Kiyoshi Furuichi

International Union of Pharmacology. XLI. Compendium of Voltage-Gated Ion Channels: Potassium Channels

This summary article presents an overview of the molecular relationships among the voltage-gated potassium channels and a standard nomenclature for them, which is derived from the IUPHAR Compendium of Voltage-Gated Ion Channels.1 The complete Compendium, including data tables for each member of the potassium channel family can be found at http://www.iuphar-db.org/iuphar-ic/.

p53-independent induction of Gadd45 by histone deacetylase inhibitor: coordinate regulation by transcription factors Oct-1 and NF-Y.

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors cause growth arrest at the G1 and/or G2/Mu2009phases, and induce differentiation and/or apoptosis in a wide variety of tumour cells. The growth arrest at G1u2009phase by HDAC inhibitors is thought to be highly dependent on the upregulation of p21/WAF1, but the precise mechanism by which HDAC inhibitors cause G2/M arrest or apoptosis in tumour cells is unknown. Gadd45 causes cell cycle arrest at the G2/Mu2009phase transition and participates in genotoxic stress-induced apoptosis. We show here that it is also induced by a typical HDAC inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA), through its promoter, in a p53-independent manner. To identify the mechanism of activation of the gadd45 promoter, we performed luciferase reporter analyses and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. These revealed that both the Oct-1 and CCAAT sites are needed for the full activation by TSA. We also found that the transcription factors Oct-1 and NF-Y specifically bind to each site. Thus, HDAC inhibitors can induce Gadd45 through its promoter without the need for functional p53, and both the Oct-1 and NF-Y concertedly participate in TSA-induced activation of the gadd45 promoter.

The evolutionarily conserved G protein-coupled receptor SREB2/GPR85 influences brain size, behavior, and vulnerability to schizophrenia

The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family is highly diversified and involved in many forms of information processing. SREB2 (GPR85) is the most conserved GPCR throughout vertebrate evolution and is expressed abundantly in brain structures exhibiting high levels of plasticity, e.g., the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Here, we show that SREB2 is involved in determining brain size, modulating diverse behaviors, and potentially in vulnerability to schizophrenia. Mild overexpression of SREB2 caused significant brain weight reduction and ventricular enlargement in transgenic (Tg) mice as well as behavioral abnormalities mirroring psychiatric disorders, e.g., decreased social interaction, abnormal sensorimotor gating, and impaired memory. SREB2 KO mice showed a reciprocal phenotype, a significant increase in brain weight accompanying a trend toward enhanced memory without apparent other behavioral abnormalities. In both Tg and KO mice, no gross malformation of brain structures was observed. Because of phenotypic overlap between SREB2 Tg mice and schizophrenia, we sought a possible link between the two. Minor alleles of two SREB2 SNPs, located in intron 2 and in the 3′ UTR, were overtransmitted to schizophrenia patients in a family-based sample and showed an allele load association with reduced hippocampal gray matter volume in patients. Our data implicate SREB2 as a potential risk factor for psychiatric disorders and its pathway as a target for psychiatric therapy.

Sepantronium Bromide (YM155) induces disruption of the ILF3/p54nrb complex, which is required for survivin expression

YM155, a small-molecule survivin suppressant, specifically binds to the transcription factor ILF3, which regulates the expression of survivin[1]. In this experiment we have demonstrated that p54(nrb) binds to the survivin promoter and regulates survivin expression. p54(nrb) forms a complex with ILF3, which directly binds to YM155. YM155 induces disruption of the ILF3/p54(nrb) complex, which results in a different subcellular localization between ILF3 and p54(nrb). Thus, identification of molecular targets of YM155 in suppression of the survivin pathway, might lead to development of its use as a novel potential target in cancers.

Interleukin Enhancer-binding Factor 3/NF110 Is a Target of YM155, a Suppressant of Survivin

Survivin is responsible for cancer progression and drug resistance in many types of cancer. YM155 selectively suppresses the expression of survivin and induces apoptosis in cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. However, the mechanism underlying these effects of YM155 is unknown. Here, we show that a transcription factor, interleukin enhancer-binding factor 3 (ILF3)/NF110, is a direct binding target of YM155. The enhanced survivin promoter activity by overexpression of ILF3/NF110 was attenuated by YM155 in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that ILF3/NF110 is the physiological target through which YM155 mediates survivin suppression. The results also show that the unique C-terminal region of ILF3/NF110 is important for promoting survivin expression and for high affinity binding to YM155.

Identification of a domain affecting agonist potency of meta-chlorophenylbiguanide in 5-HT3 receptors.

The pharmacological properties of rat and human 5-HT3 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes were assessed using a two-electrode voltage clamp technique. Meta-chlorophenylbiguanide (mCPBG), a 5-HT3 receptor-selective agonist, elicited typical current responses in both rat and human 5-HT3 receptor-expressing oocytes. However, the EC50 value for rat 5-HT3 receptors was 13-fold lower than for human 5-HT3 receptors. Using several chimeric human-rat 5-HT3 receptors, we identified a potential domain responsible for this difference in mCPBG-response. The domain is in the N-terminal extracellular region adjacent to the first transmembrane domain of rat 5-HT3 receptors and includes a rat-specific seven amino acid sequence (Phe197, Thr198, Lys199, Gln201, Ile205, Thr207 and Ser210). Replacement of corresponding amino acids in human 5-HT3 receptors by rat receptor residues increased the potency of mCPBG on human receptors indicating these amino acids play an important role in the pharmacological response to mCPBG.

Ion permeation properties of a cloned human 5-HT3 receptor transiently expressed in HEK 293 cells.

SummaryHuman 5-HT3 receptors expressed in HEK 293 cells were studied using patch-clamp techniques. The permeability ratios of cations to Na+ were Li+, 1.16; K+, 1.04; Rb+, 1.11; Cs+ 1.11; NMDG+, 0.04; Ca2+, 0.49, and Mg2+, 0.37. The permeability sequence of the alkali metal cations was Li+ > Rb+ = Cs+ > K+ > Na+. Increased external concentrations of Ca2+ or Mg2+ decreased 5-HT-induced currents at all potentials tested in a voltage-independent manner. The single-channel conductance of human 5-HT3 receptors measured by fluctuation analysis of whole-cell currents was 790 ± 100fS. Differences in the basic properties of 5-HT3 receptors between species may explain interspecies differences in pharmacological properties.

Diabetic modifier QTLs in F2 intercrosses carrying homozygous transgene of TGF-β

When the homozygous active form of porcine TGF-β1 transgene (Tgf/Tgf) (under control of the rat glucagon promoter) is introduced into the nonobese diabetic mouse (NOD) genetic background, the mice develop endocrine and exocrine pancreatic hypoplasia, low serum insulin concentrations, and impaired glucose tolerance. To identify genetic modifiers of the diabetic phenotypes, we crossed hemizygous NOD-Tgf with DBA/2J mice (D2) or C3H/HeJ mice (C3H) and used the “transgenic mice” for quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis. Genome-wide scans of F2-D Tgf/Tgf (D2xa0×xa0NOD) and F2-C Tgf/Tgf (C3Hxa0×xa0NOD), homozygous for the TGF-β1 transgene, identified six statistically significant modifier QTLs: one QTL (Tdn1) in F2-D Tgf/Tgf, and five QTLs (Tcn1 to Tcn5) in F2-C Tgf/Tgf. Tdn1 (Chr 13, LODxa0=xa04.39), and Tcn3 (Chr 2, LODxa0=xa04.94) showed linkage to body weight at 8 weeks of age. Tcn2 (Chr 7, LODxa0=xa04.38) and Tcn4 (Chr 14, LODxa0=xa03.99 and 3.78) showed linkage to blood glucose (BG) concentrations in ipGTT at 30, 0, and 120 min, respectively. Tcn1 (Chr 1, LODxa0=xa04.41) and Tcn5 (Chr 18, LODxa0=xa04.99) showed linkage to serum insulin concentrations in ipGTT at 30 min. Tcn2 includes the candidate gene, uncoupling protein 2 (Ucp2), and shows linkage to Ucp2 mRNA levels in the soleus muscle (LODxa0=xa04.90). Identification of six QTLs for diabetes-related traits in F2-D Tgf/Tgf and F2-C Tgf/Tgf raises the possibility of identifying candidate susceptibility genes and new targets for drug development for human type 2 diabetes.

Abstract 4756: YM155 suppresses survivin expression by disrupting the ILF3/p54nrb transcription factor complex

Survivin, a member of the anti-apoptosis proteins family, is highly expressed in all primary tumor types, and is responsible for cancer progression and drug resistance in many types of cancer. YM155, a small chemical compound, selectively suppressed the expression of survivin and induced apoptosis in cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. However, the mechanisms underlying the suppression of survivin expression by YM155 are unknown. In order to identify the molecular targets and analyze the drug mechanism of action, affinity purification was performed using an active analogue of YM155. We identified interleukin enhancer-binding factor 3 (ILF3) as the binding target of YM155. From the complex analysis of ILF3 and survivin promoter sequence, we also found that ILF3 forms a complex with p54nrb transcription factor, and then binds to the survivin promoter. Overexpression of ILF3 enhanced survivin promoter activity, which was attenuated by YM155 in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the ILF3/p54nrb complex was disrupted by YM155, thus dispersing the components in the nucleus.In conclusion, our study suggests that binding to ILF3 by YM155 causes the dissociation of the ILF3/p54nrb complex, thus inhibits ILF3 dependent survivin expression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4756. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4756