title: Induction of cytochrome P-450 isozymes in rat hepatoma-derived cell cultures.
abstract: We have investigated the responsiveness of established rat hepatocyte cell cultures to inducers of cytochrome P-450. One Reuber hepatoma-derived line (Fu5-C8), which under normal culture conditions produces no detectable cytochrome P-450(MC) or cytochrome P-450(PB)--the major cytochrome P-450 isozymes induced by 3-methylcholanthrene and phenobarbital, respectively--was tested for the ability to accumulate either cytochrome P-450 isozyme in response to treatment with various xenobiotics. By immune-precipitation from [35S]-methionine-labeled cell extracts, using monospecific anticytochrome P-450(MC) antibody or monoclonal anticytochrome P-450(PB) antibody, it was demonstrated that these cells possess the capability to synthesize cytochrome P-450(MC) in response to 3-methylcholanthrene treatment, while none of the drug treatments caused the synthesis of detectable quantities of cytochrome P-450(PB). RNA extracted from Fu5-C8 cells directed the in vitro synthesis of immune-precipitable cytochrome P-450(MC) only after treatment of the cells with 3-methylcholanthrene. Kinetic analysis of the response of these cells to 3-methylcholanthrene induction revealed detectable levels of immune-precipitable cytochrome P-450(MC) 2 h after drug treatment with maximal induction occurring between 12 and 16 h of exposure. Another cell line (HF 1.5), obtained originally by hybridization of Fao X H5 variants of a Reuber H35 hepatoma, produces cytochrome P-450(MC) and also cytochrome P-450(PB) constitutively, as determined by specific immune-precipitation from labeled cell extracts. Exposure of confluent monolayers to either phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene resulted in an induction of cytochrome P-450(PB) or cytochrome P-450(MC), respectively. Double-labeling immunofluorescence studies indicate that all cells in the culture produce albumin and most of the cells produce cytochrome P-450(MC), but only a subset of cells synthesize cytochrome P-450(PB). Our results demonstrate that some continuously dividing hepatocyte cell cultures retain the capacity to respond to xenobiotics, including phenobarbital, a response which is typically exhibited by fully differentiated liver cells. Such established hepatocyte cell cultures should prove useful for investigating the mechanism of induction of cytochrome P-450(PB).
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007700:Kinetics; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000201:enzymology*; D008748:Methylcholanthrene / Q000494:pharmacology; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D008748:Methylcholanthrene; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D010634:Phenobarbital