Biomedical subjects

Tsuyoshi Yokoi

Publications and source records attributed to Tsuyoshi Yokoi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Glucuronidation of antiallergic drug, Tranilast: identification of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isoforms and effect of its phase I metabolite.

Tranilast is an oral antiallergic agent widely used in Japan. Recently, in Western populations, hyperbilirubinemia induced by tranilast was suspected during clinical trials. Tranilast has been reported to be mainly metabolized to a glucuronide and a phase I metabolite, 4-demethyltranilast (N-3). In the present study, we investigated the in vitro metabolism of tranilast in human liver and jejunum microsomes and recombinant UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs). The glucuronidation of tranilast was clarified to be mainly catalyzed by UGT1A1 in human liver and intestine. The K(m) values of tranilast glucuronosyltransferase activity were 51.5, 50.6, and 38.0 microM in human liver microsomes, human jejunum microsomes, and recombinant UGT1A1, respectively. The V(max) values were 10.4, 42.9, and 19.7 pmol/min/mg protein in human liver microsomes, human jejunum microsomes, and recombinant UGT1A1, respectively. When the intrinsic clearance was calculated using the in vitro kinetic parameters, microsomal protein content, and weight of tissues, tranilast glucuronosyltransferase activity was 2.5-fold higher in liver than in intestine. Tranilast glucuronosyltransferase activity was strongly inhibited by bilirubin, a typical UGT1A1 substrate, and N-3, indicating that the phase I metabolite could affect the tranilast glucuronosyltransferase activity. In the case of N-3 formation, the K(m) and V(max) values were 37.1 microM and 27.6 pmol/min/mg protein in human liver microsomes. The bilirubin glucuronosyltransferase activity was strongly inhibited by both tranilast and N-3, suggesting that tranilast-induced hyperbilirubinemia would be responsible for the inhibition by tranilast and N-3 of the bilirubin glucuronosyltransferase activity, as would the UGT1A1 genotype.

Anti-Allergic Agents↗

PubMed2007

In vivo drug metabolism model for human cytochrome P450 enzyme using chimeric mice with humanized liver.

We previously clarified that major human drug metabolizing enzymes were expressed in a chimeric urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA)+/+/severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse line established recently, in which the liver could be replaced by more than 80% with human hepatocytes. In the present study, we investigated the in vivo drug metabolism of a CYP2D6 substrate, debrisoquin (DB), in chimeric mice with high (High) or low (Low) human albumin (hAlb) concentrations and in control uPA-/-/SCID mice. The hAlb in the mouse blood is one of the indices of humanized liver because the chimeric mice produce hAlb. After oral administration of DB at 2.0 mg/kg, the AUC0-8 value of a major CYP2D6 metabolite of DB, 4'-hydroxydebrisoquin (4-OH DB), in High was 3.6-fold higher than those of Low and uPA-/-/SCID mice. By pre-treatment with a typical CYP2D6 inhibitor, quinidine, the AUC0-8 value of 4-OH DB in High was decreased although such values in Low and uPA-/-/SCID mice did not change. The in vitro kinetic analyses and the Ki values of quinidine on the DB 4'-hydroxylase activity in liver microsomes also supported the humanization of the chimeric mice. In conclusion, the chimeric mice exhibited a humanized profile of drug metabolism and the inhibition of P450.

Adrenergic Agents↗

PubMed2007

Species differences of inhibitory effects on P-glycoprotein-mediated drug transport.

Previously, we clarified the species differences in P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated drug transport activity using human MDR1, monkey MDR1, canine MDR1, rat MDR1a, rat MDR1b, mouse mdr1a, and mouse mdr1b transfected LLC-PK(1) cell lines. However, the species differences in the inhibitory effects on P-gp-mediated drug transport have not been clarified yet. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the species differences in the inhibitory effects of typical P-gp inhibitors, quinidine and verapamil, on P-gp-mediated drug transport using MDR1 transfected cell lines. The transcellular transport of [(3)H]daunorubicin, [(3)H]digoxin, and [mebmt-beta-(3)H]cyclosporin A across monolayers of the MDR1 transfected cells were measured in the presence or absence of P-gp inhibitors. On daunorubicin transport, the relative IC(50) value (quinidine IC(50)/verapamil IC(50)) of human P-gp was 5.25 and those from other species ranged from 0.89 to 10.70. The transport of digoxin and cyclosporin A also showed different relative IC(50) values among human, monkey, canine, rat, and mouse P-gps. The present study revealed that species differences in the inhibitory effects on P-gp-mediated drug transport should not be disregarded among human, monkey, canine, rat, and mouse. This study will provide useful information for predicting drug interactions mediated by P-gp.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

PubMed2006

CYP2A13 metabolizes the substrates of human CYP1A2, phenacetin, and theophylline.

Human cytochrome CYP2A13 shows overlapping substrate specificity with CYP2A6, catalyzing the metabolism of coumarin, nicotine, cotinine, and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone. Recently, it was found that CYP2A13 could catalyze the metabolic activations of 4-aminobiphenyl and aflatoxin B(1), which are known to be catalyzed by human CYP1A2. In the present study, we investigated the substrate specificity of CYP2A13. It was shown that CYP2A13 could catalyze ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation, methoxyresorufin O-demethylation, and phenacetin O-deethylation, which are used as marker activities for human CYP1A2. Although the intrinsic clearances (V(max)/K(m)) of the two former reactions by CYP2A13 were much lower than that of CYP1A2, the value of the last reaction by CYP2A13 was 2-fold higher than that of CYP1A2. Of particular interest was that CYP2A13 has higher affinity toward phenacetin than CYP1A2. In contrast, CYP2A6 hardly catalyzed these reactions, although the amino acid identity with CYP2A13 is as high as 93.5%. Furthermore, we found that CYP2A13 can catalyze theophylline 8-hydroxylation and 3-demethylation, which are known to be mainly catalyzed by human CYP1A2, although the intrinsic clearances were approximately one-tenth that of CYP1A2. CYP2A13 would not contribute to the systemic clearance of these drugs because CYP2A13 is hardly expressed in human liver. However, it may play a role in metabolism in local tissues such as lung or trachea. In conclusion, the results of the present study could extend our understanding of the substrate specificity of CYP2A13.

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic↗

PubMed2006

CYP2A13 expressed in human bladder metabolically activates 4-aminobiphenyl.

Cigarette smoking is the predominant risk factor for bladder cancer. Aromatic amines such as 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP) is the major carcinogens found in tobacco smoke. Although it is generally accepted that ABP is metabolically activated via N-hydroxylation by CYP1A2 in human liver, previous studies using Cyp1a2-null mice indicated the involvement of other enzyme(s). Here we found that CYP2A13 can metabolically activate ABP to show genotoxicity by Umu assay. The K(m) and V(max) values for ABP N-hydroxylation by recombinant CYP2A13 in E. coli were 38.5 +/- 0.6 microM and 7.8 +/- 0.0 pmol/min/pmol CYP, respectively. The K(m) and V(max) values by recombinant CYP1A2 were 9.9 +/- 0.9 microM and 39.6 +/- 0.9 pmol/min/pmol CYP, respectively, showing 20-fold higher intrinsic clearance than CYP2A13. In human bladder, CYP2A13 mRNA, but not CYP1A2, is expressed at a relatively high level. Human bladder microsomes showed ABP N-hydroxylase activity (K(m) = 34.9 +/- 4.7 microM and V(max) = 57.5 +/- 1.9 pmol/min/mg protein), although the intrinsic clearance was 5-fold lower than that in human liver microsomes (K(m) = 33.2 +/- 2.0 microM and V(max) = 293.9 +/- 5.8 pmol/min/mg protein). The activity in human bladder microsomes was prominently inhibited by 8-methoxypsoralen, but not by fluvoxamine, anti-CYP1A2 or anti-CYP2A6 antibodies. CYP2S1, which is expressed in human bladder and has relatively high amino acid identities with CYP2As, did not show detectable ABP N-hydroxylase activity. In conclusion, although the enzyme responsible for ABP N-hydroxylation in human bladder microsomes could not be determined, we found that CYP2A13 metabolically activates ABP.

Aminobiphenyl Compounds↗

PubMed2006

Inchinkoto, a herbal medicine, and its ingredients dually exert Mrp2/MRP2-mediated choleresis and Nrf2-mediated antioxidative action in rat livers.

Inchinkoto (ICKT), a herbal medicine, has been recognized in Japan and China as a "magic bullet" for jaundice. To explore potent therapeutic agents for cholestasis, the effects of ICKT or its ingredients on multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2/ MRP2)-mediated choleretic activity, as well as on antioxidative action, were investigated using rats and chimeric mice with livers that were almost completely repopulated with human hepatocytes. Biliary excretion of Mrp2 substrates and the protein mass, subcellular localization, and mRNA level of Mrp2 were assessed in rats after 1-wk oral administration of ICKT or genipin, a major ingredient of ICKT. Administration of ICKT or genipin to rats for 7 days increased bile flow and biliary excretion of bilirubin conjugates. Mrp2 protein and mRNA levels and Mrp2 membrane densities in the bile canaliculi and renal proximal tubules were significantly increased in ICKT- or genipin-treated rat livers and kidneys. ICKT and genipin, thereby, accelerated the disposal of intravenously infused bilirubin. The treatment also increased hepatic levels of heme oxygenase-1 and GSH by a nuclear factor-E2-related factor (Nrf2)-dependent mechanism. Similar effects of ICKT on MRP2 expression levels were observed in humanized livers of chimeric mice. In conclusion, these findings provide the rationale for therapeutic options of ICKT and its ingredients that should potentiate bilirubin disposal in vivo by enhancing Mrp2/MRP2-mediated secretory capacities in both livers and kidneys as well as Nrf2-mediated antioxidative actions in the treatment of cholestatic liver diseases associated with jaundice.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

PubMed2006

MicroRNA regulates the expression of human cytochrome P450 1B1.

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression through translational repression or mRNA cleavage. Here, we found that cytochrome P450 (CYP), a superfamily of drug-metabolizing enzymes, is a target of miRNA. Human CYP1B1, which is highly expressed in estrogen target tissues, catalyzes the metabolic activation of various procarcinogens and the 4-hydroxylation of 17beta-estradiol. CYP1B1 protein is abundant in cancerous tissues. We identified a near-perfect matching sequence with miR-27b in the 3'-untranslated region of human CYP1B1. Luciferase assays revealed that the reporter activity of the plasmid containing the miR-27b recognition element was decreased in MCF-7 cells (miR-27 positive) but not in Jurkat cells (miR-27b negative). Exogenously expressed miR-27b could decrease the luciferase activity in Jurkat cells. In MCF-7 cells, the antisense oligoribonucleotide for miR-27b restored the luciferase activity and increased the protein level and enzymatic activity of endogenous CYP1B1. These results suggested that human CYP1B1 is post-transcriptionally regulated by miR-27b. The expression levels of miR-27b and CYP1B1 protein in breast cancerous and adjacent noncancerous tissues from 24 patients were evaluated. In most patients, the expression level of miR-27b was decreased in cancerous tissues, accompanied by a high level of CYP1B1 protein. A significant inverse association was observed between the expression levels of miR-27b and CYP1B1 protein. Thus, the decreased expression of miR-27b would be one of causes of the high expression of CYP1B1 protein in cancerous tissues. This is the first study to show that miRNAs regulate not only essential genes for physiologic events but also drug-metabolizing enzymes.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed2006

Dephosphorylation of ribosomal protein P0 in response to troglitazone-induced cytotoxicity.

Troglitazone (TRO)-induced cytotoxicity was investigated in HepG2 cells. The cells were exposed to TRO as well as rosiglitazone (RSG) at concentrations of 0, 25, 50 and 75 microM for 48 h. Total proteins were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis and visualized by silver staining. We focused on a protein spot at an approximate molecular weight of 35 kDa and isoelectric point (pI) of 5.7, which appeared only with the cytotoxic concentrations (50 and 75 microM) of TRO, but not with the low concentration (25 microM) of TRO or any concentrations of RSG. This protein spot was subjected to amino acid sequence analysis and identified as ribosomal protein P0 (P0). Interestingly, without any significant induction of its protein and mRNA, P0 was dephosphorylated depending on the concentration- and time-dependent manner of TRO-induced cytotoxicity. Pretreatment with a general caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD.fmk, prevented cleavage of caspase-3 but demonstrated a slight improvement of cytotoxicity induced by TRO. Thus, these effects could not prevent the dephosphorylation of P0. Our results strongly suggest that a post-translational modification, dephosphorylation, of P0 is associated with TRO-induced cytotoxicity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2006

Induction of human CYP2A6 is mediated by the pregnane X receptor with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1alpha.

CYP2A6 plays important roles in the metabolism of nicotine and some clinically used drugs. Interindividual variability in the CYP2A6 expression level in human liver might be caused by an inducible property, but the molecular mechanism of induction is unclear. Rifampicin, phenobarbital, and 6-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazole-5-carbaldehyde O-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)oxime, which are activators of pregnane X receptor (PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), induced CYP2A6 mRNA in human hepatocytes. We identified three direct repeat separated by four nucleotides (DR4)-like elements at -6698, -5476, and -4618 in the CYP2A6 gene, to which PXR and CAR could bind after dimerization with retinoid X receptor (RXR)-alpha. In luciferase assays, overexpression of PXR or CAR could not activate the transcriptional activity of CYP2A6 promoter constructs (-6754 to -1) in HepG2 cells. Cotransfection of hepatocyte nuclear factor-4alpha did not affect the transcriptional activities in the absence or presence of PXR or CAR. Interestingly, cotransfection of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1alpha (PGC-1alpha) as well as PXR significantly enhanced the transcriptional activity (3.9-fold of control). By the deletion of a possible suppresser region (-4533 to -185), the effects of PXR/PGC-1alpha on the transcriptional activity were increased (6.9-fold of control). Deletion or mutation analyses revealed that two DR4-like elements at -5476 and -4618 are essential for transactivation by PXR/PGC-1alpha. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that PXR and PGC-1alpha bind to CYP2A6 chromatin. In conclusion, we found that CYP2A6 is induced via PXR and PGC-1alpha through the DR4-like element at the distal response region. This is the first study to report the molecular mechanism of the induction of CYP2A6.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Establishment and characterization of the transformants stably-expressing MDR1 derived from various animal species in LLC-PK1.

PURPOSE: Stable transformants expressing human multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1), monkey MDR1, canine MDR1, rat MDR1a, rat MDR1b, mouse mdr1a, and mouse mdr1b in LLC-PK1 were established to investigate species differences in P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1) mediated efflux activity. METHODS: The seven cDNAs of MDR1 from five animals were cloned, and their transformants stably expressing the series of MDR1 in LLC-PK1 were established. Transport studies of clarithromycin, daunorubicin, digoxin, erythromycin, etoposide, paclitaxel, propranolol, quinidine, ritonavir, saquinavir, verapamil, and vinblastine were performed by using these cells, and efflux activity was compared among the species. RESULTS: Except for propranolol, all compounds showed efflux activity in all transformants, and were judged to be substrates of P-gp. There were slight interspecies and interisoforms differences in the substrate recognition. However, the efflux ratio among the series of the MDR1 stably expressing cells showed good correlation as represented between human and monkey MDR1, and poor correlation as represented between human MDR1 and mouse mdr1a, and human and canine MDR1. CONCLUSIONS: Results in the present study indicate that all MDR1 stably expressing cells have efflux activity for various P-gp substrates, and that interspecies differences and similarities of the P-gp substrate efflux activity may exist.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B↗

PubMed2006

Decreased responsiveness of naturally occurring mutants of human estrogen receptor alpha to estrogens and antiestrogens.

Estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) is a ligand-inducible transcription factor that mediates the biological effects of estrogens and antiestrogens. Many point mutations in the human ERalpha gene have been reported to be associated with breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and psychiatric diseases. However, functional analyses for most mutants with amino acid changes are still lacking. In the present study, to investigate the effects of point mutations on the function, gel-shift assays and luciferase assays were performed for eight kinds of mutated ERalpha proteins, including a single nucleotide change of C207G (N69K), G478T (G160C), T887C (L296P), A908G (K303R), C926T (S309F), A1058T (E353V), A1186G (M396V), and G1231deletion (411fsX7). The mutated ERalpha expression plasmids were constructed by site-directed mutagenesis. With gel-shift assays using in vitro translated ERalpha proteins, binding to the consensus estrogen response element (ERE) was observed for the mutated ERalpha proteins except ERalpha (G160C) and ERalpha (411fsX7), the binding of which was comparable with that of the wild type. Western blot analyses showed that ERalpha (G160C) could not be efficiently translated with the in vitro transcription/translation system and that ERalpha (411fsX7) produced a truncated protein. To investigate the transactivation potency, wild-type or mutated ERalpha expression plasmids were co-transfected with pGL3-3EREc38 reporter plasmid into human breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-435 cells. The concentration-response curves (10pM-100nM E2) of the mutant ERalpha proteins except ERalpha (E353V) and ERalpha (411fsX7) were similar to that of wild-type ERalpha. However, at a low level of E2 (100pM), the mutants ERalpha (N69K), ERalpha (L296P), ERalpha (S309F), and ERalpha (M396V) showed a significant decrease of transactivation compared with that of the wild-type ERalpha. The mutants ERalpha (E353V) and ERalpha (411fsX7) did not show responsiveness to E2 and antiestrogens, 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4OHT) and ICI 182,780. The mutant ERalpha (S309F) showed decreased responsiveness for the antiestrogenicity of 4OHT. In conclusion, we found that some of the naturally occurring human ERalpha mutants with amino acid changes may have an altered responsiveness to estrogen and antiestrogens.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

PubMed2006

Kinetic analyses for species differences in P-glycoprotein-mediated drug transport.

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) plays an important role in the pharmacokinetics of drugs. There is little information on the species differences in P-gp-mediated drug transport activity. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the differences in the kinetic parameters and the existence of species differences in the P-gp-mediated drug transport activity using seven multidrug resistence1 (MDR1) transfected cell lines, in which the cDNA was from human, monkey, canine, rat (MDR1a and MDR1b), and mouse (mdr1a and mdr1b). The transcellular transport of diltiazem, cyclosporin A, and dexamethasone across monolayers of MDR1 transfected cells. The apparent K(m) values of diltiazem exhibited approximately 16.5-fold differences among the seven cell lines. Concerning the diltiazem transport, the V(max)/K(m) value of human P-gp corrected by the P-gp expression level was similar to that of monkey P-gp, but was 5.6-fold higher than that of canine P-gp. On the other hand, the corrected V(max)/K(m) value of human P-gp for cyclosporin A transport was 3.8-fold higher than that of monkey P-gp. The present study would be valuable to evaluate the P-gp function of various animals in the same experimental condition. It was clarified that the species differences in P-gp-mediated drug transport activity evaluated by the corrected V(max)/K(m) value differed according to the substrate.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B↗

PubMed2006

Comprehensive evaluation of variability in nicotine metabolism and CYP2A6 polymorphic alleles in four ethnic populations.

Human cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2A6 metabolizes nicotine to cotinine and is a possible modulator of nicotine addiction. Quantitative and qualitative differences in nicotine addiction have been observed between ethnic groups. However, there are few data on the ethnic influences of the CYP2A6-nicotine metabolism relationship, particularly with regard to black subjects. We determined the nicotine metabolism and CYP2A6 genotype in 176 white subjects and 160 black subjects, comparing them with our previous data from 209 Korean subjects and 92 Japanese subjects. Large interindividual differences were observed in the cotinine/nicotine ratios in plasma calculated as an index of nicotine metabolism in white subjects (range, 0.6-36.5) and in black subjects (range, 0.9-30.4). No ethnic difference in the metabolic ratio was observed among white subjects (mean, 7.2 +/- 5.0), black subjects (mean, 7.1 +/- 4.7), and Korean subjects (mean, 8.7 +/- 11.9), whereas Japanese subjects showed a significantly (P < .005) lower metabolic ratio (mean, 3.8 +/- 3.1) compared with the other populations. Women showed significantly (P < .05) higher metabolic ratios than men in the black population (8.0 +/- 5.3 versus 6.0 +/- 3.7). Obvious ethnic differences in the CYP2A6 alleles were observed among these 4 populations. The combined frequencies of the alleles lacking or showing reduced enzymatic activity (CYP2A6*2, CYP2A6*4, CYP2A6*5, CYP2A6*7, CYP2A6*9, CYP2A6*10, CYP2A6*11, CYP2A6*17, CYP2A6*19, and CYP2A6*20) were 9.1%, 21.9%, 42.9%, and 50.5% in white, black, Korean, and Japanese subjects, respectively. These CYP2A6 alleles were associated with reduced nicotine metabolism. Among the homozygotes of CYP2A6*1, interindividual and ethnic differences in the metabolic ratio were still observed. Thus some factors other than genetic ones might also contribute to the interindividual and ethnic differences. This comprehensive study of 4 populations extends our understanding of nicotine metabolism and the impact of genetic polymorphisms of the CYP2A6 gene.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Binding of steroidogenic factor-1 to the regulatory region might not be critical for transcriptional regulation of the human CYP1B1 gene.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1B1, which catalyzes 17beta-estradiol 4-hydroxylation, is expressed in steroid-related tissues including ovary, testis, and adrenal gland. Generally, the expressions of steroidogenic CYPs are transcriptionally regulated by steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) and cAMP response element (CRE) binding protein (CREB). In the present study, we examined the possibility that the human CYP1B1 gene might be regulated by SF-1 and CREB. Gel shift analyses revealed that in vitro translated SF-1 can bind to the putative SF-1 binding sites, SF-1a (at -1722) and SF-1b (at -2474), on the CYP1B1 gene. In vitro translated CREB barely binds to the putative SF-1 binding sites. Luciferase analysis revealed that a reporter plasmid, pGL3 (-2623/+25), containing the SF-1a and SF-1b elements is transactivated by the concomitant co-expression of SF-1 and protein kinase A (PKA). However, the transcriptional activity is induced by PKA alone. Mutations in the SF-1a and SF-1b elements did not affect the luciferase activity. Thus, the binding of SF-1 to the putative SF-1 binding sites of the human CYP1B1 gene might not be essential for transcriptional regulation. Interestingly, deletion and mutation analyses indicated that the PKA signaling pathway is involved in the xenobiotic responsive element (XRE)-mediated transactivation of the human CYP1B1 gene.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Isoflavones inhibit nicotine C-oxidation catalyzed by human CYP2A6.

The inhibitory effects of isoflavones (daidzein, genistein, and glycitein) on human cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2A6 activities were investigated. Daidzein, genistein, and glycitein uncompetitively inhibited nicotine C-oxidation catalyzed by recombinant CYP2A6 expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells with Ki values of 1.3 +/- 0.3 microM, 0.7 +/- 0.2 microM, and 5.2 +/- 0.8 microM, respectively, but not coumarin 7-hydroxylation. Effects of the intake of soy isoflavones on in vivo nicotine metabolism were investigated with 7 healthy Japanese homozygotes of CYP2A6*1. The cotinine/nicotine ratio of the plasma concentrations 2 hours after chewing 1 piece of nicotine gum under the basal condition (after abstaining from soy foods for 1 week) was 8.8 +/- 2.6 (4.4-11.4). The ratio was significantly (P < .05) reduced to 6.7 +/- 1.6 (4.0-8.2) after consumption of a soy isoflavone supplement (60 mg of total isoflavones/d) for 5 days. The authors found that isoflavone contained in soy products significantly decreased nicotine metabolism.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Evaluation of human CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 mRNA expression in hepatocytes from chimeric mice with humanized liver.

We investigated and compared the expression of human CYPs mRNA in primary cultures of cryopreserved human hepatocytes and in chimeric mice constructed by transplanting hepatocytes from the same human donors. Analysis was performed by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Initial expression levels for the 12 human CYPs mRNA in chimeric mouse hepatocytes were higher than those in human hepatocytes, but a low correlation coefficient was observed (r=0.690). After 24 h of culture, the correlation remained low (r=0.699). The medium was replaced with fresh medium without human epidermal growth factor, and after 48 h of culture, expression of the 12 human CYPs mRNA were very similar in human hepatocytes and chimeric mouse hepatocytes, and a higher correlation coefficient was observed (r=0.809). After 72 h of culture, the correlation remained high (r=0.873). The ratio of human CYP1A2 mRNA to beta-actin mRNA in chimeric mouse hepatocytes decreased quickly during the first 24 h of culture, and then remained constant. Expression profiles of human CYP1A2 mRNA in chimeric mouse hepatocytes were similar to those in human hepatocytes after exposure of beta-naphthoflavone. CYP3A4 mRNA expression was increased significantly by rifampicin (Rif) exposure in human hepatocytes, whereas Rif-induced increases in CYP3A4 mRNA expression in chimeric mouse hepatocytes was seen for two of the three donors. In conclusion, we demonstrated that expression and induction of human CYPs in human hepatocytes can be reproduced in chimeric mouse hepatocytes.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Simultaneous measurement of gene expression for hepatotoxicity in thioacetamide-administered rats by DNA microarrays.

DNA microarray technology was developed as a tool for simultaneously measuring a number of gene expression changes, and has been applied for investigations of toxicity assessments of chemicals. In this study, we used a typical hepatotoxicant, thioacetamide (TA), to find correlations between the extent of hepatotoxicity and certain gene expression patterns or specific gene expression profiles. TA was intraperitoneally administered at high (400 mg/kg), medium (150 mg/kg) or low (50 mg/kg) dose (four rats per group) and then the serum and liver were collected at the indicated time (6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h). Serum biochemical markers were measured and hepatic mRNA expression profiles were analyzed by a DNA microarray. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were increased by TA-administration in a dose-dependent manner and reached the maximum at 24h. Hierarchical clustering analysis of all dosage groups revealed in 2 major clusters, distinguished by an early (6 and 12h) and a late (24, 36 and 48 h) phase. The early and late phase clusters were sorted in time- and dose-dependent manners. The major gene expression profile obtained by quality-threshold (QT) clustering analysis showed the same maximal toxic time as that estimated by the serum biochemical markers. The individual expression profiles of the candidate genes selected in our previous studies and the simultaneous gene expression patterns measured by five typical hepatotoxicants including TA also reflected the hepatotoxicity of TA. These findings suggest that the potential toxic effects appearing as gene expression changes are independent of the dosage of TA. This study suggested that the major gene expression profile estimated by QT clustering would be a sensitive marker of hepatotoxicity.

Alanine Transaminase↗

PubMed2005

A novel CYP2A6*20 allele found in African-American population produces a truncated protein lacking enzymatic activity.

Human CYP2A6 is a cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoform responsible for the metabolism of nicotine, coumarin, tegafur, and valproic acid, and metabolic activation of nitrosamines. Genetic polymorphisms of the CYP2A6 gene are a major causal factor of the large interindividual differences in nicotine metabolism. In the present study, we identified a novel allele, termed CYP2A6*20, in an African-American population. The allele possesses the deletion of two nucleotides in exon 4 resulting in a frame-shift from codon 196 and an early stop codon at 220 (exon 5) as well as three synonymous SNPs of G51A (G51A in cDNA), T5684C (T1191C), and C6692G (C1546G, 3'-untranslated region). The allele frequency in the African-American population (n=96) was 1.6% (95% confidence interval, 0.6-4.5%). In contrast, the CYP2A6*20 allele was not found in Caucasians (European-American) (n=185), Japanese (n=184) and Korean (n=209) populations. To investigate the effects of the polymorphism on the enzymatic activities, we expressed a wild type or variant (deletion of two nucleotides) CYP2A6 together with NADPH-CYP reductase in Escherichia coli. SDS-PAGE and immunoblot analyses demonstrated that truncated CYP2A6 protein was produced from the variant allele, although detected mRNA was the predicted size by reverse transcriptional-polymerase chain reaction. Coumarin 7-hydroxylation and nicotine C-oxidation, which are typical CYP2A6 activities, were completely abolished in the E. coli membrane expressing the variant allele. In vivo nicotine metabolism was evaluated using the cotinine/nicotine ratio 2 h after the chewing of one piece of nicotine gum. Two CYP2A6*1/CYP2A6*20 heterozygotes and a single CYP2A6*17/CYP2A6*20 heterozygote revealed lower cotinine/nicotine ratios compared with CYP2A6*1/CYP2A6*1 subjects (1.6 and 4.5, and 1.8 versus 9.5+/-5.4, n=52, respectively). We found a novel CYP2A6*20 allele in African-American subjects which codes a truncated protein lacking enzymatic activity.

Black or African American↗