Glutathione S-transferase Ya Subunit Research Articles

Nrf2 Induces Interleukin-6 (IL-6) Expression via an Antioxidant Response Element within the IL-6 Promoter

IL-6 gene expression is controlled by a promoter region containing multiple regulatory elements such as NF-κB, NF-IL6, CRE, GRE, and TRE. In this study, we demonstrated that TRE, found within the IL-6 promoter, is embedded in a functional antioxidant response element (ARE) matching an entire ARE consensus sequence. Further, point mutations of the ARE consensus sequence in the IL-6 promoter construct selectively eliminate ARE but not TRE activity. Nrf2 is a redox-sensitive transcription factor which provides cytoprotection against electrophilic and oxidative stress and is the most potent activator of ARE-dependent transcription. Using Nrf2 knock-out mice we demonstrate that Nrf2 is a potent activator of IL-6 gene transcription in vivo. Moreover, we show evidence that Nrf2 is the transcription factor that activates IL6 expression in a cholestatic hepatitis mouse model. Our findings suggest a possible role of IL-6 in oxidative stress defense and also give indication about an important function for Nrf2 in the regulation of hematopoietic and inflammatory processes.

BTZO-1, a Cardioprotective Agent, Reveals that Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Regulates ARE-Mediated Gene Expression

In a screening program to discover therapeutic drugs for heart diseases, we identified BTZO-1, a 1,3-benzothiazin-4-one derivative, which activated antioxidant response element (ARE)-mediated gene expression and suppressed oxidative stress-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis invitro. An active BTZO-1 derivative for ARE-activation protected heart tissue during ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), which is known to protect cells from oxidative insult, was identified as a specific BTZO-1-binding protein. BTZO-1 binds to MIF with a K(d) of 68.6 nM, and its binding required the intact N-terminal Pro1. MIF, in the presence of BTZO-1, activated the glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit (GST Ya) gene ARE, whereas reduction of cellular MIF protein levels by siRNA suppressed BTZO-1-induced GST Ya expression. These results suggest that BTZO-1 activates the GST Ya gene ARE by interacting with MIF.

Antioxidant-induced Phosphorylation of Tyrosine 486 Leads to Rapid Nuclear Export of Bach1 That Allows Nrf2 to Bind to the Antioxidant Response Element and Activate Defensive Gene Expression

Antioxidants cause stabilization and nuclear translocation of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), where it binds to the antioxidant response element (ARE) and induces up-regulation of defensive genes that protect cells against oxidative and electrophilic stress. Bach1, the negative regulator of Nrf2, competes with Nrf2 for binding to the ARE in the human NQO1 promoter. In this study, we demonstrate that Bach1 exits the nucleus within 1-2 h upon antioxidant treatment. Genistein, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases, blocked nuclear export of Bach1. Site-directed mutagenesis and immunoprecipitation assays identified tyrosine 486 that was phosphorylated in response to the antioxidant and was essential for nuclear export of Bach1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed a competitive interplay between Bach1 and Nrf2 at 1-2 and 4 h for binding to the human NQO1 ARE. Luciferase and real time PCR assays showed a significant decrease in antioxidant induction of reporter activity and mRNA levels in cells transfected with mutant Bach1 compared with wild type. This decrease was due to the absence of nuclear export of the mutant protein. Bach1 levels inside the nucleus returned to normal at 4 h after antioxidant treatment in the absence but not in the presence of protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. In addition, antioxidant treatment increased the transcription of Bach1 as shown by pulse chase and real time PCR experiments. Taken together, these results indicate that increased synthesis of Bach1 restored its nuclear levels to normal at 4 h. In conclusion, antioxidant-induced tyrosine 486 phosphorylation leads to nuclear exit of Bach1, thus allowing Nrf2 access to the ARE.

Ascorbic acid differentially modulates the induction of heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 and glutathione S-transferase Ya by As 3+, Cd 2+ and Cr 6+

The induction of phase II drug metabolizing enzymes serves as a detoxification mechanism for many mutagens, carcinogens and other toxic compounds. Specifically, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1) and glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit (Gst ya) are key enzymes involved in cellular defense against reactive forms of oxygen and the inhibition of carcinogenesis. As 3+, which induces these enzymes, has been proven to have a role in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Ascorbic acid (AA) potentiates the anticancer effect of As 3+ and thus it is expected that this antioxidant will have a paradoxical effect on the ability of heavy metals, specifically As 3+, to induce Nqo1 and Gst ya. We have shown that As 3+ and Cd 2+ induce heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Nqo1 and Gst ya mRNA levels but Cr 6+ decreases Nqo1 and Gst ya mRNA. Surprisingly, AA superinduced the induction of HO-1, Nqo1 and Gst ya mRNA by As 3+, while inhibiting the induction of HO-1 mRNA by Cd 2+ and Cr 6+. Hence, it is tempting to speculate that AA may potentiate the therapeutic efficacy of As 3+ by enhancing the expression of HO-1, Nqo1, and Gst ya while acting as a potent antioxidant.

Effects of Exposure <i>In Utero</i> to Bisphenol A on the Expression of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor, Related Factors, and Xenobiotic Metabolizing Enzymes in Murine Embryos

To evaluate the effects of bisphenol A (BPA), a candidate endocrine disruptor (ED), on embryonic development, we examined the mRNA expression levels of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR; which binds with many EDs and plays crucial roles in their metabolism) and related factors [aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AhRR) and AhR nuclear translocator (Arnt)], xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes [XMEs; cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, and the glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit (GST)], in murine embryos exposed in utero to BPA (0.02, 2, 200, and 20,000 microg/kg/day) and 17beta-estradiol (E2; 5 microg/kg/day, used as a positive control) at 6.5-13.5 or 6.5-17.5 days post coitum (dpc) using the quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Protein levels of CYP1A1 and GST in embryonic livers were estimated by Western immunoblotting. Exposure in utero to BPA [0.02 (1/100 dose of environmental exposure), 2, 200, and 20,000 microg/kg/day] increased AhR mRNA expression in the cerebra, cerebella, and gonads (testes and ovaries) of male and female mid-and late-developmental stage (14.5- and 18.5-dpc, respectively) embryos. BPA dose-independently up-regulated the expression of AhRR and Arnt in mid- and late-stage embryos. BPA had no remarkable effect on the mRNA levels of XMEs in mid-stage embryos, but dose-dependently up-regulated the expression in late-stage embryos. Moreover, the protein levels of these enzymes in the livers of late-stage embryos were increased. The present findings revealed that exposure to BPA in utero disrupts the expression of AhR and related factors and of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, and that mid-stage embryos, in the organogenic stage, are sensitive to BPA.

The quinone reductase gene: a unique estrogen receptor-regulated gene that is activated by antiestrogens.

Antiestrogens are thought to exert most of their beneficial effects in breast cancer by antagonizing the actions of estrogen. We report here that antiestrogens also stimulate the expression of quinone reductase (QR) [NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.99.2], which may provide protective effects against the toxicity and mutagenicity caused by quinones. QR is up-regulated by low concentrations of antiestrogens (trans-hydroxytamoxifen, tamoxifen, and ICI182,780) in estrogen receptor (ER)-containing breast cancer cells, and this increase is suppressed by estrogen via an ER-dependent mechanism. Since regulation of the QR gene, as well as other genes involved in detoxification such as the glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit (GST Ya) gene, is known to be mediated by an electrophile/antioxidant response element (EpRE/ARE), we examined the effects of antiestrogens on a 41-bp electrophile responsive region derived from the GST Ya gene. Transfection of this EpRE-containing region into ER-negative breast cancer cells in the presence or absence of an expression vector for the human ER, as well as mutagenesis studies, revealed that the EpRE-containing construct was activated by antiestrogen to the same extent as by tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), a known activator of EpREs; however, only the stimulation by antiestrogen, and not TBHQ, required ER and was repressed by estradiol, although activation by both inducers mapped to the same 10-bp EpRE consensus sequence. Thus, there appear to be two pathways for QR induction, one that is activated by electrophile inducers such as TBHQ and is ER independent, and a second that is antiestrogen regulated and ER dependent; both pathways act through the EpRE. The anticancer action of antiestrogens may thus derive not only from the already well-known repression of estrogen-stimulated activities but also from the activation of detoxifying enzymes, such as QR, that may contribute to the beneficial antioxidant activity of antiestrogens.

The Heme-Responsive Element of the Mouse Heme Oxygenase-1 Gene Is an Extended AP-1 Binding Site That Resembles the Recognition Sequences for MAF and NF-E2 Transcription Factors

Jun and Fos (AP-1) transcription factors were recently proposed to mediate induction of the mouse heme oxygenase-1 gene by different agents including heme and cadmium. In this report we show that the AP-1 binding sequence, TGAGTCA, is necessary but insufficient for gene activation in response to heme or cadmium. The minimal heme response element was identified as an extended AP-1 binding site, (T/C)GCTGAGTCA. In addition to the AP-1 heptad, this element also contains an interdigitated antioxidant response element, GCnnnGTCA. Specific antioxidant response elements from the NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase-1 and the glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit genes were in fact responsive to heme but not all sequences that conform to the consensus antioxidant response element were activated by this agent. The heme response element resembles the consensus binding sites for the product of themafoncogene and for the transcription factor NF-E2. The potential role of these and related transcription factors and the implication of the composite heme response element in heme oxygenase-1 gene regulation are discussed.

The rat liver glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit gene: characterization of the binding properties of a nuclear protein from HepG2 cells that has high affinity for the antioxidant response element.

A nuclear protein from HepG2 cells (YABP) that binds the antioxidant response element (ARE), which is required for activation of the rat glutathione S-transferase (GST) Ya subunit gene by planar aromatic compounds and phenolic antioxidants, was further characterized by quantitative competition binding experiments and DNA mutational analysis. The apparent dissociation constant of the YABP-ARE complex was estimated as < or = 0.77 nM, suggesting that the YABP has very high affinity for the ARE. There is no difference in the affinity of the YABP for the ARE when HepG2 cells are treated with inducers that transcriptionally activate the GST Ya subunit gene. Quantitative competition binding analyses in conjunction with mutagenesis of the ARE revealed that an 11-nucleotide region in the 41-nucleotide ARE, 5'-GGTGACAAAGC-3', is responsible for binding to the YABP. Eight nucleotides of this core sequence are in close proximity to the YABP, indicating that there is a broader spectrum of protein contact points than those required for the transcriptional activation. van't Hoff analysis of effects of temperature on binding has revealed that the binding reaction is governed mainly by entropy changes, which could result from conformational changes in the YABP and/or the ARE upon the formation of the complex. In addition, the native molecular weight of the YABP was determined to be 74 300 using gel filtration chromatography. These data together with previous UV cross-linking data suggest that the YABP exists as a heterodimer.

Transcription regulation of rat glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit gene expression by chemopreventive agents.

To study the transcription regulation of rat glutathione S-transferase Ya (rGSTya) subunit gene expression by chemopreventive agents. The effects of chemopreventive agents; tamoxifen, genistein, oltipraz, indole-3-carbinol, and various isothiocyanates-sulforaphane, PMITC, PEITC, PBITC, and PPITC, on the transcriptional activation of rGSTya were investigated in cell culture. These were accomplished with a stable human hepatoma Hep G2 cell line transfected with a 1.6 kilobase (kb) 5'-flanking region of the rGSTya fused with the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene. Concentration-effect relationship and the kinetics of gene activation following treatments of the cells with different chemopreventive agents were carried out by quantitating CAT reporter protein using ELISA. Northern blot analysis of total RNA on the expression of CAT mRNA as well as potential transcription factors such as c-Jun, c-Fos, and LFR-1 were performed. Treatment of the cells with increasing concentrations of different chemopreventive agents resulted in corresponding increases in the gene expression of CAT reporter protein. Kinetically, induction of CAT protein was seen as early as 3 hr and peaked at about 20 hr. Northern blot analysis revealed an increase in CAT mRNA transcripts and these mRNA inductions in general were in agreement with those quantitated by the production of CAT reporter protein. Induction of the transcription factor, c-Jun mRNA was observed with sulforaphane. These results show that different chemopreventive agents transcriptionally activate rGSTya CAT in a time and dose-dependent fashion.

Immunohistochemical localization of antioxidant enzymes during hamster kidney development

Immunolocalization studies of hamster kidney development were performed using polyclonal antibodies to antioxidant enzymes, including antibodies to copper, zinc and manganese superoxide dismutases, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferases and their subunits. Antibodies to extracellular matrix proteins were also studied to determine the temporal sequence between expression of immunoreactive protein for basement membrane proteins, which serve as markers of embryonic induction of nephron development, and antioxidant enzyme expression in kidney development. Immunoreactive proteins for antioxidant enzymes were not detectable in the developing kidney until after extracellular matrix proteins had been deposited. However, immunoreactive proteins for the antioxidant enzymes copper, zinc and manganese superoxide dismutases, catalase, and alpha class glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit were detected in renal tubules before birth. mu class glutathione S-transferase subunits Yb1 and Yb2 stained transitional epithelium at high levels before birth. Our results indicate: (1) each type of kidney cell has a unique antioxidant enzyme profile, (2) antioxidant enzymes are expressed in different types of cell at different times during development, but antioxidant enzyme immunoreactive protein was not present until after immunoreactive proteins for extracellular matrix molecules were detected, and (3) certain antioxidant enzymes are present before birth, indicating that high oxygen tension present at birth is not crucial for induction of immunoreactive protein.

Transcriptional regulation of a rat liver glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit gene. Analysis of the antioxidant response element and its activation by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate.

Using transfection and gel retardation assays, we have characterized further the antioxidant response element (ARE) found in the 5'-flanking region of the rat glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit gene. The ARE core sequence (5'-GTGACAAAGC-3') is sufficient for transcriptional activation of the Ya subunit gene by metabolizable planar aromatic compounds, phenolic antioxidants, and hydrogen peroxide. When the ARE sequence is ligated to a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene and transfected into HepG2 cells, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity is modestly inducible by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Since the ARE is responsive to TPA and shows some sequence similarity to an AP-1-binding site (Jun/Fos recognition motif), we have explored whether members of the Jun/Fos family of transcription factors might bind to the ARE. Using in vitro synthesized Jun and Fos, binding to the ARE could not be detected, whereas Jun/Fos binding to a classical AP-1-binding site, a TPA response element (TRE) from the human collagenase gene, could be demonstrated by gel retardation assays. If the 2 A nucleotides underlined in the ARE core sequence (5'-GTGACAAAGC-3') are changed to TC, the ARE sequence (ARE-TRE) becomes a high-affinity AP-1-binding site and retains xenobiotic inducibility. Removal of the -GC- dinucleotide at the 3'-end of the ARE or the ARE-TRE eliminates xenobiotic inducibility. However, the ARE-TRE construct without the -GC- dinucleotide is still a high-affinity AP-1 site and responsive to TPA. Taken together, our data suggest that the ARE is not a high-affinity binding site for the Jun/Fos heterodimer. Functionally, however, an AP-1-binding site can resemble an ARE in its response to various xenobiotics if a 3'-GC- dinucleotide is present.

Human NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase2. Gene structure, activity, and tissue-specific expression.

Human NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase2 (NQO2) gene, 1336 base pairs (bp) of the 5'-flanking region and 165 bp of the 3'-flanking region, have been sequenced. NQO2 gene is 20 kilobase pairs in length and have seven exons interrupted by six introns as compared to the previously cloned NQO1 gene which contains six exons. 187 bp of the first exon in the NQO2 gene are noncoding and are absent in the NQO1 gene. 92 bp of the second exon in the NQO2 gene corresponded to the first exon of the NQO1 gene and so on. The sizes and nucleotide sequences of exons 3-6 are highly conserved between NQO2 and NQO1 genes. The last exon in the NQO2 gene is 1603 bp shorter than the last exon of the NQO1 gene and encodes for 58 amino acids as compared to 101 amino acids encoded by the NQO1 gene. This makes NQO2 protein 43 amino acids shorter than the NQO1 protein. The high degree of conservation between NQO2 and NQO1 gene organization and sequence confirmed that NQO2 gene encodes for a second member of the NQO gene family in human. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the 5'-flanking region of the NQO2 gene revealed presence of four SP1 binding sites at positions -214, -170, -106, and -75, a single copy of the antioxidant response element (ARE) at nucleotide -936, and three copies of xenobiotic response element (XRE) at positions -708, -557, and -51. ARE and XRE elements have previously been found in the promoters of the NQO1 and glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit genes and mediate increases in their expression in response to polycyclic aromatic compounds, phenolic antioxidants, and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), respectively. The NQO2 cDNA-derived protein in monkey kidney COS1 cells efficiently catalyzed nitroreduction of anti-tumor compound CB10-200, an analog of nitrophenylaziridine. Northern blot analysis indicates that NQO2 gene is expressed in human heart, brain, lung, liver, and skeletal muscle but does not express in placenta. In contrast, the NQO1 gene was expressed in all human tissues. Large variations were noticed for expression of the NQO2 and NQO1 genes among various tissues, 1336 bp of the 5'-flanking region of the NQO2 gene containing ARE and XRE was found sufficient to increase expression of the CAT gene in response to beta-naphthoflavone and tCDD in transfected human hepatoblastoma (Hep-G2) cells.

Regulation of phase 2 enzyme induction by oltipraz and other dithiolethiones.

4-Methyl-5-pyrazinyl-3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (oltipraz) and several other dithiolethiones protect against the acute toxicities of many xenobiotics and are effective inhibitors of experimental carcinogenesis. These protective effects are mediated, in part, through elevation of glutathione S-transferase, NAD(P)H: quinone reductase and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities in the liver and other target tissues. The induction of these phase 2 enzymes by oltiprax results from enhanced transcription. In the present study, the molecular mechanisms of these inductions were analyzed utilizing a construct containing a 41 bp enhancer element derived from the 5'-upstream region of the mouse liver glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit gene ligated to the 5' end of the isolated promoter region of this gene, and inserted into a plasmid containing a human growth hormone reporter gene. When this construct was transfected into murine Hepa 1c1c7 hepatoma cells, the concentrations of 25 dithiolethiones and related analogs required to double growth hormone production were determined and spanned a range nearly three orders of magnitude. Concentrations of dithiolethiones required to double the specific activity of NAD(P)H: quinone reductase were also determined in Hepa 1c1c7 cells. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.78) between the potencies of the 21 active compounds as inducers of both NAD(P)H: quinone reductase activity and growth hormone production. Moreover, no dithiolethiones were inactive in only one system. It is probable, therefore, that the induction of NAD(P)H: quinone reductase and other phase 2 enzymes by oltipraz and other dithiolethiones is mediated entirely through the 41 bp enhancer element.

Transcriptional regulation of the rat NAD(P)H:quinone reductase gene. Characterization of a DNA-protein interaction at the antioxidant responsive element and induction by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate.

We have previously identified a novel xenobiotic responsive element, which has been termed the antioxidant responsive element (ARE), in the 5'-flanking region of the rat quinone reductase gene (Favreau, L. V., and Pickett, C. B. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 4556-4561). This element is responsible for basal level expression of the gene as well as transcriptional activation by phenolic antioxidants and metabolizable planar aromatic compounds. In this communication, we demonstrate that hydrogen peroxide can act as an inducer through the ARE sequence, a phenomenon recently demonstrated for the glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit gene (Rushmore, T. H., Morton, M. R., and Pickett, C. B. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 11632-11639). To further characterize the quinone reductase ARE, we demonstrate by DNase I footprinting that in crude Hep G2 nuclear extracts a trans-acting factor exists which interacts with a region of DNA found within the 31-nucleotide ARE sequence. Furthermore, electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrate the presence of a specific DNA-protein complex which can be competed only by double-stranded oligonucleotides containing the ARE sequences from the quinone reductase and glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit genes. Methylation interference and protection assays indicate that several guanine residues found in the sequence GTGACTTGGC are involved in the binding of the nuclear factor(s) to the DNA. Although electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicate that the rat quinone reductase ARE does not contain a high affinity recognition site for in vitro translated c-Jun and c-Fos, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate can act as an inducer through the ARE sequence in Hep G2 cells.

Developmental Aspects of Glucocorticoid Regulation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Inducible Enzymes in Rat Liver

The expression of hepatic cytochrome P4501A1 (P4501A1), glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit (GST), and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (QOR) proteins was evaluated in fetal, neonatal, and adolescent rats treated with 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) and the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex) to elucidate the developmental aspects of glucocorticoid regulation of the induction of drug metabolizing enzymes by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in vivo. These developmental states were chosen to represent either glucocorticoid deplete or replete conditions due to their differences in circulating glucocorticoid levels. Rats were treated with either MC (10 mg/kg body wt) or Dex (10 mg/kg body wt) or a combination of both and sacrificed 24 h later. In neonatal rats, the enzyme activities of P4501A1, GST, and QOR were increased by MC treatment approximately 65-, 1.4-, and 7-fold, respectively. The induction of these enzymes by MC was further potentiated an additional 2-, 1.5-, and 1.4-fold by concomitant Dex treatment. In adolescent male rats, Dex potentiated MC induction of P4501A1 activity (1.7-fold), but repressed MC induction of GST and QOR activities. When the protein contents for the three enzymes were measured by Western blot analyses, a positive correlation was observed with enzyme activities for all conditions except for the adolescent rat, where hepatic protein content of P4501A1 of rats treated with both MC and flex was not significantly increased above the level seen with 3-methylcholanthrene treatment alone. The levels of specific mRNA and transcriptional activity for cytochrome P4501A1, GST Ya isozyme, and QOR closely paralleled the changes seen in their protein content in the livers of neonatal and adolescent rats. Dexamethasone potentiation of P4501A1 expression at the protein and RNA level were clearly statistically significant in the neonatal rat, but not in the adolescent rat, suggesting that the circulating levels of glucocorticoids are sufficiently low during the neonatal period that the full expression of induction of P4501A1 was not attained in the absence of exogenously administered glucocorticoids. These data also demonstrate that glucocorticoids have differential effects on the induction of GST Ya subunit and QOR protein and RNA in the neonatal and adolescent state, possibly related to circulating levels of glucocorticoids.

An unusual profile of musk xylene-induced drug-metabolizing enzymes in rat liver

We have demonstrated previously that musk xylene, a non-mutagenic carcinogen, is a novel and specific inducer of CYP1A2 in rats (Iwata et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun 184: 149–153, 1992). In the present study, the effects of musk xylene (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight, i.p., for 5 consecutive days) on both Phase I and Phase II metabolizing enzymes in rat liver were investigated further and more completely. Among the mixed-function oxidases monitored, 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylase and 7-pentoxyresorufin depentylase activities were increased at all dose levels from 1.6- to 1.7-fold and 2.6- to 3.1-fold, respectively. Benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activity was increased significantly at only the 200 mg/kg dose level of musk xylene (1.5-fold). Regarding Phase II enzymes, activities of both cytosolic DT-diaphorase and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were increased up to 2.0- to 2.4-fold by musk xylene in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis revealed that the changes in these activities were caused by increases in the amounts of DT-diaphorase and GST Ya subunit. Microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UDPGT) activity assayed with p-nitrophenol as substrate was increased 1.6- to 2.0-fold. These results show that musk xylene induces both Phase I cytochrome P450 mixed-function oxidase (CYP1A2 specific) and Phase II metabolizing enzyme systems (DT-diaphorase, GST Ya subunit and UDPGT) in rat liver.

Human Ah receptor cDNA: analysis for highly conserved sequences.

The Ah receptor as well as steroid hormone receptors is a liganddependent ranscription factor that interacts with enhancer regions of several genes such as CYPIAJ (1), glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit (2) and DT-diaphorase genes (3). This transcription factor binds specifically to xenobiotic response element (XRE). It has been proposed that tertiary complex containing Ah receptor, arnt and ligand is necessary to interact with XRE (4). Human cDNA clones (pHu-AhR4-52 and pHu-AhR15'-6) encoding Ah receptor were isolated from a HepG2 cell cDNA library (pCDM8, random primed cDNA library) by screening with a mouse Ah receptor cDNA (5-6) as a probe. Nucleotide sequence analysis was performed using Sequenase. The deduced amino acid sequence ofhuman Ah receptor was 72% homologous with corresponding mouse sequences. Analysis of the deduced primary sequence of the human Ah receptor revealed interesting features of this factor. The region extending from amino acids 28 to 83 exhibited basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) motif as seen in MyoD protein (7). The human Ah receptor protein from amino acids 119 to 174 and from amino acids 282 to 335 contained PAS domains seen in per, arnt and sim proteins as a conserved sequence (8). The carboxy-terminal half of the human Ah receptor protein contained a proposed glutamine-rich region which has been identified as a potential transcriptional activation domain (9) (Figure 1).

Site-directed mutagenesis of glutathione S-transferase YaYa: Functional studies of histidine, cysteine, and tryptophan mutants

The rat cytosolic glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit contains three histidine residues (at positions 8, 143, and 159), two cysteine residues (at positions 18 and 112), and a single tryptophan residue (at position 21). Histidine, cysteine, and tryptophan have been proposed to be present either near or at the active site of other glutathione S-transferase subunits. The functional role of these amino acids at each of the positions was evaluated by site-directed mutagenesis in which valine or asparagine, alanine, and phenylalanine were substituted for histidine, cysteine, and tryptophan, respectively. Mutant enzymes H8V, H143V, H159N, C112A, and W21F retained either full or better catalytic efficiencies ( k cat K m ) toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and glutathione. Lower but significant k cat K m values were observed for H159V and C18A toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Some mutants displayed different thermal stabilities and intrinsic fluorescence intensities, but all retained the ability to bind heme. These results indicate that histidine, cysteine, and tryptophan in the glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit are not essential for catalysis nor are they involved in the binding of heme to the YaYa homodimer.

Regulation of rat glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit gene expression. DNA-protein interaction at the antioxidant responsive element.

We have characterized the interaction of the antioxidant responsive element (ARE) in the 5'-flanking region of the rat glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit gene with its trans-acting factor. The ARE core sequence, 5'-ggTGACaaaGC-3', previously identified as the cis-acting element required for activation of the Ya subunit gene by planar aromatic compounds and phenolic antioxidants, is shown to be the high affinity recognition motif for a trans-acting factor(s) as determined by gel mobility shift assays as well as methylation interference and protection studies. The DNA-protein interaction appears to occur in the major groove and involves the GpG dinucleotide preceding and the G residue within the TGAC tetramer on the coding strand of the core sequence. In addition, DNase I protection analysis maps an extended region 5' from the core recognition motif, which was shown previously to be essential for basal activity of the ARE. The trans-acting factor is present in nuclear extracts from untreated and tert-butylhydroquinone-treated cells as determined by photochemical cross-linking experiments. The cross-linked protein appears to be a heterodimer with subunit molecular weights of approximately 28,000 and approximately 45,000.

Two adjacent AP-1-like binding sites form the electrophile-responsive element of the murine glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit gene.

An electrophile-responsive element (EpRE) in the 5' flanking region of the mouse glutathione S-transferase Ya subunit gene was recently found to be responsible for the induction of gene expression by xenobiotics that contain or acquire by metabolism an electrophilic center. We now find that this EpRE is composed of two adjacent 9-base-pair motifs related in sequence to the AP-1 binding site, a transcriptional enhancer originally identified as the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) response element and known to be regulated by the binding of protein products of c-jun and c-fos genes. Synthetic oligonucleotides representing each of the AP-1-like binding sites of the EpRE and the AP-1 site consensus sequence were prepared and assayed for their enhancer activity and inducibility by tert-butylhydroquinone, beta-naphthoflavone, and PMA. Single AP-1-like sequences showed a lower enhancer activity than an AP-1 consensus sequence and no inducibility. Two adjacent AP-1-like sites were found to act synergistically and to confer inducibility beyond that observed for a single AP-1 consensus sequence. Examination of the PMA-responsive region of a number of genes shows the presence of adjacent AP-1-like sites and indicates that the structure of the EpRE found in the Ya gene may occur more generally and may be important in regulating the magnitude of the electrophilic response. The present study demonstrates the binding and transactivation of the EpRE by Jun and Fos and indicates that the AP-1 site is part of the EpRE. The induction by PMA or tert-butylhydroquinone appears to be independent of protein kinase C activity since it is not affected by inhibitors of this enzyme.