Global gene expression changes including drug metabolism and disposition induced by three-dimensional culture of HepG2

We found constitutive upregulation and higher degree induction of drug metabolism and disposition-related genes in a three-dimensional HepG2 culture. The upregulated genes are those believed to be regulated by different regulatory factors. The global gene expression analysis by Affymetrix GeneChip indicated that altered expressions of microtubule-related genes may change expressed levels of drug metabolism and disposition genes. Stabilization of the microtubule molecules with docetaxel, a tubulin stabilizing agent, in the two-dimensional culture showed gene expression patterns similar to those in the three-dimensional culture, indicating that culture environment affects drug metabolism functions in HepG2 cells.

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Horiuchi S, Ishida S, Hongo T, Ishikawa Y, Miyajima A, Sawada J, Ohno Y, Nakazawa K, Ozawa S