Isosafrole-induced cytochrome P2-450 in DBA/2N mouse liver. Characterization and genetic control of induction

Mouse "cytochrome P2-450" is defined as that form of isosafrole-induced P-450 in DBA/2N liver most specifically correlated with isosafrole metabolism. Isosafrole pretreatment does not induce aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity ("cytochrome P1-450") in C57BL/6N or DBA/2N mice, induces acetanilide 4-hydroxylase activity ("cytochrome P3-450") more than 3-fold in C57BL/6N but not in DBA/2N mice, and induces isosafrole metabolite formation more than 3-fold in both C57BL/6N and DBA/2N mice. P2-450 was, therefore, purified from isosafrole-treated DBA/2N liver microsomes having negligible amounts of contaminating P1-450 and P3-450. The apparent molecular weight of P2-450 is 55,000, and the protein appears homogeneous on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. The Soret peak of the reduced purified cytochrome X CO complex is 448 nm. Purified P2-450, reconstituted in vitro, metabolizes acetanilide poorly and benzo[a]pyrene hardly at all. Anti-(P2-450) inhibits (90 to 100%) liver microsomal isosafrole metabolite formation, yet has no effect on aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, acetanilide 4-hydroxylase, biphenyl 2- or 4-hydroxylase, or 7-ethoxycoumarin O-de-ethylase activities. 3-Methylcholanthrene induces anti-(P2-450)-precipitable protein about 12-fold in C57BL/6N and 2-fold in DBA/2N liver; 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (10 micrograms/kg), about 12-fold in both C57BL/6N and DBA/2N liver; isosafrole, more than 3-fold in both C57BL/6N and DBA/2N. Benzo[a]anthracene at maximal doses induces anti-(P2-450)-precipitable protein in C57BL/6N liver no more than 2-fold, yet is known to be a highly potent inducer of P1-450 mRNA in C57BL/6N liver. The sensitivity of the P2-450 induction process to isosafrole is inherited as an autosomal additive trait; studies of offspring from the C57BL/6N(DBA/N)F1 X DBA/2N backcross confirm involvement of the Ah locus or s closely segregating gene. In contrast, among crosses between C57BL/6N and DBA/2N, sensitivity of the P1-450 and P3-450 induction process to 3-methylcholanthrene or 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. These data suggest that, although P1-450, P2-450, and P3-450 proteins are controlled by the Ah locus, either a P-450 protein polymorphism exists between C57BL/6N and DBA/2N mice or subtle differences may exist in the interaction of various inducers with Ah receptor.     

Genetic regulation of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase induction by polycyclic aromatic compounds in mice. Co-segregation with aryl hydrocarbon (benzo(alpha)pyrene) hydroxylase induction.

Induction of hepatic 4-methylumbelliferone UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.17) by polycyclic aromatic compounds, such as 3-methylcholanthrene or beta-naphthoflavone, occurs in C57BL/6N, A/J, PL/J, C3HeB/FeJ, and BALB/cJ but not in DBA/2N, AU/SsJ, AKR/J, or RF/J inbred strains of mice. This pattern of five responsive and five nonresponsive mouse strains parallels that of the Ah locus, which controls the induction of aryl hydrocarbon (benzo[alpha]pyrene) hydroxylase (EC 1.14.14.2). Induction of the transferase is maximal in C57BL/6N mice with 200 mg of 3-methylcholanthrene/kg body weight; no induction occurs in nonresponsive DBA/2N mice even at a dose of 400 mg/kg. The rise of inducible transferase activity lags 1 or more days behind the rise of inducible hydroxylase activity and peaks 5 days after a single dose of 3-methylcholanthrene. In offspring from the appropriate backcrosses and intercross between C57BL/6N and DBA/2N parent strains, the genetic expression of 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible transferase activity is inherited as an additive (co-dominant) trait. This expression differs distinctly from that of the inducible hydroxylase activity, which is inherited almost exclusively as a single autosomal dominant trait in these same animals. The more potent inducer 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin induces the transferase more than 3-fold in C57BL/6N mice and less than 2-fold in DBA/2N mice, whereas the hydroxylase is induced equally (about 8-fold) in both strains. A dose of 3-methylcholanthrene given 3 days after 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, at a time when hydroxylase induction in both strains is very high, does not enhance the rise in inducible transferase activity seen in C57BL/6N or DBA/2N mice which have received 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin alone. These data indicate that (a) the inducibility of two metabolically coordinated membrane-bound enzyme activities may be regulated by a single genetic locus, and (b) although the hydroxylase can be fully induced in the nonresponsive DBA/2N strain by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin prior to 3-methylcholanthrene treatment, metabolites of the 3-methylcholanthrene treatment, metabolites of the 3-methylcholanthrene treatment, metabolites of the 3-methylcholanthrene, presumably present in the liver, are incapable of inducing further the transferase activity. The difference in sensitivity between 3-methylcholanthrene and the more potent inducer 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin for both the hydroxylase and the transferase activities suggests the possibility of a common receptor in regulating both enzyme induction processes.     

Binding characteristics of Ah receptors from rats and mice before and after separation from hepatic cytosols. 7-Hydroxyellipticine as a competitive antagonist of cytochrome P-450 induction

The Ah receptor, a soluble protein implicated in the mechanism of action of the toxic halogenated aryl hydrocarbons has been examined in rodent livers. Due to the difficulty of making reliable quantitative determinations on binding parameters for hydrophobic compounds in cytosols that contain several components, Ah receptors from livers of Sprague-Dawley rats and C57BL/6 mice have been separated, in a preparative manner, using sucrose density gradient centrifugation in a vertical rotor. The binding characteristics of Ah receptors, before and after separation, were assessed by competition of various chemicals as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran, 3-methylcholanthrene, benzo[a]pyrene, beta-naphthoflavone and ellipticines with [3H]3-methylcholanthrene and 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro[3H]dibenzo-p-dioxin as radioligands. The rationale of this approach is supported by the results obtained and the major conclusions are as follows. 1. The intrinsic binding characteristics of Ah receptors were dependent on the presence or absence of other cytosolic binding components (light-density component and 4-S carcinogen-binding protein). 2. In contrast with many previous unsuccessful attempts, the separation of the C57BL/6 Ah receptor allowed the unambiguous detection of a 9-S binding peak with [3H]benzo[a]pyrene as a radioligand. 3. The intrinsic binding characteristics of the separated Ah receptors of Sprague-Dawley rats and C57BL/6 mice were similar if not identical. 4. A good correlation exists between the competitive potency (IC50) of chemicals and their ability to induce aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity, except for 7-hydroxyellipticine which binds to the Ah receptors of rat and mouse liver (IC50 approximately 5-10 microM) without inducing aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase. 5. When coadministered with various inducers, 7-hydroxyellipticine antagonizes (from about 20% to 65%) the inducing ability of chemicals displaying similar (ellipticines) or weaker (chlorpromazine, phenothiazine) binding affinities for the Ah receptor.     

Distinction between octachlorostyrene and hexachlorobenzene in their potentials to induce ethoxyphenoxazone deethylase and cause porphyria in rats and mice

The potentials of octachlorostyrene (OCS) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) to induce liver microsomal ethoxyphenoxazone deethylation (an indicator of induction of 3-methylcholanthrene and beta-naphthoflavone-like cytochrome P-450 monoxygenase activity) and cause porphyria in male C57BL/6 and C57BL/10 mice and female F344 rats were compared. Ethoxyphenoxazone deethylation was induced much more by HCB than by OCS in both of these strains of mice (although neither OCS nor HCB greatly induced deethylation in the DBA/2 strain). In rats ethoxyphenoxazone deethylase was induced 26-fold by HCB but only four-fold by OCS, whereas dealkylation of pentoxyphenoxazone (an indicator of phenobarbital-like induction) increased 43- and 36-fold, respectively. Both chemicals were poor inducers of dealkylation of pentoxyphenoxazone in mice. When fed HCB continuously but not when given OCS, C57BL/6 and C57BL/10 mice (both after pretreatment with iron) and F344 rats developed porphyria with a depression of hepatic uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity. The results illustrate that in these species OCS and HCB cannot be considered as equally efficient agents for inducing ethoxyphenoxazone deethylation or causing porphyria. If these effects are mediated through binding to the aromatic hydrocarbon responsiveness (Ah) receptor, HCB would appear to have a much greater affinity than OCS despite the face that neither chemical possesses a structure currently considered to be necessary for efficient binding.     

Comparative effects of endrin on hepatic lipid peroxidation and DNA damage,and nitric oxide production by peritoneal macrophages from C57BL/6J and DBA/2 mice

1. Endrin is a polyhalogenated cyclic hydrocarbon which produces hepatic and neurologic toxicity. In order to further assess the mechanism of toxicity ofendrin, the dose-dependent effects of endrin on hepatic lipid peroxidation and DNA damage, and nitric oxide (NO) production by peritoneal exudate cells (primarily macrophages) were investigated in C57BL/6J and DBA/2 mice which vary at the Ah receptor genetic locus. C57BL/6J mice are dioxin-responsive, while DBA/2 mice are dioxin-insensitive.2. Mice of both strains were treated with 0, 1, 2 or 4 mg endrin kg⁻¹ as a single oral dose in corn oil, and the animals were killed 24 hr post-treatment. At doses of 1,2 and 4 mg endrin kg⁻¹ in C57BL/6J mice, hepatic mitochondrial lipid peroxidation increased 1.2-, 2.2- and 3.2-fold, respectively, and 1.8-, 2.3- and 3.5-fold with microsomes, respectively. At these same doses in DBA/2 mice, hepatic mitochondrial lipid peroxidation increased 1.3-, 2.0- and 2.6-fold, respectively, and 1.5-, 1.9- and 2.5-fold with microsomes, respectively.3. Increases of 2.3-, 2.4- and 4.9-fold were observed in hepatic DNA damage (elution constants) in C57BL/6J mice at doses of 1, 2 and 4 mg endrin kg⁻¹, respectively, while at these same three doses, increases of 1.9-, 2.1- and 2.3-fold were observed for DBA/2 mice, respectively.4. Nitric oxide production by peritoneal macrophages from C57BL/6J increased by 1.3-, 1.7- and 2.0-fold with doses of 1, 2 and 4 mg endrin kg⁻¹, respectively, while in macrophages from DBA/2 mice at these same doses, increases of 1.7-, 1.7- and 1.8-fold, respectively, were observed.5. The results indicate that the responsiveness of peritoneal macrophages with respect to both DNA damage and nitric oxide production are more dose-dependent in C57BL/6J mice as compared to DBA/2 mice, while similar results are observed with the lipid peroxidation of hepatic mitochondria and microsomes of the two mouse strains. The results suggest that the toxicity of endrin is less reliant on a mechanism which may involve the Ah receptor system as compared to dioxins as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD).     

The murine aromatic hydrocarbon responsiveness locus: a comparison of receptor levels and several inducible enzyme activities among recombinant inbred lines

The aromatic hydrocarbon responsiveness (Ah) locus has been correlated with genetic differences in the risk of drug toxicity, teratogenesis, chemical carcinogenesis, and mutagenesis. Hepatic cytosolic Ah receptor levels, 2-amino-5-chlorobenzoxazole (zoxazolamine) paralysis time following beta-naphthoflavone treatment and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH3, acetanilide 4-hydroxylase (Ac4H), and NAD(P)H:menadione oxidoreductase (NMOR)4, induction by 3-methylcholanthrene were studied in (a) the progenitors C57BL/6J (Ahb/Ahb) and DBA/2J (Ahd/Ahd) and 25 BXD recombinant inbred lines, (b) the progenitors C57BL/6N and C3H/HeN and 14 B6NXC3N recombinant inbred lines, and (c) the progenitors C57BL/6J and C3H/HeJ and 12 BXH recombinant inbred lines. The Ahb phenotype exhibits greater than 5 femtomole receptor/mg of cytosolic protein, less than or equal to 15 minutes zoxazolamine paralysis time, and twofold to 15-fold induction of these three hepatic enzyme activities; the Ahd phenotype exhibits less than or equal to 2 fmol receptor/mg protein, greater than 15 minutes zoxazolamine paralysis time, and less than 30% induction of these three activities. Among the BXD lines but especially among the B6NXC3N and BXH lines, high frequencies of recombination were found; the phenotype of each of the five parameters did not segregate with the phenotype of each of the other parameters in four or more recombinant lines. This report shows for the first time that AHH induction by 3-methylcholanthrene can occur in the Ahd phenotype mouse. These data underline the complexity of this genetic system when genes from C57BL/6 and DBA/2 are combined and particularly when genes from C57BL/6 and C3H/He inbred mouse strains are combined.     

Induction of cytochrome P-450 in congenic C57BL/6J mice by isosafrole: lack of correlation with the Ah locus

Isosafrole induction of cytochrome P-450 was compared in congenic strains of C57BL/6J mice, one of which expresses normal levels of the Ah receptor [B6(Ahb)], and another that does not contain a measurable receptor concentration [B6(Ahd)]. Using sucrose gradient analysis of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) binding, an Ah receptor concentration of 69.1 +/- 3.8 fmol/mg protein was measured in the hepatic cytosol from B6(Ahb) mice, while no receptor could be detected in the cytosol from B6(Ahd) mice. Isosafrole treatment (75 mg/kg X 3 days) increased the total hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 content to the same extent in the two congenic strains. The level of microsomal monooxygenase induction in the isosafrole-treated B6(Ahd) mice was greater than that of B6(Ahb) mice for ethylmorphine N-demethylase and isosafrole metabolite-complex formation, the latter a measure of cytochrome P2-450. In the case of 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase only the isosafrole-treated B6(Ahd) mice had elevated microsomal activity. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) also revealed a similar induction pattern for the two congenic strains, following isosafrole treatment. Thus, the isosafrole treated B6(Ahd) mice produced an equivalent or slightly larger induction of cytochrome P-450 than the B6(Ahb) mice, suggesting that there is no direct role for the Ah receptor in the regulation of these cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase activities by isosafrole.     

Regulation of mouse cytochrome P3-450 by the Ah receptor. Studies with a P3-450 cDNA clone

The Ah locus in the C57BL/6N mouse regulates at least two cytochrome P-450 gene products, termed in the mouse P1-450 and P3-450; these two enzymes are so named because each is responsible for the highest turnover number for the substrates benzo[a]pyrene and acetanilide, respectively. A cDNA library was prepared in pBR322 from sucrose gradient fractionated total liver poly(A+)-enriched RNA (approximately 20 S) from 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin- (TCDD) treated C57BL/6N (Ahb/Ahb) mice. Differential colony hybridization screening, with [32P]cDNA probes derived from total liver mRNA of both TCDD-treated and control C57BL/6N mice, yielded pP(3)450-21 (1710 base pair) and pP(1)450-57 (1770 base pair) cDNA clones. pP(1)450-57 was found to have 690 base pairs 5'-ward of the original P1-450 cDNA cloned in this laboratory. Restriction maps of pP(3)450-21 and pP(1)450-57 are markedly different and clearly are derived from separate genes. By means of hybridization-translation-arrest experiments, anti-(P3-450) precipitates the translation product (Mr approximately equal to 55000) of mRNA specifically hybridizing to pP(3)450-21. It is also shown that hybridization-translation-arrest experiments using polyclonal antibodies are not specific for proof of a P-450 cDNA clone. pP(3)450-21 was used to probe liver mRNA from Ahb/Ahb, Ahb/Ahd, and Ahd/Ahd mice treated with 3-methylcholanthrene, beta-naphthoflavone, aroclor 1254, isosafrole, low TCDD, or high TCDD. These genetic data rigorously demonstrate control of the P3-450 (20S) mRNA induction process by the Ah receptor. pP(3)450-21 fragments hybridized to TCDD-induced C57BL/6N mRNA and to a portion of the cloned 5' end of the P1-450 gene from a mouse MOPC 41 plasmacytoma library.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cannabinoid-serotonin interactions in alcohol-preferring vs. alcohol-avoiding mice

Because cannabinoid and serotonin (5-HT) systems have been proposed to play an important role in drug craving, we investigated whether cannabinoid 1 (CB1) and 5-HT(1A) receptor ligands could affect voluntary alcohol intake in two mouse strains, C57BL/6 J and DBA/2 J, with marked differences in native alcohol preference. When offered progressively (3-10% ethanol) in drinking water, in a free-choice procedure, alcohol intake was markedly lower (approximately 70%) in DBA/2 J than in C57BL/6 J mice. In DBA/2 J mice, chronic treatment with the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 increased alcohol intake. WIN 55,212-2 effect was prevented by concomitant, chronic CB1 receptor blockade by rimonabant or chronic 5-HT(1A) receptor stimulation by 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetralin, which, on their own, did not affect alcohol intake. In C57BL/6 J mice, chronic treatment with WIN 55,212-2 had no effect but chronic CB1 receptor blockade or chronic 5-HT(1A) receptor stimulation significantly decreased alcohol intake. Parallel autoradiographic investigations showed that chronic treatment with WIN 55,212-2 significantly decreased 5-HT(1A)-mediated [35S]guanosine triphosphate-gamma-S binding in the hippocampus of both mouse strains. Conversely, chronic rimonabant increased this binding in C57BL/6 J mice. These results show that cannabinoid neurotransmission can exert a permissive control on alcohol intake, possibly through CB1-5-HT(1A) interactions. However, the differences between C57BL/6 J and DBA/2 J mice indicate that such modulations of alcohol intake are under genetic control.     

Differences in induction of hepatic cytochrome p450 isozymes by mice in eight methylenedioxyphenyl compounds

Eight methylenedioxyphenyl (MDP) compounds were examined for their ability to induce cytochrome P450 (P450) in mouse liver. Induction by safrole, isosafrole, and dihydrosafrole was studied in both C57BL/6N (Ah-responsive) and DBA/2N (Ahnonresponsive) male mice after IP administration of 200 mg/kg/day MDP compound for 3 days. Hepatic P450 content, ethylmorphine N-demethylase, ethoxy-resorufin O-deethylase, and acetanilide hydroxylase activities were induced to the same extent in both strains of mice. Benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase activity, however, was not induced in either C57 or DBA mice. The similarity of results in both strains of mice indicated induction of these P450 isozymes by these three MDP compounds is not mediated by the Ah receptor. Induction of P450 by butylbenzodioxole (n-butyl-BD), tertiarybutylbenzodioxole (t-butyl-BD), methylbenzodioxole (methyl-BD), nitrobenzodioxole (nitro-BD), and bromobenzodioxole (bromo-BD) was examined only in C57BL/6N mice. Methyl-BD, nitro-BD, and bromo-BD did not induce hepatic microsomal proteins or selected P450 monooxygenase activities. In contrast, n-butyl-BD, and t-butyl-BD induced P450 content, ethylmorphine N-demethylase, acetanilide hydroxylase, and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activities. Benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase was not induced by any of the treatments. Induction of these P450 activities is consistent with induction of P450 IIB1 and P450 IA2, but not induction of P450 IA1. Western blot analysis with antibodies to P450 isozymes induced with either phenobarbital (Pb) or 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) confirmed that both IIB1 and IA2 were induced, but that IA1 was not induced.     

The binding components for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Separation from the rat and mouse hepatic cytosol and characterization of a light density component

Using sucrose density gradient centrifugation in a vertical rotor, we have separated three major binding components contained in hepatic cytosols from C57BL/6 mice and Sprague-Dawley rats. Using this preparative method we have obtained, after a 3-h run of 2.4 ml of crude cytosol from 1,4-bis[2-(3,5-dichlorodipyridyloxy)]benzene-treated C57BL/6 mice (approximately 50 mg of protein: 10,000 fmol of Ah receptor) 50 and 75% yields of isolated Ah receptor and carcinogen-binding protein (4 S binding protein), respectively. Both binding components may be kept at -70 degrees C for several months without loss of activity. A third binding component, which did not sediment in a sucrose density gradient (5-20%), even after a 4-h run at 63,000 rpm, was recovered from the top fractions of gradients. When applied to Sephacryl S-300 columns this component was eluted in the void fraction. Resistant to the direct degradative action of nucleases and proteases, this large complex was sequentially converted to its subcomponents by lipoprotein-lipase, proteinase K, and phospholipases. Only the phospholipases are able to abolish the binding capacity of this light density component (LDC) for [3H]2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin: hence, we conclude that phospholipids are the true binders of this radioligand. In vitro, this lipoprotein irreversibly binds many hydrophobic radioligands (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin,3-methylcholanthrene, benzo(a)pyrene, 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene, and dexamethasone). Using single vertical spin density gradient ultracentrifugation, the major part (80%) of LDC was characterized as a very low-density lipoprotein, and a minor part (20%) as a low-density lipoprotein. This conclusion was supported by the size of LDC particles (about 25-75 nm) observed in electron microscopy.     

Expression of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase induction in mouse tissues in vivo and in organ culture

The elevation of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase by various microsomal enzyme inducers in mouse tissues from five inbred strains was examined in vivo and in fetal liver expiants. The magnitude of 3-methylcholanthrene- or β-naphthoflavone-inducible AHH activities in the intact animal varied greatly with the tissue and strain—from no induction in the liver and less than a 2- to 3-fold increase in the lung of DBA/2+ and AKR mice to 4- to 5- and 6- to 7-fold elevation, respectively, in the liver and lung of C57BL mice. Treatment of At or C3H⁺ mice with these inducers increased AHH activity in liver and lung to levels which were intermediate between those observed with tissues from DBA/2+ and C57BL mice. These strain-specific differences in the expression of AHH induction in response to polycyclic hydrocarbons and flavones were also present in fetal liver expiants and were measurable as early as 6 days before parturition. In expiants derived from polycyclic hydrocarbon-“responsive” strains, the extent of enzyme induction was greatest with 4′-bromoflavone, less with β-naphthoflavone and least with 3-methylcholanthrene. Trans-1, 2-dihydroxy-3-methylcholanthrene was about twice as effective in this regard as the parent compound 3-methylcholanthrene. Among expiants from 3-methylcholanthrene-“resistant” strains (DBA/2+, AKR), a disparity in the effects of different classes of compounds was apparent: the flavone derivatives induced aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity from DBA/2+ and AKR expiants by 2- to 3-fold despite the absence of polycyclic hydrocarbon induction in these cultures. Furthermore, although phenobarbital was a comparatively weak inducer under the conditions used in these experiments, this substance stimulated aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity from 3-methylcholanthrene-“responsive” and -“resistant” explants by similar degrees (i.e., about 30%). The results are discussed in the light of previous suggestions on the genetically determined regulation of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase induction in mouse tissues.     

Studies on pulmonary aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in inbred strains of mice.

Pulmonary and hepatic levels of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) were studied in inbred strains of mice following intratracheal (i.t.) instillation of 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA). I.t. instillation of 188 mug MCA in sterile 0.2% gelatin in saline resulted in preferential induction of pulmonary AHH. After treatment with this dose of MCA, the pulmonary AHH levels of strains C57BL/6Cum, C57BL/6J, BALB/cMai, C3H/fMai, and C57L/J were observed to be induced within 24 h after treatment. Strains DBA/2Cum, AKR/J, SJL/J, DBA/2J and RF/J expressed no such increase. At a dose of 500 mug MCA, the pulmonary tissue of DBA/2 mice did express a 4-fold increase. This increase in AHH was determined to be quite different from the increase observed in C57BL/6 mice by: (1) specific activity of the enzymes, (2) genetic regulation, (3) susceptibility to inhibition by 7,8-benzoflavone, and (4) spectral properties of the associated cytochromes. It was of major importance that induction of pulmonary AHH was observed to be regulated by a single dominant gene in crosses involving the C57BL/6Cum and DBA/2Cum strains of mice. Results were discussed with the view in mind that these genetically regulated levels of AHH may play a role in susceptibility to cancers induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon carcinogens.     

Binding characteristics of 4-S proteins from rat and mouse liver. High affinity of ellipticines

The binding characteristics of 4-S components (carcinogen-binding protein) from livers of Sprague-Dawley rats, C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice have been examined before and after separation from other binding components presents in the cytosol. Competitive potency of 3-methylcholanthrene, benzo[alpha]pyrene, beta-naphthoflavone and 20 ellipticines, a series of compounds differently substituted on the dimethyl-pyrido-carbazole nucleus and deprived of carcinogenic activity, has been determined with [3H]3-methylcholanthrene and/or [3H]benzo[a]pyrene as radioligands. The inducing ability of the same compounds for aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and for ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase has been compared to their affinity for the 4-S protein and the Ah receptor respectively. The main results of this study are as follows. 1. The intrinsic binding characteristics of 4-S proteins were dependent on both the nature of the radioligand used and the presence or absence of other cytosolic binding components. 2. The heterocyclic ellipticines were revealed as strong ligands for the carcinogen-binding protein (stronger than benzo[alpha]pyrene for five derivatives substituted in the A ring of ellipticine), with IC50 values ranging from 0.047 microM (8-hydroxyellipticine) to 5.8 microM (N2-ethyl-9-hydroxyellipticinium). 3. When the affinity of ellipticines was plotted versus their inducing ability of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase, it appears that a good correlation exists for the Ah receptor but not for the 4-S protein. It is concluded that these data, as well as the lack of enzymatic induction after benzo[alpha]pyrene treatment of DBA/2 mice, which display a high level of 4-S protein, do not support the implication of this binding component in the positive control of cytochrome P-450 induction.     

Association of fertility, fitness and longevity with the murine Ah locus among (C57BL/6N) (C3H/HeN) recombinant inbred lines

The Ah locus encodes a cytosolic receptor which controls the induction of enzymes that metabolize drugs, chemical carcinogens, and other environmental pollutants. B6NXC3N recombinant inbred lines have been developed from the progenitors C57BL/6N and C3H/HeN inbred mouse strains. Ah phenotyping at each generation has resulted in the establishment of some lines containing high levels of the high-affinity Ah receptor; other lines, very low levels. A genetic model involving two unlinked loci is offered to explain the distribution of Ah receptor levels among (C57BL/6N) (C3H/HeN)F2 individuals. Between generations 7 and 13, individual females and males from the B6NXC3N recombinant inbred lines were crossed with DBA/2N males and females. Presence of high levels of the high-affinity Ah receptor in both female and male B6NXC3N mice was found to be associated with greater fertility, fitness, and longer life span. The data suggest that these parameters are correlated with the Ah locus or a closely segregating gene.     

Strain differences of ether susceptibility in mice

The susceptibility to ether in the following six strains of mice was tested: C57BL/6, DBA/2, BALB/c, C3H/He, ICR and ddY. Mice of 4 weeks old were exposed to a flow of air containing various concentrations of ether for 90 min and the mortalities were assessed. The C57BL/6 strain was the most resistant and the C3H/He strain was the most sensitive to the lethal effect of ether. The susceptibilities of the closed colony mice, ICR and ddY, were intermediate between those of C57BL/6 and C3H/He mice. The DBA/2 and BALB/c strains were more sensitive than these closed colony mice and made up a sensitive group with the C3H/He strain. The LD50 values for ether in male mice of C57BL/6 and C3H/He were 6.0 and 3.1% atm, and in female mice of these strains were 6.6 and 3.2% atm, respectively. The ED50 value of ether which was accompanied by loss of righting reflex after exposure for 10 min was also higher in male C57BL/6 mice than in male C3H/He mice.     

Strain differences in histamine release from mouse peritoneal mast cells induced by compound 48/80 or A23187

Strain differences among BALB/c, BDF1, CDF1, C3 H/He, C57 BL/6, DBA/2, ddy and ICR mice were investigated with respect to the ratios of histamine release from mouse peritoneal mast cells induced by compound 48/80, a Ca2+ dependent histamine releaser, and the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. The ratios of histamine release from mouse peritoneal mast cells induced by compound 48/80 were found to be high in BALB/c, ddY and ICR mice, but low in BDF1, CDF1, C3 H/He, C57 BL/6 and DBA/2 mice. Those induced by Ca2+ ionophore A23187 were high in BALB/c, BDF1, CDF1, C3 H/He, DBA2, ddy and ICR mice but low in C57 BL/6 mice. These results indicate that differences in histamine release from mouse peritoneal mast cells are strain dependent.     

不同品系小鼠对实验感染念珠状链杆菌敏感性的观察

本文通过念珠状链杆菌（Ｓｔｒｅｐｔｏｂａｃｉｌｕｓｍｏｎｉｌｉｆｏｒｍｉｓ,Ｓ．ｍ．）实验感染昆明、Ｃ５７ＢＬ／６Ｊ、ＢＡＬＢ／ｃ、ＩＣＲ、ＮＩＨ、ＤＢＡ共６个品系小鼠,观察其对Ｓ．ｍ．敏感性的差异。其中昆明、Ｃ５７ＢＬ／６Ｊ两个品系在腹腔接种后表现出明显的临床、病理改变。昆明小鼠发病率和死亡率分别为９２％和８０％;Ｃ５７ＢＬ／６Ｊ分别是８０％和１２％。昆明小鼠较之Ｃ５７ＢＬ／６Ｊ小鼠起病急、病情严重,多数动物死于感染的急性期。其余品系的发病率为：ＮＩＨ８％、ＢＡＬＢ／ｃ和ＤＢＡ４％,没有动物死亡;ＩＣＲ在接种后无任何临床病理改变。在实验感染后临床病理改变方面,昆明小鼠和Ｃ５７ＢＬ／６Ｊ小鼠间有较大不同。昆明小鼠以末梢血管淤血、四肢尾部水肿、关节炎、截瘫、腹泻为主,而Ｃ５７ＢＬ／６Ｊ小鼠则以注射部位和其它部位皮下脓肿、化脓性关节炎为主。本研究提示,中国昆明小鼠对Ｓ．ｍ．敏感性最高,可以将其作为“哨兵动物”用于实验大鼠Ｓ．ｍ．的常规监测;不同品系小鼠不仅对实验感染Ｓ．ｍ．的敏感性不同,而且表现出不同的临床病理改变。     

Constitutive expression and induction of CYP1B1 mRNA in the mouse.

Previous studies appeared to indicate that CYP1B1 was not constitutively expressed in mouse liver. In our laboratory, we demonstrated using aromatic hydrocarbon-responsive receptor knock-out (AHR-(-)/-) mice that both piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and acenaphtyhlene (ACN) are AHR-independent inducers of murine CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 mRNA. In the current study, we demonstrate both constitutive levels and induction of CYP1B1 in mouse liver. The induction of CYP1B1 mRNA by PBO or ACN was higher in DBA/2 (Ahrd) than in C57BL/6 (Ahrb-1) mice, while 3-methylcholanthrene induced CYP1B1 more in C57BL/6 than in DBA/2 mice. These results suggest that CYP1B1 may also be induced by more than one mechanism. In addition, constitutive expression of CYP1B1 was detected in liver, kidney, and lung of untreated C57BL/6 mice. There was no gender difference in CYP1B1 expression; however, in C57BL/6 mice, the kidney contained less CYP1B1 than either liver or lung.     

Metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene: Effect of 3-methylcholanthrene pretreatment on metabolism by microsomes from lungs of genetically “responsive” and ”nonresponsive” mice

The metabolism of [¹⁴C]benzo[a]pyrene by microsomes from the lungs of normal and 3-methylcholanthrene-treated DBA/2J, C57BL/6J, and A/HeJ mouse strains was quantitatively analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The ratio of dihydrodiols of benzo[a]pyrene to total metabolites formed was greater with lung microsomes than with liver microsomes in all three strains. The ratio of epoxide hydrase to monooxygenase activity in mouse lung was shown to be considerably higher than in mouse liver. Benzo[a]pyrene metabolism by control lung microsomes showed some strain differences. C57BL/6J and A/HeJ mice formed twice as much dihydrodiols as a percentage of total metabolism compared to DBA/2J mice. DBA/2J mice produced somewhat less phenol 2 fraction and considerably more quinone 1 and 2 fractions than the other two mouse strains as a percentage of total metabolism. Treatment of C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice with 3-methylcholanthrene resulted in a 20-fold increase in the metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene, while A/HeJ mice were induced more than 50-fold. The profiles of metabolites from the 3-methylcholanthrene-induced animals were nearly identical in all three mouse strains.