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F J Gonzalez

Publications and source records attributed to F J Gonzalez.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor: studies using the AHR-null mice.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is believed to mediate the toxic effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), polychlorinated biphenyls, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. AHR is a member of the Per, ARNT, Sim/basic-helix-loop-helix superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors that also harbors the transcription factors involved in the hypoxia response, development of the central nervous system, and day-night adaptations. To investigate the role of AHR in chemical toxicity and carcinogenesis and to determine any possible function in mammalian development and physiological homeostasis, AHR-null mice were developed. The AHR-null mice were resistant to the acute toxicity of TCDD and had an altered teratogenic response to this compound. These mice were found to have a number of abnormal phenotypes, thus confirming that AHR plays an important developmental and physiological role. Among the most consistent phenotypes was an altered liver pathology that was associated with accelerated rates of apoptosis. Evidence suggests that this may be related to an abnormal accumulation of levels of hepatic retinoic acid that cause an activation of transforming growth factor beta, resulting in stimulation of apoptosis. AHR may directly or indirectly control levels of a cytochrome P450 that is responsible for catabolizing retinoic acid.

Animals↗

Physiological and pathophysiological regulation of cytochrome P450.

This article is a report on a symposium sponsored by the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and held at the April 1998 Experimental Biology '98 meeting in San Francisco. The presentations focused on the mechanisms of regulation of cytochrome P450 gene expression by developmental factors and by hormones and cytokines, as well as on the interplay between physiological and chemical regulation. Approaches and systems used to address these questions included conditional gene knockouts in mice, primary hepatocyte cultures, immunofluorescence imaging of cells, and cell lines stably expressing reporter gene constructs.

Animals↗

Polyunsaturated fatty acid suppression of hepatic fatty acid synthase and S14 gene expression does not require peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha.

Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) induce hepatic peroxisomal and microsomal fatty acid oxidation and suppress lipogenic gene expression. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) has been implicated as a mediator of fatty acid effects on gene transcription. This report uses the PPARalpha-deficient mouse to examine the role of PPARalpha in the PUFA regulation of mRNAs encoding hepatic lipogenic (fatty acid synthase (FAS) and the S14 protein (S14)), microsomal (cytochrome P450 4A2 (CYP4A2)), and peroxisomal (acyl-CoA oxidase (AOX)) enzymes. PUFA ingestion induced mRNAAOX (2.3-fold) and mRNACYP4A2 (8-fold) and suppressed mRNAFAS and mRNAS14 by >/=80% in wild type mice. In PPARalpha-deficient mice, PUFA did not induce mRNAAOX or mRNACYP4A2, indicating a requirement for PPARalpha in the PUFA-mediated induction of these enzymes. However, PUFA still suppressed mRNAFAS and mRNAS14 in the PPARalpha-deficient mice. Studies in rats provided additional support for the differential regulation of lipogenic and peroxisomal enzymes by PUFA. These studies provide evidence for two distinct pathways for PUFA control of hepatic lipid metabolism. One requires PPARalpha and is involved in regulating peroxisomal and microsomal enzymes. The other pathway does not require PPARalpha and is involved in the PUFA-mediated suppression of lipogenic gene expression.

Acyl-CoA Oxidase↗

Alterations in lipoprotein metabolism in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha-deficient mice.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARalpha) controls gene expression in response to a diverse class of compounds collectively referred to as peroxisome proliferators. Whereas most known peroxisome proliferators are of exogenous origin and include hypolipidemic drugs and other industrial chemicals, several endogenous PPARalpha activators have been identified such as fatty acids and steroids. The latter finding and the fact that PPARalpha modulates target genes encoding enzymes involved in lipid metabolism suggest a role for PPARalpha in lipid metabolism. This was investigated in the PPARalpha-deficient mouse model. Basal levels of total serum cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, hepatic apolipoprotein A-I mRNA, and serum apolipoprotein A-I in PPARalpha-deficient mice are significantly higher compared with wild-type controls. Treatment with the fibrate Wy 14,643 decreased apoA-I serum levels and hepatic mRNA levels in wild-type mice, whereas no effect was detected in the PPARalpha-deficient mice. Administration of the fibrate Wy 14,643 to wild-type mice results in marked depression of hepatic apolipoprotein C-III mRNA and serum triglycerides compared with untreated controls. In contrast, PPARalpha-deficient mice were unaffected by Wy 14,643 treatment. These studies demonstrate that PPARalpha modulates basal levels of serum cholesterol, in particular high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and establish that fibrate-induced modulation in hepatic apolipoprotein A-I, C-III mRNA, and serum triglycerides observed in wild-type mice is mediated by PPARalpha.

Animals↗

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor knockout mice (AHR-/-) exhibit liver retinoid accumulation and reduced retinoic acid metabolism.

Livers from aryl hydrocarbon receptor-null mice showed a 3-fold increase in retinoids and a 65% decrease in retinoic acid metabolism. Levels of expression of the retinoic acid 4-hydroxylase, P450RAI, did not change, whereas cytochrome P4501A2 levels were lower in the null mouse, as shown earlier; however, this enzyme was found not to be active toward retinoic acid. These data suggest that aryl hydrocarbon receptor controls retinoic acid catabolism, through modulation of an unidentified target gene. Aldehyde dehydrogenases 1 and 2 were down-regulated markedly in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-deficient mouse liver. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin induced cytochrome P4501A2 but not the aldehyde dehydrogenases in wild-type mice, suggesting that aryl hydrocarbon receptor is not involved directly in the down-regulation of this gene. Transglutaminase II, a retinoic acid-responsive gene product, was increased 2-fold, consistent with the liver fibrosis phenotype observed in the null mice. These findings suggest a molecular connection between xenobiotic-activated receptor signaling and retinoid homeostasis.

Animals↗

Inhibitory monoclonal antibodies to human cytochrome P450 2D6.

Two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have been isolated that bind to human P450 2D6 and inhibit 2D6 catalyzed bufuralol 1-hydroxylation by 90%. One but not both of the MAbs immunoblotted 2D6. The MAbs were highly specific to 2D6 and did not cross-react with other P450s. Inhibitory monoclonal antibodies will be useful for determining the contribution of 2D6 to the metabolism of a wide variety of 2D6 and other P450 substrates in human tissues containing multiple P450s.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Toluene metabolism by cDNA-expressed human hepatic cytochrome P450.

The metabolism of toluene in human liver microsomes and by cDNA-expressed human cytochrome P450s (CYPs) was investigated. Toluene was metabolized mainly to benzyl alcohol and slightly to o- and p-cresol by human liver microsomes. Formation of o-cresol was elevated in microsomes from human livers derived from cigarette smokers, but the induced CYP isoforms were not clear. Of the eleven human CYP forms studied, CYP2E1 was the most active in forming benzyl alcohol, followed by CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP1A2, and CYP1A1, in that order. The activities of CYP2A6, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP3A3, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5 were negligible. In addition, CYP2B6 and CYP2E1 catalyzed the formation of p-cresol (11-12% of total metabolites), and CYP1A2 catalyzed the formation of both o-(22%) and p-cresol (35%). The relationship between the amino acid sequence of rat CYP2B1 cDNA and the activity for toluene metabolism was investigated using variants, because of great differences in the forming of toluene ring products between CYP2B1 and CYP2B6. These results suggest that the structure of CYP2B1 at the site of Leu 58 rather than Ile-114 and Glu-282 plays an important role in the formation of toluene ring products, whereas in CYP2B1 Ile-114 plays an important role in the formation of benzyl alcohol. These results may explain, in part, the lower activity of CYP2B6, which has Phe at position 58 of the protein, for toluene ring oxidations than that of CYP2B1.

Animals↗

PPAR alpha mediates peroxisome proliferator-induced transcriptional repression of nonperoxisomal gene expression in mouse.

The strain difference, peroxisome proliferator specificity and role of PPAR alpha in peroxisome proliferator-induced transcriptional repression of nonperoxisomal transthyretin and alpha2u-globulin genes were examined. The genes were repressed by four peroxisome proliferators in all seven mouse strains tested. The extent of repression was strongly dependent on both the mouse strains and type of proliferator, although the mRNA levels of PPAR alpha and its partner in heterodimerization, RXR alpha were not different. The role of PPAR alpha in repression was confirmed by the finding that PPAR alpha-null mice were not responsive to transcriptional repression. These results indicate that PPAR alpha plays an obligatory role in transcription of various genes, some of which are not related to lipid metabolism.

Alpha-Globulins↗

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate induces a functional zinc deficiency during pregnancy and teratogenesis that is independent of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha.

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a peroxisome proliferator whose administration to rodents induces a pleiotropic response mediated by the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR alpha). The mechanisms underlying DEHP-induced reproductive toxicity and teratogenicity are not well understood but could be the result of an alteration in gene expression by PPAR alpha. Additionally, phthalate exposure is known to impair fetal zinc (Zn) levels during pregnancy. In this work, we investigated whether the reproductive toxicity and teratogenicity of DEHP are mediated by PPAR alpha and whether the receptor influences maternal and/or embryonic Zn metabolism. Pregnant female mice, homozygous wild-type (+/+) or PPAR alpha -null (-/-), were intubated with either vehicle alone or 1,000 mg DEHP/kg body weight on gestation day (GD) 8 and 9. Pregnancy outcome was evaluated on GD10 and GD18 in two cohorts of animals. Compared to controls, DEHP administration resulted in maternal toxicity, embryo/ fetal toxicity, and teratogenicity in both (+/+) and (-/-) mice. Maternal liver mRNA for cytochrome P-450 4A1 (CYP4A1) was higher in DEHP-treated (+/+) mice but not in DEHP-treated (-/-) mice on GD10, consistent with their respective phenotype. Maternal liver MT and Zn levels were significantly higher than in controls on GD10. In addition, embryonic Zn content was significantly lower in both genotypes treated with DEHP compared to controls. Results from this work show that DEHP-induced reproductive toxicity, teratogenicity, and altered Zn metabolism are not mediated through PPAR alpha-dependent mechanisms. In addition, this work suggests that DEHP-induced alterations in Zn metabolism contribute to the mechanisms underlying DEHP-induced reproductive toxicity and teratogenicity.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Purification, characterization, and kinetics of porcine recombinant dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase.

Porcine recombinant dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase was purified from Escherichia coli cells using cell disruption, ammonium sulfate fractionation, and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and 2',5'-ADP-Sepharose. The yield was 60% with a specific activity of 14 units/mg protein. On SDS/PAGE the purified dehydrogenase exhibits a single band, indicating that no proteolytic degradation was taking place during purification. In agreement with the native enzyme, all cofactors, FMN, FAD, NADPH, and two iron-sulfur clusters, have been found. EPR spectra of the reduced dehydrogenase obtained at pH 9.5 are characteristic for two [4Fe-4S]1+ cubanes in dipolar interaction. Quantification of the observed signals indicated 0.95 spins per subunit, showing only partially reduced iron-sulfur clusters. The kinetic parameters of the porcine recombinant enzyme are very similar to those of the native enzyme. Thus, it can be concluded that the porcine recombinant enzyme behaves like the native dehydrogenase.

Animals↗

Relationship between the CYP2D6 genotype and the steady-state plasma concentrations of trazodone and its active metabolite m-chlorophenylpiperazine.

The relationship between the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 genotype and the steady-state plasma concentrations (Css) of trazodone and its active metabolite m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) was studied in 54 depressed Japanese patients receiving trazodone 150 mg at bedtime. By use of allele-specific PCR analysis, the wild type allele, three mutated alleles causing absent enzyme activity (CYP2D6A, CYP2D6B and CYP2D6D) and one mutated allele causing decreased enzyme activity (CYPZD6 Ch) were identified. The means (ranges) of the Css of trazodone, corrected to the median body weight in 17 cases with no mutated allele, 27 cases with one mutated allele and 10 cases with two mutated alleles, were 556 (281-1115), 643 (302-1362) and 671 (234-1418) ng/ml, respectively, while the values of mCPP were 60 (35-121), 65 (33-99) and 58 (38-112) ng/ml, respectively. Neither the Css of trazodone (F = 0.80, P = 0.45) nor that of mCPP (F = 0.49, P = 0.61) significantly differed among the three groups. The present study thus suggests that the CYP2D6 genotype cannot predict the Css of these compounds.

Adult↗

Involvement of multiple cytochrome P450 isoforms in naproxen O-demethylation.

OBJECTIVE: A series of studies was undertaken to determine the cytochrome P450 isoform(s) involved in naproxen demethylation and whether this included the same isoforms reported to be involved in the metabolism of other NSAIDs. METHODS: (S)-Naproxen was incubated with human liver microsomes in the presence of a NADPH-generating system and the formation of desmethylnaproxen was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). To further clarify the specific isoforms involved, experiments were conducted with preparations expressing only a single P450 isoform (vaccinia virus-expressed cells and microsomes derived from a lymphoblastoid cell line, each transfected with specific P450 cDNAs) as well as inhibition studies using human liver microsomes and putative specific P450 inhibitors. RESULTS: In human liver microsomes (n = 7), desmethylnaproxen formation was observed with a mean kM of 92 (21) mumol.l-1, Vmax of 538 pmol.min-1.mg-1 protein and Cint2 (reflective of a second binding site) of 0.36 microliter.min-1.mg-1 protein. This Cint2 term was added since Eadie-Scatchard analysis suggested the involvement of more than one enzyme. Studies using putative specific P450 inhibitors demonstrated inhibition of this reaction by sulfaphenazole, (apparent Ki = 1.6 mumol.l-1), warfarin (apparent Ki = 27 mumol.l-1), piroxicam (apparent Ki = 23 mumol.l-1) and tolbutamide (apparent Ki = 128 mumol.l-1). No effect was observed when alpha-naphthoflavone and troleandomycin were employed as inhibitors, but reaction with furafylline produced, on average, a maximum inhibition of 23%. At a naproxen concentration of 150 mumol.l-1, formation of desmethylnaproxen was observed in cells expressing P450 1A2, 2C8, 2C9 and its allelic variant 2C9R144C. To further characterize these reactions, saturation kinetics experiments were conducted for the P450s 1A2, 2C8 and 2C9. The kM and Vmax for P450 1A2 were 189.5 mumol.l-1 and 7.3 pmol.min-1.pmol-1 P450, respectively. Likewise, estimates of kM and Vmax for P450 2C9 were 340.5 mumol.l-1 and 41.4 pmol. min-1.pmol-1 P450, respectively. Reliable estimates of kM and Vmax could not be made for P450 2C8 due to the nonsaturable nature of the process over the concentration range studied. CONCLUSION: Multiple cytochrome P450 isoforms (P450 1A2, 2C8 and 2C9) appear to be involved in naproxen demethylation, although 2C9 appears to be the predominant form.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Mutations at codon 974 of the DPYD gene are a rare event.

A mutation at codon 974 of the dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) gene was previously described in a cancer patient with undetectable DPD enzyme activity who experienced severe toxicity when treated with 5-fluorouracil. We have studied the frequency of this mutation in 29 Scottish subjects with low DPD enzyme activity and in 274 American subjects. We detected no mutations in the 606 alleles studied and conclude that mutations at codon 974 are a rare event.

Dihydrouracil Dehydrogenase (NADP)↗

HNF1 alpha activates the rat UDP glucuronosyltransferase UGT2B1 gene promoter.

The rat UDP glucuronosyltransferase UGT2B1 is expressed mainly in the liver where it glucuronidates steroids and environmental toxins and carcinogens. A region between -42 and -55 bp upstream from the UGT2B1 gene transcription start site was previously identified as sharing sequence similarity with the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 (HNF1) consensus binding site. In this study, the importance of this region in the regulation of the UGT2B1 gene was confirmed by functional and DNA binding assays. A minimal UGT2B1 gene promoter containing the putative HNF1 binding site was fused to the CAT reporter gene and transfected into HepG2 cells. Only low levels of CAT activity were detected. This activity was increased 50-fold when an HNF1 alpha expression vector was co-transfected with the UGT2B1 promoter CAT construct but was not altered when a HNF1 beta expression vector was used. A UGT2B1 promoter construct with the HNF1-like region deleted was not activated by either co-transfected HNF1 expression vector. DNase 1 footprinting and gel-shift analysis demonstrated that nuclear proteins present in both HepG2 cells and rat liver bind to the HNF1-like element. The presence of HNF1 alpha in these nuclear proteins that bind to the HNF1-like element was confirmed by supershift analysis with antisera to HNF1 alpha. Specific binding of nuclear proteins to the HNF1-like element was not seen in extracts from three cell lines derived from nonhepatic tissues. These data strongly suggest that the liver-enriched factor HNF1 alpha binds to, and activates, the UGT2B1 gene promoter

Animals↗

Role of human hepatic cytochrome P450 1A2 and 3A4 in the metabolic activation of estrone.

The metabolic activation of estrone (E1), a potent estrogen was investigated using recombinant human cytochrome P450 enzymes, 1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C9R144C, 2E1, 3A4, 3A5 and liver microsomes from 14 human organ donors. At least five products of E1 were detected and quantitated by HPLC and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Among these metabolites, 16alpha-OH-E1, 2-OH-E1 and 4-OH-E1, which are believed to be associated with estrogen carcinogenesis in animals, were definitively identified. Of all P450s examined, 1A2 and 3A4 exhibited the highest activities with turnovers of 3.4 and 2.5 nmol/min/nmol P450 for the total metabolism of E1, respectively, while 3A5, 2C9 and 2C9R144C showed moderate activities. 2B6, 2E1 and 2C8 did not produce any significant amount of products. 1A2 formed almost exclusively the 2-OH-E1 at a rate of 3.3 nmol/min/nmol but 3A4 preferentially formed the metabolite X1 (an unknown hydroxylation product) and 16alpha-OH-E1. Kinetic characterization showed that the Km values of 1A2, 3A4 and 3A5 were 14, 95 and 64 microM and Vmax were 5.43, 0.68 and 0.35 min(-1), respectively. All human liver microsomes were capable of metabolizing estrone and a 4-fold variation was seen between individuals. The relative amount of metabolites formed was generally 2-OH-E1 > metabolite X1 > 4-OH-E1 > 16alpha-OH-E1 > metabolite X2. 3A4/5 enzyme complex was assessed by inhibitory monoclonal antibody specific for 3A4/5 to contribute 60-88% to the formation of individual metabolites in human liver except for 2-OH-E1 (3%). The formation of 2-OH-E1 and 16alpha-OH-E1 by 14 human liver microsomes was significantly correlated with caffeine 3-demethylation supported by 1A2 (r2 = 0.87) and with testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation by 3A4 (r2 = 0.66), respectively. Thus the metabolic patterns exhibited by human liver are likely due to the combined activities of the P450 1A2 and 3A4 enzymes.

Adult↗