Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0019204 (hepatocellular carcinoma)
 71,386 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In vitro systems such as primary cells and cell lines are of growing importance in ecotoxicology. Cells from different tissues and species of fish are used for the assessment of toxic action of chemicals and evaluation of environmental samples. For organotins and substituted phenols, we have found that the in vitro cytotoxicity is positively correlated with the acute toxicity in vivo, and therefore cytotoxicity assays may serve as an alternative for acute fish toxicity testing. We have been using the hepatocellular carcinoma (PLHC-1) cell line for the assessment of the cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) induction potential of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitro-PAHs and azaarenes. For these compounds, the CYP1A induction potential is found to be related to the molecular structure and lipophilicity. In mixtures, CYP1A induction of individual compounds is additive. Based on the comparative investigation of the induction potential we derived an induction equivalency (IEQ) concept that can be applied for the evaluation of environmental samples such as landfill leachates, sediments and motorway runoffs. Fish cell lines are also valuable, rapid and cost-effective tools for the assessment of estrogenic activity of chemicals and environmental samples. We have developed an estrogen-responsive reporter gene system using the rainbow trout gonad cell line RTG-2, in which an estrogen receptor beta form is expressed at very low levels, but is not inducible. As the estrogenic activity is dependent on the cellular level of estrogen receptor (ER), ER has to be co-transfected in transient transfections in addition to an estrogen-responsive reporter gene. Using a dual luciferase system, the estrogenic activity of 12 compounds including alkylphenols, DDT-isomers and its metabolites have been assessed. Our system shows a high sensitivity with a detection limit of 0.05 nM estradiol and is therefore more sensitive than many other mammalian or yeast systems. The relative estrogenic activity (e.g. o,p'-DDT) and other toxicological effects may differ from those in mammalian systems, indicating that a risk evaluation for fish could only be meaningfully assessed in fish-specific systems. This paper illustrates the versatility and high potential of fish cell lines in ecotoxicology.
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PMID:Fish cell lines as versatile tools in ecotoxicology: assessment of cytotoxicity, cytochrome P4501A induction potential and estrogenic activity of chemicals and environmental samples. 1156 81

It has been hypothesized that environmental contaminants that modulate endocrine signaling pathways may be causally linked to adverse health effects in humans. There has been particular concern regarding synthetic estrogens and their role in disrupting normal development of the male reproductive tract. Most estrogenic industrial compounds, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and nonylphenol, typically bind estrogen receptors alpha (ERalpha) and beta (ERbeta) and induce transactivation of estrogen-responsive genes/reporter genes, but their potencies are usually > or = 1,000-fold lower than observed for 17beta-estradiol (E2). Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) represent another class of synthetic estrogens that are being developed for treatment of hormone-dependent problems. The SERMs differentially activate wild-type ERalpha and variant forms expressing activation function 1 (ER-AF1) and AF2 (ER-AF2) in human HepG2 hepatoma cells transfected with a pC3-luciferase construct, and these in vitro differences reflect their unique in vivo biologies. The HepG2 cell assay has also been used in our laboratories to investigate the estrogenic activities of the following structurally diverse synthetic and phytoestrogens: 4'-hydroxytamoxifen; BPA; 2',4',6'-trichloro-4-biphenylol; 2',3',4',5'-tetrachloro-4-biphenylol; p-t-octylphenol; p-nonylphenol; naringenin; kepone; resveratrol; and 2,2-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (HPTE). The results show that synthetic and phytoestrogens induce distinct patterns of gene activation in HepG2 and U2 osteogenic sarcoma cells, suggesting that these compounds will induce tissue-specific in vivo ER agonist or antagonist activities. The predicted differences between these compounds, based on results of the in vitro bioassay, have been confirmed. For example, BPA inhibits E2-induced responses in the rodent uterus, and HPTE and structurally related compounds are ERalpha agonists and ERbeta antagonists in assays carried out in HepG2 and other cancer cell lines.
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PMID:Toxicology of environmental estrogens. 1180 Jan 69

The expression of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-r) gene is stimulated by estrogen in vivo, although its promoter does not contain a classical estrogen-responsive element, suggesting an alternative mechanism of estrogen-regulated expression of this gene. The aim of this work was to assess whether estrogen-stimulated transcription of the LDL-r gene depends on tyrosine kinase (TK) and protein kinase C (PKC) activation, both signaling pathways being activated by estrogen in vivo and in hepatoma cells. Therefore, in HepG2 cells cotransfected with estrogen receptor-alpha, estrogen-stimulated transcription of LDL-r-promoter reporter plasmid was analyzed in the absence and presence of TK and PKC inhibitors. The expression of LDL-r was also compared with the transcription of the complement gene, which contains a classical estrogen-responsive element sequence. Our results demonstrate that the induction of LDL-r expression by estrogen requires longer stimulation than that necessary for complement induction. Moreover, basal transcription of the LDL-r gene depends on PKC activity, while estrogen-stimulated activation of the LDL-r-promoter requires TK activity, pointing to a role of these non-classical estrogen-stimulated pathways in the transcriptional regulation of the LDL-r.
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PMID:Role of tyrosine kinase signaling in estrogen-induced LDL receptor gene expression in HepG2 cells. 1188 Feb 39

Estradiol has been shown to decrease levels of the cell adhesion molecule E-selectin in cultured cells and in women on hormone replacement therapy. We set out to determine if the mechanism of estradiol action on E-selectin is at the level of its promoter. It was found that estradiol repressed the cytokine-stimulated induction of luciferase activity driven by the human E-selectin promoter in a reporter plasmid (hE-sel-LUC) in co-transfected human hepatoma cells (Hep G2) and human umbilical cord endothelial cells (ECV-304). Repression by estradiol was dependent on the presence of transfected estrogen receptor (ER) alpha or beta expression vectors. The ER antagonist ICI-182,780 blocked the repression by estradiol, confirming the receptor-dependence of the effect. The intact DNA-binding domain of ERalpha was required for estradiol repression of the cytokine-induced stimulation of the promoter in each cell line as demonstrated by the inability of an ER construct with two point mutations in the DNA-binding domain to inhibit reporter activity. Mutation of the NFK-B site at -94 to -85 within the E-selectin promoter led to less stimulation of hE-sel-LUC by interleukin one beta (IL-1beta). Estradiol did not inhibit this IL-1beta stimulated luciferase activity, indicating that the NFK-B site is necessary for ER-mediated inhibition of this promoter. Mutation of the AP-1 site at -500 to -494 within the E-selectin promoter had no effect on the ability of IL-1beta to stimulate its transcription, and estradiol repressed this activation in an ER-dependent manner with identical efficacy and potency in comparison with the wild-type promoter. Therefore, the E-selectin promoter is down-regulated by estradiol working through either ERalpha or ERbeta and requires the NFK-B site at -94 to -85 within the promoter.
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PMID:17beta-Estradiol inhibits cytokine induction of the human E-selectin promoter. 1194 13

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a family of detoxification isozymes that protect cells by conjugating GSH to a variety of toxic compounds, and they may also play a role in the regulation of both cellular proliferation and apoptosis. We have previously shown that human GST P1-1, which is the most widely distributed extrahepatic isozyme, could be inactivated by the catechol estrogen metabolite 4-hydroxyequilenin (4-OHEN) in vitro [Chang, M., Shin, Y. G., van Breemen, R. B., Blond, S. Y., and Bolton, J. L. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 4811-4820]. In the present study, we found that 4-OHEN and another catechol estrogen, 4,17beta-hydroxyequilenin (4,17beta-OHEN), significantly decreased GSH levels and the activity of GST within minutes in both estrogen receptor (ER) negative (MDA-MB-231) and ER positive (S30) human breast cancer cells. In addition, 4-OHEN caused significant decreases in GST activity in nontransformed human breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A) but not in the human hepatoma HepG2 cells, which lack GST P1-1. We also showed that GSH partially protected the inactivation of GST P1-1 by 4-OHEN in vitro, and depletion of cellular GSH enhanced the 4-OHEN-induced inhibition of GST activity. In addition, 4-OHEN GSH conjugates contributed about 27% of the inactivation of GST P1-1 by 4-OEHN in vitro. Our in vitro kinetic inhibition experiments with 4-OHEN showed that GST P1-1 had a lower K(i) value (20.8 microM) compared to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH, 52.4 microM), P450 reductase (PR, 77.4 microM), pyruvate kinase (PK, 159 microM), glutathione reductase (GR, 230 microM), superoxide dismutase (SOD, 448 microM), catalase (562 microM), GST M1-1 (620 microM), thioredoxin reductase (TR, 694 microM), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX, 1410 microM). In contrast to the significant inhibition of total GST activity in these human breast cancer cells, 4-OHEN only slightly inhibited the cellular GAPDH activity, and other cellular enzymes including PR, PK, GR, SOD, catalase, TR, and GPX were resistant to 4-OHEN-induced inhibition. These data suggest that GST P1-1 may be a preferred protein target for equine catechol estrogens in vivo.
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PMID:Inhibition of cellular enzymes by equine catechol estrogens in human breast cancer cells: specificity for glutathione S-transferase P1-1. 1211 4

Summary. Insulin is known to inhibit glucose-6-phosphatase gene expression through PI 3-kinase/PKB mediated phosphorylation and inactivation of the forkhead transcription factor FKHR, which is a potent transactivator of the glucose-6-phosphatase gene. To study the function and regulation of the transcription factor FKHR in hepatic cells, we constructed a hydroxytamoxifen-inducible version of FKHR by fusing a part of the hormone binding domain of the estrogen receptor (ER) to the C-terminus of FKHR (FKHR-ER). In HepG2-cells transiently transfected with plasmids encoding the FKHR-ER fusion protein and a glucose-6-phosphatase reporter construct, hydroxytamoxifen induced a marked induction of glucose-6-phosphatase promoter activity, whereas no effect was observed in control cells. We next generated a H4IIEC3 rat hepatoma cell line stably expressing both FKHR-ER and a glucose-6-phosphatase promoter-based reporter construct. After 2h stimulation with hydroxytamoxifen, the promoter activity was stimulated 3-5 fold, and continued to increase up to 100-fold after 15 h. The response was half maximal at 0.5 microM hydroxytamoxifen. Insulin (1 nM) decreased the hydroxytamoxifen induced promoter activity by about 70% of the maximal response. This cell system can be used for (1) the identification of FKHR dependent genes and for (2) high throughput screening (HTS) of agents affecting the activity of FKHR and its regulation by insulin. Abbreviations used: FKHR, forkhead in rhabdomyosarcoma; G6Pase, glucose-6-phosphatase; PKB, protein kinase B; PI 3-kinase, phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase; IRU, insulin-responsive unit; Tx, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, ER, estrogen receptor; HBD, hormone binding domain
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PMID:Construction and characterization of a conditionally active construct of the insulin-regulated forkhead transcription factor FKHR. 1237 35

Methylsulfonyl (MeSO(2)) metabolites of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethene (4,4'-DDE), itself a metabolite of the insecticide 4,4'-DDT, are emerging as a major class of contaminants in the tissues of wildlife and humans. We investigated the antiestrogenic capacity and potencies of 3'- and 4'-MeSO(2)-2,2',4,5,5'-pentachlorobiphenyl (CB101) and -2,2',4,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (CB49), which are among the most environmentally persistent MeSO(2)-PCBs, and 3-MeSO(2)-4,4'-DDE on estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent gene expression in four cell-based bioassay systems. Congener- and concentration-dependent antagonism of 17beta-estradiol (E2)-induced gene expression, rather than induction of ER-dependent gene expression, was observed for the MeSO(2)-PCBs on lucifierase activity in stably transfected human breast adenocarcinoma T47D cells (ER-CALUX) and vitellogenin (vtg) production in primary hepatocytes from male carp fish (Cyprinus carpio) (CARP-HEP/vtg). 4'-MeSO(2)-CB101 and -CB49 had the highest antagonistic potency (i.e., maximum inhibition of about 70%, LOECs of 1.0 microM and 2.5 microM), whereas 3'-MeSO(2)-CB101 and -CB49 were less antagonistic; the precursor CB101 and MeSO(2)-PCB analog MeSO(2)-2,5-dichlorobenzene had no effect. Relative to the 4-MeSO(2)-PCBs, tamoxifen (IC(50), 0.06 microM and 0.7 microM) was about 40 and 7 times more potent in the ER-CALUX and CARP-HEP/vtg assays, respectively. Congener- and concentration-dependent effects on aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated induction of EROD activity (carp hepatocytes), luciferase expression (H4IIE rat hepatoma [H4IIE.luc] cell line), or cell viability were not observed. 3-MeSO(2)-4,4'-DDE was neither estrogenic nor antiestrogenic in either of the bioassays. Inhibitory trends for the MeSO(2)-PCBs in a bioassay based on stably transfected human embryonic kidney cell (HEK293-ERalpha-ERE) were similar to the ER-CALUX and CARP-HEP/vtg bioassays, whereas the antagonism was weaker in a related HEK293-ERbeta-ERE bioassay. Our findings suggest that the 4'-MeSO(2)-PCBs are antiestrogenic in vitro via a reversible or surmountable interaction with fish or human ER, and that the interaction with human ERalpha is apparently favored over ERbeta. MeSO(2)-PCB metabolites are persistent and bioaccumulative contaminants, and therefore, could be potentially active as environmental antiestrogens in wildlife and humans.
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PMID:In vitro antiestrogenic effects of aryl methyl sulfone metabolites of polychlorinated biphenyls and 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethene on 17beta-estradiol-induced gene expression in several bioassay systems. 1237 85

Estrogens induce cell proliferation in target tissues by stimulating progression through the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Activation of cyclin D(1) gene expression is a critical feature of this hormonal action. The existence of rapid/nongenomic estradiol-regulated protein kinase C (PKC-alpha) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signal transduction pathways, their cross talk, and role played in DNA synthesis and cyclin D(1) gene transcription have been studied herein in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. 17Beta-estradiol was found to rapidly activate PKC-alpha translocation and ERK-2/mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation in this cell line. These actions were independent of each other, preceding the increase of thymidine incorporation into DNA and cyclin D(1) expression, and did not involve DNA binding by estrogen receptor. The results obtained with specific inhibitors indicated that PKC-alpha pathway is necessary to mediate the estradiol-induced G1-S progression of HepG2 cells, but it does not exert any effect(s) on cyclin D(1) gene expression. On the contrary, ERK-2 cascade was strongly involved in both G1-S progression and cyclin D(1) gene transcription. Deletion of its activating protein-1 responsive element motif resulted in attenuation of cyclin D(1) promoter responsiveness to estrogen. These results indicate that estrogen-induced cyclin D(1) transcription can occur in HepG2 cells independently of the transcriptional activity of estrogen receptor, sustaining the pivotal role played by nongenomic pathways of estrogen action in hormone-induced proliferation.
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PMID:Distinct nongenomic signal transduction pathways controlled by 17beta-estradiol regulate DNA synthesis and cyclin D(1) gene transcription in HepG2 cells. 1238 69

In the Asia-Pacific region and elsewhere, almost 85% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are inoperable at diagnosis and have a dismal prognosis. Tamoxifen (TMX) is believed to inhibit HCC positive for estrogen receptor (ER), but most HCCs are ER negative. Results of previous phase 3 trials in inoperable HCC have been conflicting and inconclusive. At higher doses, however, TMX inhibits HCC through ER-independent mechanisms. A multicenter randomized controlled trial was performed to assess the role of high-dose TMX versus placebo (P) in the treatment of patients with inoperable HCC with respect to survival and quality of life (QoL). A total of 329 patients from 10 centers in 9 countries in the Asia-Pacific region enrolled in a double-blind randomized controlled trial of TMX 120 mg/d (TMX120) against P as a control arm with an intermediate dosage of TMX 60 mg/d (TMX60) to assess possible dose response. An independent data monitoring committee reviewed all aspects of the trial. QoL was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Three-month survival rates for the P, TMX60, and TMX120 groups were 44%, 41%, and 35%, respectively, with a statistically significant trend difference in survival across the 3 treatment regimens (P =.011). There was a significantly higher risk of death in the TMX120 group compared with the P group (hazard ratio, 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.81). Adverse drug reactions were reported in 3% (9 patients), and 8 patients were lost to follow-up. In conclusion, TMX does not prolong survival in patients with inoperable HCC and has an increasingly negative impact with increasing dose. No appreciable advantage to QoL with TMX was observed.
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PMID:High-dose tamoxifen in the treatment of inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter randomized controlled trial. 1239 33

Oral estrogen administration attenuates the metabolic action of growth hormone (GH) in humans. To investigate the mechanism involved, we studied the effects of estrogen on GH signaling through Janus kinase (JAK)2 and the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) in HEK293 cells stably expressing the GH receptor (293GHR), HuH7 (hepatoma) and T-47D (breast cancer) cells. 293GHR cells were transiently transfected with an estrogen receptor-alpha expression plasmid and luciferase reporters with binding elements for STAT3 and STAT5 or the beta-casein promoter. GH stimulated the reporter activities by four- to sixfold. Cotreatment with 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in the response of all three reporters to GH to a maximum of 49-66% of control at 100 nM (P < 0.05). No reduction was seen when E(2) was added 1-2 h after GH treatment. Similar inhibitory effects were observed in HuH7 and T-47D cells. E(2) suppressed GH-induced JAK2 phosphorylation, an effect attenuated by actinomycin D, suggesting a requirement for gene expression. Next, we investigated the role of the suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) in E(2) inhibition. E(2) increased the mRNA abundance of SOCS-2 but not SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 in HEK293 cells. The inhibitory effect of E(2) was absent in cells lacking SOCS-2 but not in those lacking SOCS-1 and SOCS-3. In conclusion, estrogen inhibits GH signaling, an action mediated by SOCS-2. This paper provides evidence for regulatory interaction between a sex steroid and the GHJAKSTAT pathway, in which SOCS-2 plays a central mechanistic role.
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PMID:Estrogen inhibits GH signaling by suppressing GH-induced JAK2 phosphorylation, an effect mediated by SOCS-2. 1255 91


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