Novel autoantibodies help diagnose anti-SSA antibody negative Sjögren disease and predict abnormal labial salivary gland pathology

OBJECTIVES

Sjögren disease (SjD) diagnosis often requires either positive anti-SSA antibodies or a labial salivary gland biopsy with a positive focus score (FS). One-third of patients with SjD lack anti-SSA antibodies (SSA-), requiring a positive FS for diagnosis. Our objective was to identify novel autoantibodies to diagnose 'seronegative' SjD.

METHODS

IgG binding to a high-density whole human peptidome array was quantified using sera from SSA- SjD cases and matched non-autoimmune controls. We identified the highest bound peptides using empirical Bayesian statistical filters, which we confirmed in an independent cohort comprising SSA- SjD (n=76), sicca-controls without autoimmunity (n=75) and autoimmune-feature controls (SjD features but not meeting SjD criteria; n=41). In this external validation, we used non-parametric methods for binding abundance and controlled false discovery rate in group comparisons. For predictive modelling, we used logistic regression, model selection methods and cross-validation to identify clinical and peptide variables that predict SSA- SjD and FS positivity.

RESULTS

IgG against a peptide from D-aminoacyl-tRNA deacylase (DTD2) bound more in SSA- SjD than sicca-controls (p=0.004) and combined controls (sicca-controls and autoimmune-feature controls combined; p=0.003). IgG against peptides from retroelement silencing factor-1 and DTD2 were bound more in FS-positive than FS-negative participants (p=0.010; p=0.012). A predictive model incorporating clinical variables showed good discrimination between SjD versus control (area under the curve (AUC) 74%) and between FS-positive versus FS-negative (AUC 72%).

CONCLUSION

We present novel autoantibodies in SSA- SjD that have good predictive value for SSA- SjD and FS positivity.

AhR and CYP1B1 Control Oxygen Effects on Bone Marrow Progenitor Cells: The Enrichment of Multiple Olfactory Receptors as Potential Microbiome Sensors

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollutants and microbiome products converge on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) to redirect selective rapid adherence of isolated bone marrow (BM) cells. In young adult mice, Cyp1b1-deficiency and AhR activation by PAH, particularly when prolonged by Cyp1a1 deletion, produce matching gene stimulations in these BM cells. Vascular expression of Cyp1b1 lowers reactive oxygen species (ROS), suppressing NF-κB/RelA signaling. PAH and allelic selectivity support a non-canonical AhR participation, possibly through RelA. Genes stimulated by Cyp1b1 deficiency were further resolved according to the effects of Cyp1b1 and Cyp1a1 dual deletions (DKO). The adherent BM cells show a cluster of novel stimulations, including select developmental markers; multiple re-purposed olfactory receptors (OLFR); and α-Defensin, a microbial disruptor. Each one connects to an enhanced specific expression of the catalytic RNA Pol2 A subunit, among 12 different subunits. Mesenchymal progenitor BMS2 cells retain these features. Cyp1b1-deficiency removes lymphocytes from adherent assemblies as BM-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSC) expand. Cyp1b1 effects were cell-type specific. In vivo, BM-MSC Cyp1b1 expression mediated PAH suppression of lymphocyte progenitors. In vitro, OP9-MSC sustained these progenitors, while Csf1 induced monocyte progenitor expansion to macrophages. Targeted Cyp1b1 deletion (Cdh5-Cre; Cyp1b1fl/fl) established endothelium control of ROS that directs AhR-mediated suppression of B cell progenitors. Monocyte Cyp1b1 deletion (Lyz2-Cre; Cyp1b1fl/fl) selectively attenuated M1 polarization of expanded macrophages, but did not enhance effects on basal M2 polarization. Thus, specific sources of Cyp1b1 link to AhR and to an OLFR network to provide BM inflammatory modulation via diverse microbiome products.

Targeted deletion of Cyp1b1 in pericytes results in attenuation of retinal neovascularization and trabecular meshwork dysgenesis

Mutations in cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) gene are reported in patients with primary congenital glaucoma. Cyp1b1-deficient (Cyp1b1-/-) mice show dysgenesis of the trabecular meshwork (TM) tissue and attenuation of retinal neovascularization during oxygen-induced ischemic retinopathy (OIR). Although retinal vascular cells, including endothelial cells (EC), pericytes (PC), astrocytes (AC), and TM endothelial cells express CYP1B1, the cell autonomous contribution of CYP1B1 to attenuation of retinal neovascularization and TM tissue dysgenesis remains unknown. Here we determined the impact lack of CYP1B1 expression in EC, PC or AC has on retinal neovascularization and TM tissue integrity. We generated Cyp1b1-transgenic mice with vascular cell-specific targeted Cre⁺-deletion in EC (Cyp1b1 ^EC), in PC (Cyp1b1 ^PC) and in AC (Cyp1b1 ^AC). Pathologic retinal neovascularization during OIR was evaluated by collagen IV staining of retinal wholemounts. Structural morphology of TM tissue was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The assessment of retinal neovascularization indicated a significant decrease in retinal neovascular tufts only in Cyp1b1 ^PC mice compared with control mice. TEM evaluation demonstrated Cyp1b1 ^PC mice also exhibited a defect in TM tissue morphology and integrity similar to that reported in Cyp1b1-/- mice. Thus, Cyp1b1 expression in PC plays a significant role in retinal neovascularization and the integrity of TM tissue.

Lipidomics reveals a link between CYP1B1 and SCD1 in promoting obesity

Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) is involved in the metabolism of xenobiotic compounds and endogenous metabolites. Disruption of Cyp1b1 in mice results in suppression of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and an extensive change in hepatic energy regulation despite minimal constitutive expression of CYP1B1 in hepatocytes. Lack of CYP1B1 is correlated with altered lipid metabolism, especially lysophosphatidylcholines, contributing to protection against obesity. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-QTOFMS)-based metabolomics revealed lysophosphatidylcholine 18:0 (LPC 18:0) as a biomarker positively related to HFD-induced obesity. The increased serum LPC 18:0 in wild-type mice is reduced in Cyp1b1-null mice on a HFD, which is reversed in CYP1B1-humanized mice. CYP1B1-humanized mice show higher diet-induced obesity compared with Cyp1b1-null mice, suggesting that human CYP1B1 shows a similar response to HFD as mouse Cyp1b1. In addition, hepatic stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) expression was decreased in Cyp1b1-null mice, and the attenuated diet-induced obesity and lower serum LPC 18:0 in the Cyp1b1-null mice is elevated after SCD1 overexpression, suggesting that SCD1 is correlated with CYP1B1-induced obesity. These studies establish a biochemical link between cytochromes P450, lipids, and metabolic disorders and suggest that inhibition of CYP1B1 could be target for antiobesity drugs.

Acute disruption of bone marrow hematopoiesis by benzo(a)pyrene is selectively reversed by aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated processes

Bone marrow (BM) hematopoietic cells are selectively sensitive to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in vivo. 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), but not benzo(a)pyrene (BP), depletes BM hematopoietic cells in C57BL/6 mice. This difference is due to a BP-selective aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-mediated recovery. Colony-forming unit assays show suppression of lymphoid progenitors by each PAH within 6 h but a subsequent recovery, exclusively after BP treatment. Suppression of myeloid progenitors (6 h) occurs only for DMBA. Each progenitor responded equally to DMBA and BP in congenic mice expressing the PAH-resistant AhR (AhR(d)). AhR, therefore, mediates this BP recovery in each progenitor type. These PAH suppressions depend on Cyp1b1-mediated metabolism. Paradoxically, few genes responded to DMBA, whereas 12 times more responded to BP. Progenitor suppression by DMBA, therefore, occurs with minimal effects on the general BM population. Standard AhR-mediated stimulations (Cyp1a1, Cyp1b1, Ahrr) were similar for each PAH and for the specific agonist 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin but were absent in AhR(d) mice. A group of 12 such AhR responses was sustained from 6 to 24 h. A second, larger set of BP responses (chemokines, cytokines, cyclooxygenase 2) differed in two respects; DMBA responses were low and BP responses declined extensively from 6 to 24 h. A third cluster exhibited BP-induced increases in protective genes (Nqo1, GST-mu) that appeared only after 12 h. Conversion of BP to quinones contributes oxidative signaling not seen with DMBA. We propose that genes in this second cluster, which share oxidative signaling and AhR activation, provide the AhR-dependent protection of hematopoietic progenitors seen for BP.

Water and solute mass balance of five small, relatively undisturbed watersheds in the U.S

Geochemical mass balances were computed for water years 1992-1997 (October 1991 through September 1997) for the five watersheds of the U.S. Geological Survey Water, Energy, and Biogeochemical Budgets (WEBB) Program to determine the primary regional controls on yields of the major dissolved inorganic solutes. The sites, which vary markedly with respect to climate, geology, physiography, and ecology, are: Allequash Creek, Wisconsin (low-relief, humid continental forest); Andrews Creek, Colorado (cold alpine, taiga/tundra, and subalpine boreal forest); Río Icacos, Puerto Rico (lower montane, wet tropical forest); Panola Mountain, Georgia (humid subtropical piedmont forest); and Sleepers River, Vermont (humid northern hardwood forest). Streamwater output fluxes were determined by constructing empirical multivariate concentration models including discharge and seasonal components. Input fluxes were computed from weekly wet-only or bulk precipitation sampling. Despite uncertainties in input fluxes arising from poorly defined elevation gradients, lack of dry-deposition and occult-deposition measurements, and uncertain sea-salt contributions, the following was concluded: (1) for solutes derived primarily from rock weathering (Ca, Mg, Na, K, and H(4)SiO(4)), net fluxes (outputs in streamflow minus inputs in deposition) varied by two orders of magnitude, which is attributed to a large gradient in rock weathering rates controlled by climate and geologic parent material; (2) the net flux of atmospherically derived solutes (NH(4), NO(3), SO(4), and Cl) was similar among sites, with SO(4) being the most variable and NH(4) and NO(3) generally retained (except for NO(3) at Andrews); and (3) relations among monthly solute fluxes and differences among solute concentration model parameters yielded additional insights into comparative biogeochemical processes at the sites.

Cytochrome P4501B1 mediates induction of bone marrow cytotoxicity and preleukemia cells in mice treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

Humans are exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) through many environmental pollutants, especially cigarette smoke. These chemicals cause a variety of tumors and immunotoxic effects, as a consequence of bioactivation by P-450 cytochromes to dihydrodiol epoxides. The recently identified cytochrome P4501B1 (CYP1B1) bioactivates PAHs but is also a physiological regulator, as evidenced by linkage of CYP1B1 deficiency to congenital human glaucoma. This investigation demonstrates that CYP1B1 null mice are almost completely protected from the acute bone marrow cytotoxic and preleukemic effects of the prototypic PAH 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). CYP1B1 null mice did not produce the appreciable amounts of bone marrow DMBA dihydrodiol epoxide DNA adducts present in wild-type mice, despite comparable hepatic inductions of the prominent PAH-metabolizing P-450 cytochrome, CYP1A1. Wild-type mice constitutively expressed low levels of bone marrow CYP1B1. These findings suggest that CYP1B1 is responsible for the formation of DMBA dihydrodiol epoxides in the bone marrow. Furthermore, this study substantiates the importance of DMBA dihydrodiol epoxide generation at the site of cancer initiation and suggests that tissue-specific constitutive CYP1B1 expression may contribute to cancer susceptibility in the human population.

Expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 depends on cell-specific factors in human breast cancer cell lines: role of estrogen receptor status

The impact of estrogen receptor (ER) was examined for expression and activity of cytochrome P4501B1 (CYP1B1) and cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) in two pairs of ER+/ER- human breast epithelial cell lines derived from single lineages, and representing earlier (T47D) or later (MDA-MB-231) stages of tumorigenesis. Acute loss of ER was evaluated using the anti-estrogen ICI 182,780 (ICI). In all lines, CYP1B1 was expressed constitutively and was induced by 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), whereas CYP1A1 was expressed only following induction. Expression of each CYP (with or without TCDD) was greater in T47D cells than MDA cells. The ER impacted expression of these genes in opposite directions. The ER- phenotype was associated with less TCDD-induced CYP1A1 expression, but greater basal and induced CYP1B1 expression. A 48 h treatment of ER+ cells with ICI did not revert the P450 expression pattern to that of ER- cells. Based on activities of recombinant enzyme and expression levels, differences in 7,2-dimethylbenz [a]anthracene (DMBA) metabolism between the cell lines were consistent with differences in CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expression. In T47D lines, basal microsomal DMBA metabolism was primarily due to CYP1B1, based on regioselective metabolite distribution and inhibition by anti-CYP1B1 antibodies (>80%). Metabolism in TCDD-induced microsomes was mostly due to CYP1A1 and was inhibited by anti-CYP1A1 antibody (>50%). TCDD-induced MDA+ cells demonstrated CYP1A1 activity, whereas TCDD-induced MDA- cells displayed CYP1B1 activity. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) levels, but not AhR nuclear translocator protein (ARNT) levels were highly dependent on cell type; AhR was high and ER-independent in MDA, and low and ER-linked in T47D. AhR levels were insensitive to ICI. ER does not directly modulate the expression of CYP1A1, CYP1B1 or AhR. Indeed, factors that have replaced ER in growth regulation during clonal selection predominate in this regulation. Characteristics unique to each cell line, including ER status, determine CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expression.

Expression of CYP1B1 but not CYP1A1 by primary cultured human mammary stromal fibroblasts constitutively and in response to dioxin exposure: role of the Ah receptor

The expression of CYP1B1 in human mammary fibroblasts (HMFs) was characterized as a potential modulator of their individual function as well as effects on adjacent mammary epithelia. We have used these characteristics to explore the diversity of fibroblast cells isolated from reduction mammoplasty patients and from different breast locations in breast cancer patients (tumors, peripheral to tumor and skin). These parameters have also been used to examine differences between two donors. The results have shown that while none of these HMFs expressed a detectable CYP1A1 protein basally or in response to TCDD, they all expressed CYP1B1 constitutively at similar levels (0.5-0.9 pmol/mg microsomal proteins) and they were induced by TCDD (up to 5-fold) consistent with mediation by the Ah receptor (AhR). DMBA metabolism by HMFs exhibited high proportions of 5,6-, 10,11- and 3,4-dihydrodiols, a profile that is typical of human CYP1B1 regioselectivity. RT-PCR followed by Southern blot analyses demonstrated that CYP1B1 mRNA expression in HMFs parallels levels of respective microsomal proteins. The AhR is expressed in these HMFs as two cytosolic forms (approximately 106 and 104 kDa) and a substantial proportion of the 104 kDa form was localized to the nucleus even prior to TCDD treatment. In all HMFs isolated directly from collagenase digested breast tissues the AhR is expressed at levels 10-fold lower than in breast epithelial cells. However, HMFs that were isolated after serial passaging of mammary epithelial cultures had shown much higher levels of the AhR expression and more dramatic TCDD-induced down-regulation (>80% in 24 h) associated with more efficient nuclear translocation. These differences suggested the presence of two functionally distinct subtypes of HMFs: interstitial stromal fibroblasts that are readily released by collagenase digestion of breast tissues, and lobular stromal fibroblasts which are more tightly associated with the breast epithelia.

Characterization of CYP1B1 and CYP1A1 expression in human mammary epithelial cells: role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolism

CYP1B1 and CYP1A1 expression and metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) have been characterized in early-passage human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) isolated from reduction mammoplasty tissue of seven individual donors. The level of constitutive microsomal CYP1B1 protein expression was donor dependent (<0.01-1.4 pmol/mg microsomal protein). CYP1B1 expression was substantially induced by exposure of the cells to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) to levels ranging from 2.3 to 16.6 pmol/mg among the seven donors. Extremely low, reproducible levels of constitutive CYP1A1 expression were detectable in three donors (0.03-0.16 pmol/mg microsomal protein). TCDD inductions were larger for CYP1A1, as compared to CYP1B1, demonstrating substantial variability in the induced levels among the donors (0.8-16.5 pmol/mg). Northern and reverse transcriptase PCR analyses corroborate the donor-dependent differences in protein expression, whereby CYP1B1 mRNA (5.2 kb) was constitutively expressed and was highly induced by TCDD (33-fold). The contributions of CYP1B1 and CYP1A1 to the metabolism of DMBA were analyzed using recombinant human CYP1B1 and CYP1A1, as references, in conjunction with antibody-specific inhibition analyses (anti-CYP1B1 and anti-CYP1A1). Constitutive microsomal activity exhibited a profile of regioselective DMBA metabolism that was characteristic of human CYP1B1 (increased proportions of 5,6- and 10,11-DMBA-dihydrodiols), which was inhibited by anti-CYP1B1 (84%) but not by anti-CYP1A1. TCDD-induced HMEC microsomal DMBA metabolism generated the 8,9-dihydrodiol of DMBA as the predominant metabolite, with a regioselectivity similar to that of recombinant human CYP1A1, which was subsequently inhibited by anti-CYP1A1 (79%). A CYP1B1 contribution was indicated by the regioselectivity of residual metabolism and by anti-CYP1B1 inhibition (25%). DMBA metabolism analyses of one of three donors expressing measurable basal expression of CYP1A1 confirmed DMBA metabolism levels equivalent to that from CYP1B1. The HMECs of all donors expressed similar, very high levels of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and the aryl hydrocarbon nuclear translocator protein, suggesting that aryl hydrocarbon receptor and aryl hydrocarbon nuclear translocator protein expression are not responsible for differences in cytochrome P450 expression. This study indicates that CYP1B1 is an important activator of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the mammary gland when environmental chemical exposures minimally induce CYP1A1. Additionally, certain individuals express low levels of basal CYP1A1 in HMECs, representing a potential risk factor of mammary carcinogenesis through enhanced polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon bioactivation.

Role of cytochrome P450 enzyme induction in the metabolic activation of benzo[c]phenanthrene in human cell lines and mouse epidermis

The environmental contaminant benzo[c]phenanthrene (B[c]Ph) has weak carcinogenic activity in rodent bioassays; however, the fjord region diol epoxides of B[c]Ph, B[c]Ph-3,4-diol 1,2-epoxides (B[c]PhDE), are potent carcinogens. To determine the role of cytochrome P450 isozymes in the activation of B[c]Ph in MCF-7 cells and the low activation of B[c]Ph in mouse skin, cells of the MCF-7 and the human hepatoma HepG2 cell lines were treated with the potent Ah receptor agonist 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) prior to exposure to B[c]Ph for 24 h. Mice were treated topically with 1 microg of TCDD or vehicle (control) for 73 h and then with 2 micromol of B[c]Ph for 24 h. In MCF-7 cells, TCDD exposure increased B[c]PhDE-DNA adduct levels more than 3-fold with a 10-fold increase in the (-)-B[c]PhDE-2-dA(t) adduct. Treatment of HepG2 cells with TCDD prior to B[c]Ph application did not increase B[c]PhDE-DNA binding. Total B[c]PhDE-DNA adducts increased 3-fold in TCDD-treated mouse epidermis: the majority of the increase resulted from (+)-B[c]PhDE-1-dA adducts. Analysis of P450 enzymes by Western blotting detected a large increase of P4501B1 but almost no increase in P4501A1 in MCF-7 cells exposed to 10 microM B[c]Ph for 24 or 48 h. In HepG2 cells, there were no detectable levels of P4501A1 or P4501B1 after treatment with 10 microM B[c]Ph for 24 h. In contrast, topical application of 2 micromol of B[c]Ph to mouse skin for 48 or 72 h increased P4501A1, but no P4501B1 was detected. As a measure of P450 activity, the metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) was analyzed in microsomes prepared from MCF-7 and HepG2 cells exposed to 0.1% DMSO, 10 microM B[c]Ph, or 10 nM TCDD for 24 or 48 h and from mouse epidermis treated with 1 microg of TCDD, or vehicle control for 72 h, or 2 micromol of B[c]Ph for 48 h. The levels of DMBA metabolites were low or undetectable in microsomes from B[c]Ph-treated MCF-7 and HepG2 cells, but a metabolite pattern consistent with P4501A1 metabolism of DMBA was present in B[c]Ph-exposed mouse epidermal microsomes. TCDD-treated MCF-7 cells, HepG2 cells, and mouse epidermis had DMBA metabolism patterns characteristic of P4501A1 activity. Microsomes from TCDD-treated human cells formed a higher proportion of the proximate carcinogenic metabolite DMBA-3,4-dihydrodiol (16% of total identified metabolites) than TCDD-treated mouse epidermis (2%). In mouse epidermis, the weak ability of B[c]Ph to increase hydrocarbon-metabolizing activity and the increase in mainly P4501A1, leading to formation of the less carcinogenic stereoisomer B[c]PhDE-1, may explain the low carcinogenic activity of B[c]Ph. In a human mammary carcinoma cell line, treatment with B[c]Ph increases mainly P4501B1 and results in formation of a higher proportion of the more carcinogenic B[c]PhDE-2. This indicates that cells in which B[c]Ph treatment increases P4501B1 levels effectively activate B[c]Ph to potent carcinogenic metabolites.

Phenobarbital induction of CYP2B1, CYP2B2, and CYP3A1 in rat liver: genetic differences in a common regulatory mechanism

The phenobarbital induction of five responsive hepatic cytochrome P450 genes is highly strain selective, particularly in female rats (Fischer >> Wistar Furth). We have shown that this strain variation represents a systematic difference in the endocrine-mediated suppression of phenobarbital induction which points to a common signaling process for each of these genes. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the strain-specific differences of phenobarbital responsiveness (10-fold for CYP2B1, CYP2B2, and CYP3A1 in females) are much smaller in male animals and are also greatly diminished by hypophysectomy. Partial depletion of thyroid hormone and growth hormone levels by methimazole treatment was equally as effective as hypophysectomy in elevating phenobarbital-induced levels of CYP2B1, CYP2B2, and CYP3A1 in Wistar Furth rats, while the Fischer strain was unaffected. Ovariectomy suppressed the phenobarbital induction of these genes in the Wistar Furth but not in the Fischer strain, while castration yielded a similar differential suppression in male rats which was reversed by testosterone propionate supplementation. Changes in CYP2B1 protein closely correlated with changes in 7-pentoxyresorufin-O-dealkylation activity, a functional marker for this P450. The strain-selective differences, although smaller, were also observed in the very low basal expression of these P450 genes, while the effects of hypophysectomy, ovariectomy, and castration occurred in a similar manner. However, methimazole was essentially ineffective relative to hypophysectomy in elevating basal expression of these genes. The low concentrations of residual growth hormone and thyroid hormone probably provide a more effective suppression in the basal than in the induced state. We conclude that multiple cytochrome P450 genes share a common phenobarbital induction pathway that, in part, alleviates the suppressive effects of thyroid hormone and growth hormone which are far greater in female Wistar Furth rats. This suppression is opposed by testosterone and to a lesser extent by estradiol. Similar strain differences in the endocrine control of weight gain point to systemic hormonal mechanisms that interface with phenobarbital signaling to control multiple P450 genes.

The induction of five rat hepatic P450 cytochromes by phenobarbital and similarly acting compounds is regulated by a sexually dimorphic, dietary-dependent endocrine factor that is highly strain specific

The phenobarbital (PB)-mediated expression of five forms of cytochrome P450 (CYP2A1, CYP2B1, CYP2B2, CYP2C6, and CYP3A1) and epoxide hydrolase has been examined in male and female rats from three inbred strains [Fischer (F344), Wistar Furth (WF), and Wistar Kyoto (WK)]. Evidence is presented that the regulation of induction of each protein involves a very similar endocrine control process. Each induction shows the same marked strain differences that are observable to a much greater extent in females than in males. The differences are largely removed by hypophysectomy and are each greatly enhanced by a shift in diet (standard [Teklad (W) 8604] to defined [Teklad AIN-76A]). The induction of each gene in female rats, as measured by specific immunoblots, follows the same strain selectivity (F344 >> WK > WF). These differences were similarly demonstrated in isoform-specific metabolism and comparable variations in the levels of the specific P450 mRNA suggest that these differences reflect alterations in gene transcription. For CYP3A1, CYP2B1, and CYP2B2, the differences between the F344 and WF strains approach 10-fold when using the defined diet, while the differences decreased approximately 3-fold with the standard chow, in parallel with much more effective induction of total P450. The same trend was also observed for the induction of CYP2A1, CYP2C6, and epoxide hydrolase, but the differences were less because of higher constitutive levels which were insensitive to these effects and smaller induction factors. These strain differences were not observed for CYP1A2, which is unresponsive to PB. Similar sex- and strain-selectivity for each P450 gene occurs for D-limonene, a structurally and chemically dissimilar PB-type inducer. Each of these measurements indicates a suppression of expression in female WF rats relative to a set of similar levels in male WF rats and F344 rats of both sexes. Hypophysectomy relieves the suppression through selective stimulation of induced levels in female WF rats. Many of the same differences between the F344 and WF strains can be observed in the very low basal expression of these PB-inducible genes. Thus, we have identified a gender-selective, pituitary-mediated polymorphism that probably affects basal regulatory factors.

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) as a putative animal model of childhood hyperkinesis: SHR behavior compared to four other rat strains

Childhood hyperkinesis or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavior disorder of which the main symptoms are attention problems and hyperactivity. The main objective of the present study was to investigate whether the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) strain is a useful animal model of ADHD. Five different rat strains were tested: SHR, Wistar-Kyoto (WKY), Wistar, Sprague-Dawley (SPRD), and PVG (hooded) rats. The protocol consisted of three different test procedures: 1) A 7.5-min free-exploration open-field test (home cage accessible), where the SHR was less active than Wistar and SPRD but more active than WKY; SHR showed longer latencies to leave the home cage than both Wistar and SPRD rats, spending less time in the field, ambulating and rearing less than Wistar and SPRD but more than WKY. Within session, the SHR tended to be more active at the end of the session than at the start, while the opposite tended to be the case in the other groups. 2) A 7.5-min forced exploration open-field test (home cage not accessible), where the results showed that the SHR is less active than both the Wistar and Sprague-Dawley strains, but more active than PVG and WKY. 3) A two-component multiple schedule of reinforcement with a fixed interval 2 min signalled by houselight on and a 5-min extinction signalled by houselight off. Lever pressing by SHR was markedly different from that of the other four strains, which were quite Except early in the interval, SHR pressed the lever more than any of the other groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The topology of the glutamine and ATP binding sites of human asparagine synthetase

Human asparagine synthetase was examined using a combination of chemical modifiers and specific monoclonal antibodies. The studies were designed to determine the topological relation between the nucleotide binding site and the glutamine binding site of the human asparagine synthetase. The purified recombinant enzyme was chemically modified at the glutamine binding site by 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON), and at the ATP binding site by 8-azidoadenosine 5'-triphosphate (8-N3ATP). The effects of chemical modification with DON included a loss of glutamine-dependent reactions, but no effect on ATP binding as measured during ammonia-dependent asparagine synthesis. Similarly, modification with 8-N3ATP resulted in a loss of ammonia-dependent asparagine synthesis, but no effect on the glutaminase activity. A series of monoclonal antibodies was also examined in relation to their epitopes and the sites modified by the two covalent chemical modifiers. It was found that several antibodies were prevented from binding by specific chemical modification, and that the antibodies could be classified into groups correlating to their relative binding domains. These results are discussed in terms of relative positions of the glutamine and ATP binding sites on asparagine synthetase.