Detection of intratumoral aromatase in breast carcinomas. An immunohistochemical study with clinicopathologic correlation

The expression of aromatase was evaluated in 38 breast carcinomas by an immunohistochemical method (ABC) using an specific polyclonal antibody against human placental aromatase. Fifteen tumors (40%) showed significant immunoreactivity, as defined by cytoplasmic positivity of moderate intensity present in at least 15% of the cells. The results were correlated with the estrogen and progesterone hormone receptor status and several clinicopathologic parameters such as age, tumor size, lymph node status, and stage of the disease. There was a significant, but inverse, correlation between the aromatase activity and the estrogen receptor status (P = 0.04), indicating the likelihood of negative estrogen if substantial aromatase activity was present. No statistically significant correlation was found between the presence of intratumoral aromatase and the rest of the parameters studied (P greater than 0.7). Nor was there a correlation between the aromatase content of the tumors and the menopausal status. The degree of intratumoral heterogeneity of the aromatase content was minimal in six cases where multiple samples from each tumor were analyzed. This is the first study reporting the detection of aromatase in archival material from breast carcinomas using immunohistochemical techniques. The lack of biologic significance of its presence in breast cancer reported here and by others using biochemical assays should be validated in larger series with longer follow-up. The method described can be readily used for that objective.

A novel species of cytochrome P-450 (P-450ib) specific for the small intestine of rabbits. cDNA cloning and its expression in COS cells

We have isolated a cDNA clone for a P-450, designated P-450ib (Ichihara, K., Kusunose, E., Kaku, M., Yamamoto, S., and Kusunose, M. (1985) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 831, 99-105), from a cDNA library of rabbit small intestine mucosa by using synthetic DNA fragment by the polymerase chain reaction, as a hybridization probe. The cDNA with a 1,829-base pair insert encodes a polypeptide of 501 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence contains all of the sequences of the NH2-terminal and 14 tryptic fragments from purified P-450ib. As the NH2-terminal methionine was not found in the sequence from the purified protein, the apoprotein of P-450ib is composed of 500 amino acids with a molecular weight of 57,193. P-450ib shows 35-41% sequence similarity with several members of 8 subfamilies in the P-450 II family, whereas it has a less than 30% sequence similarity with other P-450 families, suggesting that this P-450 is the first member of a novel subfamily within the P-450 II family. RNA blot analysis shows that mRNA hybridized to the cDNA is expressed in the small intestine, but not significantly in other tissues including liver, colon, kidney, lung, spleen, brain, stomach, and cecum, indicating that P-450ib is a P-450 specific to the small intestine. The protein expressed in COS-7 cells using the cDNA in an expression vector, pKCRH2, shows benzphetamine N-demethylase activity and gives a band identical with that of P-450ib in its mobility on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Structural and functional analysis of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase from human liver: complete sequence of human enzyme and NADPH-binding sites

The complete amino acid sequence of human liver NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase has been determined by microsequence analysis and mass spectrometry. The total sequence consists of 676 amino acids initiated by an amino-terminal acetyl group. There is no evidence for posttranslational modifications, including Asn-linked glycosylation. The human enzyme exhibits sequence homology in the range of 92-95% with other mammalian enzymes. Sequence differences were mainly confined to several hydrophilic regions in the NH2-terminal and COOH-terminal domains. Since the human enzyme is immunochemically distinct from the rabbit enzyme despite similar enzymatic properties, it is likely that these variable hydrophilic regions are potential antigenic determinants. The NADPH-depleted enzyme is inactivated by either fluorescein isothiocyanate, a lysine-specific reagent, or 5-(iodoacetamido)fluorescein, a cysteine-specific reagent. In both cases, protection by NADP(H) prevents enzyme inactivation by the reagents. Isolation of fluorescent peptide from 5-(iodoacetamido)fluorescein-inactivated enzyme identified Cys 565 as the specifically NADPH-protected residue.

Reaction of rat liver DT-diaphorase (NAD(P)H:quinone acceptor reductase) with 5'-[p-(fluorosulfonyl)benzoyl]-adenosine

Rat liver DT-diaphorase is inactivated by 5'-[p-(fluorosulfonyl)benzoyl]adenosine (5'-FSBA), following pseudo-first-order kinetics. A double-reciprocal plot of 1/kobs versus 1/[5'-FSBA] yields a straight line with a positive y intercept, indicative of reversible binding of the inhibitor before an irreversible incorporation. The dissociation constant (Kd) for the initial reversible enzyme-inhibitor complex is estimated at 2.86 mM with k2 = 0.22 min-1 (at pH 7.5 and 25 degrees). A stoichiometry of 2 mol of 5'-FSBA bound/mol of enzyme (i.e., 1 mol of the inhibitor bound/mol of subunit), at 100% inactivation, was determined from inactivation kinetics and from incorporation studies using 5'-[p-(fluorosulfonyl)benzoyl]-[14C]-adenosine. The irreversible inactivation as well as the covalent incorporation could be completely prevented by the presence of NAD(P)H during the incubation. These results indicate that 5'-FSBA inactivated DT-diaphorase by occupying its NAD(P)H binding site. Reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography of tryptic digests of [14C]5'-FSBA-labeled DT-diaphorase revealed one radioactive peak containing two comigrating peptides. They are 146I-T-T-G-G-S-G-S-M-Y155 and 262S-I-P-A-D-N-Q-I-K270. By comparison of these sequences to those of the nucleotide binding sites of several kinases and dehydrogenases, it is suggested that the peptide I-T-T-G-G-S-G-S-M-Y is the one modified by 5'-FSBA and would be predicted to be the region where the pyrophosphate group of NAD(P)H binds.

Structure-function relationship of NAD(P)H:quinone reductase: characterization of NH2-terminal blocking group and essential tyrosine and lysine residues

The amino terminal blocked peptide of rat liver NAD(P)H:quinone reductase (DT-diaphorase) was determined by amino acid sequence analysis and by mass spectrometry. The mature protein is composed of 273 amino acids and contains an acetylated amino terminus, which was not identified by previous cDNA analysis. The enzyme was inactivated by p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl fluoride (NBSF) or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonate (TNBS) with pseudo-first-order kinetics. These studies suggest that essential tyrosine and lysine may be present in the active site of this enzyme. The NBSF inhibition was protected by 1-naphthol and 1-naphthylamine, but not by NAD+. However, TNBS inhibition was not prevented by the naphthalene derivatives or NAD+. Specific peptides labeled with NBSF or TNBS were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography and were sequenced. These analyses revealed that the NBSF-labeled tyrosine resides in a predominantly hydrophobic region and TNBS-labeled lysine in a predominantly hydrophilic region.

Microsequence analysis of peptides and proteins. IX. Manual gas-phase microsequencing of multiple samples

A novel apparatus for performing manual gas-phase Edman chemistry on protein and peptide samples is described. Edman chemistry is performed in 6 to 10 Teflon continuous flow reactors (CFR), previously described by J.E. Shively et al. (1987) Anal. Biochem. 163, 517-529). The CFRs are packed with 10-15 mg of Polybrene-coated spherical silica (Porasil B, Waters Associates). The gas-phase coupling reagent and cleavage reagent are 5% aqueous triethylamine and anhydrous trifluoroacetic acid, respectively, delivered by a stream of argon gas. The delivery of the gas-phase reagents is manually controlled with Hamilton 3-way valves and 2-way valves, and that of the solvents, ethyl acetate and butyl chloride, by syringe pipetting. The average cycle time is 15-20 min for 6 to 10 samples run simultaneously. Conversion of the anilinothiazolinone to phenylthiohydantoin (PTH) amino acid derivatives is accomplished manually with 25% aqueous trifluoroacetic acid. The PTH amino acids are analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC using an autosampler for handling multiple samples. Excellent results were obtained in the 100-200 pmol range. Protein samples can be sequenced from 15-20 cycles, and peptide samples usually to the COOH terminus. Initial yields ranged from 30 to 60% and repetitive yields ranged from 90 to 96%. The sample washout and size of background peaks are significantly reduced, compared to older methods of manual sequence analysis. The yields and background signal to noise are comparable to automated gas-phase Edman chemistry. The improved manual Edman described represents a low cost alternative to automated sequence analysis, and has the advantage being able to process multiple samples simultaneously.

Isolation of a cDNA for adrenodoxin reductase (ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase). Implications for mitochondrial cytochrome P-450 systems

Using specific antibodies against adrenodoxin reductase (AR), we screened lambda gt11 cDNA expression libraries constructed from bovine adrenal cortex mRNA, and isolated several putative clones coding for this enzyme. Concurrently we determined the amino acid sequences of fragments from it. A deoxyinosine-containing oligonucleotide probe, generated for one of the sequences, reacted specifically with one of the cloned cDNAs of about 1600 base pairs. The codon sequence of this cDNA matched the peptide sequences, further confirming its identity as a copy of AR mRNA. RNA blot analysis indicates that in the adrenal cortex and corpus luteum there is only one major mRNA (approximately 2000 bp) for AR. The levels of this mRNA are at least 40-fold lower in the liver and kidney which are also known to contain in homologue of AR. As compared to adrenodoxin and cytochrome P-450scc mRNAs, AR mRNA levels in the adrenal cortex appear to be about 10-fold lower. Southern blot analysis of bovine and human genomic DNAs reveals that in both of these species there is only one gene for AR. These results indicate that only a single reductase serves the different mitochondrial P-450 systems in steroidogenic tissues.

cDNA cloning and inducible expression during pregnancy of the mRNA for rabbit pulmonary prostaglandin omega-hydroxylase (cytochrome P-450p-2)

We have isolated cDNA clones of the mRNA for prostaglandin omega-hydroxylase (cytochrome P-450p-2) (Yamamoto, S., Kusunose, E., Ogita, K., Kaku, M., Ichihara, K., and Kusunose, M. (1984) J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 96, 593-603) in rabbit lung by using synthetic oligonucleotides as probes. The cDNA sequence contains an open reading frame of 1,470 nucleotides, the first 9 amino acids of which correspond to the residues 17-25 of cytochrome P-450p-2 determined from protein analysis. The predicted primary structure contains amino acid sequences of 23 tryptic fragments of cytochrome P-450p-2 and the deduced amino acid composition is in agreement with that determined from the purified protein. The complete polypeptide, including residues 1-16, contains 506 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 58,515. Cytochrome P-450p-2 shared 74% amino acid similarity with rat hepatic lauric acid omega-hydroxylase (cytochrome P-450LA omega) (Hardwick, J.P., Song, B.-J., Huberman, E., and Gonzalez, F. J. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 801-810), whereas it showed less than 25% similarity to other forms of cytochrome P-450, indicating that the two cytochrome P-450s constitute a unique cytochrome P-450 gene family. DNA blot analysis of the total genomic DNA of rabbits suggest the presence of several genes or gene-like DNA sequences which cross-hybridized with the cloned cDNA. RNA blot analysis showed that progesterone treatment increased the amount of mRNA hybridizable to the cDNA by about 100-fold in the lung of rabbits as compared with the basal level without the treatment. This high level of the mRNA was also observed in the lung of pregnant rabbits.

Complete amino acid sequence of 21-hydroxylase cytochrome P-450 from porcine adrenal microsomes

Adrenal microsomal 21-hydroxylase is essential for biosynthesis or metabolism of various steroid hormones. The complete amino acid sequence of this cytochrome P-450 from pig adrenal was determined by sequence analysis on several sets of proteolytic fragments. The mature protein consists of 492 amino acid residues, corresponding to a molecular weight of 55,484. Seven out of nine total cysteine residues are localized in the amino terminal half of the molecule. The carboxyl terminal half contains only two cysteines, one of which is located at the highly conserved heme-binding region proposed in all cytochromes P-450. A structural comparison between 21-hydroxylase and 17 alpha-hydroxylase reveals that there is a preponderance of sequence homology at the carboxyl terminal region. These studies indicate that a single gene product is expressed for steroid 21-hydroxylase in porcine adrenal glands.

Affinity alkylation of the active site of C21 steroid side-chain cleavage cytochrome P-450 from neonatal porcine testis: a unique cysteine residue alkylated by 17-(bromoacetoxy)progesterone

The affinity alkylating progesterone analogue 17-(bromoacetoxy)progesterone has been used to label the active site of a microsomal cytochrome P-450 enzyme from neonatal pig testis. The enzyme causes removal of the C20 and C21 side chains from the substrates progesterone and pregnenolone by catalyzing both 17-hydroxylase and C17,20-lyase reactions, which produce the corresponding C19 steroidal precursors of testosterone. The progesterone analogue causes simultaneous inactivation of the two catalytic activities of the enzyme by a first-order kinetic process that obeys saturation kinetics. Progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone each protect the enzyme against inactivation. The progesterone and analogue is a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme with Ki values of 8.4 microM and 7.8 microM for progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone, respectively. The enzyme inactivation and kinetic data are consistent with a theory proposing that the analogue and the two substrates compete for the same active site. The radioactive analogue 17-[( 14C]bromoacetoxy)progesterone causes inactivation of the enzyme with incorporation of 1.5-2.2 mol of the analogue per mole of inactivated enzyme. When this experiment is carried out in the presence of a substrate, then 0.9-1.2 mol of radioactive analogue is incorporated per mole of inactivated enzyme. The data suggest that the analogue can bind to two different sites, one of which is related to the catalytic site. Radiolabeled enzyme samples, from reactions of the 14C-labeled analogue with the enzyme alone or with enzyme in the presence of a substrate, were subjected to amino acid analysis and also to tryptic digestion and peptide mapping.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cytochrome P450c17 (steroid 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase): cloning of human adrenal and testis cDNAs indicates the same gene is expressed in both tissues

P450c17 is the single enzyme mediating both 17 alpha-hydroxylase (steroid 17 alpha-monooxygenase, EC 1.14.99.9) and 17,20 lyase activities in the synthesis of steroid hormones. It has been suggested that different P450c17 isozymes mediate these activities in the adrenal gland and testis. We sequenced 423 of the 509 amino acids (83%) of the porcine adrenal enzyme; based on this partial sequence, a 128-fold degenerate 17-mer was synthesized and used to screen a porcine adrenal cDNA library. This yielded a 380-base cloned cDNA, which in turn was used to isolate several human adrenal cDNAs. The longest of these, lambda hac17-2, is 1754 base pairs long and includes the full-length coding region, the complete 3'-untranslated region, and 41 bases of the 5'-untranslated region. This cDNA encodes a protein of 508 amino acids having a predicted molecular weight of 57,379.82. High-stringency screening of a human testicular cDNA library yielded a partial clone containing 1303 identical bases. RNA gel blots and nuclease S1-protection experiments confirm that the adrenal and testicular P450c17 mRNAs are indistinguishable. These data indicate that the testis possesses a P450c17 identical to that in the adrenal. The human amino acid sequence is 66.7% homologous to the corresponding regions of the porcine sequence, and the human cDNA and amino acid sequences are 80.1 and 70.3% homologous, respectively, to bovine adrenal P450c17 cDNA. Both comparisons indicate that a central region comprising amino acid residues 160-268 is hypervariable among these species of P450c17. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of P450c17 with two other human steroidogenic cytochromes P450 show much greater homology with P450c21 (28.9%), another microsomal enzyme, than with P450scc (12.3%), a mitochondrial enzyme.

Complete amino acid sequence of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase from porcine hepatic microsomes

The complete amino acid sequence of porcine hepatic microsomal NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase has been determined by microsequence analysis on several sets of proteolytic fragments. Sequence studies were performed initially on a 20-kilodalton (kDa) fragment and then on 80-kDa fragment. The amino-terminal end of the mature protein was blocked with an acetyl group, followed by 676 amino acid residues. It has been revealed that the COOH-terminal 20-kDa fragment has been derived from original enzyme by cleavage at the Asn-Gly (residues 502-503) linkage by an unknown mechanism. An NADPH-protected cysteine residue is located at residue 565, near a region exhibiting high sequence homology with ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase. The FMN and FAD binding regions are possibly located in the amino-terminal region and the middle part of the protein molecule, respectively, as suggested by Porter and Kasper [Porter, T. D., & Kasper, C. B. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82, 973-977]. When this sequence is compared with that of rat enzyme, 60 amino acid residues are substituted, probably due to species differences. However, total sequence homology between these enzymes is 90%. Hydropathy plot analysis reveals that two regions from residues 27-43 and from residues 523-544 exhibit a high degree of hydrophobicity, suggesting membrane binding or interaction with cytochrome P-450.

Cloning and characterization of cDNA encoding 3-methylcholanthrene inducible rat mRNA for UDP-glucuronosyltransferase

We have isolated cDNA clones of the mRNA for rat UDP-glucuronosyltransferase that catalyzes the glucuronidation of 4-nitrophenol, by using synthetic oligonucleotides as hybridization probes. The complete nucleotide sequence of the 1,927-base pairs cDNA insert has been determined. With untranslated sequences of 124 and 216 base pairs in the 5'- and 3'-terminal regions, respectively, the cDNA insert contained 1,587 base pairs that encode a complete primary structure of a putative precursor form of 4-nitrophenol UDP-glucuronosyltransferase with a calculated molecular weight of 60,114. The cDNA sequence also indicates the presence of 25 amino acids preceding the sequence determined by microsequence of the isolated protein. This extrapeptide, for the most part, consists of hydrophobic amino acids which are characteristic of the signal peptides as found for secretory proteins and most transmembrane proteins. Furthermore, the deduced amino acid sequence contains a putative halt transfer signal of a hydrophobic segment (residues 487-510), which is flanked on both sides by the peptide segments of highly charged amino acid residues (residues 463-486 and 511-529). These features are consistent with the properties of transmembrane proteins. Specific cDNA probes were used to analyze the induction of the enzyme in rat tissues by treatment with 3-methylcholanthrene. RNA blot analysis showed that 3-methylcholanthrene increased 10- to 15-fold the amount of hybridizable mRNA in liver. The livers and kidneys from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats were found to contain almost the same amount of hybridizable mRNA, although the basal level in the kidney was much higher than that of the liver, and the amounts in the lung were much lower than that of the liver and kidney.

Characterization of ethanol-inducible human liver N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase

Through the use of monospecific antibodies directed against hepatic cytochrome P-450j, an enzyme induced in rats treated with ethanol or isoniazid, we have purified from human liver the related cytochrome P-450 termed HLj. HLj resembles rat P-450j and P-450 LM3a, the homologous cytochrome in rabbit liver, in its NH2-terminal amino acid sequence, in being in highest concentration in liver microsome samples prepared from two patients intoxicated by ethanol and one patient given isoniazid, and in catalyzing the metabolic activation of the procarcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine. Furthermore, each of nine human liver RNA samples contained a species of mRNA hybridizable to a cloned HLj cDNA. We conclude that HLj is related by structure, function, and some regulatory characteristics to rat P-450j and rabbit P-450 LM3a, cytochromes critical for metabolism of several clinically relevant cytotoxic and carcinogenic agents.

Chemical modification and inactivation of rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450c by 2-bromo-4'-nitroacetophenone

The alkylating agent 2-bromo-4'-nitroacetophenone (BrNAP) binds covalently to each of 10 isozymes of purified rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 (P-450a-P-450j) but substantially inhibits the catalytic activity of only cytochrome P-450c. Regardless of pH, incubation time, presence of detergents, or concentration of BrNAP, treatment of cytochrome P-450c with BrNAP resulted in no more than 90% inhibition of catalytic activity. Alkylation with BrNAP did not cause the release of heme from the holoenzyme or alter the spectral properties of cytochrome P-450c, data that exclude the putative heme-binding cysteine, Cys-460, as the major site of alkylation. Two residues in cytochrome P-450c reacted rapidly with BrNAP, for which reason maximal loss of catalytic activity was invariably associated with the incorporation of approximately 1.5 mol of BrNAP/mol of cytochrome P-450c. Two major radio-labeled peptides were isolated from a tryptic digest of [14C]BrNAP-treated cytochrome P-450c by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The amino acid sequence of each peptide was determined by microsequence analysis, but the identification of the residues alkylated by BrNAP was complicated by the tendency of the adducts to decompose when subjected to automated Edman degradation. However, results of competitive binding experiments with the sulfhydryl reagent 4,4'-dithiodipyridine identified Cys-292 as the major site of alkylation and Cys-160 as the minor site of alkylation by BrNAP in cytochrome P-450c.

Identification of a human liver cytochrome P-450 homologous to the major isosafrole-inducible cytochrome P-450 in the rat

The rat 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible family of liver cytochromes P-450 contains two proteins (P-450c and P-450d) that are immunochemically related, possess 68% total sequence homology, and are induced by a number of toxic or carcinogenic compounds. To determine whether equivalent isozymes of hepatic cytochrome P-450 are expressed in humans, as they are in several mammalian species, we performed immunoblot analyses on microsomes prepared from 14 human liver specimens and found that each one contained a 52.5-kDa protein (termed HLd) that reacted with antibodies specific for rat P-450d. In addition, one specimen contained a 54-kDa protein (termed HLc) that reacted with antibodies specific for rat P-450c. HLd was purified through the use of immunoaffinity chromatography and was found to be 56% homologous to rat P-450d and 61% homologous to the equivalent isozyme in the rabbit (P-450 LM4) through their first 18 NH2-terminal amino acids. Finally, levels of immunoreactive HLd varied more than 10-fold among these patients but were unrelated to the patients' drug treatments, smoking habits, or amount of immunoreactive HLp, a human liver cytochrome P-450 related to the glucocorticoid-inducible family of rat cytochromes P-450. We conclude that, in man, there is a cytochrome P-450 family composed of two isozymes (HLc and HLd) that are immunochemically and structurally related to the 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible family observed in several other species.

The synthesis of aldosterone by the adrenal cortex. Two zones (fasciculata and glomerulosa) possess one enzyme for 11 beta-, 18-hydroxylation, and aldehyde synthesis

In order to establish the nature of the aldosterone synthetase activity in the adrenal cortex, we have used porcine adrenal, bovine adrenal cortex, highly purified bovine and porcine 11 beta-/18-hydroxylase, and antibodies raised against the latter enzyme. Mitochondria from two zones (glomerulosa and fasciculata) of the bovine cortex synthesize aldosterone, but those from glomerulosa are much more active than those from fasciculata. Partially purified (cholate-extracted plus ammonium sulfate-precipitated) extracts of mitochondria from the two zones are equally active in catalyzing all three steps in the conversion of 11-deoxycorticosterone to aldosterone. 18-Hydroxylase and aldehyde synthetase activities (18-hydroxycorticosterone----aldosterone) were completely precipitated from cholate extracts of mitochondria from bovine adrenal by antibodies to the pure porcine enzyme. No activity corresponding to any of the three steps in the conversion of 11-deoxycorticosterone to aldosterone was found in extramitochondrial fractions of the bovine cortex. Synthesis of aldosterone by the pure porcine enzyme was inhibited by antibodies to this enzyme and by metyrapone (an inhibitor of 11 beta-/18-hydroxylase). When fractions of porcine adrenal, resulting from purification of the enzyme from mitochondria, were exhaustively tested for any of the enzyme activities required for the synthesis of aldosterone, activity was found only in those fractions containing the 11 beta-/18-hydroxylase, i.e. no additional enzyme was discarded during the purification procedure. It is concluded that the only adrenocortical enzyme capable of synthesizing aldosterone in bovine and porcine adrenal is the well known 11 beta-hydroxylase, that the conversion of 18-hydroxycorticosterone to aldosterone is catalyzed by this cytochrome P-450, and that this step (aldehyde synthetase) requires the heme of the P-450 as demonstrated by the photochemical action spectrum.

The primary structure of cytochrome P-450d purified from rat liver microsomes: prediction of helical regions and domain analysis

The complete amino acid sequence of rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450d (induced by isosafrole) was deduced by microsequence analysis of the tryptic peptides after separation by reverse-phase HPLC and alignment by comparison to the cDNA sequence reported by K. Kawajiri, O. Gotoh, K. Sogawa, Y. Tagashira, M. Muramatsu, and Y. Fujii-Kuriyama (1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81, 1649-1653). Results from the two approaches are in complete agreement with the exception of two residues, Lys-30 (Arg in cDNA) and Phe-261 (Ser in cDNA). As previously reported by us (L. H. Botelho, D. E. Ryan, P.-M. Yuan, R. Kutney, J. E. Shively, and W. Levin (1982, Biochemistry 21, 1152-1155) the NH2-terminal sequence of the mature protein lacks the NH2-terminal Met residue. Comparison of the rat cytochrome P-450d sequence with the mouse cytochrome P3-450 cDNA sequence reported by S. Kimura, F.J. Gonzalez, and D.W. Nebert (1984, Nucl. Acids Res. 12, 2917-2928) reveals a high sequence homology with a total of 32 amino acid differences including six conferring charge changes. Prediction of the secondary structure of cytochrome P-450d yields a maximum of 17 helices, two of which may be poly(Pro)-like helices adjacent to potential membrane-spanning alpha-helices. Four of the alpha-helices are sufficiently hydrophobic to traverse the endoplasmic reticulum. The remaining helices are largely amphiphilic. Analysis of the helices in reference to predicted membrane topology suggests that cytochrome P-450d either has one large and one small globular domain separated by a transmembrane domain and anchored by NH2-terminal and COOH-terminal transmembrane domains, or has one large globular domain anchored at both ends by transmembrane domains.

Characterization of a major form of rat hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 induced by isoniazid

Cytochrome P-450j has been purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from isoniazid-treated adult male rats; and this enzyme appears to be a major protein induced in hepatic microsomes after administration of isoniazid, as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The hemoprotein has a minimum molecular weight of approximately 51,500, and the ferrous-carbonyl complex of cytochrome P-450j has a Soret maximum at 451-452 nm. The oxidized heme iron appears to be predominately in the high spin state as deduced from the Soret maximum at 395 nm. Ethylisocyanide binds to ferrous cytochrome P-450j to yield spectral maxima at approximately 458 and 430 nm with a resultant 458/430 ratio of 0.7 at pH 7.4. Cytochrome P-450j has no measurable catalytic activity for the metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene (3- and 9-hydroxylation), hexobarbital, testosterone, and 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol-3,17-disulfate. Low, but detectable, catalytic activity is obtained for the metabolism of 7-ethoxycoumarin, benzphetamine, p-nitroanisole, zoxazolamine, and 2-hydroxylation of 17 beta-estradiol. In contrast, cytochrome P-450j effectively catalyzes p-hydroxylation of aniline with a turnover of 12.7 nmol/min/nmol cytochrome P-450j. Hydroxyl radical scavengers, Fe-EDTA, superoxide dismutase, and catalase have no effect on aniline p-hydroxylation catalyzed by cytochrome P-450j. Cytochrome P-450j is distinct from nine other rat hepatic microsomal cytochromes P-450 (P-450a-P-450i) previously purified in this laboratory, as well as different isozymes described by other investigators, based on several parameters including minimum molecular weight, spectral properties, and catalytic activity. In Ouchterlony double diffusion plates, antibodies against cytochromes P-450a-P-450f show no cross-reaction with cytochrome P-450j. Structural differences among cytochromes P-450a-P-450j are apparent from the NH2-terminal sequence of cytochrome P-450j, as well as the electrophoretic profiles of proteolytic digests of the hemoproteins.

Amino acid sequence of COOH-terminal 20K Da fragment from pig liver microsomal NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase

We have determined the complete amino acid sequence of a 20K Da COOH-terminal fragment of porcine NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. The 20K Da fragment is probably produced by a proteolytic cleavage of the intact protein in porcine liver microsomes, and since the cleavage does not affect enzymatic activity, the fragment has been studied as a distinct domain. The sequence comprises 175 amino acids including three cysteine residues, one of which has been previously identified as protected by NADPH from S-carboxymethylation. The NADPH-protected cysteine lies in a stretch of 12 residues with partial homology to glutathione reductase, and is adjacent to a hydrophobic region containing a glycine-rich stretch homologous to other FAD-containing proteins. The predicted secondary structure over this entire region is beta-sheet/beta-turn/beta-sheet/alpha-helix/beta-sheet/beta-turn/alpha-h elix corresponding to hydrophobic residues 21-28/glycine-rich residues 29-33/residues 34-38/residues 39-54/residues 56-61/NADPH-protected cysteine residues 62-78/residues 71-82. It is possible that the 20K Da domain provided a significant portion of the sequence responsible for binding FAD and NADPH in the intact enzyme. This data provides a basis for further active site studies.