Posttranslational mechanisms modulating the expression of the cytochrome P450 1A1 gene by methylmercury in HepG2 cells: A role of heme oxygenase-1

Recently we demonstrated the ability of mercuric chloride (Hg²⁺) in human hepatoma HepG2 cells to significantly decrease the TCDD-mediated induction of Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) mRNA, protein, and catalytic activity levels. In this study we investigated the effect of methylmercury (MeHg) on CYP1A1 in HepG2 cells. For this purpose, cells were co-exposed to MeHg and TCDD and the expression of CYP1A1 mRNA, protein, and catalytic activity levels were determined. Our results showed that MeHg did not alter the TCDD-mediated induction of CYP1A1 mRNA, or protein levels; however it was able to significantly decrease CYP1A1 catalytic activity levels in a concentration-dependent manner. Importantly, this inhibition was specific to CYP1A1and was not radiated to other aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-regulated genes, as MeHg induced NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 mRNA and protein levels. Mechanistically, the inhibitory effect of MeHg on the induction of CYP1A1 coincided with an increase in heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA levels. Furthermore, the inhibition of HO-1 activity, by tin mesoporphyrin, caused a complete restoration of MeHg-mediated inhibition of CYP1A1 activity, induced by TCDD. In addition, transfection of HepG2 cells with siRNA targeting the human HO-1 gene reversed the MeHg-mediated inhibition of TCDD-induced CYP1A1. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that MeHg inhibited the TCDD-mediated induction of CYP1A1 through a posttranslational mechanism and confirms the role of HO-1 in a MeHg-mediated effect.     

Effect of mercury on aryl hydrocarbon receptor-regulated genes in the extrahepatic tissues of C57BL/6 mice

The individual toxic effects of aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR) ligands such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) or heavy metals typified by mercury (Hg²⁺) has been previously demonstrated. However, little is known about the combined toxic effects of TCDD and Hg²⁺in vivo. Therefore, we examined the effect of exposure to Hg²⁺ (2.5 mg/kg) in the absence and presence of TCDD (15 μg/kg) on the AhR-regulated genes using C57Bl/6 mice. Hg²⁺ alone did not affect kidney, lung, or heart Cyp1a1/1a2/1b1 mRNA levels. On the contrary, Hg²⁺ alone significantly induced kidney Cyp1a1/1a2/1b1 and lung Cyp1b1 protein and catalytic activities. Hg²⁺ also induced Nqo1, Gsta1, and HO-1 at the mRNA, protein, and activity levels in the kidney and heart but not in the lung. Upon co-exposure to Hg²⁺ and TCDD, Hg²⁺ significantly potentiated the TCDD-mediated induction of kidney and lung Cyp1a1/1a2/1b1 mRNA levels, while it decreased their kidney protein and catalytic activity and it increased their lung protein. In addition, Hg²⁺ potentiated the TCDD-mediated induction of Nqo1, Gsta1, and HO-1 at mRNA, protein and activity levels in all tissues. The present study demonstrates that Hg²⁺ modulates the constitutive and TCDD-induced AhR-regulated genes in a time-, tissue- and, AhR-regulated enzyme genes manner.     

Modulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor regulated genes by acute administration of trimethylarsine oxide in the lung,kidney and heart of C57BL/6 mice

Abstract

1.?Arsenite alters the expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-regulated genes in extrahepatic tissues; yet, the effect of organic arsenicals still unknown. Therefore, C57BL/6 mice received trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO; 13?mg/kg i.p.) with or without 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD; 15?μg/kg), and euthanized at 6 or 24?h.

2.?Our results demonstrated that TMAO increased Cyp1a1 and Cyp1b1 mRNA, protein and activity in the lung. TMAO potentiated the TCDD-mediated induction of Cyp1a1 and Cyp1a2 mRNA, protein and activity in the lung. In the kidney, TMAO increased Cyp1b1 mRNA and protein. TMAO potentiated the TCDD-mediated induction of Cyp1a1 and Cyp1b1 mRNA, protein and activity. In the heart, TMAO potentiated the TCDD-mediated induction of Cyp1a1 and Cyp1b1 mRNA.

3.?Moreover, TMAO induced Nqo1 mRNA in the lung, kidney and heart, with subsequent increase in Nqo1 protein and activity in the lung. TMAO increased Gsta mRNA in the heart; and increased Gsta protein and activity in the lung and kidney. TMAO increased Nqo1 mRNA as compared to TCDD in the kidney and heart, and potentiated the TCDD-mediated induction of Gsta protein and activity in the kidney.

4.?In conclusion, TMAO modulates AhR-regulated genes in a tissue- and enzyme-specific manner.     

Modulation of cytochrome P450 1 (Cyp1) by vanadium in hepatic tissue and isolated hepatocyte of C57BL/6 mice

The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of vanadium (V⁵⁺) on Cyp1 expression and activity in C57BL/6 mice liver and isolated hepatocytes. For this purpose, C57BL6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with V⁵⁺ (5 mg/kg) in the absence and presence of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) (15 μg/kg) for 6 and 24 h. Furthermore, isolated hepatocytes from C57BL6 mice were treated with V⁵⁺ (5, 10, and 20 μM) in the absence and presence of TCDD (1 nM) for 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. In vivo, V⁵⁺ alone did not significantly alter Cyp1a1, Cyp1a2, or Cyp1b1 mRNA, protein, or catalytic activity levels. Upon co-exposure to V⁵⁺ and TCDD, V⁵⁺ significantly potentiated the TCDD-mediated induction of the Cyp1a1, Cyp1a2, and Cyp1b1 mRNA, protein, and catalytic activity levels at 24 h. In vitro, V⁵⁺ decreased the TCDD-mediated induction of Cyp1a1 mRNA, protein, and catalytic activity levels. Furthermore, V⁵⁺ significantly inhibited the TCDD-induced AhR-dependent luciferase activity. V⁵⁺ also increased serum hemoglobin (Hb) levels in animals treated for 24 h. Upon treatment of isolated hepatocytes with Hb alone or in the presence of TCDD, there was an increase in the AhR-dependent luciferase activity. When isolated hepatocytes were treated for 2 h with V⁵⁺ in the presence of TCDD, followed by replacement of the medium with new medium containing Hb, there was further potentiation to the TCDD-mediated effect. The present study demonstrates that there is a differential modulation of Cyp1a1 by V⁵⁺ in C57BL/6 mice livers and isolated hepatocytes and demonstrates Hb as an in vivo specific modulator.     

Mercury modulates the cytochrome P450 1a1, 1a2 and 1b1 in C57BL/6J mice: in vivo and in vitro studies

In the current study C57BL/6J mice were injected intraperitoneally with Hg^2 + in the absence and presence of TCDD. After 6 and 24 h the liver was harvested and the expression of Cyps was determined. In vitro, isolated hepatocytes were incubated with TCDD in the presence and absence of Hg^2 +. At the in vivo level, Hg^2 + significantly decreased the TCDD-mediated induction of Cyps at 6 h while potentiating their levels at 24 h. In vitro, Hg^2 + significantly inhibited the TCDD-mediated induction of Cyp1a1 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Interestingly, Hg^2 + increased the serum hemoglobin (Hb) levels in mice treated for 24 h. Upon treatment of isolated hepatocytes with Hb alone, there was an increase in the AhR-dependent luciferase activity with a subsequent increase in Cyp1a1 protein and catalytic activity levels. Importantly, when hepatocytes were treated for 2 h with Hg^2 + in the presence of TCDD, then the medium was replaced with new medium containing Hb, there was potentiation of the TCDD-mediated effect. In addition, Hg^2 + increased heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA, which coincided with a decrease in the Cyp1a1 activity level. When the competitive HO-1 inhibitor, tin mesoporphyrin was applied to the hepatocytes there was a partial restoration of Hg^2 +-mediated inhibition of Cyp1a1 activity. In conclusion, we demonstrate for the first time that there is a differential modulation of the TCDD-mediated induction of Cyp1a1 by Hg^2 + in C57BL/6J mice livers and isolated hepatocytes. Moreover, this study implicates Hb as an in vivo specific modulator of Cyp1 family.     

Dimethylarsinic acid modulates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-regulated genes in C57BL/6 mice: in vivo study

1.?Dimethylarsinic acid (DMA(V)) is the major metabolite of inorganic arsenic in human body. Thus we investigated the effect of DMA(V) on the alteration of phase I (typified by Cyp1a) and phase II (typified by Nqo1) AhR-regulated genes in vivo. C57BL/6 mice received DMA(V) (13.3?mg/kg, i.p.) with or without TCDD (15?μg/kg, i.p.), thereafter the liver, lung, and kidney were harvested at 6 and 24?h post-treatment.

2.?Results demonstrated that DMA(V) has no significant effect on Cyp1a mRNA and protein expression or catalytic activity in the liver. On the other hand, DMA(V) significantly potentiated the TCDD-mediated induction of Cyp1a mRNA and protein expression, with a subsequent potentiation of catalytic activity in the lung. Moreover, DMA(V) significantly inhibited the TCDD-mediated induction of Cyp1a mRNA and protein expression with subsequent inhibition of catalytic activity in the kidney.

3.?Regarding to phase II AhR-regulated genes, DMA(V) has no significant effect on Nqo1 mRNA and protein expression, or activity neither in the liver, lung, or kidney.

4.?In conclusion, the present work demonstrates for the first time that DMA(V) modulates AhR-regulated genes in a tissue- and enzyme-specific manner. This modulation may play a crucial role in arsenic-induced toxicity and carcinogenicity.     

Evidence for induced microsomal bilirubin degradation by cytochrome P450 2A5

Oxidative metabolism of bilirubin (BR) -- a breakdown product of haem with cytoprotective and toxic properties -- is an important route of detoxification in addition to glucuronidation. The major enzyme(s) involved in this oxidative degradation are not known. In this paper, we present evidence for a major role of the hepatic cytochrome P450 2A5 (Cyp2a5) in BR degradation during cadmium intoxication, where the BR levels are elevated following induction of haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Treatment of DBA/2J mice with CdCl(2) induced both the Cyp2a5 and HO-1, and increased the microsomal BR degradation activity. By contrast, the total cytochrome P450 (CYP) content and the expression of Cyp1a2 were down-regulated by the treatment. The induction of the HO-1 and Cyp2a5 was substantial at the mRNA, protein and enzyme activity levels. In each case, the up-regulation of HO-1 preceded that of Cyp2a5 with a 5-10h interval. BR totally inhibited the microsomal Cyp2a5-dependent coumarin hydroxylase activity, with an IC(50) approximately equal to the substrate concentration. The 7-methoxyresorufin 7-O-demethylase (MROD) activity, catalyzed mainly by the Cyp1a2, was inhibited up to 36% by BR. The microsomal BR degradation was inhibited by coumarin and a monoclonal antibody against the Cyp2a5 by about 90%. Furthermore, 7-methoxyresorufin, a substrate for the Cyp1a2, inhibited BR degradation activity by approximately 20%. In sum, the results strongly suggest a major role for Cyp2a5 in the oxidative degradation of BR. Secondly, the coordinated up-regulation of the HO-1 and Cyp2a5 during Cd-mediated injury implicates a network of enzyme systems in the maintenance of balancing BR production and elimination.     

Modulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor‐regulated genes by acute administration of ammonium metavanadate in kidney,lung and heart of C57BL/6 mice

We recently reported that vanadium (V⁵⁺) was able to decrease the 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD)‐mediated induction of Cyp1a1 and Nqo1 at mRNA, protein and catalytic activity levels in mouse hepatoma Hepa 1c1c7 and human hepatoma HepG2 cells. However, little is known regarding the in vivo effects. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate whether similar effects would occur at the in vivo level. Therefore, we examined the effect of exposure to V⁵⁺ (5 mg kg^?1) with or without TCDD (15 µg kg^?1) on the AhR‐regulated genes in kidney, lung and heart of C57BL/6 J mice. Our results demonstrated that V⁵⁺ alone significantly decreased Cyp1b1 protein and catalytic activity levels in kidney at 24 h. Moreover, it significantly potentiated Nqo1 and Gsta1 gene expression in the heart, and only Gsta1 gene expression in the lung. Upon co‐exposure, we found that V⁵⁺significantly inhibited the TCDD‐mediated induction of Cyp1a1, Cyp1a2 and Cyp1b1 mRNA, protein and catalytic activity levels in the kidney at 24 h. On the other hand, V⁵⁺ significantly potentiated the TCDD‐mediated induction of Nqo1 and Gsta1 protein and activity levels in the kidney. Cyp1a1, Cyp1b1, Nqo1 mRNA, protein and catalytic activity levels in the lung were significantly potentiated at 6 h. Interestingly, all tested genes in the heart were significantly decreased at 6 h with the exception of Gsta1 mRNA. The present study demonstrates that V⁵⁺ modulates TCDD‐induced AhR‐regulated genes. Furthermore, the effect on one of these enzymes could not be generalized to other enzymes even if it was in the same organ. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Differential modulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor regulated enzymes by arsenite in the kidney, lung, and heart of C57BL/6 mice

During the last couple of decades, efforts have been made to study the toxic effects of individual aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR) ligands such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) or heavy metals typified by arsenic As(III). However, little is known about the combined toxic effects of TCDD and As(III) in vivo. Previous reports from our laboratory and others have demonstrated that As(III), by itself or in the presence of AhR ligands, such as TCDD, is capable of differentially altering the expression of various phase I and phase II AhR-regulated genes in in vitro systems. Thus, the objective of the current study was to investigate whether or not similar effects would occur at the in vivo level. Therefore, we examined the effect of exposure to As(III) (12.5 mg/kg) in the absence and presence of TCDD (15 μg/kg) on the AhR-regulated genes using C57Bl/6 mice. Our results demonstrated that As(III) alone inhibited Cyp1a1 and Cyp1a2 in the kidney, while it induced their levels in the lung and did not affect their mRNA levels in the heart. As(III) also induced Nqo1 and Gsta1 in all tested tissues. Upon co-exposure to As(III) and TCDD, As(III) inhibited the TCDD-mediated induction of Cyp1a1 in the kidney and heart, Cyp1a2 in the kidney and heart, while it potentiated TCDD-mediated induction of Cyp1a1 in the lung, and Nqo1 and Gsta1 in the kidney and lung. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates for the first time that As(III) modulates constitutive and TCDD-induced AhR-regulated genes in a time-, tissue-, and AhR-regulated enzyme-specific manner.     

Harmaline and harmalol inhibit the carcinogen-activating enzyme CYP1A1 via transcriptional and posttranslational mechanisms

Dioxins are known to cause several human cancers through activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Harmaline and harmalol are dihydro-β-carboline compounds present in several medicinal plants such as Peganum harmala. We have previously demonstrated the ability of P. harmala extract to inhibit TCDD-mediated induction of Cyp1a1 in murine hepatoma Hepa 1c1c7 cells. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the effect of harmaline and its main metabolite, harmalol, on dioxin-mediated induction of CYP1A1 in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Our results showed that harmaline and harmalol at concentrations of (0.5-12.5μM) significantly inhibited the dioxin-induced CYP1A1 at mRNA, protein and activity levels in a concentration-dependent manner. The role of AhR was determined by the inhibition of the TCDD-mediated induction of AhR-dependent luciferase activity and the AhR/ARNT/XRE formation by both harmaline and harmalol. In addition, harmaline significantly displaced [(3)H]TCDD in the competitive ligand binding assay. At posttranslational level, both harmaline and harmalol decreased the protein stability of CYP1A1, suggesting that posttranslational modifications are involved. Moreover, the posttranslational modifications of harmaline and harmalol involve ubiquitin-proteasomal pathway and direct inhibitory effects of both compounds on CYP1A1 enzyme. These data suggest that harmaline and harmalol are promising agents for preventing dioxin-mediated effects.     

Transcriptional and posttranslational inhibition of dioxin-mediated induction of CYP1A1 by harmine and harmol

Dioxins are widespread environmental contaminants that induce the carcinogen-activating enzyme, cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) through an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-dependent mechanism. We previously demonstrated that harmine inhibits the dioxin-mediated induction of Cyp1a1 activity in murine hepatoma cells. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the effect of harmine and its main metabolite, harmol, on the dioxin-mediated induction of CYP1A1 in human HepG2 and murine Hepa 1c1c7 hepatoma cells. Our results showed that harmine and harmol significantly inhibited the dioxin-mediated induction of CYP1A1 at mRNA, protein, and activity levels in a concentration-dependent manner in human and murine hepatoma cells. Moreover, harmine and harmol inhibited the AhR-dependent luciferase activity and the activation and transformation of AhR using the electrophoretic mobility shift assay. In addition, harmine and harmol displaced [³H]TCDD in the competitive ligand binding assay. At posttranslational level, both harmine and harmol decreased the protein stability of CYP1A1, suggesting that posttranslational mechanism is involved. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the underlying mechanisms of the posttranslational modifications of both compounds involve ubiquitin-proteasomal pathway and direct inhibitory effects of CYP1A1 enzyme. We concluded that harmine and its metabolite, harmol, are new inhibitors of dioxin-mediated effects.     

Prevention of halothane-induced hepatotoxicity by hemin pretreatment: protective role of heme oxygenase-1 induction

Reductive metabolism of halothane in phenobarbital-pretreated rats is known to increase free radical formation that results in hepatotoxicity. It also is associated with a marked induction of microsomal heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), suggesting that there is an alteration in heme metabolism. In this study, we examined heme metabolism in rats pretreated with phenobarbital, followed by exposure to halothane-hypoxia. In this model, there was a significant decrease in microsomal cytochrome P450 content in the liver, followed by a rapid increase in free heme concentration and a decrease in the level of mRNA for the nonspecific delta-aminolevulinate synthase. A transient but dramatic induction of HO-1 mRNA and a prolonged induction of heat shock protein 70 mRNA also occurred. The HO-1 protein was detected principally in the hepatocytes around the central vein. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) activity, an indicator of hepatic dysfunction, increased continuously throughout the experiment. Hemin pretreatment induced hepatic HO-1 with abrogation of the halothane-induced hepatotoxicity in this model, as judged by ALT activity and normal histology. Our findings in this study thus indicate that halothane-induced hepatotoxicity is due not only to its reductive metabolite formation, but also to an increase in hepatic free heme concentration, which is a potent prooxidant; HO-1 induction is an important protective response against such changes. This is also the first study to demonstrate that hemin pretreatment, which induces HO-1 prior to exposure to halothane, effectively prevents halothane-induced hepatotoxicity.     

Coordinate up-regulation of CYP1A1 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression and modulation of delta-aminolevulinic acid synthase and tryptophan pyrrolase activities in pyridine-treated rats.

To determine the changes in heme metabolism associated with induction of cytochrome P450 expression by pyridine, we compared the time course of CYP1A expression with the time course of (i) expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) (EC 1.14.99.3), (ii) activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase (ALAS) (EC 2.3.1.37), and (iii) heme saturation of tryptophan pyrrolase (TPO) (EC 1.13.11.11) in tissues of rats administered a single 100 or 150 mg/kg i.p. dose of pyridine. Both mRNA and protein of HO-1 and CYP1A1 were induced in the liver, kidney, and lung, with the induction of HO-1 mRNA preceding and paralleling that of CYP1A1 mRNA in the liver and lung but not kidney. Induction of CYP1A1 mRNA expression peaked within 9-12 hr and returned to control levels by 24 hr in all tissues examined, whereas induction of HO-1 mRNA expression was sustained for 48 hr in the lung and liver. In contrast to the transient up-regulation of CYP1A1 mRNA, increased microsomal CYP1A1 protein was sustained in all three tissues. Similar to the induction of HO-1 expression, lipid peroxidation was stimulated by pyridine treatment in the kidney, lung, and liver, but with the stimulation being more persistent in the liver and lung than in the kidney. Increased hepatic CYP1A1 or CYP1A2 activity was preceded by increased activities of HO-1 and ALAS. Pyridine treatment negatively modulated heme saturation of hepatic TPO. The findings indicate that pyridine stimulates the synthesis, utilization, and degradation of heme in a coordinate manner, and suggest that these alterations in heme metabolism may contribute to CYP1A1 induction by pyridine.