Masahiko Negishi

Publications (111)465.93 Total impact

• Article: p38 Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Regulates the Nuclear Receptor CAR to Activate the CYP2B6 Gene.

  Kosuke Saito, Rick Moore, Masahiko Negishi
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  ABSTRACT: The constitutive active/androstane receptor (CAR) regulates hepatic drug metabolism by activating genes such as cytochrome P450 (CYP) and certain transferases. p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) is highly activated in human primary hepatocytes but barely in human hepatoma cell-lines including HepG2 cells. Liganded-CAR induced CYP2B6 mRNA in human primary hepatocytes far more effectively than in HepG2 cells ectopically expressing CAR. Here, we have now found that activation of p38 MAPK by anisomycin potentiated induction of CYP2B6 mRNA by CAR ligand in HepG2 cells to levels observed in ligand-treated human primary hepatocytes. siRNA knockdown of p38 MAPK abrogated the ability of anisomycin to synergistically induce CYP2B6 mRNA. In addition to CYP2B6, anisomycin co-treatment potentiated an increase in CYP2A7 and CYP2C9 mRNAs but not CYP3A4 or UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 mRNAs. Thus, activated p38 MAPK is required for liganded-CAR to selectively activate a set of genes that encode drug metabolizing enzymes. Our present results suggest that CAR-mediated induction of these enzymes can not be understood by ligand binding alone because the specificity and magnitude of induction are co-determined by a given cell signaling such as p38 MAPK; both physiological and pathophysiological states of cell signaling may have a strong impact in hepatic drug metabolizing capability during therapeutic treatments.
  Drug metabolism and disposition: the biological fate of chemicals 03/2013; · 3.74 Impact Factor
• Article: The nuclear receptor CAR specifically activates the two-pore K+ channel Kcnk1 gene in male mouse livers which attenuates phenobarbital-induced hepatic hyperplasia.

  Kosuke Saito, Rick Moore, Masahiko Negishi
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  ABSTRACT: KCNK1, a member of the family of two-pore K+ ion channels, is specifically induced in the livers of male mice after phenobarbital treatment. Here we have determined the molecular mechanism of this male-specific activation of the Kcnk1 gene and characterized KCNK1 as a phenobarbital-inducible anti-hyperplasia factor. Upon activation by phenobarbital, nuclear receptor CAR binds the 97-bp response element (-2,441/-2,345) within the Kcnk1 promoter. This binding is observed in the livers of male, but not female, mice, and requires the pituitary gland, since hypophysectomy abrogates it. Hyperplasia further progressed in the livers of Kcnk1-/- male mice compared with those of Kcnk1+/+ males after phenobarbital treatment. Thus, KCNK1 suppresses phenobarbital-induced hyperplasia. These results indicate that phenobarbital treatment induces KCNK1 to elicit a male specific and growth-suppressing signal. Thus, KCNK1 and Kcnk1-/- mice provide an experimental tool for further investigation into the molecular mechanism of CAR-mediated promotion of the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in mice.
  Toxicological Sciences 01/2013; · 4.65 Impact Factor
• Article: Phenobarbital Indirectly Activates the Constitutive Active Androstane Receptor (CAR) by Inhibition of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling.

  Shingo Mutoh, Mack Sobhany, Rick Moore, Lalith Perera, Lee Pedersen, Tatsuya Sueyoshi, Masahiko Negishi
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  ABSTRACT: Phenobarbital is a central nervous system depressant that also indirectly activates nuclear receptor constitutive active androstane receptor (CAR), which promotes drug and energy metabolism, as well as cell growth (and death), in the liver. We found that phenobarbital activated CAR by inhibiting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. Phenobarbital bound to EGFR and potently inhibited the binding of EGF, which prevented the activation of EGFR. This abrogation of EGFR signaling induced the dephosphorylation of receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) at Tyr(52), which then promoted the dephosphorylation of CAR at Thr(38) by the catalytic core subunit of protein phosphatase 2A. The findings demonstrated that the phenobarbital-induced mechanism of CAR dephosphorylation and activation is mediated through its direct interaction with and inhibition of EGFR.
  Science Signaling 01/2013; 6(274):ra31. · 7.50 Impact Factor
• Article: The structural basis for a coordinated reaction catalyzed by a bifunctional glycosyltransferase in chondroitin biosynthesis.

  Mack Sobhany, Yoshimitsu Kakuta, Nobuo Sugiura, Koji Kimata, Masahiko Negishi
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  ABSTRACT: Bifunctional chondroitin synthase K4CP catalyzes glucuronic acid and N-acetylgalactosamine transfer activities and polymerizes a chondroitin chain. Here we have determined that an N-terminal region (residues 58-134) coordinates two transfer reactions and enables K4CP to catalyze polymerization. When residues 58-107 are deleted, K4CP loses polymerase activity while retaining both transfer activities. Peptide (113)DWPSDL(118) within this N-terminal region interacts with C-terminal peptide (677)YTWEKI(682). The deletion of either sequence abolishes glucuronic acid but not N-acetylgalactosamine transfer activity in K4CP. Both donor bindings and transfer activities are lost by mutating (677)YTWEKI(682) to (677)DAWEDI(682). On the other hand, acceptor substrates retain their binding to K4CP mutants. The characteristics of these K4CP mutants highlight different states of the enzyme reaction, providing an underlying structural basis for how these peptides play essential roles in coordinating the two glycosyltransferase activities for K4CP to elongate the chondroitin chain.
  Journal of Biological Chemistry 08/2012; 287(43):36022-8. · 4.77 Impact Factor
• Article: Active ERK1/2 protein interacts with the phosphorylated nuclear constitutive active/androstane receptor (CAR; NR1I3), repressing dephosphorylation and sequestering CAR in the cytoplasm.

  Makoto Osabe, Masahiko Negishi
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  ABSTRACT: The nuclear constitutive active/androstane receptor (CAR) is inactivated and sequestered in the cytoplasm when Thr-38 is phosphorylated. Here, we have demonstrated that activated ERK1/2 interacts with phosphorylated CAR to repress dephosphorylation of Thr-38. The phosphorylation-dependent interaction between CAR and ERK1/2 was examined by co-immunoprecipitation experiments of ectopically expressed FLAG-tagged CAR T38A and CAR T38D mutants with endogenous phospho-ERK1/2 in Huh-7 cells. Phospho-ERK1/2 coprecipitated only the phosphorylation-mimicking CAR T38D mutant; this coprecipitation was mediated by the interaction with the xenochemical response signal peptide near the C terminus of CAR. This interaction increased after EGF treatment and decreased after treatment with the MEK inhibitor U0126 as well as after knockdown of MEK1/2 by shRNA in Huh-7 cells. The phosphorylation levels of Thr-38 of CAR decreased in U0126-treated Huh-7 cells. Thus, activated ERK1/2 interacts with CAR and represses dephosphorylation of Thr-38, providing a cell signal-regulated mechanism for CAR activation.
  Journal of Biological Chemistry 08/2011; 286(41):35763-9. · 4.77 Impact Factor
• Article: Nuclear receptor CAR (NR1I3) is essential for DDC-induced liver injury and oval cell proliferation in mouse liver.

  Yuichi Yamazaki, Rick Moore, Masahiko Negishi
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  ABSTRACT: The liver is endowed with the ability to regenerate hepatocytes in response to injury. When this regeneration ability is impaired during liver injury, oval cells, which are considered to be postnatal hepatic progenitors, proliferate and differentiate into hepatocytes. Here we have demonstrated that 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) activates the nuclear receptor constitutive active/androstane receptor (CAR), resulting in proliferation of oval cells in mouse liver. Activation of CAR by DDC was shown by hepatic nuclear CAR accumulation and cytochrome P450 (CYP)2B10 mRNA induction after feeding a 0.1% DDC-containing diet to Car(+/+) mice. After being fed the DDC diet, Car(+/+), but not Car(-/-) mice, developed severe liver injury and an A6 antibody-stained ductular reaction in an area around the portal tract. Oval cell proliferation was confirmed by laser capture microdissection and real-time PCR; mRNAs for the two oval cell markers epithelial cell adhesion molecule and TROP2 were specifically induced in the periportal region of DDC diet-fed Car(+/+), but not Car(-/-) mice. Although rates of both hepatocyte growth and death were initially enhanced only in DDC diet-fed Car(+/+) mice, growth was attenuated when oval cells proliferated, whereas death continued unabated. DDC-induced liver injury, which differs from other CAR activators such as phenobarbital, occurred in the periportal region where cells developed hypertrophy, accumulated porphyrin crystals and inflammation developed, all in association with the proliferation of oval cells. Thus, CAR provides an excellent experimental model for further investigations into its roles in liver regeneration, as well as the development of diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma.
  Laboratory Investigation 08/2011; 91(11):1624-33. · 3.64 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: PubMed Central

  Article: Liganded pregnane X receptor represses the human sulfotransferase SULT1E1 promoter through disrupting its chromatin structure.

  Susumu Kodama, Fardin Hosseinpour, Joyce A Goldstein, Masahiko Negishi
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  ABSTRACT: Pregnane X receptor (PXR), acting as a xenobiotic-activated transcription factor, regulates the hepatic metabolism of therapeutics as well as endobiotics such as steroid hormones. Given our finding that PXR activation by rifampicin (RIF) represses the estrogen sulfotransferase (SULT1E1) gene in human primary hepatocytes and hepatocellular carcinoma Huh7 cells, here we have investigated the molecular mechanism of this repression. First the PXR-responsive enhancer was delineated to a 100 bp sequence (-1000/-901), which contains three half sites that constitute the overlapping direct repeat 1 (DR1) and direct repeat 2 (DR2) motifs and two forkhead factor binding sites. siRNA knockdown, chromatin immunoprecipitation and chromatin conformation capture assays were employed to demonstrate that hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) bound to the PXR-responsive enhancer, and activated the enhancer by looping its position close to the proximal promoter. Upon activation by RIF, PXR indirectly interacted with the enhancer, decreasing the interaction with HNF4α and dissolving the looped SULT1E1 promoter with deacetylation of histone 3. Removal of the DR sites from the enhancer hampers the ability of HNF4α to loop the promoter and that of PXR to repress the promoter activity. Thus, PXR represses human SULT1E1, possibly attenuating the inactivation of estrogen.
  Nucleic Acids Research 07/2011; 39(19):8392-403. · 8.03 Impact Factor
• Article: Role of a novel CAR-induced gene, TUBA8, in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.

  Hiroki Kamino, Rick Moore, Masahiko Negishi
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  ABSTRACT: Phenobarbital (PB), a nongenotoxic carcinogen, activates the nuclear constitutive active/androstane receptor (CAR), resulting in the transcriptional induction or repression of various hepatic genes. We previously demonstrated that liver tumors developed after chronic PB treatment only when CAR is present. To understand the molecular mechanism of tumor promotion, cDNA microarray analysis was performed. We identified tubulin alpha 8 (TUBA8) as one of the candidate genes that may be involved in liver tumor promotion. Tuba8 mRNA was induced with PB treatment in mouse livers before tumor development as well as in tumor tissues. Because the functions of TUBA8 are unknown in liver, we investigated the effects of TUBA8 gene expression on cell growth, proliferation, and cell migration. Sense or antisense cDNA for Tuba8 was stably transfected into Huh7 and HepG2 cells. Exogenous overexpression of Tuba8 inhibited cell growth and proliferation in Huh7 but not in HepG2 cells, while cell migration was increased in HepG2 cells but not Huh7 cells. These results indicate that TUBA8 can play a role in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation, and cell migration in a cell-specific manner in vitro, suggesting that TUBA8 may contribute to mouse liver tumorigenesis through these functions.
  Cancer Genetics 07/2011; 204(7):382-91.
• Article: The nuclear receptor constitutive active/androstane receptor arrests DNA-damaged human hepatocellular carcinoma Huh7 cells at the G2/M phase.

  Hiroki Kamino, Masahiko Negishi
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  ABSTRACT: Here, we have demonstrated that xenobiotic activation of the nuclear receptor (CAR, NR1I3) can result in arresting DNA-damaged human hepatocellular carcinoma Huh7 cells at the G2/M phase. Huh7 cells over-expressing CAR were either treated with dimethyl sulfoxide, the CAR activator TCPOBOP (1,4-bis[2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy)]benzene; androstenol, 16,(5α)-androsten-3α-OL), or repressor androstenol; these treatments were then followed by adriamycin treatment to damage DNA. FACS analysis revealed that CAR-activation by TCPOBOP increased the rate of arrested Huh7 cells at the G2/M phase (4N DNA content) after DNA damage by adriamycin. This increase correlated with the increase of cell viability in TCPOBOP-treated Huh7 cells, as determined by MTT assays. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis determined that, as regulated by CAR, the growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible γ (GADD45γ) and Cyclin G2 genes increased and decreased, respectively, as TCPOBOP increased the number of Huh7 cells arrested at the G2/M phase. Thus, the results suggest that CAR regulates cell cycle, increasing G2/M arrest, and delaying the death of DNA-damaged cells.
  Molecular Carcinogenesis 05/2011; 51(2):206-12. · 3.16 Impact Factor
• Article: Nuclear receptor CAR-regulated expression of the FAM84A gene during the development of mouse liver tumors.

  Hiroki Kamino, Yuichi Yamazaki, Kosuke Saito, Daichi Takizawa, Satoru Kakizaki, Rick Moore, Masahiko Negishi
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  ABSTRACT: The nuclear xenobiotic receptor CAR is a phenobarbital (PB)-activated transcription factor. Using a mouse model of two-step liver tumorigenesis, in which tumor growth was initiated by diethyl nitrosamine (DEN) and promoted by chronic treatment with PB, we previously demonstrated that tumors developed only in the presence of CAR. Here, we have identified the FAM84A (family with sequence similarity 84, member A) gene as a CAR-regulated gene that is over-expressed during development of phenobarbital-promoted mouse liver tumors. FAM84A mRNA was induced in the liver of DEN/PB-treated mice prior to the development of liver tumors and this induction continued in the non-tumor as well as tumor tissues of a tumor-bearing liver. Western blotting demonstated that FAM84A protein expression increased in mouse liver after PB treatment; however, the FAM84A protein in liver and liver tumors was not phosphorylated at the serine 38 residue, which has been reported to correlate with morphological changes in cells. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed the cytoplasmic localization of FAM84A protein and its expression during tumor development in normal tissues (especially in hepatocytes around the central vein), eosinophilic foci, adenomas and carcinomas. HepG2 cell-based reporter assays indicated that CAR activated the FAM84A promoter. Exogenous over-expression of FAM84A in HepG2 cells resulted in increased cell migration. The physiological function of FAM84A remains unknown, but our results suggest that FAM84A is up-regulated by CAR during the development of liver tumors, and may play an important role in the progression of liver cancer by increasing cell migration.
  International Journal of Oncology 03/2011; 38(6):1511-20. · 2.40 Impact Factor
• Article: Pregnane X receptor PXR activates the GADD45beta gene, eliciting the p38 MAPK signal and cell migration.

  Susumu Kodama, Masahiko Negishi
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  ABSTRACT: Pregnane X receptor (PXR) was originally characterized as a transcription factor that induces hepatic drug metabolism by activating cytochrome P450 genes. Here we have now demonstrated a novel function of PXR, that of eliciting p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation for cell migration. Upon xenobiotic activation of ectopic human PXR, human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells were found to exhibit increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and to subsequently change morphology and migrate. p38 MAPK was responsible for the regulation of these morphological changes and cell migration because the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB239063 repressed both. Prior to this phosphorylation, PXR directly activated the early response GADD45β gene by binding to a distal direct repeat 4 site of the GADD45β promoter. Ectopic expression of GADD45β increased p38 MAPK phosphorylation, whereas siRNA knockdown of GADD45β decreased the PXR-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation, confirming that GADD45β can regulate PXR-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation in HepG2 cells. These results indicate that PXR activates the GADD45β gene, increasing p38 MAPK phosphorylation, and leading HepG2 cells to change morphology and migrate. The GADD45β gene is a direct target for PXR, eliciting cell signals to regulate various cellular functions.
  Journal of Biological Chemistry 02/2011; 286(5):3570-8. · 4.77 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: PubMed Central

  Article: Garlic extract diallyl sulfide (DAS) activates nuclear receptor CAR to induce the Sult1e1 gene in mouse liver.

  Tatsuya Sueyoshi, William D Green, Kellie Vinal, Tyler S Woodrum, Rick Moore, Masahiko Negishi
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  ABSTRACT: Constituent chemicals in garlic extract are known to induce phase I and phase II enzymes in rodent livers. Here we have utilized Car(+/+) and Car(-/-) mice to demonstrate that the nuclear xenobiotic receptor CAR regulated the induction of the estrogen sulfotransferase Sult1e1 gene by diallyl sulfide (DAS) treatment in mouse liver. DAS treatment caused CAR accumulation in the nucleus, resulting in a remarkable increase of SULT1E1 mRNA (3,200 fold) and protein in the livers of Car(+/+) females but not of Car(-/-) female mice. DAS also induced other CAR-regulated genes such as Cyp2b10, Cyp3a11 and Gadd45β. Compared with the rapid increase of these mRNA levels, which began as early as 6 hours after DAS treatment, the levels of SULT1E1 mRNA began increasing after 24 hours. This slow response to DAS suggested that CAR required an additional factor to activate the Sult1e1 gene or that this activation was indirect. Despite the remarkable induction of SULT1E1, there was no decrease in the serum levels of endogenous E2 or increase of estrone sulfate while the clearance of exogenously administrated E2 was accelerated in DAS treated mice.
  PLoS ONE 01/2011; 6(6):e21229. · 4.09 Impact Factor
• Article: The nuclear receptors constitutive active/androstane receptor and pregnane x receptor activate the Cyp2c55 gene in mouse liver.

  Yoshihiro Konno, Hiroki Kamino, Rick Moore, Fred Lih, Kenneth B Tomer, Darryl C Zeldin, Joyce A Goldstein, Masahiko Negishi
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  ABSTRACT: Mouse CYP2C55 has been characterized as an enzyme that catalyzes synthesis of 19-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (19-HETE), an arachidonic acid metabolite known to have important physiological functions such as regulation of renal vascular tone and ion transport. We have now found that CYP2C55 is induced by phenobarbital (PB) and pregnenolone 16alpha-carbonitrile (PCN) in both mouse kidney and liver. The nuclear xenobiotic receptors constitutive active/androstane receptor (CAR) and pregnane X receptor (PXR) regulate these drug inductions: CYP2C55 mRNA was increased 25-fold in PB-treated Car(+/+) but not in Car(-/-) mice and was induced in Pxr(+/+) but not Pxr(-/-) mice after PCN treatment. Cell-based promoter analysis and gel shift assays identified the DNA sequence (-1679)TGAACCCAGTTGAACT(-1664) as a DR4 motif that regulates CAR- and PXR-mediated transcription of the Cyp2c55 gene. Chronic PB treatment increased hepatic microsomal CYP2C55 protein and serum 19-HETE levels. These findings indicate that CAR and PXR may play a role in regulation of drug-induced synthesis of 19-HETE in the mouse.
  Drug metabolism and disposition: the biological fate of chemicals 04/2010; 38(7):1177-82. · 3.74 Impact Factor
• Article: Dietary flavonoids activate the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR).

  Ruiquing Yao, Akihito Yasuoka, Asuka Kamei, Yoshinori Kitagawa, Norifumi Tateishi, Nobuo Tsuruoka, Yoshionobu Kiso, Tatsuya Sueyoshi, Masahiko Negishi, Takumi Misaka, Keiko Abe
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  ABSTRACT: The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) is known as a xeno-sensor that regulates genes involved in xenobiotic excretion and energy metabolism. This study tested a variety of polyphenols for their ability to modulate CAR activity. HepG2 cells were transfected with a CAR expression plasmid and a reporter plasmid containing the human CYP2B6 regulatory region and then treated with flavonoids, catechins, and other bioactive polyphenols. Luciferase assays revealed that baicalein (5,6,7-OH flavone) was a potent activator of both human and mouse CAR. Catechin gallates also activated human and mouse CAR. Wild-type and CAR knockout mice were treated with baicalein and chrysin (5,7-OH flavone), and their liver mRNA was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A significant increase in cyp2b10 mRNA content was observed only in wild-type mice fed chrysin. These results suggest that dietary flavonoids regulate CAR activity and thereby accelerate both detoxification and energy metabolism.
  Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 02/2010; 58(4):2168-73. · 2.82 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Richard A Flavell

  Article: Nuclear receptor CAR represses TNFalpha-induced cell death by interacting with the anti-apoptotic GADD45B.

  Yukio Yamamoto, Rick Moore, Richard A Flavell, Binfeng Lu, Masahiko Negishi
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  ABSTRACT: Phenobarbital (PB) is the most well-known among numerous non-genotoxic carcinogens that cause the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PB activates nuclear xenobiotic receptor Constitutive Active/Androstane Receptor (CAR; NR1I3) and this activation is shown to determine PB promotion of HCC in mice. The molecular mechanism of CAR-mediated tumor promotion, however, remains elusive at the present time. Here we have identified Growth Arrest and DNA Damage-inducible 45beta (GADD45B) as a novel CAR target, through which CAR represses cell death. PB activation of nuclear xenobiotic receptor CAR is found to induce the Gadd45b gene in mouse liver throughout the development of HCC as well as in liver tumors. Given the known function of GADD45B as a factor that represses Mitogen-activated protein Kinase Kinase 7 - c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (MKK7-JNK) pathway-mediated apoptosis, we have now demonstrated that CAR interacts with GADD45B to repress Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha ( TNFalpha)-induced JNK1 phosphorylation as well as cell death. Primary hepatocytes, prepared from Car(+/+), Car(-/-), Gadd45b(+/+) and Gadd45b(-/-) mice, were treated with TNFalpha and Actinomycin D to induce phosphorylation of JNK1 and cell death. Co-treatment with the CAR activating ligand TCPOBOP (1,4 bis[2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy)]benzene) has resulted in repression of both phosphorylation and cell death in the primary hepatocytes from Car(+/+) but not Car(-/-) mice. Repression by TCPOBOP was not observed in those prepared from Gadd45b(-/-) mice. In vitro protein-protein interaction and phosphorylation assays have revealed that CAR interacts with MKK7 and represses the MKK7-mediated phosphorylation of JNK1. CAR can form a protein complex with GADD45B, through which CAR represses MKK7-mediated phosphorylation of JNK1. In addition to activating the Gadd45b gene, CAR may repress death of mouse primary hepatocytes by forming a GADD45B complex and repressing MKK7-mediated phosphorylation of JNK1. The present finding that CAR can repress cell death via its interaction with GADD45B provides an insight for further investigations into the CAR-regulated molecular mechanism by which PB promotes development of HCC.
  PLoS ONE 01/2010; 5(4):e10121. · 4.09 Impact Factor
• Article: Dephosphorylation of Threonine 38 Is Required for Nuclear Translocation and Activation of Human Xenobiotic Receptor CAR (NR1I3)

  Shingo Mutoh, Makoto Osabe, Kaoru Inoue, Rick Moore, Lee Pedersen, Lalith Perera, Yvette Rebolloso, Tatsuya Sueyoshi, Masahiko Negishi
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  ABSTRACT: Upon activation by therapeutics, the nuclear xenobiotic/ constitutive active/androstane receptor (CAR) regulates various liver functions ranging from drug metabolism and excretion to energy metabolism. CAR can also be a risk factor for developing liver diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma. Here we have characterized the conserved threonine 38 of human CAR as the primary residue that regulates nuclear translocation and activation of CAR. Protein kinase C phosphorylates threonine 38 located on the α-helix spanning from residues 29–42 that constitutes a part of the first zinc finger and continues into the region between the zinc fingers. Molecular dynamics study has revealed that this phosphorylation may destabilize this helix, thereby inactivating CAR binding to DNA as well as sequestering it in the cytoplasm. We have found, in fact, that helix-stabilizing mutations reversed the effects of phosphorylation. Immunohistochemical study using an anti-phospho-threonine 38 peptide antibody has, in fact, demonstrated that the classic CAR activator phenobarbital dephosphorylates the corresponding threonine 48 of mouse CAR in the cytoplasm of mouse liver and translocates CAR into the nucleus. These results define CAR as a cell signal-regulated constitutive active nuclear receptor. These results also provide phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of the threonine as the primary drug target for CAR activation.
  Journal of Biological Chemistry 12/2009; 284(50):34785-34792. · 4.77 Impact Factor
• Article: Nuclear xenobiotic receptor PXR-null mouse exhibits hypophosphatemia and represses the Na/Pi-cotransporter SLC34A2.

  Yoshihiro Konno, Rick Moore, Nobuhiro Kamiya, Masahiko Negishi
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  ABSTRACT: We previously found that the lack of nuclear xenobiotic receptor, PXR, decreases femoral bone mineral density (BMD) in Pxr-/- mice. Our present study aims to elucidate the inherited phenotype that correlates with the decreased BMD and to identify the PXR-regulated gene that may link with this phenotype. Pxr+/+ and Pxr-/- mice were used to measure the serum levels of inorganic phosphate (Pi), calcium and vitamin D3. Real time PCR and western blots were used to determine the intestinal and renal expressions of Pi and calcium transporters and various other genes involved in bone homeostasis. Cell-based reporter and gel shift assays were performed to characterize the promoter of the identified PXR-regulated gene. In both Pxr-/- male and female mice, lumbar, sternum, and skull were all also found to have decreased their BMD values. Serum Pi levels, but not calcium levels, are attenuated in Pxr-/- mice, exhibiting a phenotype of hypophosphatemia. Among the members of the Na/Pi contransporter family, only the SLC34A2 mRNA and protein are repressed in Pxr-/- mice. PXR can directly activate the transcription of the SLC34A2 gene through an ER6 motif on its promoter. Pxr-/- mice show the inherited phenotype of hypophosphatemia. The lack of PXR results in a severe repression of the Na/Pi cotransporter NaPi-IIb/Npt2b (SLC34A2), thus leading Pxr-/- males and females to develop a type of hypophosphatemia.
  Pharmacogenetics and Genomics 11/2009; 20(1):9-17. · 3.48 Impact Factor
• Article: Dephosphorylation of threonine 38 is required for nuclear translocation and subsequent activation of human xenobiotic receptor car

  Shingo Mutoh, Makoto Osabe, Kaoru Inoue, Rick Moore, Lee Pedersen, Lalith Perera, Yvette Rebolloso, Tatsuya Sueyoshi, Masahiko Negishi
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Upon activation by therapeutics, the nuclear xenobiotic receptor CAR regulates various liver functions ranging from drug metabolism and excretion to energy metabolism. CAR can also be a risk factor for developing liver diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma. Here we have characterized the conserved threonine 38 of human CAR as the primary residue that regulates nuclear translocation and activation of CAR. Protein kinase C phosphorylates threonine 38 located on the alpha-helix spanning from residues 29 to 42 that constitutes a part of the first zinc finger and continues into the region between the zinc fingers. Molecular dynamics study has revealed that this phosphorylation may destabilize this helix, thereby inactivating CAR binding to DNA as well as sequestering it in the cytoplasm. We have found, in fact, helix stabilizing mutations reversed the effects of phosphorylation. Immunohistochemical study using an anti-phospho threonine 38 peptide antibody has, in fact, demonstrated that the classic CAR activator phenobabrital dephosphorylates the corresponding threonine 48 of mouse CAR in the cytoplasm of mouse liver and translocates CAR into the nucleus. These results define CAR as a cell signal-regulated constitutive active nuclear receptor. These results also provide phosphorylation/de-phosphorylation of the threonine as the primary drug target for CAR activation.
  Journal of Biological Chemistry 10/2009; · 4.77 Impact Factor
• Article: Dephosphorylation of threonine 38 is required for nuclear translocation and activation of human xenobiotic receptor CAR (NR1I3).

  Shingo Mutoh, Makoto Osabe, Kaoru Inoue, Rick Moore, Lee Pedersen, Lalith Perera, Yvette Rebolloso, Tatsuya Sueyoshi, Masahiko Negishi
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Upon activation by therapeutics, the nuclear xenobiotic/ constitutive active/androstane receptor (CAR) regulates various liver functions ranging from drug metabolism and excretion to energy metabolism. CAR can also be a risk factor for developing liver diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma. Here we have characterized the conserved threonine 38 of human CAR as the primary residue that regulates nuclear translocation and activation of CAR. Protein kinase C phosphorylates threonine 38 located on the alpha-helix spanning from residues 29-42 that constitutes a part of the first zinc finger and continues into the region between the zinc fingers. Molecular dynamics study has revealed that this phosphorylation may destabilize this helix, thereby inactivating CAR binding to DNA as well as sequestering it in the cytoplasm. We have found, in fact, that helix-stabilizing mutations reversed the effects of phosphorylation. Immunohistochemical study using an anti-phospho-threonine 38 peptide antibody has, in fact, demonstrated that the classic CAR activator phenobarbital dephosphorylates the corresponding threonine 48 of mouse CAR in the cytoplasm of mouse liver and translocates CAR into the nucleus. These results define CAR as a cell signal-regulated constitutive active nuclear receptor. These results also provide phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of the threonine as the primary drug target for CAR activation.
  Journal of Biological Chemistry 10/2009; 284(50):34785-92. · 4.77 Impact Factor
• Article: Early growth response 1 loops the CYP2B6 promoter for synergistic activation by the distal and proximal nuclear receptors CAR and HNF4alpha.

  Kaoru Inoue, Masahiko Negishi
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  ABSTRACT: Nuclear xenobiotic receptor CAR activates transcription of the CYP2B6 gene by directly binding to the distal enhancer PB responsive enhancer module (PBREM). This CAR-mediated activation is synergized by transcription factors early growth response 1 (EGR1) and hepatocyte-enriched nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4alpha) that bind to the proximal element OA response element KI (OARE(KI)) [Inoue, K., & Negishi, M. (2008). Nuclear receptor CAR requires early growth response 1 to activate the human cytochrome P450 2B6 gene. J. Biol. Chem. 283, 10425-10432]. Two additional EGR1 binding sites have now been found just downstream from PBREM. Internal deletion of EGR1 sites within the context of the -1.8 kb CYP2B6 promoter, which contains both PBREM and OARE(KI), revealed that the distal and proximal EGR1 sites are essential for EGR1 to synergize CAR-mediated transcription. Chromatin conformation capture 3C assays demonstrated that ERG1 may loop the distal PBREM towards the proximal OARE(KI) so that together, CAR and HNF4alpha synergistically activate the CYP2B6 promoter.
  FEBS letters 06/2009; 583(12):2126-30. · 3.54 Impact Factor