Regulation of CYP3A4 by the bile acid receptor FXR: evidence for functional binding sites in the CYP3A4 gene

Pharmacogenetics. 2004 Oct;14(10):635-45. doi: 10.1097/00008571-200410000-00001.

Abstract

CYP3A4, the most abundant cytochrome P450 in human liver, is responsible for the metabolism of numerous xenobiotics and endobiotics. CYP3A4 expression is highly variable and is induced by numerous compounds of exogenous and endogenous origin, including elevated concentrations of secondary bile acids via the pregnane X receptor (PXR). We show that physiological concentrations of the primary bile acid chenodeoxycholic acid regulate the expression of CYP3A4 via the bile acid receptor FXR. Experiments performed in vitro in different cell culture systems, gel-mobility shift assays and experiments performed in vivo in transgenic mice lacking FXR or PXR and treated with the synthetic FXR agonist GW4064 were undertaken to study the implication of FXR in the regulation of CYP3A. Our data provide evidence for the presence of two functional FXR recognition sites located in a 345-bp element within the 5'-flanking region of CYP3A4. Mutational analysis of these sites and experiments in transgenic mice lacking FXR or PXR support the relevance of FXR activation for CYP3A regulation. Thus, whereas elevated concentrations of precursors of bile acids and secondary bile acids induce CYP3A via PXR, primary bile acids can modulate the expression of CYP3A via FXR. These findings may explain elevated CYP3A expression in cholestasis and part of the variability of drug responsiveness and toxicity between individuals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases / genetics
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases / metabolism
  • Base Sequence
  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism*
  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / genetics*
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism*
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / agonists
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / deficiency
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Isoxazoles / pharmacology
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating / genetics
  • Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating / metabolism
  • Pregnane X Receptor
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / deficiency
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / genetics
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism
  • Receptors, Steroid / deficiency
  • Receptors, Steroid / genetics
  • Receptors, Steroid / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / agonists
  • Transcription Factors / deficiency
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Isoxazoles
  • Pregnane X Receptor
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Receptors, Steroid
  • Transcription Factors
  • farnesoid X-activated receptor
  • DNA
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases
  • CYP3A protein, human
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • CYP3A4 protein, human
  • Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating
  • GW 4064