The global increase in transcription of cytoprotective genes induced in response to oxidative challenge has been termed the antioxidant response. Ferritin serves as the major iron-binding protein in nonhematopoietic tissues, limiting the catalytic availability of iron for participation in oxygen radical generation. Here we demonstrate that ferritin is a participant in the antioxidant response through a genetically defined electrophile response element (EpRE). The EpRE of ferritin H identified in this report exhibits sequence similarity to EpRE motifs found in antioxidant response genes such as those encoding NAD(P)H:quinone reductase, glutathione S-transferase, and heme oxygenase. However, the EpRE of ferritin H is unusual in structure, comprising two bidirectional motifs arranged in opposing directions on complementary DNA strands. In addition to EpREmediated transcriptional activation, we demonstrate that ferritin is subject to time-dependent translational control through regulation of iron-regulatory proteins (IRP). Although IRP-1 is initially activated to its RNA binding (ferritin-repressing) state by oxidants, it rapidly returns to its basal state. This permits the translation of newly synthesized ferritin transcripts and ultimately leads to increased levels of ferritin protein synthesis following oxidant exposure. Taken together, these results clarify the complex transcriptional and translational regulatory mechanisms that contribute to ferritin regulation in response to prooxidant stress and establish a role for ferritin in the antioxidant response.

To examine the role of multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) in cellular resistance to antineoplastic drugs, derivatives of MCF7 breast carcinoma cells were developed that express MRP1 in combination with one of three human cytosolic isozymes of GST. Expression of MRP1 alone confers resistance to several drugs representing the multidrug resistance phenotype, drugs including doxorubicin, vincristine, etoposide, and mitoxantrone. However, co-expression with MRP1 of any of the human GST isozymes A1-1, M1-1, or P1-1 failed to augment MRP1-associated resistance to these drugs. In contrast, combined expression of MRP1 and GST A1-1 conferred ϳ4-fold resistance to the anticancer drug chlorambucil. Expression of MRP1 alone failed to confer resistance to chlorambucil, showing that the observed protection from chlorambucil cytotoxicity was absolutely dependent upon GST A1-1 protein. Moreover, using inhibitors of GST (dicumarol) or MRP1 (sulfinpyrazone), it was shown that in MCF7 cells resistance to chlorambucil requires both intact MRP1-dependent efflux pump activity and, for full protection, GST A1-1 catalytic activity. These results are the first demonstration that GST A1-1 and MRP1 can act in synergy to protect cells from the cytotoxicity of a nitrogen mustard, chlorambucil.

Background: Nitrogen monoxide (NO) can target intracellular iron pools, leading to dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs). Results: NO storage and transport are mediated by glutathione S-transferase P1-1 (GST P1-1) and multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1), respectively. Conclusion: GST P1-1 and MRP1 form an integrated detoxification unit regulating storage and transport of DNICs. Significance: These results have broad implications for understanding the transport, storage, and signaling roles of NO.

One of the most potent cyclopentenone prostaglandins, 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)prostaglandin J(2) (15-d-PGJ(2)), has been shown to be cytotoxic in some tumor cells and, as a ligand of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), to influence the transcriptional regulation of several genes. We examined whether a glutathione conjugate of 15-d-PGJ(2), 15-d-PGJ(2)-SG, is formed and if the glutathione conjugate efflux pumps, MRP1 and MRP3, could transport this conjugate, thereby attenuating the cytotoxicity and transactivating activity of 15-d-PGJ(2) in MCF7 breast cancer cells. Formation of 15-d-PGJ(2)-SG was demonstrated both in vitro and in cells, and its structure was determined by ESI/MS and NMR. Expression of MRP1 and MRP3 was achieved by stable transduction of parental MCF7 cells. Membrane vesicles derived from these cells supported efficient, ATP-dependent transport of 15-d-PGJ(2)-SG (K(M) 1.4 and 2.9 microM for MRP1 and MRP3, respectively). When compared with parental, MRP-minus MCF7 cells, expression of MRP1 and MRP3 conferred approximately 2-fold protection from 15-d-PGJ(2) cytotoxicity. 15-d-PGJ(2)-mediated transcriptional activation was evaluated in cells transiently transfected with a reporter gene under the transcriptional control of a PPAR responsive element. Treatment of parental MCF7 cells with 15-d-PGJ(2) resulted in a time-dependent induction of reporter gene activity-induction that was measurable with concentrations of added 15-d-PGJ(2) as low as 100 nM. In contrast, expression of MRP1 or MRP3 abolished 15-d-PGJ(2)-dependent reporter gene induction. Depletion of intracellular glutathione reversed MRP1- and MRP3-mediated attenuation of 15-d-PGJ(2) cytotoxicity and transactivation. These data indicate that MRP1 and MRP3 can modulate the biological effects of 15-d-PGJ(2), and likely other cyclopentenone prostaglandins, in a glutathione-dependent manner. The results are consistent with a mechanism for the attenuation of the biological activities of 15-d-PGJ(2) that involves the formation and active efflux of its glutathione conjugate, 15-d-PGJ(2)-SG.

Recent data has shown that nitrolinoleic acid (LNO(2)), an electrophilic derivative of linoleic acid, has several important bioactivities including antiinflammatory, antiplatelet, vasorelaxation, and-as a novel potent ligand of PPARgamma-transcription regulating activities. Moreover, LNO(2) is formed in abundance in vivo at levels sufficient to mediate these bioactivities. In order to investigate the role of glutathione conjugation and MRP1-mediated efflux in the regulation of PPARgamma-dependent LNO(2) signaling, regioisomers of LNO(2) were synthesized and characterized. Analysis by 1D and 2D (1)H and (13)C NMR revealed that the LNO(2) preparation consisted of four, rather than two, nitrated regioisomers in approximately equal abundance. At physiologic pH and intracellular glutathione levels, LNO(2) was rapidly and quantitatively converted to glutathione conjugates (LNO(2)-SG) via Michael addition. MRP1 mediated efficient ATP-dependent transport of LNO(2)-SG. Using a PPRE-containing reporter gene transiently transfected into MRP-poor MCF7/WT cells, we verified that the LNO(2) mixture was a potent activator of PPARgamma-dependent transcription. However, expression of MRP1 in the stably transduced MCF7 derivative, MCF7/MRP1-10, resulted in strong inhibition of LNO(2)-induced transcription activation. Taken together, these results suggest that glutathione conjugation and MRP1-mediated conjugate transport can attenuate LNO(2) bioactivity and thereby play important roles in the regulation of cellular signaling by LNO(2).