Expression and induction of CYP3As in human fetal hepatocytes

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 May 28;318(2):428-34. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.04.041.

Abstract

CYP3A4 and CYP3A7 mRNA expression levels were markedly up-regulated by dexamethasone (DEX), but not by rifampicin (RIF). CYP3A5 mRNA level was not increased significantly by DEX, RIF, or phenobarbital. Testosterone 6beta-hydroxylase activity was induced to about 2-fold of control by DEX. However, concomitant treatment with RIF did not alter DEX-mediated induction of CYP3A mRNA expression and testosterone 6beta-hydroxylase activity. DEX-mediated induction of CYP3A mRNA was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner by RU486, a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist. At 5microM RU486, DEX-mediated induction of CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP3A7 mRNA expression was inhibited almost completely. These results suggest that, in human fetal hepatocytes, PXR is not involved in DEX-mediated induction of CYP3A4 and CYP3A7, and that the induction is mediated directly by GR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases / biosynthesis*
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases / genetics
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / biosynthesis*
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / genetics
  • Dexamethasone / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Induction / drug effects
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Fetus
  • Hepatocytes / cytology
  • Hepatocytes / enzymology*
  • Humans
  • Insecta / cytology
  • Microsomes / metabolism
  • Mifepristone / pharmacology
  • Phenobarbital / pharmacology
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Rifampin / pharmacology
  • Tretinoin / chemistry
  • Tretinoin / pharmacology

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid
  • Mifepristone
  • Tretinoin
  • Dexamethasone
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases
  • CYP3A protein, human
  • CYP3A5 protein, human
  • CYP3A7 protein, human
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • CYP3A4 protein, human
  • Rifampin
  • Phenobarbital