Nrf2-ARE-Dependent Alterations in Zinc Transporter mRNA Expression in HepG2 Cells.
Zinc transporters are solute carrier family members. To date, 10 zinc transporters (ZnTs) and 14 Zrt-, Irt-like proteins (ZIPs) have been identified. ZnTs control intracellular zinc levels by effluxing zinc from the cytoplasm into the extracellular fluid, intracellular vesicles, and organelles; ZIPs also contribute to control intracellular zinc levels with influxing zinc into the cytoplasm. Recently, changes in zinc transporter expression have been observed in some stress-induced diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and diabetes mellitus. However, little is known regarding the mechanisms that regulate zinc transporter expression. To address this, we have investigated the effect of a well-established stress response pathway, the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant responsive element (ARE) pathway, on zinc transporter mRNA levels. Exposure to 10-4 M tert-butylhydroquinone (t-BHQ), which activates Nrf2-ARE signaling, for 6 h significantly increases ZnT-1, ZnT-3, and ZnT-6 mRNAs levels, and significantly decreases ZnT-10 and ZIP-3 mRNA levels. These changes are not observed with 10-6 M t-BHQ, which does not activate Nrf2-ARE signaling. Furthermore, t-BHQ exposure does not affect metal responsive element transcription, a cis element that is activated in response to intracellular free zinc accumulation. From these results, we believe that the transcription of ZnT-1, ZnT-3, ZnT-6, ZnT-10, and ZIP-3 is influenced by the Nrf2-ARE signal transduction pathway.
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sojo University, 4-22-1 Ikeda, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto 860-0082, Japan.
Takumi
T
Ishida
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sojo University, 4-22-1 Ikeda, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto 860-0082, Japan.
Shinji
S
Takechi
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D006873:Hydroquinones / Q000494:pharmacology; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020218:Response Elements; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D000097809:Transcription Factor MTF-1
D000975:Antioxidants; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006873:Hydroquinones; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000097809:Transcription Factor MTF-1; C495635:NFE2L2 protein, human; C018855:2-tert-butylhydroquinone