Inhibitors of mdr1-dependent transport activity delay accumulation of the mdr1 substrate rhodamine 123 in primary rat hepatocyte cultures.

P-glycoproteins (P-gps) encoded by mdr1 (multidrug resistance) genes mediate extrusion of numerous lipophilic xeno- and endobiotics through the plasma membrane. Rhodamine 123 (Rh123), a fluorescent dye which is accumulated by mitochondria, is a mdr1 substrate and a well-established tool to study mdr1 transport activity. Inhibitors of mdr1-dependent transport such as verapamil or cyclosporin A have been found to decrease Rh123 efflux from mdr1-expressing cells. Mdr1b gene expression increases with time in primary rat hepatocyte culture. In hepatocytes cultured for 4 days and expressing high levels of P-gp, intracellular Rh123 accumulation was enhanced in the presence of mdr1 inhibitors (cyclosporin A, 8 and 80 microM, verapamil, 8 and 80 microM, or triton X-100, 8 microM). Surprisingly, in hepatocytes expressing low levels of P-gp (after 1 day of culture), time-dependent Rh123 accumulation was not enhanced, but delayed by cyclosporin A, verapamil or triton X-100. In these cells orthovanadate (50 microM), an inhibitor of P-glycoprotein ATPase activity, suppressed Rh123 accumulation, while tetraethylammonium (200 microM), an organic cation transporter (OCT) substrate, had no effect. The paradoxical delay in Rh123 accumulation by verapamil and cyclosporin A occurred eventhough these compounds decreased dye extrusion from Rh123 pre-loaded cells. These observations suggest that a hitherto unknown mechanism which is sensitive to modulators of mdr1-activity contributes to Rh123 uptake or accumulation in primary rat hepatocytes.

Repression of phenobarbital-dependent CYP2B1 mRNA induction by reactive oxygen species in primary rat hepatocyte cultures.

Xenobiotic-metabolizing cytochrome P-450 (P-450) enzymes not only play a pivotal role in elimination of foreign compounds but also contribute to generation of toxic intermediates, including reactive oxygen species, that may elicit cellular damage if produced excessively. Expression of several xenobiotic-metabolizing P-450 enzymes is induced by phenobarbital (PB). Pronounced induction is observed for the rat CYP2B1 isoform. A primary rat hepatocyte culture system was used to investigate whether reactive oxygen species might modulate PB-dependent CYP2B1 induction. In cells cultivated for 3 days with 1.5 mM PB, substantial CYP2B1 mRNA induction was observed (100%). Addition of H(2)O(2) or of the catalase inhibitor 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (AT) to the medium repressed induction to approximately 30% (at 1 mM H(2)O(2) and 2 mM AT, respectively). Accordingly, treatment of hepatocytes with PB and the glutathione precursor N-acetylcysteine (NAC) led to enhanced PB-dependent induction (to over 1000% at 10 mM NAC). In primary hepatocyte cultures transfected with a CYP2B1 promoter-luciferase construct containing approximately 2.7 kilobase pairs of the native CYP2B1 promoter sequence, PB-dependent reporter gene activation was repressed by AT and stimulated by N-acetylcysteine. Furthermore, a 263-base pair CYP2B1 promoter fragment encompassing the phenobarbital-responsive enhancer module conferred suppression of PB-dependent luciferase expression by AT and activation by NAC in a heterologous SV40-promoter construct. In summary, these data demonstrate a regulatory mechanism that is dependent on the cellular redox status, which modulates CYP2B1 mRNA induction by PB on the transcriptional level, thus representing a feedback mechanism preventing further P-450-dependent production of reactive oxygen intermediates under oxidative stress.

Induction of cytochrome P450 2B1 by pyrethroids in primary rat hepatocyte cultures.

Numerous xenobiotics are capable of inducing their own metabolism and by enzyme induction can also lead to enhanced biotransformation of other xenobiotics. In this project, we examined the influence of pyrethroids (permethrin, cypermethrin, and fenvalerate) on the expression and activity of the phenobarbital (PB)-inducible cytochrome P450 2B1 isoform (CYP2B1) in primary rat hepatocyte cultures. Incubation of hepatocyte cultures with pyrethroids resulted in a marked CYP2B1 induction. Among the tested pyrethroids, permethrin elicited the most pronounced induction of CYP2B1 mRNA, which exceeded maximal induction achieved by PB at concentrations approximately 10-fold higher. Furthermore, permethrin induced CYP3A1 mRNA expression, while the expression of the CYP1A1 isoform, which in vivo is not responsive to PB treatment, was not significantly affected by pyrethroids. Permethrin-dependent enhancement of CYP2B1 and CYP3A1 mRNA expression was repressed by the hepatotrophic cytokine epidermal growth factor, which is known to also inhibit PB-dependent induction of CYP2B1. Several metabolites of permethrin formed by hepatocytes (3-(2',2'-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid, 3-phenoxybenzyl alcohol, and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid) were ineffective in inducing CYP2B1 mRNA. Furthermore, permethrin stimulated the expression of the luciferase reporter gene under control of the CYP2B1 promoter (comprising the PB-responsive enhancer module) in transiently transfected primary hepatocyte cultures. Thus, permethrin-stimulated gene expression occurred on the transcriptional level. Taken together, these results indicate that the pyrethroid permethrin is a PB-like inducer. Due to its superior potency in induction, permethrin appears as a useful substance for mechanistic studies to elucidate the mechanism of enzyme induction by phenobarbital.

[Etiology of initially unexplained confusion of excitability in deadly nightshade poisoning with suicidal intent. Symptoms, differential diagnosis, toxicology and physostigmine therapy of anticholinergic syndrome]. / Atiologisch zunächst unklare Verwirrtheit und Exzitation im Verlauf einer Tollkirschenvergiftung mit suizidaler Absicht. Symptomatik, Differentialdiagnose, Toxikologie und Physostigmin-Therapie des anticholinergen Syndroms.

HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: After a walk in a wood a 55-year-old teacher was admitted to the emergency unit of a university hospital because of somnolence and excitability. Her rectal temperature was 37.8 degrees C, she had sinus tachycardia (rate of 130/min) but no other significant findings. INVESTIGATIONS: With the exception of C-reactive protein (10 mg/dl), MCV (101 fl), MCH (34 pg) and arterial blood gases (pH 7.483, pCO2 35.5 mmHg, base excess 5.1 mmp/l) laboratory tests were within normal limits. Qualitative screening of serum for benzodiazepines, barbiturates and antidepressives was negative. Neurological examination, including lumbar puncture and cranial computed tomography were noncontributory. TREATMENT AND COURSE: 10 hours after admission the patient developed signs of an anticholinergic syndrome with mydriasis, dry mouth, tachycardia, hot skin and an atonic bladder. Physostigmine 2 mg completely reversed the neurological and mental symptoms. After gas chromatography, mass-spectrometry of a urine sample showed an atropine molecular fragment with a molecular weight of 271. At intervals of 3 to 5 hours the recurrence of confusion and excitability required 4 further i.v. injection of physostigmine. The patient subsequently became accessible to psychiatric examination and reported that during the walk she had swallowed 8-10 berries of deadly nightshade with suicidal intent. CONCLUSION: In case of excitability and confusion as well as somnolence or coma of uncertain aetiology an anticholinergic syndrome caused by ingestion of atropine-containing plants or psychoactive drugs (phenothiazines, butyrophenones, tri- or tetracyclic antidepressants) should be included in the differential diagnosis. If there are suggestive clinical findings (tachycardia, somnolence, coma or threatened respiratory arrest, physostigmine should be given if there are no contraindications.

Physiological oxygen tensions modulate expression of the mdr1b multidrug-resistance gene in primary rat hepatocyte cultures.

P-Glycoprotein transporters encoded by mdr1 (multidrug resistance) genes mediate extrusion of an array of lipophilic xenobiotics from the cell. In rat liver, mdr transcripts have been shown to be expressed mainly in hepatocytes of the periportal region. Since gradients in oxygen tension (pO(2)) may contribute towards zonated gene expression, the influence of arterial and venous pO(2) on mRNA expression of the mdr1b isoform was examined in primary rat hepatocytes cultured for up to 3 days. Maximal mdr1b mRNA levels (100%) were observed under arterial pO(2) after 72 h, whereas less than half-maximal mRNA levels (40%) were attained under venous pO(2). Accordingly, expression of mdr protein and extrusion of the mdr1 substrate rhodamine 123 were maximal under arterial pO(2) and reduced under venous pO(2). Oxygen-dependent modulation of mdr1b mRNA expression was prevented by actinomycin D, indicating transcriptional regulation. Inhibition of haem synthesis by 25 microM CoCl(2) blocked mdr1b mRNA expression under both oxygen tensions, whereas 80 microM desferrioxamine abolished modulation by O(2). Haem (10 microM) increased mdr1b mRNA levels under arterial and venous pO(2). In hepatocytes treated with 50 microM H(2)O(2), mdr1b mRNA expression was elevated by about 1.6-fold at venous pO(2) and 1.5-fold at arterial pO(2). These results support the conclusion that haem proteins are crucial for modulation of mdr1b mRNA expression by O(2) in hepatocyte cultures and that reactive oxygen species may participate in O(2)-dependent signal transduction. Furthermore, the present study suggests that oxygen might be a critical modulator for zonated secretion of mdr1 substrates into the bile.

Monitoring of cytochrome P-450 1A activity by determination of the urinary pattern of caffeine metabolites in Wistar and hyperbilirubinemic Gunn rats.

Various studies suggest that induction of cytochrome P-450 1A (CYP1A) might be a valuable therapeutic modality for reducing the hyperbilirubinemia of infants with Crigler-Najjar syndrome type I (CNS-I), a severe form of congenital jaundice. To evaluate inducers of CYP1A as possible tools in the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia, a novel assay was established, based on the analysis of the urinary pattern of caffeine metabolites in rats. Wistar rats received [1-Me-(14)C]-caffeine (10 mg/kg i.p.), before and 48h after administration of the potent CYP1A inducer 5,6-benzoflavone (BNF) (80 mg/kg, i.p.). A substantial increase in the fractions of the terminal caffeine metabolites 1-methyluric acid (1-U), 1-methylxanthine (1-X), and a concomitant decrease in the caffeine demethylation product 1,7-dimethylxanthine (1,7-X) was observed after application of BNF. The ratio of the caffeine metabolites (1-U+1-X)/1,7-X may serve as an index of CYP1A activity in rats in vivo. Hyperbilirubinemic, homozygous (jj) Gunn rats are an accepted model for human CNS-I. In male jj Gunn rats treated with BNF or with indole-3-carbinol (I3C, 80 mg/kg, oral gavage), the inducing effect of BNF and 13C on CYP1A activity was confirmed by the urinary pattern of caffeine metabolites, and was parallelled by a decrease in plasma bilirubin levels. These data demonstrate the usefulness of the established caffeine assay for the evaluation of inducers of CYP1A as tools for reducing hyperbilirubinemia and further confirm the potential value of I3C in the treatment of CNS-I.

Metabolism of 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) in primary cultures of rat alveolar type II cells.

The tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) induces primarily lung tumors, which are assumed to derive from malignant transformation of alveolar type II (AII) cells within the lung. To elicit its carcinogenic effects, NNK requires metabolic activation by cytochrome P-450 (CYP)-mediated alpha-hydroxylation. Therefore, in this study the metabolism of NNK and expression of the NNK-activating CYP isoform CYP2B1 were investigated in primary cultures of rat AII cells. Although basal expression of CYP2B1 decreased in a time-dependent manner during culture of AII cells, substantial CYP2B1 protein expression was observed in AII cell cultures after the first 24 h. When AII cells were incubated with 0. 05 microM [5-(3)H]NNK, N-oxidation of NNK, which is thought to represent a detoxification pathway, was predominant (42%). alpha-Hydroxylated metabolites resulting from metabolic activation of NNK amounted to 35% of all detected metabolites. However, the proportion of alpha-hydroxylated metabolites decreased to 17% of all detected metabolites when AII cells were incubated with a 100-fold higher concentration of NNK (5 microM). In summary, this study indicates a remarkable activity of cultured AII cells to metabolize NNK, leading to substantial metabolic activation of NNK, which was more pronounced in incubations at low NNK concentration. Because exposure to NNK via cigarette smoking is thought to lead to very low plasma NNK concentrations (1-15 pM), these data suggest that metabolic activation of NNK in cigarette smokers might occur to a larger extent than would be expected according to previous metabolic studies performed with high (micromolar) NNK concentrations.

Mimicry in primary rat hepatocyte cultures of the in vivo perivenous induction by phenobarbital of cytochrome P-450 2B1 mRNA: role of epidermal growth factor and perivenous oxygen tension.

Treatment of male rats with phenobarbital (PB) results in a perivenous and mid-zonal pattern of cytochrome P-450 (CYP)2B1 mRNA expression within the liver acinus. The mechanism of this zonated induction is still poorly understood. In this study sinusoidal gradients of oxygen and epidermal growth factor (EGF) besides those of the pituitary-dependent hormones growth hormone (GH), thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3) were considered to be possible determinants for the zonated induction of the CYP2B1 gene in liver. Moreover, heme proteins seem to play a key role in oxygen sensing. Therefore, the influence of arterial (16% O2) and venous (8% O2) oxygen tension (pO2), and of the heme synthesis inhibitors CoCl2 and desferrioxamine (DSF) on PB-dependent CYP2B1 mRNA induction as well as the repression by EGF and, for comparison, by GH, T4, and T3, of the induction under arterial and venous pO2 were investigated in primary rat hepatocytes. Within 3 days, phenobarbital induced CYP2B1 mRNA to maximal levels under arterial pO2 and to about 40% of maximal levels under venous pO2. CoCl2 annihilated induction by PB under both oxygen tensions, whereas desferrioxamine and heme abolished the positive modulation by O2, suggesting that heme is a necessary component for O2 sensing. EGF suppressed CYP2B1 mRNA induction by PB only under arterial but not under venous pO2, whereas GH, T4, and T3 inhibited induction under both arterial and venous pO2. Thus, in hepatocyte cultures, an O2 gradient in conjunction with EGF mimicked the perivenous induction by PB of the CYP2B1 gene observed in the liver in vivo.

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for simultaneous determination of [1-methyl-14C]caffeine and its eight major metabolites in rat urine.

A selective and sensitive reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of [1-Me-14C]caffeine and its eight major radiolabelled metabolites in rat urine. The separation of the complex mixture of caffeine metabolites was achieved by gradient elution with a dual solvent system using an endcapped C18 reversed-phase column, which in contrast to commonly used C18 reversed-phase columns also allows the separation of the two isomers of 6-amino-5-(N-formylmethylamino)-1,3-dimethyluracil (1,3,7-DAU), a caffeine metabolite of quantitative importance predominantly occurring in rat. As caffeine is metabolised primarily by members of the cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) subfamiliy, determination of the pattern of caffeine metabolites in rat urine enables analysis of activities of this important enzyme subfamily in vivo. Since CYP1A is suggested to be involved in the detoxification of bilirubin, the assay may be applied to search for untoxic inducers of CYP1A which might be of pharmacological interest in the treatment of hyperbilirubinaemia.

Reactive oxygen species participate in mdr1b mRNA and P-glycoprotein overexpression in primary rat hepatocyte cultures.

P-glycoproteins encoded by multidrug resistance type 1 (mdr1) genes mediate ATP-dependent efflux of numerous lipophilic xenobiotics, including several anticancer drugs, from cells. Overexpression of mdr1-type transporters in tumour cells contributes to a multidrug resistance phenotype. Several factors shown to induce mdr1 overexpression (UV irradiation, epidermal growth factor, tumour necrosis factor alpha, doxorubicin) have been associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study, primary rat hepatocyte cultures that exhibit time-dependent overexpression of the mdr1b gene were used as a model system to investigate whether ROS might participate in the regulation of intrinsic mdr1b overexpression. Addition of H2O2 to the culture medium resulted in a significant increase in mdrlb mRNA and P-glycoprotein after 3 days of culture, with maximal (approximately 2-fold) induction being observed with 0.5-1 mM H2O2. Furthermore, H2O2 led to activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, a nuclear enzyme activated by DNA strand breaks, indicating that ROS reached the nuclear compartment. Thus, extracellularly applied H2O2 elicited intracellular effects. Treatment of rat hepatocytes with the catalase inhibitor 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (2-4 mM for 72 h or 10 mM for 1 h following the hepatocyte attachment period) also led to an up-regulation of mdrlb mRNA and P-glycoprotein expression. Conversely, antioxidants (1 mM ascorbate, 10 mM mannitol, 2% dimethyl sulphoxide, 10 mM N-acetylcysteine) markedly suppressed intrinsic mdr1b mRNA and P-glycoprotein overexpression. Intracellular steady-state levels of the mdrl substrate rhodamine 123, determined as parameter of mdr1-type transport activity, indicated that mdr1-dependent efflux was increased in hepatocytes pretreated with H2O2 or aminotriazole and decreased in antioxidant-treated cells. The induction of mdr1b mRNA and of functionally active mdr1-type P-glycoproteins by elevation in intracellular ROS levels and the repression of intrinsic mdrlb mRNA and P-glycoprotein overexpression by antioxidant compounds support the conclusion that the expression of the mdr1b P-glycoprotein is regulated in a redox-sensitive manner.

Molecular cDNA cloning and tissue distribution of mRNA encoding a novel ATP-binding cassette (ABC) half-transporter.

The majority of proteins belonging to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily catalyzes translocation of substrates across biological membranes. Employing a reverse transcription-PCR approach with degenerate primers, we have identified a full-length cDNA from rat hepatocytes encoding a novel ABC transporter termed umat (ubiquitously expressed mammalian ABC half-transporter). The deduced sequence of 836 amino acids comprises an N-terminal membrane anchor domain and a single conserved C-terminal nucleotide binding fold, specifying umat as an ABC half-transporter. While the first 250 amino acid positions are highly divergent from other ABC transporters, clusters of conserved residues are evident along the rest of the protein. The greatest sequence similarity was observed with the fission yeast heavy metal tolerance protein hmt1 (44.5% identity in a 626-amino-acid overlap). Umat mRNA, expressed in all tissues analyzed, was most abundant in testis. Substantial umat mRNA expression in cultured primary rat hepatocytes suggests that hepatocyte cultures should represent an adequate model for investigation of umat function and regulation.

Induction of mdr1b mRNA and P-glycoprotein expression by tumor necrosis factor alpha in primary rat hepatocyte cultures.

Mammalian liver exhibits expression of members of the family of multidrug resistance (mdr) transporters (P-glycoproteins). P-glycoprotein isoforms encoded by mdr1 genes participate in extrusion of an array of xenobiotics into the bile. Induction of mdr1b mRNA expression has been shown to occur in rat hepatocytes in response to hepatotrophic growth factors. As the cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is known to exert a direct mitogenic effect on hepatocytes, its influence on mdr1b expression was investigated. In primary rat hepatocytes cultured in the absence of TNF-alpha, a time-dependent increase in basal expression of mdr1b mRNA and in immunodetectable P-glycoprotein was observed. In cells treated with TNF-alpha (4,000 U/ml) for 3 days, expression of mdr1b mRNA and of immunodetectable P-glycoprotein was induced approximately twofold. Moreover, intracellular steady-state levels of the mdr1 substrate rhodamine 123 were decreased in cells pretreated with TNF-alpha in comparison to controls, indicating an increase in functional transporter(s) mediating dye extrusion. Treatment of hepatocytes with antioxidants (1 mM ascorbic acid and 2% dimethyl sulfoxide) for 3 days markedly suppressed mdr1b mRNA and P-glycoprotein expression both in cells cultured in the presence of TNF-alpha and in the absence of the cytokine, but did not fully abolish mdr1b mRNA induction by TNF-alpha, supporting the notion that reactive oxygen species participate in regulation of basal mdr1b gene expression during hepatocyte culture. In conclusion, the present data indicate that by inducing mdr1b expression in hepatocytes, TNF-alpha may affect the capacity of the liver for extrusion or detoxification of endogenous or xenobiotic mdr1 substrates.

Differential activation of the c-Ki-ras-2 proto-oncogene in human colorectal carcinoma.

In colorectal carcinoma, c-Ki-ras-2 mutations predominantly occur in codon 12 and, to a considerably lesser extent, in codon 13. To our knowledge, involvement of codon 61 in c-Ki-ras-2 has been reported only once among the large number of colon cancers investigated altogether. In this study, five human primary colorectal carcinomas were analyzed for the presence of activating c-Ki-ras-2 point mutations in codon 12, 13, and 61. Tumor DNAs were amplified by PCR and subsequently hybridized to a panel of synthetic oligonucleotides representing the complete spectrum of possible mutations. In two of the five tumors, mutations involving codons 13 and 61, respectively, were detected. These data extend previous findings that point mutation of codon 61 may be an improbable yet possible event leading to activation of c-Ki-ras-2 in colorectal carcinoma.

Determination of 2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (2HPAA) in urine after oral and parenteral administration of coumarin by gas-liquid chromatography with flame-ionization detection.

The urinary excretion of 2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (2HPAA) was studied in human volunteers after oral and parenteral doses of coumarin. The presence of 2HPAA in the urine was confirmed by gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC MS). Mass spectra of reference material and samples are presented. The determination of 2HPAA was carried out by GC with flame-ionization detection. Prior to analysis samples were extracted into ethyl ether and the analytes were derivatized with trimethlyphenylammonium hydroxide. A calibration range from 0.3 to 150 micrograms ml-1 was established using 3-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid (3HPAA) as an internal standard. On average less than 10% of the coumarin administered were excreted into the urine in the form of 2HPAA.

Effect of nicotine or cotinine on metabolism of 4-methylnitrosamino-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) in isolated rat lung and liver.

The scope of the present study was to investigate whether nicotine or cotinine will affect the metabolism of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) in isolated perfused rat lungs and livers and to study the effect of starvation on pulmonary metabolism of NNK. NNK metabolism was investigated in isolated perfused liver and lung of male F344 rats perfused with 35 nM [5-3H]NNK in presence of a 1400-fold excess of the main tobacco alkaloid nicotine and its metabolite cotinine. In perfused rat livers, nicotine and cotinine inhibited NNK elimination and metabolism and led to a substantial increase of elimination half-life from 14.6 min in controls to 25.5 min after nicotine and 36.6 min after cotinine co-administration, respectively. In parallel, the pattern of NNK metabolites was changed by nicotine and cotinine. The pathway of alpha-hydroxylation representing the metabolic activation of NNK was decreased to 77% and 85% of control values, whereas N-oxidation of NNK and glucuronidation of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) was increased 2.6- and 1.2-fold in presence of nicotine and cotinine, respectively. When isolated rat lungs were perfused with 35 nM NNK for 3 h neither the elimination nor the pattern of metabolites were substantially affected due to co-administration of 50 microM nicotine or cotinine. Cytochrome P450 2E1 is known to participate in the activation of NNK and can be induced by starvation. However, isolated rat lungs from male Sprague Dawley rats perfused with [1-14C]NNK at about 2 microM for 3 h, revealed only small differences in pulmonary elimination and pattern of NNK metabolites between fed and starved animals. These results suggest that nicotine and its main metabolite cotinine inhibit the metabolic activation of NNK predominantly in the liver whereas activation in lung, a main target organ of NNK induced carcinogenesis, remained almost unaffected.

Increased expression of alpha6-integrin receptors and of mRNA encoding the putative 37 kDa laminin receptor precursor in pancreatic carcinoma.

The expression of alpha6-integrin receptors (VLA-alpha6) and of mRNA encoding the putative 37 kDa laminin receptor precursor (37 LRP) was determined in ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma and normal pancreatic tissue from the same patient. VLA-alpha6 expression was enhanced and redistributed in pancreatic carcinoma, and 37 LRP mRNA levels were elevated in carcinomatous pancreatic tissue as well as in five pancreatic tumor cell lines. The molecular weight of the major RNA species detected was higher in carcinoma tissue (1.9 kb) as opposed to cell lines (1.2 kb), possibly reflecting alternative splicing of 37 LRP mRNA in the primary tumor.

Differential induction of mRNA expression of cytochromes P450 (CYP2B1 and CYP1A1/2) by metyrapone in primary rat hepatocyte cultures.

The mRNA expression of members of two cytochrome P450 (CYP) gene subfamilies involved in carcinogen activation, the CYP1A1/2 and CYP2B1 forms, was determined in primary rat hepatocyte cultures in response to metyrapone and to the inducer phenobarbital or 5,6-benzoflavone (BNF), respectively. Incubation of cells with 0.5 mM metyrapone resulted in accumulation of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 mRNA and in a marked increase in CYP1A-associated enzymatic activity as determined by deethylation of ethoxyresorufin. Metyrapone and phenobarbital in combination acted synergistically in elevation of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity. In hepatocytes treated with metyrapone or with phenobarbital, accumulation of CYP2B1 mRNA levels preceded an increase in CYP2B-associated, pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase activity. However, CYP2B1 mRNA levels were first detectable after 24 hours of treatment with phenobarbital, whereas metyrapone elicited a substantial increase in mRNA levels within 14 hours, suggesting differing mechanisms leading to accumulation of CYP2B1 mRNA under the two inducers.

Modulation of P-glycoprotein and mdr1b mRNA expression by growth factors in primary rat hepatocyte culture.

P-glycoproteins encoded by members of the mdr gene family function as membrane-situated transport proteins, isoforms of which are involved in conferring a form of multidrug resistance by participating in secretion of various xenobiotics. In primary rat hepatocytes maintained in serum-free culture, accumulation of immunodetectable P-glycoprotein and mdr1b mRNA occurred in a time-dependent manner and was accompanied by a substantial decrease in retention of the mdr1 substrate rhodamine 123. However, incubation of cells with epidermal growth factor (EGF) or with insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) markedly enhanced time-dependent accumulation of P-glycoprotein and mdr1b mRNA. Furthermore, EGF-treated cells exhibited decreased intracellular rhodamine 123 retention, an effect partially inhibited by the chemosensitizer verapamil. These data suggest that an increase in (a) functional transporter(s) eliciting transport of mdr1 substrates occurs under EGF.

Induction of cytochrome P-4502B1-related mouse cytochrome P-450 and regulation of its expression by epidermal growth factor/transforming growth factor alpha in primary hepatocyte culture.

Phenobarbital-dependent induction of mouse cytochrome P-450 (Cyp) orthologous to rat CYP2B1 and its modulation by hepatotrophic growth factors were examined in primary hepatocyte cultures. Compared to rat hepatocytes, induction in mouse hepatocytes was more rapid and effective. Ligands of the EGF receptor, epidermal growth factor, and transforming growth factor alpha inhibited induction on the basis of protein expression and CYP2B-associated 7-pentoxyresorufin-O-depentylase activity. Furthermore, EGF led to repression of accumulation of corresponding mRNA under phenobarbital, an effect not blocked by inhibition of protein synthesis under cycloheximide. Ligands of the EGF receptor may contribute towards the decrease in hepatic CYP expression observed during (pre)neoplastic development and regeneration.