Hypotonic Stress-induced Down-regulation of Claudin-1 and -2 Mediated by Dephosphorylation and Clathrin-dependent Endocytosis in Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells.

Hypotonic stress decreased claudin-1 and -2 expression levels in renal tubular epithelial HK-2 and Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Here, we examined the regulatory mechanism involved in this decrease. The hypotonicity-induced decrease in claudin expression was inhibited by the following: SB202190, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, but not by U0126, a MEK inhibitor; Go6983, a protein kinase C inhibitor; or SP600125, a Jun N-terminal protein kinase inhibitor.

Claudin-18 inhibits cell proliferation and motility mediated by inhibition of phosphorylation of PDK1 and Akt in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells.

Abnormal expression of claudin subtypes has been reported in various cancers. However, the pathological role of each claudin has not been clarified in detail. Claudin-18 was absent in human non-small cell and small cell lung cancers, although it is expressed in normal lung tissues.

Threonine-408 Regulates the Stability of Human Pregnane X Receptor through Its Phosphorylation and the CHIP/Chaperone-Autophagy Pathway.

The human pregnane X receptor (hPXR) is a xenobiotic-sensing nuclear receptor that transcriptionally regulates drug metabolism-related genes. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mechanism by which hPXR is regulated through threonine-408. A phosphomimetic mutation at threonine-408 (T408D) reduced the transcriptional activity of hPXR and its protein stability in HepG2 and SW480 cells in vitro and mouse livers in vivo.

Clathrin-dependent endocytosis of claudin-2 by DFYSP peptide causes lysosomal damage in lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells.

Claudins are tight junctional proteins and comprise a family of over 20 members. Abnormal expression of claudins is reported to be involved in tumor progression. Claudin-2 is highly expressed in lung adenocarcinoma tissues and increases cell proliferation, whereas it is not expressed in normal tissues.

Quercetin Decreases Claudin-2 Expression Mediated by Up-Regulation of microRNA miR-16 in Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells.

Claudin-2 is highly expressed in human lung adenocarcinoma tissues and cells. Knockdown of claudin-2 decreases cell proliferation and migration. Claudin-2 may be a novel target for lung adenocarcinoma.

Involvement of a cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent signal in the diet-induced canalicular trafficking of adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter g5/g8.

Unlabelled: The adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) half-transporters Abcg5 and Abcg8 promote the secretion of neutral sterol into bile. Studies have demonstrated the diet-induced gene expression of these transporters, but the regulation of their trafficking when the nutritional status changes in the liver remains to be elucidated. Here, we generated a novel in vivo kinetic analysis that can monitor the intracellular trafficking of Abcg5/Abcg8 in living mouse liver by in vivo transfection of the genes of fluorescent protein-tagged transporters and investigated how hypernutrition affects the canalicular trafficking of these transporters.

Hyperosmolarity-Induced Down-Regulation of Claudin-2 Mediated by Decrease in PKCβ-Dependent GATA-2 in MDCK Cells.

Hyperosmolarity decreases claudin-2 expression in renal tubular epithelial cells, but the molecular mechanism remains undefined. Here, we found that the hyperosmolarity-induced decrease in claudin-2 expression is inhibited by Go6983, a non-selective protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, and PKCβ specific inhibitor in Madin-Darby canine kidney II cells. Hyperosmolarity increased intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration and phosphorylated PKCβ level, which were inhibited by RN-1734, an antagonist of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 channel.

A platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor deficiency exacerbates diet-induced obesity but PAF/PAF receptor signaling does not contribute to the development of obesity-induced chronic inflammation.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a well-known phospholipid that mediates acute inflammatory responses. In the present study, we investigated whether PAF/PAF receptor signaling contributed to chronic inflammation in the white adipose tissue (WAT) of PAF receptor-knockout (PAFR-KO) mice. Body and epididymal WAT weights were higher in PAFR-KO mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) than in wild-type (WT) mice.

Threonine-290 regulates nuclear translocation of the human pregnane X receptor through its phosphorylation/dephosphorylation by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and protein phosphatase 1.

The human pregnane X receptor (hPXR) is recognized as a xenobiotic-sensing nuclear receptor that transcriptionally regulates the gene expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters. Our study elucidates the mechanism by which the localization of hPXR is regulated through threonine-290. A phosphomimetic mutation at threonine-290 (T290D) retained hPXR in the cytoplasm of HepG2, HuH6, and SW480 cells in vitro and the mouse liver in vivo even after treatment with rifampicin, and a phosphodeficient mutation (T290A) translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus as the wild-type hPXR.

Nuclear distribution of claudin-2 increases cell proliferation in human lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Claudin-2 is expressed in human lung adenocarcinoma tissue and cell lines, although it is absent in normal lung tissue. However, the role of claudin-2 in cell proliferation and the regulatory mechanism of intracellular distribution remain undefined. Proliferation of human adenocarcinoma A549 cells was decreased by claudin-2 knockdown together with a decrease in the percentage of S phase cells.

Tight junctional localization of claudin-16 is regulated by syntaxin 8 in renal tubular epithelial cells.

Claudin-16 (CLDN16) regulates the paracellular reabsorption of Mg(2+) in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop. However, the mechanism regulating the tight junctional localization of CLDN16 remains unknown. In yeast two-hybrid systems, we found that CLDN16 bound to syntaxin 8 (STX8), a target soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor.

Antiobese function of platelet-activating factor: increased adiposity in platelet-activating factor receptor-deficient mice with age.

Platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR)-deficient mice developed a more severe obese state characterized by higher body mass (~25%) and epididymal fat mass (~55%) with age than that of wild-type (WT) littermates. PAFR-deficient mice did not show changes in the expression of critical genes involved in anabolic and catabolic metabolism in adipose, liver, and muscle tissues between 6 and 36 wk. However, a 38-81% reduction in β3/β1-adrenergic receptor (AR) and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) mRNA and protein levels was observed in the interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT) of PAFR-deficient mice.

A Penicillium sp. F33 metabolite and its synthetic derivatives inhibit acetyl-CoA:1-O-alkyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine acetyltransferase (a key enzyme in platelet-activating factor biosynthesis) and carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice.

Acetyl-CoA:1-O-alkyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (lyso-PAF) acetyltransferase is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PAF) in inflammatory cells. Substances which inhibit this enzyme are of therapeutic interest. In this study, we screened for new inhibitors of lyso-PAF acetyltransferase with anti-inflammatory effects.

Hyperosmolarity-induced up-regulation of claudin-4 mediated by NADPH oxidase-dependent H2O2 production and Sp1/c-Jun cooperation.

Claudin-4 is exclusively localized in the tight collecting ducts in the renal tubule. We examined what molecular mechanism is involved in the regulation of claudin-4 expression. In Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, hyperosmolarity increased the expression level of claudin-4 and the production of reactive oxygen species, which were inhibited by diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), an NADPH oxidase inhibitor, and manganese (III) tetrakis (4-benzoic acid)porphyrin (MnTBAP), a scavenger of H2O2.

Function, genetic polymorphism, and transcriptional regulation of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1.

  Human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1 is the enzyme that detoxifies neurotoxic bilirubin by conjugating it with glucuronic acid. UGT1A1 also plays a critical role in the detoxification and excretion of endogenous and exogenous lipophilic compounds mainly in the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Impaired or reduced UGT1A1 activity causes unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (Gilbert's syndrome and Crigler-Najjar syndrome) and side effects of drug treatment such as SN-38 (active metabolite of the anticancer drug irinotecan)-induced toxicity.

Regulation of pregnane X receptor (PXR) function and UGT1A1 gene expression by posttranslational modification of PXR protein.

Human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1 is a critical enzyme responsible for detoxification and metabolism of endogenous and exogenous lipophilic compounds such as bilirubin. The present study shows how cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor roscovitine stimulated the expression of UGT1A1 in HepG2 cells. Pregnane X receptor (PXR)-mediated transactivation of UGT1A1 reporter gene was more prominently enhanced by roscovitine, compared with the basal-, constitutive androstane receptor (CAR)-, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated activities.

Increase in claudin-2 expression by an EGFR/MEK/ERK/c-Fos pathway in lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells.

In human adenocarcinoma, claudin-2 expression is higher than that in normal lung tissue, but the regulatory mechanism of its expression has not been clarified. In human adenocarcinoma A549 cells, claudin-2 level time-dependently increased under the control conditions. In contrast, claudin-1 expression remained constant for 24h.

Effects of dietary inulin, statin, and their co-treatment on hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis and changes in drug-metabolizing enzymes in rats fed a high-fat and high-sucrose diet.

Background: Rats fed a high-fat and high-sucrose (HF) diet develop hepatic steatosis and hyperlipidemia. There are several reports that a change in nutritional status affects hepatic levels of drug-metabolizing enzymes. Synthetic inulin is a dietary component that completely evades glucide digestion.

Enhancement of cell-cell contact by claudin-4 in renal epithelial Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

Claudin-4 regulates ion permeability via a paracellular pathway in renal epithelial cells, but its other physiological functions have not been examined. We found that hyperosmotic stress increases claudin-4 expression in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Here, we examined whether claudin-4 affects cell motility, cell association, and the intracellular distribution of endogenous junctional proteins.

Magnesium deficiency suppresses cell cycle progression mediated by increase in transcriptional activity of p21(Cip1) and p27(Kip1) in renal epithelial NRK-52E cells.

Lack of magnesium suppresses cell growth, but the molecular mechanism is not examined in detail. We examined the effect of extracellular magnesium deficiency on cell cycle progression and the expression of cell cycle regulators in renal epithelial NRK-52E cells. In synchronized cells caused by serum-starved method, over 80% cells were distributed in G1 phase.

Epidermal growth factor increases clathrin-dependent endocytosis and degradation of claudin-2 protein in MDCK II cells.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) decreases the mRNA and protein levels of claudin-2 (CLDN2) in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) II cells. Here we examined whether EGF affects the stability and intracellular distribution of CLDN2 protein. EGF decreased surface and total levels of CLDN2, which was inhibited by U0126, a MEK inhibitor.

Diet-induced lipid accumulation in liver enhances ATP-binding cassette transporter g5/g8 expression in bile canaliculi.

The ATP-binding cassette half-transporters Abcg5 and Abcg8 promote the secretion of neutral sterols into bile. Studies have demonstrated the diet-induced expression of these transporters in liver, but precisely where this occurs remains to be elucidated. This study investigated the changes in the expression of these transporters in bile canaliculi in cholesterol-loaded livers.

Claudin-2 knockdown decreases matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity and cell migration via suppression of nuclear Sp1 in A549 cells.

Aims: Claudin expression is altered in lung cancer, but the pathophysiological role of claudin is not well understood. We examined the effect of claudin-2 expression on cell migration using human adenocarcinoma A549 cells.

Main Methods: The mRNA level was measured by real time polymerase chain reaction.

Decrease in transient receptor potential melastatin 6 mRNA stability caused by rapamycin in renal tubular epithelial cells.

Rapamycin, an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), is used in treatments for transplantation and cancer. Rapamycin causes hypomagnesemia, although precisely how has not been examined. Here, we investigated the effect of rapamycin on the expression of transient receptor potential melastatin 6 (TRPM6), a Mg2+ channel.

Decrease in claudin-2 expression enhances cell migration in renal epithelial Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

Migration of renal epithelial cells increases after renal tubular damage, but its mechanism has not been clarified in detail. Hyperosmotic stress increased a cellular injury concomitant with a decrease in mRNA and protein expression of claudin-2 in renal tubular epithelial Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. We hypothesized that claudin-2 is involved in the regulation of cell migration.