Regulation of expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes by oncogenic signaling pathways in liver tumors: a review

Mutations in genes encoding key players in oncogenic signaling pathways trigger specific downstream gene expression profiles in the respective tumor cell populations. While regulation of genes related to cell growth, survival, and death has been extensively studied, much less is known on the regulation of drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) by oncogenic signaling. Here, a comprehensive review of the available literature is presented summarizing the impact of the most relevant genetic alterations in human and rodent liver tumors on the expression of DMEs with a focus on phases I and II of xenobiotic metabolism. Comparably few data are available with respect to DME regulation by p53-dependent signaling, telomerase expression or altered chromatin remodeling. By contrast, DME regulation by constitutive activation of oncogenic signaling the RAS/RAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade or the canonical WNT/-catenin signaling pathway has been analyzed in greater depth, demonstrating mostly positive-regulatory effects of WNT/-catenin signaling and negative-regulatory effects of MAPK signaling. Mechanistic studies have revealed molecular interactions between oncogenic signaling and nuclear xeno-sensing receptors which underlie the observed alterations in DME expression in liver tumors. Observations of altered DME expression and inducibility in liver tumors with a specific gene expression profile may impact pharmacological treatment options.

Microbiome-Linked Crosstalk in the Gastrointestinal Exposome towards Host Health and Disease / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

The gastrointestinal exposome represents the integration of all xenobiotic components and host-derived endogenous components affecting the host health, disease progression and ultimately clinical outcomes during the lifespan. The human gut microbiome as a dynamic exposome of commensalism continuously interacts with other exogenous exposome as well as host sentineling components including the immune and neuroendocrine circuit. The composition and diversity of the microbiome are established on the basis of the luminal environment (physical, chemical and biological exposome) and host surveillance at each part of the gastrointestinal lining. Whereas the chemical exposome derived from nutrients and other xenobiotics can influence the dynamics of microbiome community (the stability, diversity, or resilience), the microbiomes reciprocally alter the bioavailability and activities of the chemical exposome in the mucosa. In particular, xenobiotic metabolites by the gut microbial enzymes can be either beneficial or detrimental to the host health although xenobiotics can alter the composition and diversity of the gut microbiome. The integration of the mucosal crosstalk in the exposome determines the fate of microbiome community and host response to the etiologic factors of disease. Therefore, the network between microbiome and other mucosal exposome would provide new insights into the clinical intervention against the mucosal or systemic disorders via regulation of the gut-associated immunological, metabolic, or neuroendocrine system.

Role of CYP1A1 haplotypes in modulating susceptibility to coronary artery disease.

To investigate the role of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) haplotypes in modulating susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD), a case-control study was conducted by enrolling 352 CAD cases and 282 healthy controls. PCR-RFLP, multiplex PCR, competitive ELISA techniques were employed for the analysis of CYP1A1 [m1 (T→C), m2 (A→G) and m4 (C→A)] haplotypes, glutathione-S-transferase (GST)T1/GSTM1 null variants and plasma 8-oxo-2’deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) respectively. Two CYP1A1 haplotypes, i.e. CAC and TGC showed independent association with CAD risk, while all-wild CYP1A1 haplotype i.e. TAC showed reduced risk for CAD. All the three variants showed mild linkage disequilibrium (D’: 0.05 to 0.17). GSTT1 null variant also exerted independent association with CAD risk (OR: 2.53, 95% CI 1.55–4.12). Among the conventional risk factors, smoking showed synergetic interaction with CAC haplotype of CYP1A1 and GSTT1 null genotype in inflating CAD risk. High risk alleles of this pathway showed dose-dependent association with percentage of stenosis and number of vessels affected. Elevated 8-oxodG levels were observed in subjects with CYP1A1 CAC haplotype and GSTT1 null variant. Multiple linear regression model of these xenobiotic variants explained 36% variability in 8-oxodG levels. This study demonstrated the association of CYP1A1 haplotypes and GSTT1 null variant with CAD risk and this association was attributed to increased oxidative DNA damage.

Modulation of expression and activity of cytochrome P450s and alteration of praziquantel kinetics during murine schistosomiasis

In this study, we investigated the expression and activity of liver cytochrome P450s (CYPs) and praziquantel (PZQ) kinetics in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Swiss Webster (SW) mice of both genders were infected (100 cercariae) on postnatal day 10 and killed on post-infection days (PIDs) 30 or 55. Non-infected mice of the same age and sex served as controls. Regardless of mouse sex, infection depressed the activities of CYP1A [ethoxy/methoxy-resorufin-O-dealkylases (EROD/MROD)], 2B9/10 [pentoxy/benzyloxy-resorufin-O-dealkylases (PROD, BROD)], 2E1 [p-nitrophenol-hydroxylase (PNPH)] and 3A11 [erythromycin N-demethylase (END)] on PID 55 but not on PID 30. On PID 55, infection decreased liver CYP mRNA levels (real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction). On PID 30, whereas mRNA levels remained unaltered in males, they were depressed in females. Plasma PZQ (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally) levels were measured (high-performance liquid chromatography) at different post-treatment intervals. In males and females, infection delayed the PZQ clearance on PID 55, but not on PID 30. Therefore, it can be concluded that schistosomiasis down-modulated CYP expression and activity and delayed PZQ clearance on PID 55, when a great number of parasite eggs were lodged in the liver. On PID 30, when egg-laying was initiated by the worms, no change of CYP expression and activity was found, except for a depression of CYP1A2 and 3A11 mRNAs in female mice.

Genetic factors in the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Multiple factors play a role in the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Two landmark studies showing higher concordance of disease in monozygotic than dizygotic twin pairs suggested the role of host genetic factors in its pathogenesis. Recent studies have shown that genetic polymorphism in genes influencing host’s inflammatory response, drug metabolism, cell cycle regulation, xenobiotic pathways, DNA repair, mutagenesis, esophageal sensory function and gene silencing are associated with risk of GERD and its sequelae—Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. However, more studies on larger sample size are needed before reaching a definite conclusion on the role of an individual gene.