ARNT gene multiplicity in amphibians: characterization of ARNT2 from the frog Xenopus laevis.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) is a member of the Per-ARNT-Sim (PAS) protein superfamily, transcription factors that mediate the cellular responses to various developmental signals and environmental conditions. A beta-class ("partner") PAS protein, ARNT exhibits the capacity to form transcriptionally active heterodimers with several alpha-class ("sensor") proteins, including the aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AHRs), the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), and the Single minded (Sim) proteins. Two genes encode different forms of ARNT in mammals: ARNT1, which is widely expressed, and ARNT2, which is limited to the brain and kidneys of adults and specific neural and branchial tissues of embryos. In contrast, fish apparently express only a single ARNT gene, although in different species, this may be either ARNT1 or ARNT2. In efforts to understand the evolution of ARNT proteins throughout the vertebrate lineage, we isolated an ARNT cDNA from early life stages of the amphibian Xenopus laevis. The encoded protein binds cognate DNA sequences in concert with mouse AHR. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that this sequence is orthologous to mammalian ARNT2 and paralogous to the recently reported X. laevis ARNT1. ARNT2 mRNA expression begins later than ARNT1 (stage 22 vs. stage 8), suggesting the two proteins play distinct roles during development. Hence, in the expression of two well-conserved ARNT paralogs with distinct expression patterns, X. laevis resembles mammals rather than fish. Diversity in the number and function of PAS proteins, including ARNT, may underlie significant species differences in developmental programming and biochemical response to environmental conditions. The identification of multiple amphibian ARNT paralogs represents an important step in the understanding of evolution and functional variation of ARNT in vertebrates.

Rowatt AJ ，DePowell JJ ，Powell WH 《JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION》

Functional diversity of vertebrate ARNT proteins: identification of ARNT2 as the predominant form of ARNT in the marine teleost, Fundulus heteroclitus.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) is a member of the bHLH/PAS protein superfamily. ARNT dimerizes with several PAS superfamily members, including the ligand-activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), forming a complex that alters transcription by binding specific elements within the promoters of target genes. Two genes encode different forms of the protein in rodents: ARNT1, which is widely expressed, and ARNT2, which is limited to the brain and kidneys of adults and specific neural and branchial tissues of embryos. In an effort to characterize aryl hydrocarbon signaling mechanisms in Fundulus heteroclitus, a marine teleost that can develop heritable xenobiotic resistance, we have isolated a liver cDNA encoding an ARNT homolog. The protein exhibits AHR-dependent DNA binding capability typical of other vertebrate ARNTs. Unexpectedly, phylogenetic analysis reveals that the cDNA encodes an ARNT2. This is the only detectable ARNT sequence in Fundulus liver, gill, ovary, and brain, suggesting that ARNT2 is the predominant form of ARNT in this species. Also surprising is the relative lack of sequence identity with another fish ARNT protein, rainbow trout ARNTb, which we show forms a distinct branch outside the ARNT1 and ARNT2 clades in phylogenetic analyses. Functional diversity of ARNT proteins in fish may have important implications for the assessment of aryl hydrocarbon effects on natural populations. The increasing use of fish models in developmental and toxicological studies underscores the importance of identifying taxon-specific roles of ARNT proteins and their potential dimeric partners in the PAS superfamily.

Powell WH ，Karchner SI ，Bright R ，Hahn ME ... -  《ARCHIVES OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS》

cDNA cloning and tissue-specific expression of a novel basic helix-loop-helix/PAS factor (Arnt2) with close sequence similarity to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (Arnt).

We isolated mouse cDNA clones (Arnt2) that are highly similar to but distinct from the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) nuclear translocator (Arnt). The composite cDNA covered a 2,443-bp sequence consisting of a putative 2,136-bp open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 712 amino acids. The predicted Arnt2 polypeptide carries a characteristic basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)/PAS motif in its N-terminal region with close similarity (81% identity) to that of mouse Arnt and has an overall sequence identity of 57% with Arnt. Biochemical properties and interaction of Arnt2 with other bHLH/PAS proteins were investigated by coimmunoprecipitation assays, gel mobility shift assays, and the yeast two-hybrid system. Arnt2 interacted with AhR and mouse Sim as efficiently as Arnt, and the Arnt2-AhR complex recognized and bound specifically the xenobiotic responsive element (XRE) sequence. Expression of Arnt2 successfully rescued XRE-driven reporter gene activity in the Arnt-defective c4 mutant of Hepa-1 cells. RNA blot analysis revealed that expression of Arnt2 mRNA was restricted to the brains and kidneys of adult mice, while Arnt mRNA was expressed ubiquitously. In addition, whole-mount in situ hybridization of 9.5-day mouse embryos showed that Arnt2 mRNA was expressed in the dorsal neural tube and branchial arch 1, while Arnt transcripts were detected broadly in various tissues of mesodermal and endodermal origins. These results suggest that Arnt2 may play different roles from Arnt both in adult mice and in developing embryos. Finally, sequence comparison of the currently known bHLH/PAS proteins indicates a division into two phylogenetic groups: the Arnt group, containing Arnt, Arnt2, and Per, and the AhR group, consisting of AhR, Sim, and Hif-1alpha.

Hirose K ，Morita M ，Ema M ，Mimura J ，Hamada H ，Fujii H ，Saijo Y ，Gotoh O ，Sogawa K ，Fujii-Kuriyama Y ... -  《-》

The evolution of aryl hydrocarbon signaling proteins: diversity of ARNT isoforms among fish species.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) mediates aryl hydrocarbon signaling and toxicity by dimerizing with the ligand-activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), forming a complex that binds specific DNA elements and alters transcription of target genes. Two genes encode different forms of ARNT in rodents: ARNT1, which is widely expressed, and ARNT2, which exhibits a very restricted expression pattern. In an effort to characterize aryl hydrocarbon signaling mechanisms in fishes, we previously isolated an ARNT cDNA from Fundulus heteroclitus and discovered that this species expresses ARNT2 ubiquitously. This situation differs not only from mammals, but also from rainbow trout, which expresses a divergent ARNT gene that we hypothesized was peculiar to salmonids (rtARNTa/b). In this communication, we examine the ARNT sequences of multiple fish species, including a newly isolated cDNA from scup (Stenotomus chrysops). Our phylogenetic analysis demonstrates that zebrafish ARNT, like the Fundulus protein, is an ARNT2. Contrary to expectations, the scup ARNT is closely related to the rainbow trout protein, demonstrating that the existence of this ARNT isoform predates the divergence of salmonids from the other teleosts. Thus, different species of fish express distinct and highly conserved isoforms of ARNT. The number, type, and expression pattern of ARNT proteins may contribute to interspecies differences in aryl hydrocarbon toxicity, possibly through distinct interactions with additional PAS-family proteins.

Powell WH ，Hahn ME 《MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH》

Molecular characterization and tissue distribution of aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator isoforms, ARNT1 and ARNT2, and identification of novel splice variants in common cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo).

High levels of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and related planar halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAHs) are accumulated in fish-eating birds including common cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo). Most of the biochemical and toxic effects of TCDD are mediated by a basic helix-loop-helix and a conserved region among Per, ARNT, and Sim (bHLH/PAS) proteins, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT). To study the molecular mechanism of TCDD toxicity in common cormorant as an avian model species, characterization of the AHR/ARNT signaling pathway in this species is necessary. The present study focuses on molecular characterization of ARNT from common cormorant (ccARNT). The cDNA of the ccARNT isoform, ccARNT1 obtained by the screening of hepatic cDNA library contains a 2424-bp open reading frame that encodes 807 amino acids, exhibiting high identities (92%) with chicken ARNT. This isoform contains a unique 22 amino acid residue in 3' end of PAS A domain as is also recognized in chicken ARNT. The ccARNT2 cDNA isolated from brain tissue has a 2151-bp open reading frame. The deduced amino acid sequence of ccARNT2 protein (716 aa) shows a conservation of bHLH and PAS motif in its N-terminal region with high similarities (96% and 78%, respectively) to that of ccARNT1. Using quantitative RT-PCR methods, the tissue distribution profiles of ccARNT1 and ccARNT2 were unveiled. Both ccARNT1 and ccARNT2 mRNAs were ubiquitously expressed in all examined tissues including liver. The expression profile of ccARNT1 was comparable with that of rodent ARNT1, but ccARNT2 was not with rodent ARNT2, implying different roles of ARNT2 between the two species. There was a significant positive correlation between ARNT1 and ARNT2 mRNA expression levels in the liver of wild cormorant population, indicating that their expressions may be enforced by similar transcriptional regulation mechanism. Novel variants of ccARNT1 and ccARNT2 isoforms that were supposed to arise from their splicing process were also identified and their hepatic expression profiles were determined. These results indicate that ccARNT1, ccARNT2 and their splice variants may more intricately regulate the AHR/ARNT signaling pathway and consequently may be responsible for the species diversity of toxic effects and susceptibility to PHAHs.

Lee JS ，Kim EY ，Iwata H ，Tanabe S ... -  《COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY C-TOXICOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY》