggest that the AHR protein, in the absence of an apparent exogenous (xenobiotic) ligand, plays an important role in physiology and homeostasis in major organs in mice, and further supports an evolutionary conserved role for this transcription factor.

Effect of the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A on the responsiveness of rat hepatocytes to dioxin

Since histone acetylation has been implicated in the facilitation of specific gene transcription, we investigated the effect of increasing histone acetylation through inhibition of histone deacetylase on 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induction of P4501A activity in cultured rat hepatocytes. Inhibition of histone deacetylation was accomplished with addition of trichostatin A (TSA) to the incubation medium, and P4501A activity was measured spectrofluorometrically by determination of the rate of resorufin formation by ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD). While TSA alone (5-200 ng/mL) had no effect on EROD activity, TSA potentiated the effect of various concentrations (10(-12) to 10(-10) M) of TCDD. Addition of 200 ng TSA/mL with TCDD resulted in an increased EROD activity of approximately 200% compared with TCDD alone. When TSA was removed from the cells after various incubation times (2, 6, 24 hr) by successive washings with TSA-free medium, it was determined that TSA was required for 24 hr in order to potentiate the effects of a 48-hr incubation with TCDD. In addition to measurement of EROD activity, P4501A1 and 1A2 microsomal protein were determined by western immunoblotting analysis. While neither P4501A1 nor 1A2 was detectable in the presence of TSA alone, P4501A1 was present after incubation of cells with TCDD in the presence or absence of TSA. TCDD plus TSA also resulted in the formation of P4501A2. The results of this study suggest an important role for histone acetylation in the action of TCDD on induction of P4501A enzymes.

Inhibitors of serine/threonine-specific protein phosphatases stimulate transcription by the Ah receptor/Arnt dimer by affecting a step subsequent to XRE binding

The Ah receptor binds aryl hydrocarbons such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) with high affinity. After binding aryl hydrocarbons, the receptor releases the 90-kDa heat shock protein and forms a dimer with the Arnt protein capable of binding at xenobiotic-responsive elements (XREs) and stimulating the transcription of genes involved in the metabolism of aryl hydrocarbons. The activity of the Ah receptor/ Arnt dimer can be decreased by treatments causing the down-regulation of protein kinase C and decreasing the nuclear accumulation of the receptor. Incubation with acid phosphatase or with alkaline phosphatase has been reported to block XRE binding. Thus the literature suggests that phosphorylation regulates Ah receptor activity by affecting DNA binding and/or nuclear transport. A reporter plasmid containing two XREs was used to investigate the effects of phosphatase inhibitors on TCDD-dependent transcription by the Hepa-1 mouse liver cell line. The inhibitors calyculin A and okadaic acid caused two- to threefold increases in TCDD-dependent transcription at concentrations capable of selectively inhibiting protein phosphatase 1 and protein phosphatase 2A. The inhibitor cyclosporin A doubled TCDD-dependent transcription at a concentration capable of selectively inhibiting protein phosphatase 2B. All three of the phosphatase inhibitors increased TCDD-dependent transcription without affecting transcription in the absence of TCDD. Nuclear extracts were prepared from cells treated with concentrations of okadaic acid or cyclosporin A which substantially stimulated TCDD-dependent transcription. Neither of the inhibitors significantly increased the level of TCDD-dependent XRE binding in the extracts. GAL4-Arnt fusion proteins were used to further investigate whether the phosphatase inhibitors affected a step other than DNA binding. Okadaic acid treatment specifically increased the ability of a GAL4 fusion protein containing the Arnt PAS and transactivation domains to stimulate transcription. These results suggest that serine/threonine-specific protein phosphatases can act at a level subsequent to XRE binding to inhibit the ability of the Ah receptor/Arnt dimer to stimulate transcription.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated signal transduction

The aryl hydrocarbon (or dioxin) receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein that heterodimerizes with the bHLH protein ARNT (aryl hydrocarbon nuclear translocator) forming a complex that binds to xenobiotic regulatory elements in target gene enhancers. Genetic, biochemical, and molecular biology studies have revealed that the AhR mediates the toxic and biological effects of environmentally persistent dioxins and related compounds. Cloning of the receptor and its DNA-binding partner, ARNT, has facilitated detailed efforts to understand the mechanisms of AhR-mediated signal transduction. These studies have determined that this unique receptor consists of several functional domains and belongs to a subfamily of bHLH proteins that share a conserved motif termed the PAS domain. In addition, recent genetic studies have revealed that expression of the AhR is a requirement for proper embryonal development, which appears to be a common function shared by many other bHLH proteins. This review is a summary of recent molecular studies of AhR-mediated gene regulation.

Mapping sequence specific DNA-protein interactions: a versatile, quantitative method and its application to transcription factor XF1

We have developed a method for the quantitative, exhaustive sequence specificity determination of DNA-binding proteins. The QuESSD method overcomes the limitations inherent in other published in vitro selection methods, not only defining the consensus sequence, but also quantifying the effect on DNA-protein affinity of replacing each base in the recognition domain with every other base. The features distinguishing this method from other in vitro selection approaches are: (1) instead of synthesizing one target oligonucleotide population containing a long randomized domain, we synthesize several oligonucleotide populations, each randomized at two positions. (2) Instead of carrying out several cycles of selection and amplification, we carry out a single cycle. (3) We have developed data collection and analysis procedures that eliminate artifacts and allow generation of quantitative results. The QuESSD method yields accurate measures of: (a) the selectivity of the protein for each base at each position within the recognition domain (normalized relative selectivity), (b) the contributions of individual sites within the recognition domain to the binding affinity (selectivity variance), (c) the relative binding affinity of any given sequence (global selectivity). We confirmed results by (1) tabulating directly the frequency of appearance of individual species in the pool of protein-bound oligonucleotides by cloning and sequencing individual oligonucleotides, and (2) competition EMSA analysis of oligonucleotides designed on the basis of QuESSD data. We have used this method to map the sequence specificity of the nuclear protein XF1 and to distinguish the sequence specificities of XF1 and the AH receptor complex, both of which bind to XRE1, a xenobiotic responsive element (XRE) located upstream of the CYP1A1 gene. Using data obtained by the QuESSD method, we designed oligonucleotides specific for XF1 or for the AH receptor, and prepared CAT reporter gene constructs carrying these oligonucleotides, or wild-type XRE1, upstream of a minimal promoter. Transfection studies using these constructs indicated that XF1 can function as a weak activator of basal transcription, and can, under some circumstances, compete with the AH receptor for binding to XRE1.

Inhibition of estrogen-induced activity by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in the MCF-7 human breast cancer and other cell lines transfected with vitellogenin A2 gene promoter constructs

The antiestrogenic activity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) was investigated in several cell lines using transient transfection assays and constructs containing 5'-regulatory sequences from the estrogen (E2)-responsive vitellogenin (Vit) A2 gene linked to the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene. TCDD significantly inhibited CAT activity induced by E2 in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells transiently transfected with 5'-deletion plasmids containing the homologous promoter [(-821/+14)- and (-482/+14)-CAT] or the heterologous thymidine kinase (tk) promoter [(-821/-87)tk-, (-482/-87)tk-, (-397/-87)tk-, and (-331/-87)tk-CAT]. In parallel experiments using wild-type mouse Hepa 1c1c7 and human HeLa cells cotransfected with a human estrogen receptor expression plasmid, TCDD also inhibited E2-induced CAT activity. The role of the nuclear Ah receptor complex was confirmed by results of the following studies using MCF-7 or mouse Hepa 1c1c7 cells transiently transfected with E2-responsive Vit A2 gene 5'-promoter constructs: (i) for a series of Ah receptor ligands, there was a correlation between their antiestrogenic activity in MCF-7 cells and their rank order binding affinity for the Ah receptor; (ii) alpha-naphthoflavone, an Ah receptor antagonist, inhibited the antiestrogenic activity of TCDD in MCF-7 cells; and (iii) TCDD inhibited E2-induced CAT activity in Ah-responsive wild-type but not in Ah-nonresponsive class 2 mutant Hepa 1c1c7 cells. The antiestrogenic activity of TCDD was also observed in cells which transiently overexpressed the human estrogen receptor (ER), suggesting that the mechanism does not involve downregulation of the ER by TCDD.

Characterization of the rat Class 3 aldehyde dehydrogenase gene promoter

The Class 3 aldehyde dehydrogenase gene (ALDH-3) is differentially expressed. Expression is either constitutive or xenobiotic inducible via an aromatic hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor-mediated pathway, depending upon the tissue. A series of studies were performed to examine the regulation of rat ALDH-3 basal expression. DNase I footprint analysis identified four DNA regions within the proximal 1 kb of the 5' flanking region of rat ALDH-3 which interact with regulatory proteins. Reporter gene and gel mobility shift assays indicate that Sp1-like proteins interact with two proximal DNase I footprinted sites to confer strong promoter activity. Two distal DNase I footprinted sites are found within a region that inhibits rat ALDH-3 promoter activity. This negative region is bound by NF1-like proteins and/or unique proteins. This 1 kb 5' flanking region of rat ALDH-3 may act constitutively in many cell types. In contrast with other Ah receptor regulated genes, no DNA elements or transcription factors acting within this region appear to be involved in regulating xenobiotic-inducible expression of rat ALDH-3.

Identification of a novel cis-acting negative regulatory element affecting expression of the CYP1A1 gene in rat epidermal cells

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as 3-methylcholanthrene are toxic to rat epidermal cells in low passages (3 to 6), but cultures of high passage (>/=15) are resistant. Since such compounds can be metabolically activated by cytochrome P4501A1, we have examined the regulation of this gene in low and high passage cells. Consistent with this difference, little or no 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-inducible P4501A1 mRNA or enzyme activity was observed in high passage as compared to low passage cultures. Similarly, transfection of a luciferase reporter construct containing -1317 to +256 base pairs of the 5'-flanking region of the murine CYP1A1 gene was TCDD-inducible in low but not high passage cells. Ligand binding and transfection experiments demonstrated the presence of functional Ah receptor complexes in both high and low passage cells. Deletion analysis identified a 26-base pair negative regulatory DNA (NeRD) element contained within the upstream regulatory region of the CYP1A1 gene responsible for this effect. Nuclear extracts from both low and high passage cells contain a protein which specifically binds to NeRD-containing DNA. Thus, the loss of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon sensitivity in high passage rat epidermal cells appears to be due to decreased expression of CYP1A1, and this effect may be mediated by an altered NeRD binding factor(s) present in these cells.

Characterization of the molecular and structural properties of the transformed and nuclear aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor complexes by proteolytic digestion

Ligand-dependent differences in the molecular properties of the transformed cytosolic and nuclear aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) were investigated using the proteolytic clipping band shift assay. AhR complexes were incubated with [32P]dioxin responsive element (DRE) (26-mer) or bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-DRE and the resulting protein-DNA or crosslinked protein-DNA complexes were treated with trypsin or V8 protease and analyzed by electrophoresis. The results showed that for several different AhR ligands including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran, 1,2,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran and alpha-naphthoflavone, the pattern of degraded protein-DNA products were similar using transformed cytosolic or nuclear AhR complexes. In contrast, the proteolytic clipping band shift assay showed that there were significant differences in the pattern of degraded protein-DNA products using nuclear AhR complexes derived from mouse Hepa 1c1c7 cells treated with TCDD or 6-methyl-1,3,8-trichlorodibenzofuran (MCDF). The differences detected in this in vitro assay parallel the in vivo and in vitro activities of these compounds in which TCDD is a potent AhR agonist whereas MCDF is a partial AhR agonist and antagonist.

Mouse microsomal Class 3 aldehyde dehydrogenase: AHD3 cDNA sequence, inducibility by dioxin and clofibrate, and genetic mapping

We have cloned and sequenced the mouse AHD3 cDNA, which codes for the Class 3 microsomal aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH3m). The cDNA is 2,997 bp in length excluding the poly(A)+ tail, and has 5' and 3' non-translated regions of 113 bp and 1,429 bp, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence consists of 484 amino acids, including the first methionine (Mr = 53,942), and contains a hydrophobic segment at the carboxyl terminus which is the putative membrane anchor. The mouse AHD3 protein was found to be: 95% similar to the rat microsomal ALDH3m protein, 65% identical to the mouse, rat and human cytosolic ALDH3c protein, and <28% similar to the rat Class 1 and Class 2 ALDH and methylmalonate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase proteins. Southern hybridization analysis of mouse cDNA probed with the full-length AHD3 cDNA revealed that the Ahd3 gene likely spans less than a total of 25 kb. The mouse Ahd3 gene is very tightly linked to the Ahd4 gene on chromosome 11. Mouse AHD3 mRNA levels are increased by dioxin in mouse Hepa-1c1c7 hepatoma wild-type (wt) cells but not in the Ah receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT)-defective (c4) mutant line, indicating that the induction process is mediated by the Ah (aromatic hydrocarbon) dioxin-binding receptor. AHD3 mRNA levels are also inducible by clofibrate in both the wt and c4 lines. AHD3 mRNA levels are not elevated in the CYP1A1 metabolism-deficient c37 mutant line or as part of the oxidative stress response found in the untreated 14CoS/14CoS mouse cell line. These data indicate that, although inducible by dioxin, the Ahd3 gene does not qualify as a member of the aromatic hydrocarbon [Ah] gene battery.

Effect of transient expression of the oestrogen receptor on constitutive and inducible CYP1A1 in Hs578T human breast cancer cells

Hs578T human breast cancer cells are an oestrogen receptor (ER)-negative cell line. Treatment of these cells with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) resulted in formation of a 6.9 S nuclear aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor complex, which bound to a [32P]dioxin-responsive element in a gel electrophoretic mobility shift assay. However, TCDD does not induce CYP1A1 gene expression or chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) activity in cells transiently transfected with pRNH11c or pMCAT5.12, which are Ah-responsive plasmids derived from the 5'-flanking region of the human and murine CYP1A1 genes respectively. Restoration of Ah responsiveness was investigated by co-transfecting Hs578T cells with pRNH11c or pMCAT5.12 and plasmids that express the ER (hER), Ah receptor (AhR) and AhR nuclear translocator (Arnt) proteins. ER expression resulted in significantly increased basal CAT activity; however, TCDD did not induce CAT activity in the transiently transfected cells. Expression of the AhR or Arnt proteins did not alter basal or inducible CAT activity. Expression of N- or C-terminal truncated ER in Hs578T resulted in differential regulation of Ah responsiveness. In Hs578T cells transiently expressing the ER, which contains C-terminal deletions (amino acids 282-595), basal CAT activity was also increased; however, Ah responsiveness was not restored. In contrast, transient expression of N-terminal-deleted (amino acids 1-178) ER resulted in a marked decrease in basal CAT activity but a restoration of Ah responsiveness. These results suggest that basal and inducible CAT activity in Hs578T cells transiently transfected with pRNH11c is modulated differentially by ER domains that are present in the N- and C-terminal regions of the ER.

Molecular mechanism of inhibition of estrogen-induced cathepsin D gene expression by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in MCF-7 cells

17 beta-Estradiol (E2) induces cathepsin D mRNA levels and intracellular levels of immunoreactive protein in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) alone does not affect cathepsin D gene expression in this cell line; however, in cells cotreated with TCDD and E2, TCDD inhibited E2-induced cathepsin D mRNA levels, the rate of gene transcription, and levels of immunoreactive protein. The inhibitory responses were observed within 30 to 120 min after the cells were treated with TCDD. TCDD also inhibited E2-induced secreted alkaline phosphatase activity in aryl hydrocarbon (Ah)-responsive MCF-7 and wild-type mouse Hepa 1c1c7 cells cotransfected with the human estrogen receptor (hER) and the pBC12/S1/pac plasmid, which contains the 5' promoter region (-296/+57) of the cathepsin D gene and an alkaline phosphatase reporter gene. The E2-responsive ER/Sp1 sequence (-199 to -165) in the cathepsin D 5' region contains an imperfect GTGCGTG (-175/-181) xenobiotic responsive element (XRE); the role of this sequence in Ah responsiveness was investigated in gel electrophoretic mobility shift assays and with plasmid constructs containing a wild-type ER/Sp1 oligonucleotide or a mutant ER/Sp1-"XRE" oligonucleotide containing two C-->A mutations in the XRE sequence (antisense strand). In plasmid constructs which contained a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene and the wild-type ER/Sp1 promoter sequence, E2-induced chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity and mRNA levels were inhibited by TCDD whereas no inhibition was observed with the mutant ER/Sp1-"XRE" plasmids. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that the nuclear or transformed cytosolic Ah receptor complex blocked formation of the ER-Sp1 complex with the wild-type but not the ER/Sp1 mutant oligonucleotide. Moreover, incubation of the wild-type bromodeoxyuridine-substituted ER/Sp1 oligonucleotide with the nuclear Ah receptor complex gave a specifically bound cross-linked 200-kDa band. These data demonstrate that Ah receptor-mediated inhibition of E2-induced cathepsin D gene expression is due to disruption of the ER-Sp1 complex by targeted interaction with an overlapping XRE.

Identification of a transcriptional regulatory region of the rat pancreatitis-associated protein I (PAP I) gene that confers tissue specificity

We have previously characterized the rat pancreatitis-associated protein I (PAP I) gene by nucleotide sequencing. We describe in this paper its promoter region by analysing the regulatory functions associated with the DNA sequence comprising nt -1253 to + 10 of the gene. That sequence strongly promoted the transcription of the promotorless chloramphenicol acetyltranferase (CAT) gene in cells of pancreatic origin (AR-42J) but not in cells of non-pancreatic origin (Rat 2 and IEC 6). The influence on CAT expression of stepwise 5' deletions in the promoter sequence was monitored in the three cell lines. In pancreatic AR-42J cells, deletion down to position -926 did not affect significantly the expression of the reporter gene. Deletion to nt -685 caused about a 30% decrease in expression. Extending the deletion to nt -444 did not have any additional effect, but a further deletion to nt -180, resulted in a reduction to about 25%. Moreover, deletion from nt -180 to -118 resulted in a further reduction to about one-third of that. Finally, deletion down to nt -61 further reduced activity by a factor of 3, although it remained above background. These results suggest the presence of several positive cis-acting elements in the PAP I promoter. In non-pancreatic cells, CAT expression remained very low when the promoter was deleted down to nt -180. Yet, deletion from -180 to -118 significantly increased CAT expression, suggesting suppression of a negative cis-acting element. Further deletion down to nt -61 decreased CAT activity by a factor of 5. The region between nt -180 and -61 was subjected to footprint analysis. A similar pattern of DNase protection was obtained with AR-42J and Rat 2 nuclear extracts, the only protected region extending from nt -125 to -95. That region was further analysed by inserting the nt -180 to -81 fragment, in both orientations, upstream of thymidine kinase (TK) or simian virus 40 (SV40) promoter-CAT constructs. In all cases CAT expression was increased in pancreatic cells but reduced in Rat 2 cells. These results indicated the presence of cell-specific positive and negative elements within that region.

Immune system impairment and hepatic fibrosis in mice lacking the dioxin-binding Ah receptor

The aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor (AHR) mediates many carcinogenic and teratogenic effects of environmentally toxic chemicals such as dioxin. An AHR-deficient (Ahr-/-) mouse line was constructed by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells. Almost half of the mice died shortly after birth, whereas survivors reached maturity and were fertile. The Ahr-/- mice showed decreased accumulation of lymphocytes in the spleen and lymph nodes, but not in the thymus. The livers of Ahr-/- mice were reduced in size by 50 percent and showed bile duct fibrosis Ahr-/- mice were also nonresponsive with regard to dioxin-mediated induction of genes encoding enzymes that catalyze the metabolism of foreign compounds. Thus, the AHR plays an important role in the development of the liver and the immune system.

Comparison of expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 3 and CYP1A1 in dominant and recessive aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase-deficient mutant mouse hepatoma cells

The mouse hepatoma cell line Hepa-1 is inducible by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) for both CYP1A1 (aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, AHH) and class 3 aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH3) enzymes. To test the hypothesis of a common regulatory mechanism, several AHH deficient mutants of Hepa-1 were studied for their ALDH3 activities and specific mRNA levels before and after TCDD treatment. The recessive (with respect to the wild-type Hepa-1) mutants have defects in Cypla-1 structural gene (mutant c1) or in the Ah (aryl hydrocarbon) receptor (mutants c2 and c6 with decreased levels of Ah receptor; mutant c4 defective in the DNA binding of the Ah receptor). The results with these mutants suggested that Ah receptor nuclear translocator protein, ARNT, is needed for ALDH3 expression. Two dominant mutants, one of which is characterized by preventing the binding of the Ah receptor complex to DNA, were also studied. Surprisingly, these mutants possessed elevated levels of ALDH3 mRNA and enzyme activities which were also inducible by TCDD. The binding of Ah receptor-ligand complex to DNA was thus not needed for the expression of ALDH3. A dominant repressor for Cypla-1 gene transcription did not prevent the derepression or induction of ALDH3. The results thus suggest that Aldh-3 gene is regulated by a mechanism independent of the Ah receptor.

Modulation of gene expression and endocrine response pathways by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and related compounds

The aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor binds several different structural classes of chemicals, including halogenated aromatics, typified by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), polynuclear aromatic and heteropolynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. TCDD induces expression of several genes including CYP1A1, and molecular biology studies show that the Ah receptor acts as a nuclear ligand-induced transcription factor that interacts with xenobiotic or dioxin responsive elements located in 5'-flanking regions of responsive genes. TCDD also elicits diverse toxic effects, modulates endocrine pathways and inhibits a broad spectrum of estrogen (17 beta-estradiol)-induced responses in rodents and human breast cancer cell lines. Molecular biology studies show that TCDD inhibited 17 beta-estradiol-induced cathepsin D gene expression by targeted interaction of the nuclear Ah receptor with imperfect dioxin responsive elements strategically located within the estrogen receptor-Sp1 enhancer sequence of this gene.

Cellular and molecular biology of aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor-mediated gene expression

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and related compounds elicit diverse toxic and biochemical responses in laboratory animals and mammalian cells in culture. TCDD induces CYP1A1 gene expression and results of extensive research have delineated the molecular mechanism of this response. In target cells, TCDD initially binds to the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor which accumulates in the nucleus as an Ah-receptor:aryl hydrocarbon nuclear translocator (Arnt) protein heterodimeric complex. The nuclear Ah receptor complex acts as a ligand-induced transcription factor which binds to transacting genomic dioxin/xenobiotic responsive elements (DREs/XREs) located in the 5'-regulatory region upstream from the initiation start site and this interaction results in transactivation of gene transcription. DREs have been identified in several other genes which are induced by TCDD, including CYP1A2, aldehyde-3-dehydrogenase, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase, and glutathione S transferase Ya and similar induction response pathways have been observed or proposed. However, TCDD and other Ah receptor agonists also inhibit expression of several genes and research in this laboratory has investigated inhibition of estrogen (E2)-induced genes including uterine epidermal growth factor, c-fos protooncogene, and the progesterone receptor, estrogen receptor (ER) and cathepsin D genes in human breast cancer cell lines. In MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, E2 induces cathepsin D gene expression and this is associated with formation of an ER/Sp1 complex at the sequence in the promoter region (-199/-165) of this gene. Within 30 min TCDD causes a rapid inhibition of E2-induced cathepsin D gene expression in MCF-7 cells. Moreover, using a series of synthetic oligonucleotides which include the wild-type ER/Sp1 and various mutants, it was shown by gel electromobility shift and transient transfection assays that the nuclear Ah receptor complex binds to an imperfect DRE located between the ER and Sp1 binding sequences. This interaction results in disruption of the ER/Sp1 complex and inhibition of E2-induced gene expression. These results illustrate that the nuclear Ah receptor complex also exhibits activity as a negative transcription factor via a mechanism which is similar to that reported for Ah receptor-mediated induction of gene expression.

The glutathione S-transferase supergene family: regulation of GST and the contribution of the isoenzymes to cancer chemoprotection and drug resistance

The glutathione S-transferases (GST) represent a major group of detoxification enzymes. All eukaryotic species possess multiple cytosolic and membrane-bound GST isoenzymes, each of which displays distinct catalytic as well as noncatalytic binding properties: the cytosolic enzymes are encoded by at least five distantly related gene families (designated class alpha, mu, pi, sigma, and theta GST), whereas the membrane-bound enzymes, microsomal GST and leukotriene C4 synthetase, are encoded by single genes and both have arisen separately from the soluble GST. Evidence suggests that the level of expression of GST is a crucial factor in determining the sensitivity of cells to a broad spectrum of toxic chemicals. In this article the biochemical functions of GST are described to show how individual isoenzymes contribute to resistance to carcinogens, antitumor drugs, environmental pollutants, and products of oxidative stress. A description of the mechanisms of transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of GST isoenzymes is provided to allow identification of factors that may modulate resistance to specific noxious chemicals. The most abundant mammalian GST are the class alpha, mu, and pi enzymes and their regulation has been studied in detail. The biological control of these families is complex as they exhibit sex-, age-, tissue-, species-, and tumor-specific patterns of expression. In addition, GST are regulated by a structurally diverse range of xenobiotics and, to date, at least 100 chemicals have been identified that induce GST; a significant number of these chemical inducers occur naturally and, as they are found as nonnutrient components in vegetables and citrus fruits, it is apparent that humans are likely to be exposed regularly to such compounds. Many inducers, but not all, effect transcriptional activation of GST genes through either the antioxidant-responsive element (ARE), the xenobiotic-responsive element (XRE), the GST P enhancer 1(GPE), or the glucocorticoid-responsive element (GRE). Barbiturates may transcriptionally activate GST through a Barbie box element. The involvement of the Ah-receptor, Maf, Nrl, Jun, Fos, and NF-kappa B in GST induction is discussed. Many of the compounds that induce GST are themselves substrates for these enzymes, or are metabolized (by cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases) to compounds that can serve as GST substrates, suggesting that GST induction represents part of an adaptive response mechanism to chemical stress caused by electrophiles. It also appears probable that GST are regulated in vivo by reactive oxygen species (ROS), because not only are some of the most potent inducers capable of generating free radicals by redox-cycling, but H2O2 has been shown to induce GST in plant and mammalian cells: induction of GST by ROS would appear to represent an adaptive response as these enzymes detoxify some of the toxic carbonyl-, peroxide-, and epoxide-containing metabolites produced within the cell by oxidative stress. Class alpha, mu, and pi GST isoenzymes are overexpressed in rat hepatic preneoplastic nodules and the increased levels of these enzymes are believed to contribute to the multidrug-resistant phenotype observed in these lesions. The majority of human tumors and human tumor cell lines express significant amounts of class pi GST. Cell lines selected in vitro for resistance to anticancer drugs frequently overexpress class pi GST, although overexpression of class alpha and mu isoenzymes is also often observed. The mechanisms responsible for overexpression of GST include transcriptional activation, stabilization of either mRNA or protein, and gene amplification. In humans, marked interindividual differences exist in the expression of class alpha, mu, and theta GST. The molecular basis for the variation in class alpha GST is not known. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)