Colin J. Henderson

Regulation of JNK signaling by GSTp.

Studies of low basal Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) activity in non‐stressed cells led us to identify a JNK inhibitor that was purified and identified as glutathione S‐transferase Pi (GSTp) and was characterized as a JNK‐associated protein. UV irradiation or H2O2 treatment caused GSTp oligomerization and dissociation of the GSTp–JNK complex, indicating that it is the monomeric form of GSTp that elicits JNK inhibition. Addition of purified GSTp to the Jun–JNK complex caused a dose‐dependent inhibition of JNK activity. Conversely, immunodepleting GSTp from protein extracts attenuated JNK inhibition. Furthermore, JNK activity was increased in the presence of specific GSTp inhibitors and a GSTp‐derived peptide. Forced expression of GSTp decreased MKK4 and JNK phosphorylation which coincided with decreased JNK activity, increased c‐Jun ubiquitination and decreased c‐Jun‐mediated transcription. Co‐transfection of MEKK1 and GSTp restored MKK4 phosphorylation but did not affect GSTp inhibition of JNK activity, suggesting that the effect of GSTp on JNK is independent of the MEKK1–MKK4 module. Mouse embryo fibroblasts from GSTp‐null mice exhibited a high basal level of JNK activity that could be reduced by forced expression of GSTp cDNA. In demonstrating the relationships between GSTp expression and its association with JNK, our findings provide new insight into the regulation of stress kinases.

Loss of the Nrf2 transcription factor causes a marked reduction in constitutive and inducible expression of the glutathione S-transferase Gsta1, Gsta2, Gstm1, Gstm2, Gstm3 and Gstm4 genes in the livers of male and female mice.

Mice that lack the Nrf2 basic-region leucine-zipper transcription factor are more sensitive than wild-type (WT) animals to the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of foreign chemicals and oxidants. To determine the basis for the decrease in tolerance of the Nrf2 homozygous null mice to xenobiotics, enzyme assay, Western blotting and gene-specific real-time PCR (TaqMan) have been used to examine the extent to which hepatic expression of GSH-dependent enzymes is influenced by the transcription factor. The amounts of protein and mRNA for class Alpha, Mu and Pi glutathione S-transferases were compared between WT and Nrf2 knockout (KO) mice of both sexes under both constitutive and inducible conditions. Among the class Alpha and class Mu transferases, constitutive expression of Gsta1, Gsta2, Gstm1, Gstm2, Gstm3, Gstm4 and Gstm6 subunits was reduced in the livers of Nrf2 mutant mice to between 3% and 60% of that observed in WT mice. Induction of these subunits by butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) was more marked in WT female mice than in WT male mice. TaqMan analyses showed the increase in transferase mRNA caused by BHA was attenuated in Nrf2(-/-) mice, with the effect being most apparent in the case of Gsta1, Gstm1 and Gstm3. Amongst class Pi transferase subunits, the constitutive hepatic level of mRNA for Gstp1 and Gstp2 was not substantially affected in the KO mice, but their induction by BHA was dependent on Nrf2; this was more obvious in female mutant mice than in male mice. Nrf2 KO mice exhibited reduced constitutive expression of the glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, and, to a lesser extent, the expression of glutamate cysteine ligase modifier subunit. Little variation was observed in the levels of glutathione synthase in the different mouse lines. Thus the increased sensitivity of Nrf2(-/-) mice to xenobiotics can be partly attributed to a loss in constitutive expression of multiple GSH-dependent enzymes, which causes a reduction in intrinsic detoxification capacity in the KO animal. These data also indicate that attenuated induction of GSH-dependent enzymes in Nrf2(-/-) mice probably accounts for their failure to adapt to chronic exposure to chemical and oxidative stress.

Identification of P450 enzymes involved in metabolism of verapamil in humans

SummaryThe calcium channel blocker verapamil[2,8-bis-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-2-isopropyl-6-azaoctanitrile] is widely used in the treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris and cardiac arrythmias. The drug undergoes extensive and variable hepatic metabolism in man with the major metabolic steps comprising formation of D-617 [2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-methylamino-2-isopropylvaleronitrile] and norverapamil [2,8-bis-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-isopropyl-6-azaoxtanitrile]. The enzymes involved in metabolism of verapamil have not been characterized so far. Identification of these enzymes would enable estimation of both interindividual variability in verapamil metabolism introduced by the respective pathway and potential for metabolic interactions. We therefore characterized the enzymes involved in formation of D-617 and norverapamil.The maximum rate of formation of D-617 and norverapamil was determined in the microsomal fraction of 21 human livers which had been previously characterized for the individual expression of various P450 enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A3/4) by means of Western blotting. Specific antibodies directed against CYP3A were used to inhibit formation of D-617 and norverapamil. Finally, formation of both metabolites was investigated in microsomes obtained from yeast cells which were genetically engineered for stable expression of human P450.Formation of D-617 was correlated with the expression of CYP3A (r=0.85; P<0.001) and CYP1A2 (r=0.57; P<0.01) in the microsomal fraction of 21 human livers after incubation with racemic verapamil. Formation of norverapamil was correlated with the expression of CYP3A (r=0.58; P<0.01) and CYP1A2 (r=0.5; P<0.05) in the same preparations after incubation with racemic verapamil. Antibodies against CYP3A reduced maximum rate of formation of D-617 (to 37.1±11% and 40.6±6.801o of control after incubation with S- and R-verapamil, respectively) and norverapamil (to 38.2±4.5% and 29.2±5.5% of control after incubation with S- and R-verapamil, respectively). Both D-617 and norverapamil were formed by stable expressed CYP3A4 (16.6 pmol/mg protein/min and 22.6 pmol/mg protein/min, respectively). In summary, formation of D-617 and norverapamil is catalyzed mainly by CYP3A4. D-617 is also formed by CYP1A2. Veraparnil therefore has the potential to interact with other drugs which are substrates or inducers of CYP3A and CYP1A2.

Identification of Novel Roles of the Cytochrome P450 System in Early Embryogenesis: Effects on Vasculogenesis and Retinoic Acid Homeostasis

ABSTRACT The cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase system catalyzes the metabolism of xenobiotics and endogenous compounds, including hormones and retinoic acid. In order to establish the role of these enzymes in embryogenesis, we have inactivated the system through the deletion of the gene for the electron donor to all microsomal P450 proteins, cytochrome P450 reductase (Cpr). Mouse embryos homozygous for this deletion died in early to middle gestation (∼9.5 days postcoitum [dpc]) and exhibited a number of novel phenotypes, including the severe inhibition of vasculogenesis and hematopoiesis. In addition, defects in the brain, limbs, and cell types where CPR was shown to be expressed were observed. Some of the observed abnormalities have been associated with perturbations in retinoic acid homeostasis in later embryogenesis. Consistent with this possibility, embryos at 9.5 dpc had significantly elevated levels of retinoic acid and reduced levels of retinol. Further, some of the observed phenotypes could be either reversed or exacerbated by decreasing or increasing maternal retinoic acid exposure, respectively. Detailed analysis demonstrated a close relationship between the observed phenotype and the expression of genes controlling vasculogenesis. These data demonstrate that the cytochrome P450 system plays a key role in early embryonic development; this process appears to be, at least in part, controlled by regional concentrations of retinoic acid and has profound effects on blood vessel formation.

Transcription Factor Nrf2 Is Essential for Induction of NAD(P)H:Quinone Oxidoreductase 1, Glutathione S-Transferases, and Glutamate Cysteine Ligase by Broccoli Seeds and Isothiocyanates

Cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates that, after conversion to isothiocyanates (ITC), are capable of inducing cytoprotective genes. We examined whether broccoli seeds can elicit a chemoprotective response in mouse organs and rodent cell lines and investigated whether this response requires nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2). The seeds studied contained glucosinolate at 40 mmol/kg, of which 59% comprised glucoiberin, 19% sinigrin, 8% glucoraphanin, and 7% progoitrin. Dietary administration of broccoli seeds to nrf2(+/+) and nrf2(-/-) mice produced a approximately 1.5-fold increase in NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities in stomach, small intestine, and liver of wild-type mice but not in mutant mice; increased transferase activity was associated with elevated levels of GSTA1/2, GSTA3, and GSTM1/2 subunits. These seeds also increased significantly the level of glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic (GCLC) subunit in the stomach and the small intestine of nrf2(+/+) mice but not nrf2(-/-) mice. An aqueous broccoli seed extract was prepared for treatment of cultured cells that contained ITC at approximately 600 mumol/L, composed of 61% 3-methylsulfinylpropyl ITC, 30% sulforaphane, 4% allyl ITC, and 4% 3-butenyl ITC. This extract induced GSTA1/2, GSTA3, NQO1, and GCLC between 3-fold and 10-fold in mouse Hepa-1c1c7 and rat liver RL-34 cells. The broccoli seed extract affected increases in GSTA3, GSTM1, and NQO1 proteins in nrf2(+/+) mouse embryonic fibroblasts but not in nrf2(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts. These experiments show that broccoli seeds are effective at inducing antioxidant and detoxication proteins, both in vivo and ex vivo, in an Nrf2-dependent manner.

Identification of retinoic acid as an inhibitor of transcription factor Nrf2 through activation of retinoic acid receptor alpha

Isothiocyanates and phenolic antioxidants can prevent cancer through activation of Nrf2 (NF-E2 p45-related factor 2), a transcription factor that controls expression of cytoprotective genes through the antioxidant response element (ARE) enhancer. Using a human mammary MCF7-derived AREc32 reporter cell line, we now report that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), and other retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) agonists, markedly reduces the ability of Nrf2 to mediate induction of ARE-driven genes by cancer chemopreventive agents including the metabolite of butylated hydroxyanisole, tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ). The basal and tBHQ-inducible expression of aldo-keto reductase (AKR) AKR1C1 and AKR1C2 genes, which are regulated by Nrf2, was also repressed by ATRA in AREc32 cells. Antagonists of RARα augmented induction of ARE-driven gene expression by tBHQ, as did knockdown of RARα by using RNAi. The expression of the ARE-gene battery was increased in the small intestine of mice fed on a vitamin A-deficient diet, and this increase was repressed by administration of ATRA. By contrast, in the small intestine of Nrf2 null mice, the expression of ARE-driven genes was not affected by vitamin A status. In MCF7 cells, ATRA did not block the nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 but reduced the binding of Nrf2 to the ARE enhancer as a consequence of forming a complex with RARα. These data suggest that cross-talk between Nrf2 and RARα could markedly influence the sensitivity of cells to electrophiles and oxidative stressors and, as a consequence, to carcinogenesis.

Metabolic activation of benzo[a]pyrene in vitro by hepatic cytochrome P450 contrasts with detoxification in vivo: experiments with hepatic cytochrome P450 reductase null mice.

Many studies using mammalian cellular and subcellular systems have demonstrated that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), are metabolically activated by cytochrome P450s (CYPs). In order to evaluate the role of hepatic versus extra-hepatic metabolism of BaP and its pharmacokinetics, we used the hepatic cytochrome P450 reductase null (HRN) mouse model, in which cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase, the unique electron donor to CYPs, is deleted specifically in hepatocytes, resulting in the loss of essentially all hepatic CYP function. HRN and wild-type (WT) mice were treated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 125 mg/kg body wt BaP daily for up to 5 days. Clearance of BaP from blood was analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. DNA adduct levels were measured by (32)P-post-labelling analysis with structural confirmation of the formation of 10-(deoxyguanosin-N(2)-yl)-7,8,9-trihydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Hepatic microsomes isolated from BaP-treated and untreated mice were also incubated with BaP and DNA in vitro. BaP-DNA adduct formation was up to 7-fold lower with the microsomes from HRN mice than with that from WT mice. Most of the hepatic microsomal activation of BaP in vitro was attributable to CYP1A. Pharmacokinetic analysis of BaP in blood revealed no significant differences between HRN and WT mice. BaP-DNA adduct levels were higher in the livers (up to 13-fold) and elevated in several extra-hepatic tissues of HRN mice (by 1.7- to 2.6-fold) relative to WT mice. These data reveal an apparent paradox, whereby hepatic CYP enzymes appear to be more important for detoxification of BaP in vivo, despite being involved in its metabolic activation in vitro.

Environmental Pollutant and Potent Mutagen 3-Nitrobenzanthrone Forms DNA Adducts after Reduction by NAD(P)H:Quinone Oxidoreductase and Conjugation by Acetyltransferases and Sulfotransferases in Human Hepatic Cytosols

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-nitro-7H-benz[de]anthracen-7-one, 3-NBA) is a potent mutagen and suspected human carcinogen identified in diesel exhaust and air pollution. We compared the ability of human hepatic cytosolic samples to catalyze DNA adduct formation by 3-NBA. Using the (32)P-postlabeling method, we found that 12/12 hepatic cytosols activated 3-NBA to form multiple DNA adducts similar to those formed in vivo in rodents. By comparing 3-NBA-DNA adduct formation in the presence of cofactors of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) and xanthine oxidase, most of the reductive activation of 3-NBA in human hepatic cytosols was attributed to NQO1. Inhibition of adduct formation by dicoumarol, an NQO1 inhibitor, supported this finding and was confirmed with human recombinant NQO1. When cofactors of N,O-acetyltransferases (NAT) and sulfotransferases (SULT) were added to cytosolic samples, 3-NBA-DNA adduct formation increased 10- to 35-fold. Using human recombinant NQO1 and NATs or SULTs, we found that mainly NAT2, followed by SULT1A2, NAT1, and, to a lesser extent, SULT1A1 activate 3-NBA. We also evaluated the role of hepatic NADPH:cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) in the activation of 3-NBA in vivo by treating hepatic POR-null mice and wild-type littermates i.p. with 0.2 or 2 mg/kg body weight of 3-NBA. No difference in DNA binding was found in any tissue examined (liver, lung, kidney, bladder, and colon) between null and wild-type mice, indicating that 3-NBA is predominantly activated by cytosolic nitroreductases rather than microsomal POR. Collectively, these results show the role of human hepatic NQO1 to reduce 3-NBA to species being further activated by NATs and SULTs.

Role of hepatic cytochrome p450s in the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of cyclophosphamide: studies with the hepatic cytochrome p450 reductase null mouse.

Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is an anticancer prodrug that is dependent on cytochrome P450 (CYP) metabolism for its therapeutic effectiveness. In spite of the use of CPA in the clinic for over 50 years, little is known about the relationship between its toxicokinetics and therapeutic response. We have employed a powerful new model, the Hepatic Cytochrome P450 Reductase Null (HRN) mouse, which has almost no hepatic cytochrome P450 activity, to study the toxicokinetics of CPA and to establish in vivo the role of hepatic P450 metabolism in its pharmacokinetics. In HRN mice the in vitro metabolism and intrinsic clearance of CPA was over 6-fold lower than in wild-type animals. This change in CPA metabolism was also reflected in vivo, with a profound difference in the pharmacokinetics of both CPA and its metabolites. At a CPA dose of 100 mg/kg, the Cmax, plasma area under the curve (AUC) and half-life were increased by 2.6-, 6.2-, and 3.2-fold, respectively, in the HRN mice. Similar changes were also observed at a dose of 300 mg/kg. These data confirm that hepatic metabolism is the major route of CPA elimination and disposition. The primary metabolites of CPA, 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide (4-OH-CPA) and 3-dechloroethylcyclophosphamide, were still formed, but at altered rates in the HRN mice. At 100 mg/kg the t1/2 for 4-OH-CPA was increased 1.8-fold, the Cmax reduced 1.7-fold, and the AUC remained unchanged. This latter finding shows that P450-mediated oxidative metabolism is essential for the clearance of this compound. Toxicokinetic analysis of CPA-induced myelosuppression and granulocytopenia showed that at high doses (> or =100 mg/kg) there was no difference in myelotoxicity between the wild-type and HRN mice. However, at lower doses (< or =70 mg/kg) a significant difference was observed, with little toxicity seen in HRN mice but at least a 45% reduction in the bone marrow granulocyte population in wild-type mice. Meta-analysis of the toxicity experiments showed the myelotoxicity of CPA was found to be closely correlated with the Cmax of 4-OH-CPA (r2= 0.80, P = 0.002). As the therapeutic effectiveness of CPA has been linked to the AUC for 4-OH-CPA, the finding that 4-OH-CPA Cmax may determine its level of myelotoxicity indicates that the therapeutic index could be altered by changing the method of CPA administration. Furthermore, monitoring 4-OH-CPA Cmax may identify individuals at most risk of CPA side effects.

Defining the in Vivo Role for Cytochrome b5 in Cytochrome P450 Function through the Conditional Hepatic Deletion of Microsomal Cytochrome b5

In vitro, cytochrome b5 modulates the rate of cytochrome P450-dependent mono-oxygenation reactions. However, the role of this enzyme in determining drug pharmacokinetics in vivo and the consequential effects on drug absorption distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity are unclear. In order to resolve this issue, we have carried out the conditional deletion of microsomal cytochrome b5 in the liver to create the hepatic microsomal cytochrome b5 null mouse. These mice develop and breed normally and have no overt phenotype. In vitro studies using a range of substrates for different P450 enzymes showed that in hepatic microsomal cytochrome b5 null NADH-mediated metabolism was essentially abolished for most substrates, and the NADPH-dependent metabolism of many substrates was reduced by 50–90%. This reduction in metabolism was also reflected in the in vivo elimination profiles of several drugs, including midazolam, metoprolol, and tolbutamide. In the case of chlorzoxazone, elimination was essentially unchanged. For some drugs, the pharmacokinetics were also markedly altered; for example, when administered orally, the maximum plasma concentration for midazolam was increased by 2.5-fold, and the clearance decreased by 3.6-fold in hepatic microsomal cytochrome b5 null mice. These data indicate that microsomal cytochrome b5 can play a major role in the in vivo metabolism of certain drugs and chemicals but in a P450- and substrate-dependent manner.