Youhei Hiromori

Structural basis for PPARγ transactivation by endocrine-disrupting organotin compounds.

Organotin compounds such as triphenyltin (TPT) and tributyltin (TBT) act as endocrine disruptors through the peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ (PPARγ) signaling pathway. We recently found that TPT is a particularly strong agonist of PPARγ. To elucidate the mechanism underlying organotin-dependent PPARγ activation, we here analyzed the interactions of PPARγ ligand-binding domain (LBD) with TPT and TBT by using X-ray crystallography and mass spectroscopy in conjunction with cell-based activity assays. Crystal structures of PPARγ-LBD/TBT and PPARγ-LBD/TPT complexes were determined at 1.95 Å and 1.89 Å, respectively. Specific binding of organotins is achieved through non-covalent ionic interactions between the sulfur atom of Cys285 and the tin atom. Comparisons of the determined structures suggest that the strong activity of TPT arises through interactions with helix 12 of LBD primarily via π-π interactions. Our findings elucidate the structural basis of PPARγ activation by TPT.

Organotin compounds cause structure-dependent induction of progesterone in human choriocarcinoma Jar cells.

Organotin compounds, such as tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT), are typical environmental contaminants and suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals because they cause masculinization in female mollusks. In addition, previous studies have suggested that the endocrine disruption by organotin compounds leads to activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ and retinoid X receptor (RXR). However, whether organotin compounds cause crucial toxicities in human development and reproduction is unclear. We here investigated the structure-dependent effect of 12 tin compounds on mRNA transcription of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I (3β-HSD I) and progesterone production in human choriocarcinoma Jar cells. TBT, TPT, dibutyltin, monophenyltin, tripropyltin, and tricyclohexyltin enhanced progesterone production in a dose-dependent fashion. Although tetraalkyltin compounds such as tetrabutyltin increased progesterone production, the concentrations necessary for activation were 30-100 times greater than those for trialkyltins. All tested active organotins increased 3β-HSD I mRNA transcription. We further investigated the correlation between the agonistic activity of organotin compounds on PPARγ and their ability to promote progesterone production. Except for DBTCl2, the active organotins significantly induced the transactivation function of PPARγ. In addition, PPARγ knockdown significantly suppressed the induction of mRNA transcription of 3β-HSD I by all active organotins except DBTCl2. These results suggest that some organotin compounds promote progesterone biosynthesis in vitro by inducing 3β-HSD I mRNA transcription via the PPARγ signaling pathway. The placenta represents a potential target organ for these compounds, whose endocrine-disrupting effects might cause local changes in progesterone concentration in pregnant women.

Structure-Dependent Activity of Phthalate Esters and Phthalate Monoesters Binding to Human Constitutive Androstane Receptor

The present study investigated the human constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) binding activities of 23 phthalate esters and 10 phthalate monoesters using a fast and sensitive human CAR yeast two-hybrid assay. Of 23 phthalate esters, 16 were evaluated as positive, and the 10% relative effective concentrations (REC10) ranged from 0.28 (BBP) to 29.51 μM (DEHP), whereas no obvious binding activities were found for the phthalate esters having alkyl chains more than six carbons in length. Of 10 phthalate monoesters, only monoethyl phthalate (MEP), monoisobutyl phthalate (MIBP), and mono-(2-ethyhexyl) tetrabromophthalate (TBMEHP) elicited human CAR binding activities. The REC10 values of MEP and MIBP were 4.27 and 14.13 μM, respectively, higher than those of their corresponding phthalate esters (1.45 μM for DEP and 0.83 μM for DIBP), whereas TBMEHP (0.66 μM) was much lower than TBHP (>10(2) μM). A molecular docking method was performed to simulate the interaction modes between phthalates and human CAR, and active phthalates were found to lie at almost the same site in the human CAR pocket. The docking results suggest that the strong binding of phthalates to human CAR arises primarily from hydrophobic interactions, π-π interactions, and steric effects and that weak hydrogen bonds and weak halogen bonds greatly contribute to the high binding activity of TBMEHP. In conclusion, the current study clarified that an extensive array of phthalates are activators of human CAR.

Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma and Disruption of Progesterone Synthesis of 2-Ethylhexyl Diphenyl Phosphate in Human Placental Choriocarcinoma Cells: Comparison with Triphenyl Phosphate

2-Ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP), an organophosphate flame retardant (OPFR), is frequently detected in human blood. In this study, the sensitive dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and molecular docking were used to investigate the activation of EHDPP to human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG). Results show that EHDPP exhibited stronger PPARG activation (EC20: 2.04 μM) than triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) (EC20: 2.78 μM). EHDPP upregulated the gene expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (3β-HSD1) in human placental choriocarcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner, and the lowest observable effective concentration was 10 μM, lower than that of TPhP (20 μM). EHDPP significantly altered progesterone secretion at a lower concentration (10 μM) than that of TPhP (20 μM), and both EHDPP and TPhP significantly promoted human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) production at 20 μM. Furthermore, inactivation of PPARG by either a pharmacological inhibitor (GW9662) or small interfering RNA (siRNA) abolished the change in progesterone secretion and gene expression in the cells exposed to EHDPP, suggesting that the PPARG signaling pathway plays a role in the upregulation of progesterone by the two OPFRs. This is the first report to show that OPFRs can alter the biosynthesis of progesterone in the placenta, which could affect female reproduction and fetal development.

Occurrence of fibrates and their metabolites in source and drinking water in Shanghai and Zhejiang, China

Fibrates, which are widely used lipidaemic-modulating drugs, are emerging environmental pollutants. However, fibrate concentrations in the environment have not been thoroughly surveyed. Here, we determined concentrations of the most commonly used fibrates and their metabolites in source water and drinking water samples from ten drinking water treatment plants in Shanghai and Zhejiang, China, using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. All the target compounds were detected in at least some of the source water samples, at concentrations ranging from 0.04 ng/L (fenofibrate) to 1.53 ng/L (gemfibrozil). All the compounds except fenofibrate were also detected in at least some of the drinking water samples, at recoveries ranging from 35.5% to 91.7%, suggesting that these compounds are poorly removed by typical drinking water treatment processes. In a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α agonistic activity assay, the target compounds showed no significant activity at nanogram per litre concentrations; therefore, our results suggest that the fibrate concentrations in drinking water in Shanghai and Zhejiang, China do not significantly affect human health. However, because of the increasing westernization of the Chinese diet, fibrate use may increase, and thus monitoring fibrate concentrations in aquatic environments and drinking water in China will become increasingly important.

Germline recombination in a novel Cre transgenic line, Prl3b1‐Cre mouse

Spermatogenesis is a complex and highly regulated process by which spermatogonial stem cells differentiate into spermatozoa. To better understand the molecular mechanisms of the process, the Cre/loxP system has been widely utilized for conditional gene knockout in mice. In this study, we generated a transgenic mouse line that expresses Cre recombinase under the control of the 2.5 kbp of the Prolactin family 3, subfamily b, member 1 (Prl3b1) gene promoter (Prl3b1‐cre). Prl3b1 was initially reported to code for placental lactogen 2 (PL‐2) protein in placenta along with increased expression toward the end of pregnancy. PL‐2 was found to be expressed in germ cells in the testis, especially in spermatocytes. To analyze the specificity and efficiency of Cre recombinase activity in Prl3b1‐cre mice, the mice were mated with reporter R26GRR mice, which express GFP ubiquitously before and tdsRed exclusively after Cre recombination. The systemic examination of Prl3b1‐cre;R26GRR mice revealed that tdsRed‐positive cells were detected only in the testis and epididymis. Fluorescence imaging of Prl3b1‐cre;R26GRR testes suggested that Cre‐mediated recombination took place in the germ cells with approximately 74% efficiency determined by in vitro fertilization. In conclusion, our results suggest that the Prl3b1‐cre mice line provides a unique resource to understand testicular germ‐cell development. genesis 54:389–397, 2016.