p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase regulates nuclear receptor CAR that activates the CYP2B6 gene

Human orphan cytochromes P450: An update

Orphan cytochromes P450 (CYP) are enzymes whose biological functions and substrates are unknown. However, the use of new experimental strategies has allowed obtaining more information about their relevance in the metabolism of endogenous and exogenous compounds. Likewise, the modulation of their expression and activity has been associated with pathogenesis and prognosis in different diseases. In this work, we review the regulatory pathways and the possible role of orphan CYP to provide evidence that allow us to stop considering some of them as orphan enzymes and to propose them as possible therapeutic targets in the design of new strategies for the treatment of diseases associated with CYP-mediated metabolism.

The role of pregnane X receptor (PXR) in substance metabolism

As a member of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily, pregnane X receptor (PXR; NR1I2) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that plays a crucial role in the metabolism of xenobiotics and endobiotics in mammals. The tissue distribution of PXR is parallel to its function with high expression in the liver and small intestine and moderate expression in the kidney, stomach, skin, and blood-brain barrier, which are organs and tissues in frequent contact with xenobiotics. PXR was first recognized as an exogenous substance receptor regulating metabolizing enzymes and transporters and functioning in detoxification and drug metabolism in the liver. However, further research revealed that PXR acts as an equally important endogenous substance receptor in the metabolism and homeostasis of endogenous substances. In this review, we summarized the functions of PXR in metabolism of different substances such as glucose, lipid, bile acid, vitamin, minerals, and endocrines, and also included insights of the application of PXR ligands (drugs) in specific diseases.

Xenobiotic Receptor CAR Is Highly Induced in Psoriasis and Promotes Keratinocyte Proliferation

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with abnormal epidermal proliferation. Xenobiotics contribute to the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The mechanism linking xenobiotic stimuli with epidermal proliferation remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of CAR, a nuclear receptor (NR1I3) responsible for xenobiotics detoxification. We showed that CAR and its target genes were induced in the lesions from patients with psoriasis and imiquimod-treated mice. Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-17A, IL-22, oncostatin M, IL-1α, and TNF-α) synergistically increased the expressions of CAR and its target genes in both human and mouse keratinocytes. Overexpression of CAR promoted the G1/S transition by regulating cyclin E and c-Myc expressions, whereas the silencing of CAR attenuated it. Importantly, a selective CAR agonist 6-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazo(2,1-b)(1,3)thiazole-5-carbaldehyde O-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)oxime or the proinflammatory cytokines induced cyclin E and c-Myc, which were largely blocked by clotrimazole, a selective CAR antagonist, or CAR small interfering RNA. In addition, we showed that topical application of 1,4-bis[2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy)]benzene, a selective agonist for mouse CAR, exacerbated the IMQ-induced psoriasis lesions with increased expressions of proliferative and inflammatory markers. In contrast, Car-knockout mice developed significantly milder lesions. In conclusion, these results showed that CAR plays a pathogenic role and, potentially, may be a target for the treatment of psoriasis.

Influence of signaling kinases on functional dynamics of nuclear receptor CAR

Constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) is a xenobiotic nuclear receptor known to regulate genes involved in key physiological processes like drug metabolism, maintenance of energy homeostasis, and cell proliferation. Owing to the diverse regulatory roles played by the receptor, it is critical to understand the precise cellular signals that dictate functional dynamics of CAR. With the objective of exploring the hitherto unknown regulatory pathways modulating CAR, we subjected the CAR protein sequence to a kinase prediction tool and identified several kinases recognizing CAR as a substrate. Using fluorescence live cell imaging and specific inhibitors it was observed that CAR functions under the regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) signaling cascade. Additionally, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1)-mediated inhibition of GSK3 also induced nuclear translocation of CAR linking CAR to the Akt signaling pathway. Identification of T38 residue of CAR as the GSK3 target site further substantiated our observations. Taking cues from these findings, we propose a hypothetical model elucidating the GSK3-mediated regulation of CAR dynamics through the involvement of Akt pathway. Further research into this area is expected to provide novel therapeutic targets in disease conditions like type 2 diabetes and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Constitutive androstane receptor regulates the intestinal mucosal response to injury

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The pathogenesis of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), comprising Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), involves aberrant interactions between a genetically susceptible individual, their microbiota and environmental factors. Alterations in xenobiotic receptor expression and function are associated with increased risk for IBD. Here, we have assessed the role of the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), a xenobiotic receptor closely related to the pregnane X receptor, in the regulation of intestinal mucosal homeostasis.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

CAR expression was assessed in intestinal mucosal biopsies obtained from CD and UC patients, and in C57/Bl6 mice exposed to dextran sulphate sodium (DSS; 3.5% w/v in drinking water) to evoke intestinal inflammation and tissue damage. CAR-deficient mice were exposed to DSS and mucosal healing assessed. Modulation of wound healing by CAR was assessed in vitro. The therapeutic potential of CAR activation was evaluated, using 3,3',5,5'-tetrachloro-1,4-bis(pyridyloxy)benzene (TCPOBOP), a selective rodent CAR agonist.

KEY RESULTS

CAR expression was reduced in CD and UC samples, compared with expression in healthy controls. This was reproduced in our DSS studies, where CAR expression was reduced in colitic mice. CAR-deficient mice exhibited reduced healing following DSS exposure. In vitro, CAR activation accelerated intestinal epithelial wound healing by enhancing cell migration. Lastly, treating mice with TCPOBOP, following induction of colitis, enhanced mucosal healing.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Our results support the notion that xenobiotic sensing is altered during intestinal inflammation, and suggest that CAR activation may prove effective in enhancing mucosal healing in patients with IBD.

Phenobarbital Meets Phosphorylation of Nuclear Receptors

Phenobarbital was the first therapeutic drug to be characterized for its induction of hepatic drug metabolism. Essentially at the same time, cytochrome P450, an enzyme that metabolizes drugs, was discovered. After nearly 50 years of investigation, the molecular target of phenobarbital induction has now been delineated to phosphorylation at threonine 38 of the constitutive androstane receptor (NR1I3), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Determining this mechanism has provided us with the molecular basis to understand drug induction of drug metabolism and disposition. Threonine 38 is conserved as a phosphorylation motif in the majority of both mouse and human nuclear receptors, providing us with an opportunity to integrate diverse functions of nuclear receptors. Here, I review the works and accomplishments of my laboratory at the National Institutes of Health National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the future research directions of where our study of the constitutive androstane receptor might take us.

Transactivation Assays to Assess Canine and Rodent Pregnane X Receptor (PXR) and Constitutive Androstane Receptor (CAR) Activation

The pregnane X receptor (PXR/SXR, NR1I2) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR, NR1I3) are nuclear receptors (NRs) involved in the regulation of many genes including cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) and transporters important in metabolism and uptake of both endogenous substrates and xenobiotics. Activation of these receptors can lead to adverse drug effects as well as drug-drug interactions. Depending on which nuclear receptor is activated will determine which adverse effect could occur, making identification important. Screening for NR activation by New Molecular Entities (NMEs) using cell-based transactivation assays is the singular high throughput method currently available for identifying the activation of a particular NR. Moreover, screening for species-specific NR activation can minimize the use of animals in drug development and toxicology studies. With this in mind, we have developed in vitro transactivation assays to identify compounds that activate canine and rat PXR and CAR3. We found differences in specificity for canine and rat PXR, with the best activator for canine PXR being 10 μM SR12813 (60.1 ± 3.1-fold) and for rat PXR, 10 μM dexamethasone (60.9 ± 8.4 fold). Of the 19 test agents examined, 10 and 9 significantly activated rat and canine PXR at varying degrees, respectively. In contrast, 5 compounds exhibited statistically significant activation of rat CAR3 and 4 activated the canine receptor. For canine CAR3, 50 μM artemisinin proved to be the best activator (7.3 ± 1.8 and 10.5 ± 2.2 fold) while clotrimazole (10 μM) was the primary activator of the rat variant (13.7 ± 0.8 and 26.9 ± 1.3 fold). Results from these studies demonstrated that cell-based transactivation assays can detect species-specific activators and revealed that PXR was activated by at least twice as many compounds as was CAR3, suggesting that there are many more agonists for PXR than CAR.

Activation of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase by Clotrimazole Induces Multidrug Resistance-Associated Protein 3 Activation through a Novel Transcriptional Element

Multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (MRP3) is a basolaterally localized transporter in the liver and contributes to the transport of various metabolites such as conjugates of endogenous compounds and drugs from hepatocytes. MRP3 expression in the human liver is low under normal physiologic conditions but is induced by drug treatment. Although several studies have identified a region necessary for the basal transcription of MRP3, no region that responds to drugs has been reported. To identify the xenobiotic-responsive elements of MRP3, we constructed a luciferase reporter plasmid containing the MRP3 5'-flanking region up to -10 kb upstream from the transcription start site. Among typical nuclear receptor ligands, clotrimazole dramatically enhanced MRP3 reporter activity in HepG2 cells, whereas rifampicin had no effect. We then conducted MRP3 reporter assays with deletion or mutation constructs to identify a clotrimazole-responsive element. The element was located approximately -6.8 kb upstream from the MRP3 transcription start site. Overexpression of the pregnane X receptor did not enhance clotrimazole-mediated transcription. We found that clotrimazole was toxic to HepG2 cells and we therefore investigated whether mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation is involved in the transactivation of MRP3 by clotrimazole. p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 [4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)1H-imidazole] suppressed MRP3 mRNA expression induced by clotrimazole, whereas c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitor SP600125 (1,9-pyrazoloanthrone) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitor PD98059 [2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one] did not. Phosphorylated p38 MAPK was detected in HepG2 cells treated with clotrimazole. These results suggest that activation of the p38 MAPK pathway induces the transcriptional activation of MRP3.

p38 MAP Kinase Links CAR Activation and Inactivation in the Nucleus via Phosphorylation at Threonine 38

Nuclear receptor constitutive androstane receptor (CAR, NR1I3), which regulates hepatic drug and energy metabolisms as well as cell growth and death, is sequestered in the cytoplasm as its inactive form phosphorylated at threonine 38. CAR activators elicit dephosphorylation, and nonphosphorylated CAR translocates into the nucleus to activate its target genes. CAR was previously found to require p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) to transactivate the cytochrome P450 2B (CYP2B) genes. Here we have demonstrated that p38 MAPK forms a complex with CAR, enables it to bind to the response sequence, phenobarbital-responsive enhancer module (PBREM), within the CYP2B promoter, and thus recruits RNA polymerase II to activate transcription. Subsequently, p38 MAPK elicited rephosphorylation of threonine 38 to inactivate CAR and exclude it from the nucleus. Thus, nuclear p38 MAPK exerted dual regulation by sequentially activating and inactivating CAR-mediated transcription through phosphorylation of threonine 38.

Regulation of gene expression by CAR: an update

The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a well-known xenosensor that regulates hepatic drug metabolism and detoxification. CAR activation can be elicited by a large variety of xenobiotics, including phenobarbital (PB) which is not a directly binding CAR ligand. The mechanism of CAR activation is complex and involves translocation from the cytoplasm into the nucleus, followed by further activation steps in the nucleus. Recently, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been identified as a PB-responsive receptor, and PB activates CAR by inhibiting the EGFR signaling. In addition to regulation of drug metabolism, activation of CAR has multiple biological end points such as modulation of xenobiotic-elicited liver injury, and the role of CAR in endobiotic functions such as glucose metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis is increasingly recognized. Thus, investigations on the molecular mechanism of CAR activation are critical for the real understanding of CAR-mediated processes. Here, we summarize the current understanding of mechanisms by which CAR activators regulate gene expression through cellular signaling pathways and the roles of CAR on xenobiotic-elicited hepatocellular carcinoma, liver injury, glucose metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis.

Deciphering the roles of the constitutive androstane receptor in energy metabolism

The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) is initially defined as a xenobiotic nuclear receptor that protects the liver from injury. Detoxification of damaging chemicals is achieved by CAR-mediated induction of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters. More recent research has implicated CAR in energy metabolism, suggesting a therapeutic potential for CAR in metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. A better understanding of the mechanisms by which CAR regulates energy metabolism will allow us to take advantage of its effectiveness while avoiding its side effects. This review summarizes the current progress on the regulation of CAR nuclear translocation, upstream modulators of CAR activity, and the crosstalk between CAR and other transcriptional factors, with the aim of elucidating how CAR regulates glucose and lipid metabolism.

Signaling control of the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR)

The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR, NR1I3) plays a crucial role in the regulation of drug metabolism, energy homeostasis, and cancer development through modulating the transcription of its numerous target genes. Different from prototypical nuclear receptors, CAR can be activated by either direct ligand binding or ligand-independent (indirect) mechanisms both initiated with nuclear translocation of CAR from the cytoplasm. In comparison to the well-defined ligand-based activation, indirect activation of CAR appears to be exclusively involved in the nuclear translocation through mechanisms yet to be fully understood. Accumulating evidence reveals that without activation, CAR forms a protein complex in the cytoplasm where it can be functionally affected by multiple signaling pathways. In this review, we discuss recent progresses in our understanding of the signaling regulation of CAR nuclear accumulation and activation. We expect that this review will also provide greater insight into the similarity and difference between the mechanisms of direct vs. indirect human CAR activation.

Metformin represses drug-induced expression of CYP2B6 by modulating the constitutive androstane receptor signaling

Metformin is currently the most widely used drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Mechanistically, metformin interacts with many protein kinases and transcription factors that alter the expression of numerous downstream target genes governing lipid metabolism, cell proliferation, and drug metabolism. The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR, NR1i3), a known xenobiotic sensor, has recently been recognized as a novel signaling molecule, in that its activation could be regulated by protein kinases in addition to the traditional ligand binding. We show that metformin could suppress drug-induced expression of CYP2B6 (a typical target gene of CAR) by modulating the phosphorylation status of CAR. In human hepatocytes, metformin robustly suppressed the expression of CYP2B6 induced by both indirect (phenobarbital) and direct CITCO [6-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazo[2,1-b]1,3thiazole-5-carbaldehyde O-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)oxime] activators of human CAR. Mechanistic investigation revealed that metformin specifically enhanced the phosphorylation of threonine-38 of CAR, which blocks CAR nuclear translocation and activation. Moreover, we showed that phosphorylation of CAR by metformin was primarily an AMP-activated protein kinase- and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2-dependent event. Additional two-hybrid and coimmunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that metformin could also disrupt CITCO-mediated interaction between CAR and the steroid receptor coactivator 1 or the glucocorticoid receptor-interacting protein 1. Our results suggest that metformin is a potent repressor of drug-induced CYP2B6 expression through specific inhibition of human CAR activation. Thus, metformin may affect the metabolism and clearance of drugs that are CYP2B6 substrates.