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D W Nebert

Publications and source records attributed to D W Nebert.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

The human dioxin-inducible NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase cDNA-encoded protein expressed in COS-1 cells is identical to diaphorase 4.

NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) is believed to be protective against cancer and toxicity caused by exposure to quinones and their metabolic precursors. This enzyme catalyzes the two-electron reduction of compounds, compared with one-electron reduction mediated by NADPH: cytochrome-P450 oxidoreductase which produces toxic and mutagenic free radicals. Recently we cloned and sequenced the cDNA encoding human 2.3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (dioxin)-inducible cytosolic NQO1 [Jaiswal et al. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 13572-13578] and provided preliminary evidence that this enzyme may correspond to diaphorase 4, an enzymatic activity present in various tissues that catalyzes the reduction of a variety of quinones by both NADH and NADPH [Edwards et al. (1980) Biochem. J. 187, 429-436]. In the present report we characterize the catalytic properties of the protein encoded by the NQO1 cDNA. The enzyme was synthesized in monkey kidney COS-1 cells transfected with a pMT2-based expression plasmid containing the NQO1 cDNA. Western blot analysis of the transfected cells using an antibody against rat liver cytosolic NQO1 revealed a 31-kDa band that was not detected in nontransfected cells. This band corresponded to a polypeptide with the same electrophoretic mobility as the endogenous NQO1 protein detected in the human hepatoblastoma (Hep-G2) cells with the same antibody. The immunoreactive protein detected in human Hep-G2 cells was induced approximately fourfold by exposure of the cultures to dioxin, an increase commensurate with the increased in quinone oxidoreductase activity. These studies suggest that the protein encoded by NQO1 cDNA is indeed similar, if not identical, to the dioxin-inducible protein band detected in human Hep-G2 cells. Further characterization of the product of NQO1 cDNA, which was present at approximately 20-30-fold higher levels in transfected COS cells than the endogenous product in uninduced human Hep-G2 cells indicated that it had very high capacity (greater than 1000-fold over background) to catalyze the reduction of 2.6-dichloroindophenol and menadione. Besides these two commonly used substrates for quinone reductase, the expressed NQO1 protein also effectively metabolized 2,6-dimethylbenzoquinone, methylene blue, p-benzoquinone, 1,4-naphthoquinone, 2-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, with the latter being the most potent electron acceptor at 50 microM concentration of the substrate.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Role of genetics and drug metabolism in human cancer risk.

The research field concerning responses to drugs having a hereditary basis is called 'pharmacogenetics'. At least 5 dozen pharmacogenetic polymorphisms have been described in clinical medicine; many are responsible for marked differences in genetic predisposition toward toxicity or cancer. Three are detailed here: the acetylation, the debrisoquine, and the AH locus polymorphism. All 3 are very common among the United States' population: 1 in 2 is a 'slow acetylator', 1 in 12 is a 'poor metabolizer' for more than 2 dozen commonly prescribed drugs in the debrisoquine panel, and the CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 (cytochromes P(1)450 and P(3)450) genes are highly inducible by cigarette smoke in 1 of 10 patients. Differences in xenobiotic metabolism between individuals in the same family can be greater than 200-fold, suggesting that occupationally hazardous chemicals, as well as prescribed drugs having a narrow therapeutic window, might cause strikingly dissimilar effects between patients of differing genotypes. Our ultimate goal is 'preventive toxicology', i.e. the development of simple, inexpensive, unequivocal and sensitive assays to predict individual risk of toxicity or cancer. These tests could help the individual in choosing a safer life style or place of work and might aid the physician in deciding which drug to prescribe.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1991

The UDP glucuronosyltransferase gene superfamily: suggested nomenclature based on evolutionary divergence.

A nomenclature system for the UDP glucuronosyltransferase superfamily is proposed, based on divergent evolution of the genes. A total of 26 distinct cDNAs in five mammalian species have been sequenced to date. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences leads to the definition of two families and a total of three subfamilies. For naming each gene, we propose that the root symbol UGT for human (Ugt for mouse), representing "UDP glucuronosyltransferase," be followed by an Arabic number denoting the family, a letter designating the subfamily, and an Arabic numeral representing the individual gene within the family or subfamily (hyphen before the Arabic number for mouse), e.g., human UGT2B1 and murine Ugt2b-1. Whereas the gene and cDNA should be italicized, the corresponding transcript, protein, and enzyme activity should not be written with lowercase letters or in italics, e.g., human or murine UGT2B1. Recent experimental evidence suggests that several exons of the UGT1 gene might be shared, indicating that distinct UGT1 transcripts and proteins may arise via alternative splicing; the gene and gene product of alternative splicing will be designated with an asterisk, e.g., UGT1*6 and UGT1*6, respectively. When an orthologous gene between species cannot be identified with certainty, as occurs in the UGT2B subfamily, we recommend sequential naming of the genes chronologically as they become characterized. We suggest that the human nomenclature system be used for species other than the mouse. We anticipate that this UGT gene nomenclature system will require updating on a regular basis.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Isolation, sequence, and developmental expression of rat UGT2B2: the gene encoding a constitutive UDP glucuronosyltransferase that metabolizes etiocholanolone and androsterone.

The UDP glucuronosyltransferase gene UGT2B2 is constitutively expressed in rat liver, and the enzyme has been shown to conjugate glucuronic acid with various endogenous steroids, especially etiocholanolone and androsterone. We have cloned and sequenced much of the UGT2B2 gene and 5'-flanking (247 bp) and 3'-flanking (734 bp) regions. The gene contains six exons spanning about 15.3 kb. Translation begins at nucleotide 36 of exon 1 and terminates with 280 coding nucleotides into exon 6, encoding a protein of 530 amino acids (calculated Mr of the unmodified chain = 60,913). We have determined that the UGT2B2 full-length cDNA is 1,974 bp. Northern hybridization revealed that the hepatic UGT2B2 transcript is detectable 4 days before birth, becomes markedly elevated in the neonate, and is even further increased at 3 and 12 weeks of age in the liver of both male and female rats.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

The AP-1 site and the cAMP- and serum response elements of the c-fos gene are constitutively occupied in vivo.

The c-fos proto-oncogene is inducible by cAMP, phorbol esters, serum, and growth factors. The induction by cAMP is mediated by the conserved cAMP response element (CRE), while induction by phorbol esters, serum, and growth factors requires a distal element called the serum response element (SRE). In addition to these elements, a consensus AP-1 transcription factor binding site is located next to SRE. Upstream regions of the mouse and human c-fos genes were footprinted in vivo by the ligation-mediated polymerase chain (PCR). Our results show that all three elements are constitutively protected in mouse liver and lung and in cultured human A431 cells. No major change in the protection profile was detected in A431 cells following stimulation with epidermal growth factor or in mice at birth, when c-fos is known to be induced. These results suggest that the inducible cis elements of the c-fos gene are poised, ready to respond immediately to external signals.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Human CYP1A1 (cytochrome P(1)450) gene: lack of association between the Msp I restriction fragment length polymorphism and incidence of lung cancer in a Norwegian population.

In this study of 221 lung cancer patients and 212 controls, no association between a Msp I polymorphism in the CYP1A1 gene and an increased risk of lung cancer was found. Histological type, smoking habits and family history were also examined. No associations between the Msp I restriction fragment length polymorphism in the CYP1A1 gene and any of these parameters were found. These results are in contrast to a previous report by a Japanese group (Kawajiri et al., 1990) who found an association between the less common allele and an increased susceptibility to lung cancer in their population. The frequency of the less common Msp I 1.9 kb fragment allele (C2) appears to be three times greater in the Japanese population than in the Norwegian population and a Caucasian population of North America. It is possible that in the Asian population this Msp I polymorphism is in linkage disequilibrium with another mutation important for CYP1A1 gene expression, whereas in the Caucasian population these mutations are in equilibrium.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

Human AH locus polymorphism and cancer: inducibility of CYP1A1 and other genes by combustion products and dioxin.

The polymorphism of mammalian aromatic hydrocarbon (Ah) responsiveness appears to be correlated with genetic differences in risk of bronchogenic carcinoma caused by cigarette smoking. The human polymorphism has been uncovered, largely as the result of corresponding genetic differences characterized first in the mouse. The murine Ah locus has been defined as the gene encoding the aromatic hydrocarbon-responsive (Ah) receptor, responsible for the inducibility of a battery of at least six genes, two of which encode P450 enzymes. The high-affinity receptor and, hence, more highly induced levels of P450, can result in greater concentrations of polycyclic aromatic reactive intermediates that form DNA adducts and, ultimately, mutation fixation (tumour initiation). The Ah receptor is also likely to participate in growth and differentiation signal transduction pathways (tumour promotion). Positive and negative control regions flanking the murine Cyp 1a-1 and human CYP1A1 (cytochrome P(1)450) genes have been identified. A DNA motif approximately 1 kb upstream of the transcription start site appears to affect the translatability of the CYP1A1 mRNA and activity of the enzyme. Expression of the CYP1A1 or CYP1A2 enzyme in mouse hepatoma Hepa-1 cells lacking endogenous CYP1A1 activity represses constitutive transcription of not only the endogenous Cyp1a-1 gene but other genes in the dioxin-inducible [Ah] battery. Human polymorphisms involving a Msp I site 450 bp downstream from the last CYP1A1 exon have been described in Japan, the Eastern Mediterranean, Norway and the USA. The '1.9 allele' is associated with an increased incidence of Kreyberg Type I bronchogenic carcinomas in Japan and has recently been correlated with a valine-to-isoleucine substitution at position 462 in the haeme-binding region. This allele is about 3 times more frequent in Japan than in Caucasians of Norway and the USA, in which no correlation has been found between this allele and lung cancer. More work is needed to clarify these findings. Isolation and sequencing of the human Ah receptor cDNA, and the subsequent screening of populations for polymorphisms, hold great promise for predicting interindividual risk of cancer caused by smoking and other environmental pollutants.

Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System↗
PubMed1991

Case-control study of cigarette smoking and primary hepatoma in an aflatoxin-endemic region of China: a protective effect.

Aflatoxin is believed to be a major causative agent in the high incidence of primary liver cancer seen in certain regions of the world. In Fujian Province, an aflatoxin-endemic region of China, we compared the cigarette smoking habits of 200 primary hepatoma patients with those of 200 matched nonhepatoma controls. We excluded from our study all individuals with evidence of hepatitis B virus serum antigen and/or alcoholic cirrhosis. Interestingly, two groups of hepatoma patients could be discerned. In patients more than 50 years of age, a significantly higher number of cases of primary hepatoma was found among nonsmokers than smokers (odds ratio = 2.06; 95% confidence interval = 1.32-3.20). In patients less than 50 years of age, this difference was not seen. Previous studies in the rat, mouse and duck had suggested that agents present in cigarette smoke might induce a cytochrome P450-mediated detoxication pathway, leading to protection against aflatoxin-induced primary liver cancer. Our clinical data in the present study are therefore consistent with the previous laboratory animal experiments.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Proposed role of drug-metabolizing enzymes: regulation of steady state levels of the ligands that effect growth, homeostasis, differentiation, and neuroendocrine functions.

Every ligand known to bind to a receptor in the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily is involved in a variety of signal transduction pathways effecting growth, morphogenesis, homeostasis, proliferation, and neuroendocrine functions. Often these ligands are associated with increases in particular subsets of cytochromes P450 and other drug-metabolizing enzymes. Interestingly, certain of these enzymes participate in the metabolism (synthesis as well as degradation) of these ligands. It appears that genes coding for certain drug-metabolizing enzymes might have existed on this planet at least 1 billion years before the presence of plants, animals, and drugs. An early role for oxidative enzymes in prokaryotes most likely involved energy substrate utilization: insertion of oxygen into various inaccessible carbon and other food sources, thereby rendering them accessible to further metabolism. It is proposed that a later development of these "drug-metabolizing enzymes" in prokaryotes and early eukaryotes might be related to their metabolic ability to control the steady state levels of the ligands that modulate cell division, growth, morphogenesis, and mating, and that this role has diversified in numerous additional signal transduction pathways and exists today in all eukaryotes.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Debrisoquine polymorphism: novel CYP2D6 gene Bam HI restriction fragment length polymorphism in the Ngawbé Guaymí Indian of Panama.

Markedly decreased cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism of debrisoquine, sparteine, and more than two dozen additional commonly prescribed drugs is an autosomal recessive trait that has been associated with several RFLP patterns involving the CYP2D6 gene. In Caucasians there are at least six variant alleles known to be correlated with the 'poor metabolizer' (PM) phenotype. We examined debrisoquine and sparteine metabolism and CYP2D6 RFLP patterns in 22 Ngawbé Guaymí Indians of Panama. We studied a two-generation family, a three-generation family, and three other unrelated PM individuals. Digestion of all 22 DNA samples with Xba I or Hind III did not produce the same varying CYP2D6 RFLP patterns as those commonly seen in at least two-thirds of all Northern European Caucasians and Chinese so far screened. In contrast, we found a single heretofore undescribed Bam HI polymorphism that was correlated with the PM phenotype among all Ngawbé Guaymí individuals examined. It is possible that this novel RFLP might represent a recent founder effect that has occurred in this unadmixed Amerindian tribe within the past 20,000-30,000 years.

Alleles↗
PubMed1991

Human CYP1A1 gene: cosegregation of the enzyme inducibility phenotype and an RFLP.

The human CYP1A1 (cytochrome P1450) gene encodes an enzyme involved in the activation of procarcinogens, such as benzo[a]pyrene, to the ultimate reactive intermediate. Approximately 10% of the human population exhibit high CYP1A1 inducibility, and Kouri et al. reported that the high-inducibility phenotype might be at greater risk than low-inducibility individuals for cigarette smoke-induced bronchogenic carcinoma. In one 3-generation family of 15 individuals, we show here that the high-CYP1A1-inducibility phenotype segregates concordantly with an infrequent polymorphic site located 450 bases downstream from the CYP1A1 gene. Our findings are consistent with the study of Kawajiri et al., who demonstrated an association between this polymorphism and an increased incidence of squamous-cell lung cancer. Our data suggest that the CYP1A1 structural gene, or a region near this gene, might be correlated with the inducibility phenotype.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1990

Expression of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene by the murine Cyp1a-2 (cytochrome P3(450)) promoter in hepatoma cell cultures.

In C57BL/6 mouse liver, both murine Cypla-1 (cytochrome P1(450] and Cypla-2 (P3(450] genes are inducible by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD; dioxin), and Cypla-2 is constitutively expressed at high levels. Although the Cypla-1 gene is constitutively expressed and TCDD-inducible in mouse hepatoma Hepa-1 cell cultures, Cypla-2 gene expression is absent in these cultures. We show here that the 5' flanking region of Cyp1a-2 from - 1843 to +52 (base pairs relative to the Transcription initiation site) linked to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene in stable Hepa-1 transformants produces no basal or TCDD- or cycloheximide-inducible CAT activity. On the other hand, the Cyp1a-2 promoter from -63 to +52 driving the CAT gene is inducible by cycloheximide. A chimeric plasmid containing the Cyp1a-1 TCDD-responsive enhancer (-1646 to -245) ligated to a Cyp1a-2 promoter region (-129 to +52) supports TCDD-inducible CAT expression in Hepa-1 cells and in rat 7777 cells. These data suggest that, although sequences between - 1843 and +52 +52 are not sufficient for Cyp1a-2 gene expression, the murine Cyp1a-2 promoter is functional in cell cultures.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Evolution of the P450 gene superfamily: animal-plant 'warfare', molecular drive and human genetic differences in drug oxidation.

Drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as those encoded by the cytochrome P450 genes, are noted for their high degree of interspecies and intraspecies variability. We believe that much of this diversity is the result of continuous molecularly driven coevolution of plants producing phytoalexins and animals responding with new enzymes to detoxify these chemicals. One consequence of human P450 gene evolution is polymorphism in drug metabolism, leading to marked differences in the response of individuals to the toxic and carcinogenic effects of drugs and other environmental chemicals.

Animals↗