Evidence for New Light-Independent Pathways for Generation of the Endogenous Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Agonist FICZ.

Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a conserved transcription factor best known as a target for highly toxic halogenated substances such as dioxin, under normal xenobiotic-free conditions is of considerable scientific interest. We have demonstrated previously that a photoproduct of tryptophan, 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), fulfills the criteria for an endogenous ligand for this receptor and proposed that this compound is the enigmatic mediator of the physiological functions of AhR. Here, we describe novel light-independent pathways by which FICZ can be formed. The oxidant H2O2 was shown to convert tryptophan to FICZ on its own in the absence of light. The enzymatic deamination of tryptamine yielded indole-3-acetaldehyde (I3A), which then rearranged to FICZ and its oxidation product, indolo[3,2-b]carbazole-6-carboxylic acid (CICZ). Indole-3-pyruvate (I3P) also produced I3A, FICZ, and CICZ. Malassezia yeast species, which constitute a part of the normal skin microbiota, produce a number of AhR activators from tryptophan. We identified both FICZ and CICZ among those products. Formation of FICZ from tryptophan or I3P produces a complex mixture of indole derivatives, some of which are CYP1A1 inhibitors. These can hinder the cellular clearance of FICZ and thereby increase its power as an AhR agonist. We present a general molecular mechanism involving dehydrogenations and oxidative coupling for the formation of FICZ in which I3A is the important precursor. In conclusion, our results suggest that FICZ is likely to be formed systemically.

NADPH Oxidase-Dependent Mechanism Explains How Arsenic and Other Oxidants Can Activate Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Signaling.

The mechanisms explaining arsenic toxicity are not well understood, but physiological consequences of stimulated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling both directly and through cross-talk with other pathways have been indicated. The aim of this study was to establish how arsenic interacts with AHR-mediated transcription. The human hepatoma cell line (HepG2-XRE-Luc) carrying a luciferase reporter under the control of two AHR response elements (AHREs) and immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were exposed to sodium arsenite (NaAsO2; As(3+)), alone or in combination with the endogenous high affinity AHR ligand 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ). Luciferase activity, cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) activity, oxidative stress-related responses, metabolic clearance of FICZ, and NADPH oxidase (NOX) activity as well as nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)-dependent gene expression were measured. Arsenic inhibited CYP1A1 enzyme activity and reduced the metabolic clearance of FICZ. Arsenic also led to activated CYP1A1 transcription but only in cells grown in medium containing trace amounts of the endogenous ligand FICZ, pointing to an indirect mechanism of activation. Initially, arsenic caused dose-dependent inhibition of FICZ-activated AHR signaling, disturbed intracellular GSH status, and increased expression of oxidative stress-related genes. Silencing of NOX4, addition of N-acetylcystein, or pretreatment with arsenic itself attenuated the initial dose-dependent inhibition of AHR signaling. Arsenic pretreatment led to elevated GSH levels and sensitized the cells to ligand-dependent AHR signaling, while silencing of Nrf2 significantly reduced arsenic-mediated activation of the AHR. In addition, influence of NOX on AHR activation was also observed in cells treated with the SH-reactive metals cadmium, mercury, and nickel. Together, the results suggest that SH-reactive agents via a new and possibly general NOX/H2O2-dependent mechanism can interfere with the endogenous regulation of the AHR.

Tryptamine serves as a proligand of the AhR transcriptional pathway whose activation is dependent of monoamine oxidases.

The function of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in mediating the biological effect to environmental pollutants is well established. However, accumulated evidence indicates a wide range of physiological and pathological functions mediated by the AhR, suggesting the existence of endogenous AhR ligand(s). The nature of an AhR ligand remain elusive; however, it is known that the AhR is activated by several compounds, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin or the tryptophan photoproduct 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole. In this study, we show that physiological concentrations of tryptamine (TA) lead to induction of cytochrome P4501A1 transcription through an AhR-dependent mechanism. In addition, we show that activation of the AhR by TA requires a functional monoamino oxidase system, suggesting that TA acts as an AhR proligand possibly by converting to a high-affinity AhR ligand. Taken together, we show a possible mechanism, through which AhR signaling is activated by endogenous conversion of TA involving monoamine oxidases.