Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF-4α), a liver-specific transcription factor, plays significant role in many functions, including lipid, glucose, drug, and ammonia metabolism, also embryonal liver development. However, its functions regulation are not yet clearly understood. In this study, we constructed an adenovirus vector carrying rat HNF-4α cDNA transfected the to human hepatoma cells, HuH-7, enforce expression of exogenous gene. We analyzed HNF-4α-induced genes using microarray...

Studies were conducted to explore vitamin A transport in the non-mammalian vertebrates, especially Pisces, Amphibia, and Reptilia, isolate partially characterize piscine retinol-binding protein. Retinol-con- taining proteins fresh plasma obtained from bullfrogs a turtle exhibited similar properties those found mammalian chicken plasma: Le., molecular weight of about 60,000-80,000 as estimated by gel filtration binding affinity prealbumin on human prealbumin- Sepharose chromatography. In...

All-trans-3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2,4,6,10,14-hexadecapentaenoic acid (designated "acyclic retinoid") induced upregulation of the albumin gene expression at its transcriptional level, whereas all-trans-retinoic (RA) downregulation in both PLC/PRF/5 and HuH7 human hepatoma cell lines. These up- down regulations coordinated with high low levels mRNA for hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 (HNF-1), which is one most potent transcription factors gene, implying that retinoids may regulate through HNF-1...

Abstract Microcystin‐LR is a liver tumor promoter in the okadaic acid class, group of potent inhibitors protein phosphatases 1 and 2A. Because inhibition phosphatases, microcystin‐LR induces hyperphosphorylation cellular proteins, including cytoskeletal proteins—cytokeratins 8 18—and causes morphological changes mouse hepatocytes primary culture. We studied effects carotenoids to antagonize microcystin‐LR‐induced hepatocytes. β‐Carotene (100 nM 100 μM), suppressed induced by dose‐dependent...

Geranylgeranoic acid (GGA; all-trans 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2,6,10,14-hexadecatetraenoic acid) has been shown to induce apoptosis in a human hepatoma-derived cell line, HuH-7. We aimed not only confirm the apoptogenic properties of GGA and its derivatives, but also search for natural medicinal herbs. induced lines, HuH-7, PLC/PRF-5, mouse transformed hepatocyte-derived MLE-10, dose- time-dependent manner, failed death hepatoblastoma-derived HepG-2 primary hepatocytes same condition. Besides...

The circulating levels of β-carotene are modulated not only by sex, but also autosomal gene variations and fruit intake. aim this study was to investigate the interactions between metabolism-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; genetic factors) nutrient intake (environmental relating their effects on β-carotene. serum concentrations habitual food 92 healthy Japanese adults were examined. All subjects genotyped for three common SNPs: rs6564851 in 15,15′-oxygenase 1 (BCO1) gene,...

Abstract Retinoids are known to be of special importance for normal bone growth and development. Recently, we reported that retinoids not only induced osteoblast differentiation, but also inhibited osteoclast formation in vitro. In this study, examined the osteogenic effects geranylgeranoic acid (GGA), a chemically synthesized acyclic retinoid, vitro vivo. GGA suppressed proliferation osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, up-regulated differentiation markers osteoblasts such as alkaline phosphatase...

In the absence of detergent, transfer mannose from GDP-mannose to rat liver microsomal vesicles was highly stimulated by exogenous retinyl phosphate in incubations containing bovine serum albumin, as measured a filter binding assay. Under these conditions 65% 6-phosphatase activity latent. The process linear with time up 5min and protein concentration 1.5mg/0.2ml. It also temperature-dependent. uptake dependent on saturable against increasing amounts phosphate, 15mum giving half-maximal...

Geranylgeranoic acid, a 20-carbon polyprenoic acid (all-trans 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2,4,6,10,14-hexadecatetraenoic acid) and its derivatives were previously developed as synthetic "acyclic retinoids" for cancer chemoprevention. Recently, we demonstrated the natural occurrence of geranylgeranoic in various medicinal herbs (Shidoji Ogawa, 2004). In this present study, several lines evidence to demonstrate that geranylgeranyl diphosphate taken foods could be metabolized GGA through...

GGA (geranylgeranoic acid) is a natural polyprenoic acid, derivatives of which has been shown to prevent second primary hepatoma. induces mitochondria-mediated PCD (programmed cell death), may be relevant cancer prevention. To gain further insights into GGA-induced PCD, autophagy processes were examined in human hepatoma-derived HuH-7 cells. Treatment HuH-7/GFP (green fluorescent protein)-LC3 cells with induced green puncta the cytoplasm within 30 min and their massive accumulation at 24 h....

Abstract A branched-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, geranylgeranoic acid (GGA; C20:4), which is an endogenous metabolite derived from the mevalonate pathway in mammals, has been reported to induce cell death human hepatoma cells. We have previously shown that lipid-induced unfolded protein response (UPR) upstream cellular process for incomplete autophagic might be involved GGA-induced death. Here, we found Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated pyroptosis HuH-7 cells occurred by GGA...

Rat liver microsomal fraction synthesized Ret-P-Man (retinyl phosphate mannose) and Dol-P-Man (dolichyl from endogenous Ret-P phosphate) Dol-P phosphate). synthesis displayed an absolute requirement for a bivalent cation, also was stimulated by metal ions. Mn2+ Co2+ were the most active, with maximum of occurring at 5-10 mM: Mg2+ but higher concentrations. At 5mM-Mn2+ amount mannosylated in incubation mixtures containing 5 microM-GDP-mannose 15 min 37 degrees C approx. 3 pmol/mg protein. In...

Mutant p53 proteins in human hepatoma cell lines such as HuH-7 (Y220C) and PLC/PRF/5 (R249S) accumulate the cytoplasm lose their transcriptional function. Geranylgeranoic acid (GGA) is a naturally occurring acyclic diterpenoid that induces death both lines, but not HepG2 cells harboring wild-type p53. Here, we demonstrate micromolar concentrations of GGA induce rapid nuclear translocation cytoplasmic p53-mutant knockdown attenuates GGA-induced cells. Cell-free experiments able to release...

Telomere length shortening is modulated not only by aging, but also both genetic and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the interactions between antioxidant nutrient metabolism-related gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (the factors) intake in their effects on telomere shortening.

Rat liver microsomes synthesized [14C]mannosylretinylphosphate and dolichyl [14C]mannosylphosphate from guanosinedisphosphate [14C]mannose, retinylphosphate dolichylphosphate. Two distinct enzyme activities were shown to be responsible for the biosynthesis of two mannolipids. A higher affinity mannosyl transferase (EA I), dolichylmannosylphosphate synthesis, displayed a Km GDP-mannose 1.7 microM; while lower II), mannosylretinylphosphate 12.5 microM. These values unaffected by addition...