Sequence analysis and functional characterization of the 5′-flanking region of the rat multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2) gene

Gene expression of the canalicular conjugate transporter mrp2 is inducible by treatment with the DNA-damaging agents 2-acetylaminofluorene (50 and 100 mu M), and cisplatin (20 mu M) in primary rat hepatocytes as well as in the rat hepatoma cell line H4IIE. Furthermore, phenobarbital (1 and 2 mM) induces mrp2 gene expression, probably explaining the increase in bile-salt-independent bile now caused by phenobarbital, while the cholestatic drug ethinyl estradiol (10(-6) M) leads to an increase in mrp2 mRNA but decreases Mrp2 protein level probably via a posttranscriptional mechanism. The 5'-flanking region of the rat mrp2 gene was sequenced and cloned into a luciferase reporter vector. Transient transfection assays with reporter vectors containing unidirectionally deleted 5'-flanking regions using H4IIE cells indicate that two different sequences of 17 and 37 bases comprising a Y-Box and a GC-Box are required for mrp2 gene basal expression. Sequences mediating 2-AAF induction are located within a region 250 bases upstream of the translation start site while the inducing effect of phenobarbital seems to be mediated by another domain located further upstream. (C) 1998 Academic Press.