Effect of 5-fluorouracil on mRNA expression of drug metabolizing enzyme and transporter genes in human hepatoma cell lines

Biomed Res. 2021;42(4):121-127. doi: 10.2220/biomedres.42.121.

Abstract

Fluoropyrimidines such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are well known to have drug-drug interactions with anticoagulant medications such as warfarin. This study investigated the mRNA expression of pharmacokinetic (PK)-related genes in response to 5-FU using the hepatocarcinoma cell lines after examining relevant gene expression via RNA sequencing. We used HepaRG cells for 5-FU treatment analysis because these cells displayed PK-related gene expression. 5-FU exposure significantly reduced cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) mRNA expression. Additionally, the mRNA expression of nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group I member 2 (also known as pregnane X receptor), a nuclear receptor transcription factor that promotes the expression of many CYP genes, was also decreased in HepaRG cells following 5-FU treatment. The mRNA expressions of the CYP2B6 and ATP-binding cassette transporter genes were decreased after 5-FU treatment. This study revealed that 5-FU treatment reduced PK-related gene expression in HepaRG cells. These findings should be useful for further drug-drug interaction research.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A / genetics
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / genetics
  • Fluorouracil / pharmacology
  • Hepatocytes
  • Humans
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics

Substances

  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • Fluorouracil