Iwao Nakatsuka

Interferon-γ Interferes with Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling through Direct Interaction of YB-1 with Smad3

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) exert antagonistic effects on collagen synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts. We have recently shown that Y box-binding protein YB-1 mediates the inhibitory effects of IFN-γ on α2(I) procollagen gene (COL1A2) transcription through the IFN-γ response element located between –161 and –150. Here we report that YB-1 counter-represses TGF-β-stimulated COL1A2 transcription by interfering with Smad3 bound to the upstream sequence around –265 and subsequently by interrupting the Smad3-p300 interaction. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses using inhibitors for Janus kinases or casein kinase II suggested that the casein kinase II-dependent signaling pathway mediates IFN-γ-induced nuclear translocation of YB-1. Down-regulation of endogenous YB-1 expression by double-stranded YB-1-specific RNA abrogated the transcriptional repression of COL1A2 by IFN-γ in the absence and presence of TGF-β. In transient transfection assays, overexpression of YB-1 in human dermal fibroblasts exhibited antagonistic actions against TGF-β and Smad3. Physical interaction between Smad3 and YB-1 was demonstrated by immunoprecipitation-Western blot analyses, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays using the recombinant Smad3 and YB-1 proteins indicated that YB-1 forms a complex with Smad3 bound to the Smad-binding element. Glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays showed that YB-1 binds to the MH1 domain of Smad3, whereas the central and carboxyl-terminal regions of YB-1 were required for its interaction with Smad3. YB-1 also interferes with the Smad3-p300 interaction by its preferential binding to p300. Altogether, the results provide a novel insight into the mechanism by which IFN-γ/YB-1 counteracts TGF-β/Smad3. They also indicate that IFN-γ/YB-1 inhibits COL1A2 transcription by dual actions: via the IFN-γ response element and through a cross-talk with the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.

Tissue distribution and pharmacological potential of SM-16896, a novel oestrogen-bisphosphonate hybrid compound.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is caused mainly by a deficiency of oestrogen with rapid bone loss. To target oestrogen to the bone effectively, we have synthesized and evaluated the effects of a novel hybrid compound of oestrogen and bisphosphonate, SM‐16896. The tissue distribution pattern and pharmacological potential are reported.

α2u-Globulins in the urine of male rats: a reliable indicator for α2u-globulin accumulation in the kidney

Abstract Increases in kidney-type- α 2 u -globulin (αG-K, molecular weight approximately 16 kDa) were detected in the urine of male adult rats treated with d -limonene by immunoblotting analysis using an antiserum which distinguishes native-type- α 2 u -globulin (αG-N, molecular weight approximately 19 kDa) from aG-K. When male adult rats received d -limonene by gavage (0–300 mg/kg/day) for 14 consecutive days, dose-dependent increases in urinary excretion of αG-K were observed at a dosage level of more than 30 mg/kg/day. This was found to be directly correlated with alterations in the concentration of renal αG-K as well as the accumulation of hyaline droplets in proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) epithelial cells in the kidneys. Marked elevation of urinary αG-K was also noted following oral treatment of adult male rats with 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (TMP), 1,4-dichlorobenzene (DCB), decalin and isophorone (ISP) by gavage (1.5 mmol/kg/day) for 7 consecutive days, again in association with increased concentrations of renal αG-K and hyaline droplet accumulation in renal PCT epithelial cells. However, no such increases in urinary αG-K were observed for male adult rats treated with nephrotoxic chemicals such as puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) (15 mg/kg/day, s.c., 14 consecutive days) or hexachloro-1,3-butadiene (HCBD) (100 mg/kg/day, p.o., 5 consecutive days), lacking the ability to cause kidney accumulation of the hyaline droplets and αG-K. The findings in this study thus indicate that measurement of urinary αG-K can give a reliable estimates not only of the potential to cause renal accumulation of α 2 u -globulin but also of its magnitude.

Evaluation of in vitro methods for detecting the effects of various chemicals on the human progesterone receptor, with a focus on pyrethroid insecticides

The progesterone receptor (PR) is associated with physiological events such as implantation and the maintenance of pregnancy. Recently, it has become a social concern that chemicals may exert agonistic or antagonistic effects on hormone receptors. Therefore, we examined the effects of various chemicals on the human PR, with a focus on pyrethroid insecticides, using three in vitro methods. Eight pyrethroid insecticides (fenvalerate, d-allethrin, d-phenothrin, prallethrin, empenthrin, permethrin, cypermethrin and imiprothrin), examples of environmental pollutants and positive control chemicals were subjected to a reporter gene assay (luciferase assay) using human breast cancer T-47D cells, a two-hybrid assay and a binding assay using the same whole cells or receptors (cell-free). In none of these did the eight pyrethroid insecticides show any binding to the PR, agonistic or antagonistic effects.

In vivo and in vitro pharmacokinetics and metabolism studies of 26,26,26,27,27,27-F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 (Falecalcitriol) in rat: induction of vitamin D3-24-hydroxylase (CYP24) responsible for 23S-hydroxylation in target tissues and the drop in serum levels.

1. 26,26,26,27,27,27-F6,-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3, Falecalcitriol, the hexafluorinated analogue of 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3, has been reported to be several times more potent than the parent compound regarding some vitamin D actions. The reason for enhanced biological activity appears related to F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 metabolism to F6-1,23S,25(OH)3 vitamin D3, a bioactive 23S-hydroxylated form which is resistant to further metabolism. 2. In the present in vivo studies, the repeated oral administration of [3H]F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 to rat resulted in a significant reduction of the radioactivity and the F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 concentrations in serum, especially at the 2 h maximum point after each dosing. Additionally, F6-1,23S,25(OH)3 vitamin D3 in the serum and small intestine was increased by the prior administration of F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3. 3. Further in vitro investigation showed [3H]F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 to be metabolized to F6-1,23S,25(OH)3 vitamin D3 by kidney and small intestine homogenates of rat, the reaction being increased by the prior administration of F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3. Moreover, this latter treatment was associated with a marked increase of CYP24 mRNA in the small intestine within 4 h after dosing. 4. The results indicate that in vivo metabolism of F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 to F6-1,23S,25(OH)3 vitamin D3 is catalysed by CYP24, the enzyme being induced by prior substrate exposure.

Metabolism of tetramethrin isomers in rat. I. Identification of a sulphonic acid type of conjugate and reduced metabolites

1. Urinary and faecal metabolites in rat treated with 14C-labelled (1RS, trans)-tetramethrin [3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimidomethyl (1RS, trans)-chrysanthemate] were identified using chromatographic techniques and spectroanalyses (nmr and ms). 2. 3-Hydroxy-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboximide was found to be a major and unique urinary metabolite, reduced at the 1,2-double bond of the 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimide moiety. 3. The major faecal metabolites were sulphonic acid conjugates, having a sulphonic acid group incorporated into the double bond of the 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimide moiety. 4. On the basis of the metabolites identified here, the major biotransformation reactions of trans-tetramethrin in rats are: (1) cleavage of the ester linkage; (2) cleavage of the imide linkage; (3) hydroxylation of the cyclohexene or cyclohexane ring of the 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimide moiety; (4) oxidation at the methyl group of the isobutenyl moiety; (5) reduction at the 1,2-double bond of the 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimide moiety; and (6) incorporation of a sulphonic acid group into the 1,2-double bond of the 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimide moiety.

Metabolism of N-[4-chloro-2-fluoro-5-[(1-methyl-2-propynyl)oxy]phenyl]-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimide (S-23121) in the rat: I. Identification of a new, sulphonic acid type of conjugate

1. Several metabolites of 14C-labelled N-[4-chloro-2-fluoro-5-[(1-methyl- 2-propynyl)oxy]phenyl]-3,4,5,6-tetra-hydrophthalimide (S-23121) were identified. 2. The major urinary metabolites were found to be 4-chloro-2-fluoro-5-hydroxyaniline, its sulphate and glucuronide by t.l.c. cochromatography with authentic standards. 3. The major faecal metabolites in addition to the parent compound were six sulphonic acid conjugates having a sulphonic acid group incorporated into the double bond of the 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimide moiety. These sulphonic acid conjugates have never been reported previously for this type of compound. 4. To confirm the mechanism of biosynthesis of the sulphonic acid conjugates, sodium sulphate, cysteine and glutathione labelled with 35S were administered to the male rat together with unlabelled S-23121. The same faecal metabolites as those detected in faeces of the rat dosed with 14C-labelled S-23121 were similarly found after dosing with any of the 35S-labelled chemicals. Their biosynthesis was most pronounced with 35S-labelled sodium sulphate, implying that the sulphonic acid is incorporated into the double bond after reduction of sulphate to sulphite.

In vitro metabolism of perospirone in rat, monkey and human liver microsomes.

SummaryIn vitro metabolism of perospirone was examined with rat, monkey and human liver S9, human liver microsomes and yeast microsomes expressing human P450, using14C labeled perospirone. With rat liver S9, the major metabolites were MX9 and ID-11614, produced by cleavage at the butylene chain. However, some butylene non-cleavage and hydration of the cyclohexane ring were found, although limited in extent. Unknown metabolites accounted for about 10% of the total. After incubation for 10 minutes with monkey liver S9, the major metabolites were ID-15036 and MX11, hydrated in the cyclohexane ring. After incubation for 60 minutes, ID-15001, i.e. the butylene chain cleavage type increased. Unknown metabolites accounted for about 20%. After incubation for 10 minutes with human liver S9, the major metabolite was ID-15036, hydrated in the cyclohexane ring. In addition, MX11 and many unknown metabolites were evident. After incubation for 60 minutes, the butylene chain cleavage type and unknown metabolites increased. Individual differences were found in the metabolic reaction rate. With human liver microsomes, MX11, ID-15001 and unknown metabolites were again the major metabolites. With yeast microsomes expressing human P450 subtypes, CYP1A1, 2C8, 2D6, 3A4 were responsible for the metabolism in particular, and CYP3A4 contributes greatly. Therefore it is unlikely that genetic polymorphism will arise a present a problem with regard to the clinical drug.The results demonstrated that the main metabolic pathway in human liver S9 and liver microsomes involve oxidation at cyclohexane, oxidative cleavage of the butylene side chain and S-oxidation. The same was the case in rat and monkey S9, but species differences were found in the proportions of the metabolites produced.

Distribution and metabolism of F6-1,25(OH)2 Vitamin D3 and 1,25(OH)2 Vitamin D3 in the bones of rats dosed with tritium-labeled compounds

26,26,26,27,27,27-Hexafluo-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3, the hexafluorinated analog of 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3, has been reported to be several times more potent than the parent compound regarding some vitamin D actions. The reason for enhanced biologic activity in the kidneys and small intestine appears to be related to F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 metabolism to ST-232, 26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1 alpha, 23S,25-trihydroxyvitamin D3, a bioactive 23S-hydroxylated form that is resistant to further metabolism. Since F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 is considered to prevent osteoporotic decrease in bone mass by suppressing bone turnover, we here compared the distribution and metabolism of [1 beta-3H]F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 and [1 beta-3H]1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 in bones of rats by autoradiography and radio-HPLC. In the dosed groups, radioactivity was detected locally in the metaphysis, the modeling site in bones. As compared with the [1 beta-3H]1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 case, [1 beta-3H]F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 was significantly retained in this site, and moreover, it mainly persisted as unchanged compound and ST-232. These findings indicate that the reason for the higher potency of F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 than 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 in bones are linked with increased distribution and reduced metabolism.

Benzodiazepines and their metabolites: relationship between binding affinity to the benzodiazepine receptor and pharmacological activity.

Experiments were carried out to study the relationship between binding affinity to the benzodiazepine receptor and pharmacological activity, especially anti-anxiety activity, of clinically useful benzodiazepines. In the in vitro experiments, fludiazepam showed the highest affinity to the benzodiazepine receptor with 4 times more potency than that of diazepam, which paralleled the in vivo activity. Diazepam and nimetazepam also bound with high affinities as expected from their in vivo activities. On the contrary, medazepam and cloxazolam showed extremely low affinities and oxazolam showed no affinity, although they showed moderate in vivo activity. However, their metabolites were found to have both high affinity and in vivo activities. These results strongly suggest that in the case of medazepam, cloxazolam and oxazolam, their metabolites may bind to receptor sites in the brain and then elicit pharmacological action. This conclusion was supported by the fact that a good correlation between the binding affinity and the anti-anxiety activity of the tested compounds was observed.