Using a zebrafish model of
hepatoerythropoietic porphyria (HEP), we identify a previously unknown mechanism underlying
heme-mediated regulation of exocrine
zymogens. Zebrafish bach1b, nrf2a and mafK are all expressed in the zebrafish exocrine pancreas. Overexpression of bach1b or knockdown of nrf2a result in the downregulation of the expression of the exocrine
zymogens, whereas overexpression of nrf2a or knockdown of bach1b cause their upregulation. In vitro
luciferase assays demonstrate that
heme activates the
zymogens in a dosage-dependent manner and that the
zymogen promoter activities require the integral Maf recognition
element (MARE) motif. The Bach1b-MafK heterodimer represses the
zymogen promoters, whereas the Nrf2a-MafK heterodimer activates them. Furthermore,
chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays show that MafK binds to the MARE sites in the 5' regulatory regions of the
zymogens. Taken together, these data indicate that
heme stimulates the exchange of Bach1b for Nrf2a at MafK-occupied MARE sites and that, particularly in
heme-deficient
porphyria, the repressive Bach1b-MafK heterodimer dominates, which can be exchanged for the activating Nrf2a-MafK heterodimer upon treatment with
hemin. These results provide novel insights into the regulation of exocrine function, as well as the pathogenesis of
porphyria, and should be useful for designing new
therapies for both types of disease.