The orphan nuclear receptor pregnane X receptor regulates enzymes and transport proteins involved in the detoxification and clearance of numerous endobiotic and xenobiotic compounds, including pharmaceutical agents. Multiple alternatively spliced pregnane X receptor isoforms have been identified which are significantly expressed in humans and mice (up to 30% of the total pregnane X receptor transcript), however, little is known about their biological action. We explored functional differences between the major mouse pregnane X receptor isoforms mPXR(431) and mPXR(Delta171-211) that lacks 41 amino acids adjacent to the ligand-binding pocket. Transient transfection assays showed that mPXR(Delta171-211) reduced the basal transcription of cytochrome P450 3A4 and the drug transporter P-glycoprotein/Multi Drug Resistance Protein 1 and directly repressed the regulatory effects of mPXR(431) on these genes. Replacement of the mPXR(Delta171-211) DNA-binding domain with that of GAL4 showed mPXR(Delta171-211) retained its repressive role independent of binding to PXR responsive elements located within the cytochrome P450 3A4 and Multi Drug Resistance Protein 1 regulatory regions. Use of the histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A, demonstrated that the repressive function of mPXR(Delta171-211) acts independently of histone acetylation state. Protein interaction assays revealed mPXR(Delta171-211) and mPXR(431) differentially bind the obligatory heterodimer partner retinoid X receptor. Furthermore, mPXR(431) and mPXR(Delta171-211) proteins could heterodimerize. These studies demonstrate that the variant mouse PXR isoform, mPXR(Delta171-211), has a distinct repressive function from mPXR(431) in regulating genes encoding important drug metabolizing enzymes and transport proteins.
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