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)

UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) catalyze the glucuronidation of a broad spectrum of endobiotic and xenobiotic compounds, which leads to the excretion of hydrophilic glucuronides via bile or urine. By a mechanism of exon sharing, isoforms of the UGT1 family are made from the complex gene locus by an alternative combination of one of the unique first exons with the other commonly used exons. This study demonstrates that the expression of the UGT1 gene UGT1A6, 1A7 and 1A8 is regulated at the transcriptional level by 3-methylcholanthene (3-MC) in rat hepatoma H-4-II-E cells. Following 3-MC treatment, there is a gradual increase in the amount of UGT1A6 and UGT1A7 mRNA to the maximum levels after 16hr of treatment. The induction effect of 3-MC led to the expression of UGT1A8 which has not been reported before. This induction is suppressed by the RNA synthesis inhibitor actinomycin D, indicating that the inducer does not act at the level of mRNA stabilization. Northern blot analysis showed a 4-fold increase in UGT1A8 transcription after treatment with 3-MC. The prolonged treatment with the protein synthesis inhibitor did not affect the induction process. The results provide experimental evidence for a transcriptional control of UGT1A8 synthesis. Transcriptional activation of the UGT1A8 by 3-MC does not appear to require de novo protein synthesis. 3-MC dependent activation is probably the result of a direct action of the compound on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor complex (AhR).
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PMID:Induction of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A8 mRNA by 3-methylcholanthene in rat hepatoma cells. 1199 47

Heme is an essential component in oxygen transport and metabolism in living systems. In non-erythropoietic cells, 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS1) is the first and rate-limiting enzyme in the heme biosynthesis pathway. ALAS1 expression and heme levels are increased in vivo by drugs and other chemical inducers of cytochrome P450 hemoproteins through mechanisms that are poorly understood. In the present studies, a chicken genomic cosmid library was employed to isolate a major portion of the ALAS1 gene. Two drug-responsive enhancer sequences, 176 and 167 base pairs in length, were identified in the 5'-flanking region of the gene in reporter gene assays in the hepatoma cell line LMH. The relative potency of inducers to activate these enhancers corresponds to induction of ALAS1 mRNA levels in LMH cells. Analysis of putative transcription factor binding sites within the enhancers revealed DR5 and DR4 type recognition sequences for nuclear receptors. Drug activation of the enhancer elements was reduced at least 60% after mutagenesis of individual nuclear receptor binding sites and was virtually eliminated following alteration of both recognition sites within the respective elements. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and transactivation studies demonstrate direct interactions between the nuclear receptor binding sites and the recently described chicken xenobiotic-sensing receptor, (CXR) implicating drug activation mechanisms for ALAS1 similar to those found in inducible cytochrome(s) P450. This is the first report describing direct transcriptional activation of ALAS1 by drugs via drug-responsive enhancer sequences.
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PMID:Drugs mediate the transcriptional activation of the 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALAS1) gene via the chicken xenobiotic-sensing nuclear receptor (CXR). 1212 95

OCP are xenobiotics which display various toxic effects on animal and human health. One of their effects is to bind and activate estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha). We have previously studied the down-regulation of induced CYP1A1 (cytochrome P450) expression by this class of molecules in mammary carcinoma cells and shown the importance of ERalpha in this process. However, an alternative mechanism was suggested by those experiments in hepatoma cells. In this study, we have performed Northern blot and transient transfection assays in various cell lines and shown that OCP activate human pregnane X receptor (PXR) and subsequent CYP3A4 mRNA expression. This effect is mediated by the distal xenobiotic responsive element modulator of the promoter. The induction of CYP3A4 by OCP was dose-dependent within the 1-10 microM range. The data suggest that chronic exposure to OCP could alter a major metabolite pathway in human liver and putatively modify the pharmacokinetics of drugs and pollutants.
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PMID:PXR-dependent induction of human CYP3A4 gene expression by organochlorine pesticides. 1241 64

UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) plays an important physiological role by contributing to the metabolism of endogenous substances such as bilirubin in addition to xenobiotics and drugs. The UGT1A1 gene has been shown to be inducible by nuclear receptors steroid xenobiotic receptor (SXR) and the constitutive active receptor, CAR. In this report, we show that in human hepatoma HepG2 cells the UGT1A1 gene is also inducible with aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ah receptor) ligands such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), beta-naphthoflavone, and benzo[a]pyrene metabolites. Induction was monitored by increases in protein and catalytic activity as well as UGT1A1 mRNA. To examine the molecular interactions that control UGT1A1 expression, the gene was characterized and induction by Ah receptor ligands was regionalized to bases -3338 to -3287. Nucleotide sequence analysis of this UGT1A1 enhancer region revealed a xenobiotic response element (XRE) at -3381/-3299. The dependence of the XRE on UGT1A1-luciferase activity was demonstrated by a loss of Ah receptor ligand inducibility when the XRE core region (CACGCA) was deleted or mutated. Gel mobility shift analysis confirmed that TCDD induction of nuclear proteins specifically bound to the UGT1A1-XRE, and competition experiments with Ah receptor and Arnt antibodies demonstrated that the nuclear protein was the Ah receptor. These observations reveal that the Ah receptor is involved in human UGT1A1 induction.
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PMID:Involvement of the xenobiotic response element (XRE) in Ah receptor-mediated induction of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1. 1256 46

Oltipraz, a promising cancer chemopreventive agent, has been recognized as a monofunctional inducer selectively activating phase II carcinogen-detoxifying enzymes via the antioxidant responsive element (ARE). However, we report here that oltipraz also induces rat glutathione S-transferase A5 (GSTA5), a potent phase II detoxifying enzyme, by means of the xenobiotic responsive element (XRE). Although an ARE sequence exists in the 5' upstream of the rGSTA5 gene, this cis-acting regulatory element loses its responsiveness to oltipraz treatment because of extensive mutations in its distal-half site. Our data indicate that a XRE sequence, located downstream of the transcription initiation site of the gene, is another oltipraz-responsive element. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that oltipraz steadily induces XRE-aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) binding, which can be blocked specifically by excess XRE oligonucleotides or by AhR antibody. By cloning different XREs into the pGL3-promoter vector, we found that oltipraz can activate XRE enhancers from several phase II drug metabolism enzymes, including rGSTA5, rGSTA2, NAD(P)H:quinone reductase, and it also activates XRE from the phase I metabolism enzyme CYP1A1. Oltipraz's effect on XRE is AhR-dependent and is independent of the presence of active CYP1A1. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction experiments revealed that oltipraz induces gene expression of both phase I and II drug-metabolizing enzymes in rat hepatoma cells. Thus, we conclude that, like ARE, the XRE pathway constitutes an important part of the molecular mechanism contributing to oltipraz-induced expression of the phase II metabolism enzymes. Oltipraz is a bifunctional inducer, modulating both phase I and II drug-metabolizing enzymes to enhance carcinogen detoxification.
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PMID:Oltipraz is a bifunctional inducer activating both phase I and phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes via the xenobiotic responsive element. 1286 39

In the multifactorial aetiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), an association and interaction between genetic polymorphisms of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, lifestyle factors, and cancer risk has been postulated. N-acetyltransferase (NAT2) is involved in the metabolic activation and detoxification of aromatic amines. Aromatic amines are potential hepatocarcinogens in humans. In the present study, we investigated if genetic NAT2 polymorphism is related to HCC. Genotyping of NAT2 was performed in 70 HCC patients and 87 controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. The results of this investigation show that 46 out 70 HCC patients (65.7%) and 50 out of 87 controls (57.5%) were of the slow acetylator genotypes. The frequency of distribution of slow and rapid acetylators (genotypes) was not significantly different between cases and controls (p > 0.05). Slow acetylator genotypes were not associated with a significantly increased HCC risk (odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.74-2.72). A significant association between NAT2 genetic polymorphism and HCC was observed among smokers. Slow acetylator genotypes significantly increased the HCC risk in cigarette smokers (odds ratio, 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.38-9.05). Our results suggest that genetic NAT2 polymorphism may play a role in lifestyle factors-related hepatocarcinogenesis. NAT2 activity may be particulary critical in smoking related hepatocarcinogenesis.
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PMID:Impact of N-acetyltransferase polymorphism (NAT2) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)--an investigation in a department of surgical medicine. 1287 50

1. Species differences in xenobiotic-mediated transcriptional activation of CYP3A genes are known to exist. These differences are proposed to be due, in part, to host cell differences. 2. Host cell effects were investigated by trans-species transient transfection of reporter genes containing either the rat CYP3A23 or human CYP3A4 proximal promoters into human HepG2 and rat FaO and H4IIEC3 hepatoma cells. HepG2 and FaO cells supported activation of both CYP3A constructs by xenobiotics in a species-specific manner, whereas H4IIEC3 cells were non-permissive. 3. The mRNA complement of the cell lines was then quantified by semiquantitative RT-PCR for adult CYP3As (CYP3A23, CYP3A4/5), steroid hormone receptors (constitutive androstane receptor, glucocorticoid receptor-alpha, pregnane X receptor) and transcription factors (Hepatic nuclear factor 4alpha, retinoid X receptor). 4. Principal component analysis of absolute receptor levels demonstrated a wide scattering, with no coherent pattern. In contrast, PCA of relative receptor ratios segregated H4IIEC3 cells from all other samples. 5. The observation is confirmed that species differences in response to xenobiotics are a result of host cell environment. In addition, new evidence is provided to support the hypothesis that in addition to individual receptor activation profiles, the relative abundance of steroid hormone receptors that control CYP3A gene expression play an important role in this observed species difference.
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PMID:Relative receptor expression is a determinant in xenobiotic-mediated CYP3A induction in rat and human cells. 1289 20

The genetic basis of disease susceptibility can be studied by several means, including research on animal models and epidemiological investigations in humans. The two methods are infrequently used simultaneously, but their joint use may overcome the disadvantages of either method alone. We used both approaches in an attempt to understand the genetic basis of aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1))-related susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Ingestion of AFB(1) is a major risk factor for HCC in many areas of the world where HCC is common. Whether humans vary in their ability to detoxify the active intermediate metabolite of AFB(1), AFB(1)-exo-8,9-epoxide, is not certain but may explain why all exposed individuals do not develop HCC. To determine whether human variability in detoxification may exist, in a study of 231 HCC cases and 256 controls, we genotyped eleven loci in two families of AFB(1) detoxification genes; the glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and the epoxide hydrolases (EPHX). After adjustment for multiple comparisons, only one polymorphism in the epoxide hydrolase family 2 locus remained significantly associated with HCC (odds ratio = 2.06, 95% confidence interval = 1.13-3.12). To determine whether additional susceptibility loci exist, we developed a mouse model system to examine AFB(1)-induced HCC. Susceptibility of 7-day-old mice from two common inbred strains (C57BL/6J, DBA/2J) was assessed. DBA/2J animals were 3-fold more sensitive to AFB(1)-induced HCC and significantly more sensitive to AFB(1) acute toxicity than were C57BL/6J animals. Analysis of the xenobiotic metabolizing genes in the two strains revealed single nucleotide polymorphisms in three genes, Gsta4, Gstt1, and Ephx1. Although the GSTT1 and EPHX1 loci did not appear to be related to HCC in the total population of the human study, a polymorphism in GSTA4 was significantly related to risk in the male subset. The mouse model also demonstrated that absent or compromised p53 was not necessary for the development of carcinogenesis. These results indicate that the comparison of results from human studies and the AFB(1)-susceptible mouse model may provide new insights into hepatocarcinogenesis.
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PMID:Susceptibility to aflatoxin B1-related primary hepatocellular carcinoma in mice and humans. 1290 37

UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) represent major phase II enzymes of drug metabolism which are regulated in a tissue-specific manner by endogenous and environmental factors. Among the latter, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and phenolic antioxidants such as tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) are known to induce the expression of human UGT1A6 in Caco-2 cells. While binding of the TCDD-activated AhR to one xenobiotic response element (XRE) in the 5'-flanking regulatory region of UGT1A6 was characterised previously, the mechanism responsible for tBHQ induction is unknown. Therefore, it was investigated whether antioxidant response elements (AREs) are involved in tBHQ induction of UGT1A6. Transfectants of 3 kb of its regulatory region and its deletion mutants were treated with tBHQ. These studies suggested a region with approximately 2-fold induction, including an ARE-like motif, 15 bp downstream of the previously characterised XRE. Transfectants of the point-mutated ARE-like motif showed marginally reduced response to tBHQ, but surprisingly, loss of response to TCDD, suggesting interference of flanking proteins with the AhR/Arnt complex. Coordinate responses of UGT activity after treatment with TCDD or tBHQ were also observed in rat hepatoma 5L cells, mutants without the AhR and with recomplemented AhR. The results suggest a contribution of the AhR pathway and of proteins binding to the XRE flanking region to the induction of human UGT1A6 by both AhR agonists and phenolic antioxidants.
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PMID:Contribution of the Ah receptor to the phenolic antioxidant-mediated expression of human and rat UDP-glucuronosyltransferase UGT1A6 in Caco-2 and rat hepatoma 5L cells. 1294 65

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a widespread environmental contaminant, that has been linked with a variety of deleterious effects on human health, including increased cancer rates and reproductive anomalies. The detrimental effects of TCDD are mediated via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a transcription factor that regulates the expression of the carcinogen-activating enzymes cytochromes P-450 (CYP) 1A1, 1A2, and 1B1. In the present study, we examined the ability of synthetic derivatives of salicylic acid to affect TCDD-stimulated AhR-mediated signal transduction in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Salicylamide (SAL), an analgesic drug, caused a potent and long-lasting inhibition of TCDD-induced CYP enzyme activity. Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and the naturally occurring phytochemical salicylic acid had no effect on CYP activity. SAL inhibited the increase in CYP1A1, -1A2, and -1B1 mRNA levels that occurs on exposure to TCDD. TCDD-induced transcription of these genes was also inhibited by SAL, but not by aspirin or salicylic acid, as demonstrated by luciferase reporter assays. The transcription of the CYP1 family of genes is regulated by the interaction of TCDD-activated AhR with the xenobiotic-responsive element present in the promoter regions of these genes. As shown by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, SAL completely blocked the binding of TCDD-activated AhR to the xenobiotic responsive element. Also, SAL substantially blocked the binding of TCDD to the cytosolic AhR. These results demonstrate that SAL, a commonly used analgesic, is a potent inhibitor of AhR-mediated signal transduction, and may be an effective agent in the prevention of TCDD-associated disease.
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PMID:The drug salicylamide is an antagonist of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor that inhibits signal transduction induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. 1472 55


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