Cytochrome P1-450 Gene Research Articles

Dioxin-inducible, Ah receptor-dependent transcription in vitro.

We have developed a homologous in vitro transcription system that requires (i) 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (called TCDD or dioxin), (ii) the Ah receptor, and (iii) a dioxin-responsive enhancer for activity. Unfractionated nuclear extracts from mouse hepatoma cells contain an inhibitor and fail to direct transcription in vitro. However, following phosphocellulose chromatography and reconstitution, the fractionated nuclear extract directs accurate transcription in vitro, using as a template the promoter/enhancer region from the mouse cytochrome P1-450 gene (Cyp1a1) linked to a "G-free cassette" (which generates a transcript with no guanosine residues). Extracts from TCDD-treated cells exhibit higher activity than extracts from untreated cells when transcribing a template containing both the promoter and enhancer but not when transcribing a template containing the promoter alone. Extracts from Ah receptor-defective cells fail to direct in vitro transcription in a TCDD-inducible fashion. A regulatory element that contains two binding sites for the liganded Ah receptor plus a truncated Cyp1a1 promoter suffices to direct TCDD-inducible, Ah receptor-dependent transcription in vitro. The inducible, receptor-dependent, enhancer-dependent properties of this system make it appropriate for analyzing in vitro the mechanism of dioxin action and the function of the Ah receptor.

Xenobiotic-inducible expression of murine glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit gene is controlled by an electrophile-responsive element.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) Ya subunit gene expression is induced in mammalian tissues by two types of chemical agents: (i) planar aromatic compounds (e.g., 3-methylcholanthrene, beta-naphthoflavone, and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p- dioxin) and (ii) electrophiles (e.g., trans-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one and dimethyl fumarate) or compounds easily oxidized to electrophiles (e.g., tert-butylhydroquinone). To study the mechanism of this induction, we have introduced deletions in the 5' flanking region of a mouse GST Ya subunit gene, fused it to the coding sequence for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity, and transfected the Ya-CAT genes for expression into hepatoma cells. We show that a single cis-regulatory element, between nucleotides -754 and -713 from the start of transcription, is responsible for the induction by both planar aromatic and electrophilic compounds. Using murine hepatoma cell mutants defective in either the Ah-encoded aryl hydrocarbon receptor (BPrc1 mutant) or in cytochrome P1-450 gene (c1 mutant), we show that induction by planar aromatic but not by electrophilic inducers requires a functional Ah receptor and cytochrome P1-450 activity. From this it is concluded that Ya gene activation by planar aromatic compounds involves metabolism of these inducers by the phase I xenobiotic-metabolizing cytochrome P1-450 system into electrophilic compounds, which is consistent with a recently proposed model [Prochaska, H. J. & Talalay, P. (1988) Cancer Res. 48, 4776-4782]. Therefore, the regulatory sequence of the Ya gene should be considered an electrophile-responsive element (EpRE) activated exclusively by inducers containing an electrophilic center. An EpRE-containing 41-bp oligonucleotide ligated at the -187 site of the Ya gene promoter confers upon it an increase in basal activity and xenobiotic inducibility. The basal activity augments with the number of EpRE copies. DNase I protection patterns show the protection of the EpRE domain by a nuclear factor(s) that becomes more abundant upon exposure of Hepa 1c1c7 cells to tert-butylhydroquinone.

Regulation of mouse CYP1A1 gene expression by dioxin: requirement of two cis-acting elements during induction.

The mouse cytochrome P1450 (CYP1A1) gene is responsible for the metabolism of numerous carcinogens and toxic chemicals. Induction by the environmental contaminant tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) requires a functional aromatic hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor. We examined the 5'-flanking region of the CYP1A1 gene in mouse hepatoma Hepa-1 wild-type cells and a mutant line having a defect in chromatin binding of the TCDD-receptor complex. We identified two cis-acting elements (distal, -1071 to -901 region; proximal, -245 to -50 region) required for constitutive and TCDD-inducible CYP1A1 gene expression. Three classes of DNA-protein complexes binding to the distal element were identified: class I, found only in the presence of TCDD and a functional Ah receptor, that was heat labile and not competed against by simian virus 40 (SV40) early promoter DNA; class II, consisting of at least three constitutive complexes that were heat stable and bound to SV40 DNA; and class III, composed of at least three constitutive complexes that were thermolabile and were not competed against by SV40 DNA. Essential contacts for these proteins were centered at -993 to -990 for the class I complex, -987, -986, or both for the class II complexes, and -938 to -927 for the class III complexes. The proximal element was absolutely essential for both constitutive and TCDD-inducible CYP1A1 gene expression, and at least two constitutive complexes bound to this region. These data are consistent with the proximal element that binds proteins being necessary but not sufficient for inducible gene expression; interaction of these proteins with those at the distal element was found to be required for full CYP1A1 induction by TCDD.

Regulation of Mouse CYP1A1 Gene Expression by Dioxin: Requirement of Two cis-Acting Elements during Induction

The mouse cytochrome P1450 (CYP1A1) gene is responsible for the metabolism of numerous carcinogens and toxic chemicals. Induction by the environmental contaminant tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) requires a functional aromatic hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor. We examined the 5'-flanking region of the CYP1A1 gene in mouse hepatoma Hepa-1 wild-type cells and a mutant line having a defect in chromatin binding of the TCDD-receptor complex. We identified two cis-acting elements (distal, -1071 to -901 region; proximal, -245 to -50 region) required for constitutive and TCDD-inducible CYP1A1 gene expression. Three classes of DNA-protein complexes binding to the distal element were identified: class I, found only in the presence of TCDD and a functional Ah receptor, that was heat labile and not competed against by simian virus 40 (SV40) early promoter DNA; class II, consisting of at least three constitutive complexes that were heat stable and bound to SV40 DNA; and class III, composed of at least three constitutive complexes that were thermolabile and were not competed against by SV40 DNA. Essential contacts for these proteins were centered at -993 to -990 for the class I complex, -987, -986, or both for the class II complexes, and -938 to -927 for the class III complexes. The proximal element was absolutely essential for both constitutive and TCDD-inducible CYP1A1 gene expression, and at least two constitutive complexes bound to this region. These data are consistent with the proximal element that binds proteins being necessary but not sufficient for inducible gene expression; interaction of these proteins with those at the distal element was found to be required for full CYP1A1 induction by TCDD.

Transfection of a human cytochrome P-450 gene into the human lymphoblastoid cell line, AHH-1, and use of the recombinant cell line in gene mutation assays

We have demonstrated that the human cytochrome P1-450 gene can be transfected into the AHH-1 human lymphoblastoid cell line using the pHEBo vector and hygromycin selection. The transfected gene was expressed when regulatory sequences derived from the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene were incorporated in appropriate orientations. Gene expression was monitored at the enzyme level using assays for 7-ethoxyresorufin deethylase, 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylase and benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activities. Bulk transformed cell populations had 2- to 3-fold more of these enzyme activities compared with control populations. Subclones of the bulk population expressing still higher levels of 7-ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity were also obtained. Expression of the transfected cytochrome P1-450 gene was stable for 20-30 days in the presence of hygromycin B. The transformed cell populations were found to be suitable for use in gene locus mutation assays and the mutagenicity of aflatoxin-B1 and 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) were examined. Aflatoxin-B1 was found to be 2-3 times more mutagenic to cells bearing the transfected cytochrome P1-450 activity as compared with control cells. In contrast, no difference in AAF mutagenicity was observed. Analysis of the AAF metabolite profile indicated that cells expressing the transfected cytochrome P1-450 gene produced 8-fold more N- and 7-hydroxy-AAF than control cells. The similarity in mutagenic responses between control cells and cells bearing the transfected cytochrome P1-450 gene may be due to the low deacetylase activity of AHH-1 cells. These observations indicate that this vector and expression system are suitable for introducing novel metabolic activities into the AHH-1 cell line.

Regulation of the mammalian cytochrome P1-450 (CYP1A1) gene

Regulation of the mammalian cytochrome P1-450 (CYP1A1) gene

The DNA recognition site for the dioxin-Ah receptor complex. Nucleotide sequence and functional analysis.

The environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetra-chlorodibenzo-p-dioxin produces its biological effects by binding to an intracellular protein (the Ah receptor). The dioxin-Ah receptor complex activates cytochrome P1-450 gene transcription by interacting with dioxin-responsive enhancers. Here, we report that the dioxin-Ah receptor complex binds to DNA containing the "core" sequence 5'-TA/TGCGTG-3', which is present in each of three receptor-dependent enhancers. Functional analyses indicate that binding of the liganded Ah receptor to the core sequence fails to generate an active enhancer and that nucleotides flanking the core sequence must contribute to enhancer function and dioxin action.

Inducible, receptor-dependent protein-DNA interactions at a dioxin-responsive transcriptional enhancer.

We have identified in mouse hepatoma cells a third cis-acting dioxin-responsive element (DRE) within the 5' flanking region of the cytochrome P1-450 gene, which is transcriptionally activated by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). The DRE can activate a heterologous promoter and functions in either orientation; therefore, it has the properties of a transcriptional enhancer. The DRE fails to activate transcription in receptor-defective cells; therefore, it requires TCDD-receptor complexes for its function. By using a gel retardation assay, we show that nuclear extracts contain a protein that binds to the DRE in TCDD-inducible, receptor-dependent, and DNA sequence-specific fashion. The protein-DNA interaction occurs within 10 min of exposure of the cell to TCDD and does not require ongoing protein synthesis. Our results imply that the TCDD-receptor complex interacts specifically with the DRE and demonstrate a relationship between protein-DNA interaction in vitro and function in vivo. Our findings also suggest that the affinity of the TCDD-receptor complex for the DRE may be relatively high in comparison to analogous protein-DNA interactions at other inducible enhancers.

2,3,7,8‐Tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin receptors regulate transcription of the cytochrome P1‐450 gene

The environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) dioxin, produces a diverse set of biological responses which, in some cases, reflects the altered expression of specific genes. An intracellular receptor protein binds TCDD saturably and with high affinity and mediates several of TCDD's biological effects. In mouse hepatoma cells, TCDD induces aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity by activating the transcription of the cytochrome P1-450 gene. Studies of receptor-defective variant cells indicate that the activation of cytochrome P1-450 gene transcription requires functional TCDD receptors. Analysis of the DNA that flanks the 5'-end of the mouse cytochrome P1-450 gene reveals at least three control regions: a promoter, an inhibitory element, and a dioxin-responsive element (DRE). Therefore, expression of the cytochrome P1-450 gene represents a balance between negative and positive control. The DRE contains two discrete, non-overlapping DNA domains that respond to TCDD. Each TCDD-responsive domain acts independently of the other, each requires TCDD receptors for function, and each has the properties of a transcriptional enhancer. For example, the function of the DREs is relatively independent of both their location and their orientation with respect to the promoter. Together, the DREs and the TCDD-receptor complex constitute a dioxin-responsive enhancer system. Exposure of cells to TCDD results in the protection of a specific DNA domain from exonuclease digestion. This protection requires TCDD receptors. The protected domain maps to a DRE. This observation implies that the TCDD-receptor complex interacts with the DRE to activate the transcription of the cytochrome P1-450 gene.

In situ protein-DNA interactions at a dioxin-responsive enhancer associated with the cytochrome P1-450 gene.

We used an in situ exonuclease III protection technique (C. Wu, Nature [London] 309:229, 1984) to analyze protein-DNA interactions at a dioxin-responsive enhancer. Our results imply that the 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-receptor complex interacts with the dioxin-responsive enhancer to activate transcription of the cytochrome P1-450 gene.

In situ protein-DNA interactions at a dioxin-responsive enhancer associated with the cytochrome P1-450 gene.

We used an in situ exonuclease III protection technique (C. Wu, Nature [London] 309:229, 1984) to analyze protein-DNA interactions at a dioxin-responsive enhancer. Our results imply that the 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-receptor complex interacts with the dioxin-responsive enhancer to activate transcription of the cytochrome P1-450 gene.

Transcriptional control of human cytochrome P1-450 gene expression by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin in human tissue culture cell lines

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin (TCDD) induces aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity and human cytochrome P 1-450 mRNA in the human breast carcinoma MCF-7 and hepatoblastoma HepG 2 tissue culture cell lines. Although AHH activities induced by 100 n m TCDD are comparable in these cell lines, the EC 50 values for TCDD differ: EC 50 ≅ 1 n m for HepG 2; EC 50 > 20 n m for MCF-7. In order to determine the mechanism responsible for this difference in EC 50, we have examined putative regulatory factors such as the intracellular TCDD receptor as well as the kinetics of mRNA transcription and accumulation in these cells. TCDD increases transcription of hP 1450 mRNA in both MCF-7 and HepG 2 cells; however, MCF-7 cells require higher concentrations of TCDD to produce transcriptional activation comparable to that observed for HepG 2 cells. These data indicate that the difference in EC 50 is determined at an early step in the induction of hP 1450 mRNA. With the use of a sensitive assay based on high-performance anion-exchange liquid chromatography, an intracellular protein which binds TCDD with high affinity was detected in HepG 2 cytosolic fractions but not in MCF-7 cells. Thus, the difference in EC 50 for TCDD can be correlated to the differences in TCDD binding. We postulate that MCF-7 cells contain a “defective” receptor with decreased affinity for TCDD.

Control of gene expression by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Multiple dioxin-responsive domains 5'-ward of the cytochrome P1-450 gene.

In mouse hepatoma cells, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) stimulates cytochrome P1-450 gene transcription via the formation of TCDD-receptor complexes and the accumulation of the complexes in the nucleus. Here, we show that the DNA that flanks the 5'-end of the cytochrome P1-450 gene contains at least two discrete TCDD-responsive domains. Each domain has properties analogous to those of transcriptional enhancers. Each domain requires TCDD-receptor complexes for its function. There is no significant nucleotide sequence homology between the two TCDD-responsive domains.

Control of cytochrome P1-450 gene expression: analysis of a dioxin-responsive enhancer system.

We analyzed the function and sequence of a dioxin-responsive genomic element flanking the 5' end of the cytochrome P1-450 gene in high-activity variant mouse hepatoma cells. The element can regulate the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter. The element retains responsiveness to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) when the distance, the 5' or 3' position, and/or the 5' or 3' orientation with respect to the promoter are varied. The function of the element requires TCDD-receptor complexes. The element remains responsive to TCDD when transfected into cells from either a heterologous mouse tissue or a heterologous species (human). The DNA element and TCDD receptors together constitute a dioxin-responsive enhancer system.

Superinduction of cytochrome P1-450 gene transcription by inhibition of protein synthesis in wild type and variant mouse hepatoma cells.

Inhibition of protein synthesis superinduces transcription of the cytochrome P1-450 gene in Hepa 1c1c7 mouse hepatoma cells. The superinduced transcription rate is 10-15-fold higher than the maximal rate of transcription induced by the known inducer 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) alone. Superinduction is maximal within 30-40 min and remains maximal for at least 90 min. Cytochrome P1-450 mRNA is the same length in TCDD-induced and superinduced cells. Superinduction does not occur in variant cells in which TCDD-receptor complexes bind weakly to nuclei and which do not transcribe the cytochrome P1-450 gene in response to TCDD. Inhibition of protein synthesis does not alter several properties of TCDD-receptor complexes. The results imply that a second control mechanism modulates the action of the TCDD-receptor complex in regulating cytochrome P1-450 gene transcription.

Control of cytochrome P1-450 gene expression by dioxin.

The environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) may produce its effects by altering gene expression in susceptible cells. In mouse hepatoma cells, TCDD induces the transcription of the cytochrome P1-450 gene, whose product, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, contributes both to the detoxification and to the metabolic activation of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. A DNA fragment containing sequences flanking the 5' end of the cytochrome P1-450 gene was isolated and analyzed. This DNA fragment contains a cis-acting control element with at least three functional domains: a putative promoter, an inhibitory domain upstream from the promoter that blocks its function, and a TCDD-responsive domain still farther (1265 to 1535 base pairs) upstream of the promoter. These findings, together with results from earlier studies, imply that transcription of the cytochrome P1-450 gene is under both positive and negative control by at least two trans-acting regulatory factors.

Mutations affecting the regulation of transcription of the cytochrome P1-450 gene in the mouse Hepa-1 cell line.

The cytochrome P1-450-dependent activity, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, and cytochrome P1-450 messenger RNA levels were studied in wild-type Hepa1c1c7 cells and in aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase-deficient mutants derived from this line. Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induced both parameters approximately 50-fold in Hepa1c1c7 cells. Mutants in genes B and C that are affected in the functioning of the Ah receptor required for hydroxylase induction and dominant mutants had nondetectable or much reduced P1-450 mRNA levels and hydroxylase activities after TCDD treatment. Hybrids between wild-type cells and the dominant mutants were also deficient in these parameters. The dominant mutants therefore appear to express a trans-acting repressor of cytochrome P1-450 transcription. Mutants in gene A were heterogenous. Some lacked the mRNA completely; others were inducible for it; while still others (subgroup IV) had high levels even when they were grown without TCDD. These results suggest strongly that gene A is the structural gene for cytochrome P1-450. When subgroup IV mutants were cultured together with wild-type cells, they failed to express P1-450 mRNA in the absence of TCDD treatment. These cells probably accumulate an inducer that can be metabolized by aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase. The inducer did not appear to be a component of the medium and therefore may be an endogenous ligand of the Ah receptor.

Biochemical and genetic analysis of variant mouse hepatoma cells which overtranscribe the cytochrome P1-450 gene in response to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

Using the fluorescence-activated cell sorter, we have isolated a population of variant mouse hepatoma cells which have a markedly increased ability to metabolize benzo(a)pyrene. Compared with wild-type (Hepa 1c1c7) cells, the variant cells exhibit increased aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity and increased responsiveness of the aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase induction mechanism to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Cell fusion experiments indicate that the variant phenotype is co-dominant with respect to wild-type. Filter hybridization analyses indicate that increased accumulation of cytochrome P1-450-specific mRNA accounts for the overproduction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity. Measurements of RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei reveal that the variants exhibit an increased rate of transcription of the cytochrome P1-450 gene in response to TCDD. The variant cells contain no detectable alteration in their TCDD receptors, nor is the cytochrome P1-450 gene amplified in the variants. Filter hybridization analyses of restriction endonuclease-digested DNA indicate that the variant cytochrome P1-450 gene is relatively undermethylated, compared with the wild-type gene. We conclude that the variant cells contain an altered cis-acting genomic element(s) which regulates the expression of the cytochrome P1-450 gene.

Regulation of cytochrome P1-450 gene transcription by 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in wild type and variant mouse hepatoma cells.

Using RNA synthesized in isolated nuclei, we have measured the effect of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on the rate of synthesis of cytochrome P1-450 mRNA in wild type mouse hepatoma (Hepa 1c1c7) cells and in variant (BPrc1) cells, which fail to accumulate the TCDD-receptor complex within the nucleus. In wild type cells, TCDD induces a 20-fold increase in the rate of synthesis of cytochrome P1-450 mRNA within 30 min. This effect persists for at least 18 h. In contrast, TCDD has no effect on cytochrome P1-450 mRNA synthesis in the variant cells. The results demonstrate that TCDD increases the rate of transcription of the cytochrome P1-450 gene and suggest that transcription requires nuclear localization of the TCDD-receptor complex.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin receptors in wild type and variant mouse hepatoma cells. Nuclear location and strength of nuclear binding.

The volume of aqueous solvent present during subcellular fractionation of mouse hepatoma (Hepa 1c1c7) cells influences the distribution of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) receptors between the nuclear and cytosolic fractions. When the effects of dilution are minimized, at least 80% of the receptors associate with nuclei. The receptors bind relatively strongly to nuclei, as measured by their release by KCl. TCDD-receptor complexes bind more strongly to nuclei than do unoccupied receptors. A temperature-dependent event further enhances the binding of TCDD-receptor complexes to nuclei. A class of variant cells contains receptors which bind relatively weakly to nuclei; this defect accounts for the variant phenotype. We conclude that, in the intact cell, TCDD receptors are located within the nucleus and that the temperature-dependent event in the induction of cytochrome P1-450 gene expression is one which strengthens the binding of the TCDD-receptor complex to chromatin.