Changes in cytochrome P450 enzymes by 1,1-dichloroethylene in rat liver and kidney

We examined the effect of 1,1-dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE) on microsomal cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes in rat liver and kidney. Rats were treated intraperitoneally with 1,1-DCE daily for 4 days, at doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg. Among the P450-dependent monooxygenase activities in liver microsomes, testosterone 2alpha-hydroxylase (T2AH), which is associated with CYP2C11 activity, was remarkably decreased by 800 mg/kg 1,1-DCE. The level relative to control activity was < 10%. Furthermore, immunoblotting showed that 1,1-DCE (> or = 400 mg/kg) significantly decreased CYP2C11/6 protein levels in liver microsomes. In addition, 7-methoxyresorufin O-demethylase (MROD), 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD), benzphetamine N-demethylase (BZND), chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylase (CZ6H), and testosterone 6beta-hydroxylase (T6BH) activities were significantly decreased by the highest dose of 1,1-DCE (by 40-70%). However, the activities of other P450-dependent monooxygenases, namely 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), 7-benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylase (BROD), aminopyrine N-demethylase (APND), erythromycin N-demethylase (EMND), lauric acid omega-hydroxylase (LAOH), and testosterone 7alpha-hydroxylase (T7AH) were not affected by 1,1-DCE at any dose. Immunoblotting showed CYP1A1/2, CYP2B1/2, CYP2E1, and CYP3A2/1 protein levels were significantly decreased by 60-66% by 1,1-DCE (800 mg/kg), whereas that of CYP4A1/2 was not affected by any dose of 1,1-DCE. By contrast, among the P450-dependent monooxygenase activities in kidney microsomes, only CZ6H activity was increased by 1,1-DCE (1.6-fold at 800 mg/kg). Also, it was observed that 1,1-DCE (800 mg/kg) significantly increased CYP2E1 protein levels by immunoblotting (approximately 1.5-fold). These results suggest that 1,1-DCE changes the constitutive P450 isoforms in the rat liver and kidney, and that these changes closely relate to the toxicity of 1,1-DCE.

Changes in hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes by cis- and trans-1,2-dichloroethylenes in rat

1. We examined the effect of cis- and trans-1,2-dichloroethylenes (DCEs) on hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes in the male and female rat. Rats were treated intraperitoneally with 7.5 mmol/kg cis- or trans-1,2-DCE daily for 4 days. 2. Among the hepatic microsomal P450-dependent monooxygenase activities tested, testosterone 2 alpha-hydroxylase (T2AH) activity in the male rat, which is associated with CYP2C11, was decreased by both cis- and trans-1,2-DCE isomers. The levels to control activities were 53 and 63% respectively. Furthermore, immunoblotting showed that both isomers significantly reduced the CYP2C11/6 protein level in liver microsomes from the male. The levels of testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase (T6BH) activity and CYP3A2/1 protein in the male rat were reduced by cis-1,2-DCE but not trans-1,2-DCE. 3. cis-1,2-DCE decreased ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD), benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylase (BROD), chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylase (CZ6H) and testosterone 7 alpha-hydroxylase (T7AH) activities in the male rat by 29, 28, 34 and 27% respectively. On the other hand, trans-1,2-DCE significantly increased 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and 7-methoxyresorufin O-demethylase (MROD) activities in the male rat 1.4- and 1.9-fold respectively. Immunoblotting showed that cis-1,2-DCE reduced CYP1A1/2 and CYP2B1/2 protein levels, whereas trans-1,2-DCE increased CYP1A1/2 and CYP2B1/2 protein levels in the male rat. 4. The activities of other P450-dependent monooxygenases, namely benzphetamine N-demethylase (BZND), aminopyrine N-demethylase (APND), erythromycin N-demethylase (EMND) and lauric acid omega-hydroxylase (LAOH), in the male rat were hardly affected by either 1,2-DCE isomer. In the female rat there were no apparent changes in P450-dependent monooxygenase activities upon treatment with the 1,2-DCE isomers. 5. These results suggest that 1,2-DCEs mainly affect male-specific P450 isoforms in the rat liver and that these changes may relate to the toxicity of 1,2-DCEs.

Irgasan DP 300 (5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-phenol) induces cytochrome P450s and inhibits haem biosynthesis in rat hepatocytes cultured on Matrigel

1. The effect of Irgasan DP 300 (5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol) on cytochrome P450 (P450) induction and haem biosynthesis was studied in rat hepatocytes cultured on Matrigel. 2. Irgasan DP 300 significantly induced 7-benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylase activity, followed by 7-pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase and 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activities. 4-Nitrophenol hydroxylase, testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase and methoxyresorufin O-demethylase activities were also slightly increased. The maximum induction of these enzyme activities was obtained at the same concentration of 125 microM in the culture medium. 3. Immunochemical blots using anti-rat cytochrome P450 antibodies revealed that Irgasan DP 300 preferably induced CYP2B1/2 along with a slight increase in 3A. These results indicate that Irgasan DP 300 is a phenobarbital-type inducer. 4. In the absence of exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), slight increases in protoporphyrin IX (2.6-fold) and coproporphyrin III (1.3-fold) were observed in the Irgasan DP 300-treated cultures. In contrast, when 75 microM ALA was present, Irgasan DP 300 (250 microM) caused an extensive accumulation of uroporphyrin I (13-fold). 5. Irgasan DP 300 inhibited rat hepatic uroporphyrinogen III synthase in vitro. 6. These results indicate that Irgasan DP 300 produced accumulation of hydroxymethylbilane in rat hepatocytes by inhibiting uroporphyrinogen III synthase, and consequently an accumulation of uroporphyrin I.

Effect of 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether on cytochrome P450 enzymes in the rat liver

We examined the effect of 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether (Irgasan DP300) on microsomal cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes in rat liver. Rats were treated intraperitoneally with Irgasan DP300 daily for 4 days, at doses of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 mmol/kg. Among the P450-dependent monooxygenase activities, 7-benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylase (BROD) and 7-pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD) in rats, which are associated with CYP2B1, were remarkably induced by all doses of Irgasan DP300. The relative induction to each control activity were from 5.6- to 22.3-fold and 4.9- to 20.2-fold, respectively. Furthermore, immunoblotting showed that CYP2B1/2 protein level in rat liver microsomes was increased from 10.8- to 34.4-fold by Irgasan DP300. In addition, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD) and p-nitrophenol hydroxylase (PNPH) activities were significantly increased by Irgasan DP300 at all doses (from 1.4- to 4.9-fold). Although the activities of other P450-dependent monooxygenases, namely aminopyrine N-demethylase (APND), aniline p-hydroxylase (ANPH), erythromycin N-demethylase (EMND), lauric acid omega-hydroxylase (LAOH) and testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase (TS6BH) were increased at high doses (> or = 0.4 mmol/kg) of Irgasan DP300, the relative level was lower than those of the CYP2B1-dependent monooxygenases such as BROD and PROD. However, 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), 7-methoxyresorufin O-demethylase (MROD), testosterone 2 alpha-hydroxylase (TS2AH) and testosterone 7 alpha-hydroxylase (TS7AH) activities were not affected by any doses of Irgsan DP300. Immunoblotting showed that CYP3A2/1 and CYP4A1 protein levels were significantly induced from 1.3- to 2.2-fold by Irgasan DP300 (> or = 0.4 mmol/kg), whereas those of CYP1A1/2, CYP2C11/6 and CYP2E1 were not affected by any doses of Irgasan DP300. These results suggest that Irgasan DP300 induces the P450 isoforms of CYP2B subfamily in the rat liver, and that the induced P450 isozymes closely relates to the toxicity of Irgasan DP300 or its chlorinated derivatives.

Hepatotoxicity of diisopropyl ester of malonic acid and chloromalonic acids, disinfection by-products of the fungicide isoprothiolane

The fungicide isoprothiolane (diisopropyl 1,3-dithiolane-2-ylidenemalonate) decomposes to the diisopropyl esters of malonic acid (DM), chloromalonic acid (DCM) and dichloromalonic acid (DDCM) upon aqueous chlorination. In this study, the cytotoxicity of these compounds was examined using rat hepatocytes cultured on Matrigel. DCM and DDCM caused hepatocellular death at concentrations > 0.5 mM, while DM had no effect on the cell viability even at the maximum concentration examined (4 mM). Significant lipid peroxidation, measured as 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, was observed in both DCM- and DDCM-treated hepatocyte cultures, and was significantly enhanced by pretreatment with 0.1 mM bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP), a carboxylesterase inhibitor. When both BNPP and SKF-525A, a cytochrome P450 inhibitor, were present in the medium, DCM-induced cytotoxicity and lipid peroxidation were significantly suppressed compared to cultures with BNPP-treatment alone. By contrast, the DDCM-induced cytotoxicity was not affected by the combined pretreatment of SKF-525A and BNPP. These results indicate that DCM is metabolically activated by cytochrome P450 in an ester form, while DDCM is activated by a mechanism other than one involving cytochrome P450. To further elucidate the cytochrome P450 isozyme involved in the metabolic activation of DCM, microsomal lipid peroxidation was studied in vitro using microsomes from rats treated with beta-naphthoflavone, musk xylene, phenobarbital, pyrazole, or dexamethasone. Among these preparations, the microsomes from dexamethasone-treated rats showed the most extensive lipid peroxidation in the presence of DCM, and the lipid peroxidation was enhanced by BNPP as observed in hepatocyte cultures. These findings suggest the possible involvement of cytochrome P450 3A in the metabolic activation of DCM.

Interaction of 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether with microsomal cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases in rat liver

We studied the effects of 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether (Irgasan DP300) on the kinetics of the cytochrome P450 (P450)-dependent monooxygenases in rat liver microsomes. The activities of 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and 7-pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD) in rat liver microsomes exposed to 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) and phenobarbital (PB) respectively, were substantially inhibited by Irgasan DP300. The inhibition profile of EROD was competitive, whereas that of PROD was noncompetitive; the Ki values from Hanes plots were 0.24 and 1.48 microM for EROD and PROD, respectively. Phenacetin O-deethylase (PCOD) and 4-nitrophenol hydroxylase (4NPH) activities in rats exposed to PB were also inhibited by Irgasan DP300, at Ki values lower than those for other microsomes. Irgasan DP300 slightly inhibited testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase (TS6BH) activities in some microsomes. No effect of Irgasan DP300 on lauric acid omega-hydroxylase (LAOH) activity was evident in any microsomal preparations. These results indicated that Irgasan DP300 inhibits MC- and PB-inducible P450-dependent monoxygenase in vitro competitively or noncompetitively, and that the P450 enzymes of the CYP1A or CYP2B subfamily may contribute to Irgasan DP300 toxicity.

Induction of rat liver drug-metabolizing enzymes by tetrachloroethylene

The effect of tetrachloroethylene on Phase I and II drug-metabolizing enzymes in rat liver was examined. Rats were treated orally with tetrachloroethylene daily for five days, at doses of 125, 250, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg. The higher doses (> 500 mg/kg) of tetrachloroethylene induced the hepatic microsomal 7-pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase and 7-benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylase activities associated with the CYP2B subfamily. 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity was also induced about 2-fold compared with that of control rats at 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg dose levels of tetrachloroethylene. However, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase and 7-methoxyresorufin O-demethylase activities were increased significantly at only the 1,000 mg/kg dose level of tetrachloroethylene (1.4- and 1.5-fold). Although other cytochrome P450-mediated monooxygenase activities such as nitrosodimethylamine N-demethylase, aminopyrine N-demethylase and erythromycin N-demethylase were also induced by tetrachloroethylene, the relative induction to control activity was lower than those of 7-pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase and 7-benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylase. Western immunoblotting showed that the levels of CYP2B1 and CYP2B2 proteins in liver microsomes were increased at doses of 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg of tetrachloroethylene. In addition to cytochrome P450-mediated monooxygenases, there was significant induction of the Phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes, DT-diaphorase, glutathione S-transferase activities towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene, and UDP-glucuronyltransferase activities towards 4-nitrophenol and 7-hydroxycoumarin. The results indicate that tetrachloroethylene induces both Phase I (CYP2B-mediated monooxygenase) and Phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes (DT-diaphorase, glutathione S-transferase and UDP-glucuronyltransferase) in the rat liver.

Induction of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes by chlornitrofen (CNP) and CNP-amino in rats and mice

The induction of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes by chlornitrofen (CNP) and CNP-amino was studied in the liver of male rats and mice. CNP-amino increased the activities of 7-pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD) and 7-benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylase (BROD) as CYP2B1-dependent monooxygenase 3.6- and 4.1-fold in rats. On the contrary, these enzyme activities in mice were induced by CNP rather than by CNP-amino. Furthermore, immunoblotting showed that the protein levels of CYP2B subfamily cytochrome P450 (P450) in liver microsomes of rats and mice were increased by CNP or CNP-amino. Phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes, UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UGT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels in mice were also significantly increased from 1.4 to 2.5-fold by CNP or CNP-amino. However, neither CNP nor CNP-amino affected UGT and GST in rats. These results suggest that CNP and or CNP-amino induce the P450 isoforms of CYP2B subfamily in the rat and mouse liver, and that the inducibility of drug-metabolizing enzyme by the compounds is different between rats and mice.

Interaction of tetrachloroethylene with rat hepatic microsomal P450-dependent monooxygenases

1. We have studied the effects of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) on the kinetics of the P450-dependent monooxygenases in rat liver microsomes. 2. 7-Pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD) and 7-benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylase (BROD) activities in phenobarbital (PB)-treated rat liver microsomes were substantially inhibited by PCE. The inhibition profiles were non-competitive for both enzyme activities; Ki's from Eadie-Hofsee plots were 0.16 and 0.29 mM for PROD and BROD respectively. In contrast, the enzyme activities in untreated, beta-naphthoflavone (BNF)-, isoniazid (ISN)- and pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile (PCN)-induced microsomes were not affected by PCE. 3. 7-Ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD) activity in PB-induced microsomes was competitively inhibited by PCE, with a Ki that was lower than those of other microsomes. 4. PCE inhibited 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities in some microsomes slightly. The Ki for PCE was the lowest in untreated, followed by ISN-treated microsomes. 5. No effect of PCE upon aniline 4-hydroxylase (AN4H) and testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase (TS6BH) activities was evident in any microsomal preparation. 6. These results indicate that PCE inhibits PB-inducible, P450-dependent monooxygenases in vitro non-competitively or competitively, and that the P450 enzymes of the P4502B subfamily may contribute to PCE toxicity.

The effect of 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on drug-metabolizing enzymes in the rat liver

The effects of 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1,2,3,4-TCDD) on drug-metabolizing enzymes were studied in male and female rats. 1,2,3,4-TCDD (25, 50, 100 and 200 mumol/kg) was administered by i.p. injection once. Among the cytochrome P-450 (P450)-mediated monooxygenase activities tested, 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities in both male and female rats, which are associated with CYP1A1, were remarkably induced by all doses of 1,2,3,4-TCDD. The relative induction to each control activity were from 3.0- to 24.5-fold and from 2.2- to 16.5-fold, respectively. Also, 1,2,3,4-TCDD increased other CYP1A-mediated monooxygenase activities such as 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD) and 7-methoxyresorufin O-demethylase (MROD) in male and female rats dose-dependently (1.4- to 4.3-fold). Western immunoblotting showed that the levels of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 proteins in liver microsomes were increased by 1,2,3,4-TCDD. Although the activities of other P450-mediated monooxygenases, namely 7-pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD), 7-benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylase (BROD), aminopyrine N-demethylase (APND) and nitrosodimethylamine N-demethylase (NDAND) in both male and female rats were induced at high doses (> or = 50 mumol/kg) of 1,2,3,4-TCDD, the relative level was low compared with those of the CYP1A-mediated monooxygenase such as EROD, ECOD or MROD. In addition to P450-mediated monooxygenase, there was significant induction in the activities of the Phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes, UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UGT) activities towards 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-HC) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB) and DT-diaphorase. These results indicate that 1,2,3,4-TCDD induces both Phase I (CYP1A-mediated monooxygenase) and Phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes (UGT, GST, DT-diaphorase) in the male and female rat liver, and that the alterations of drug-metabolizing enzyme are characteristic of PCDD toxicity.

Effect of 1,2,4-trichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on drug-metabolizing enzymes in the rat liver

The effects of 1,2,4-trichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1,2,4-TrCDD) on drug-metabolizing-enzymes have been studied in male Wistar rats. 1,2,4-TrCDD (0.1 mmol/kg per day) was administered by i.p. injection for 3 days. Among the cytochrome P-450 (P450)-mediated monooxygenase activities tested, 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase, which is associated with CYP1A1, was remarkably induced by 1,2,4-TrCDD (0.1 mmol/kg). The relative induction to control activity was 32.9-fold. Also, 1,2,4-TrCDD increased other CYP1A-mediated monooxygenase activities such as 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase, 4-nitroanisole O-demethylase, 7-methoxyresorufin O-demethylase and caffeine N-demethylase from 5.7- to 1.9-fold. Western immunoblotting showed that the levels of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 proteins in liver microsomes were increased by 1,2,4-TrCDD. On the other hand, 7-pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase activity was induced 2.6-fold whereas aniline 4-hydroxylase, nitrosodimethylamine N-demethylase and erythromycin N-demethylase activities were increased slightly (1.3-, 1.6- and 1.3-fold, respectively) by 1,2,4-TrCDD. However, aminopyrine N-demethylase was not significantly induced by 1,2,4-TrCDD. Of the Phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes, DT-diaphorase and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene, and those of UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UGT) towards 4-nitrophenol and 7-hydroxycoumarin were increased from 2.7 to 1.4-fold by 1,2,4-TrCDD. These results indicate that 1,2,4-TrCDD induces both Phase I and Phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes in the rat liver.

Chiral separation of amines by high-performance liquid chromatography after tagging with 4-(N,N-dimethylaminosulphonyl)-7-(2-chloroformylpyrrolidin-1-yl)- 2,1,3-benzoxadiazole

Chiral tagging reagents, 4-(N,N-dimethylaminosulphonyl)-7-(2-chloroformylpyrrolidin-1 -yl)-2,1,3- benzoxadiazole (R(+)-DBD-Pro-COCl and S(-)-DBD-Pro-COCl), react with mirror image enantiomers of amines to produce corresponding diastereomers in the presence of pyridine as a catalyst. The maximal excitation and emission wavelengths of the resulting diastereomers were ca. 450 nm and 560 nm, respectively. The diastereomers derived from some aliphatic amines were resolved by a reversed-phase chromatography with water-acetonitrile or normal-phase chromatography with n-hexane-ethyl acetate as the eluent. The reactivities of both enantiomers of DBD-Pro-COCl to chiral amines were almost comparable, whereas a slight difference of fluorescence intensity was observed with S(-)-DBD-Pro-COCl. When (S-)-DBD-Pro-COCl was used as the derivatization reagent, amines corresponding to S-configuration were eluted faster than R-configuration. The opposite elution order was obtained with the use of R(+)-DBD-Pro-COCl, instead of S(-)-DBD-Pro-COCl. The Rs values obtained from 1-cyclohexylethylamine (CEA) having aliphatic ring structure was larger than those of amines (1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine (NEA) and 1-phenylethylamine (PEA)) having aromatic ring structures.

Chimeric cDNA expression and site directed mutagenesis studies of cytochrome P450s CYP2A1 and CYP2A2

Construction of chimeras and site directed mutagenesis were used to study the regioselectivity and kinetics of testosterone hydroxylation by the cytochrome P450s CYP2A1 and CYP2A2. Although these enzymes exhibit 88% sequence similarity, they catalyze very different regioselective hydroxylations of testosterone. Active chimeras inwhich the first 355 amino acids do not correspond to a single enzyme show broad radioselectivity, whereas the specificity of the parent enzyme is obtained if the first 355 amino acids are unchanged. Therefore, the region between amino acids 275 and 355 is important in maintaining regioselectivity. Single point mutants were constructed for the 13 amino acid differences in this region. For 26 single point and 2 double mutants all active mutants have the same regioselectivity as the parent enzymes. However, kinetic analysis of the CYP2A1 mutants showed that 4 single point mutants and 1 double mutant had kinetic parameters very different from the parent enzyme. All of these substitutions are associated with the conserved dioxygen binding region of the putative I helix predicted from the crystal structure of P450(cam). Deuterium isotope effects were used to determine any changes in the rate of reduction and to estimate the relative amount of excess water formation. Changes in reduction rates are not sufficient to account for the differences in V(max) values. Therefore, it is likely that the amount of hydrogen peroxide formed is a primary determinant of V(max).

A new metabolite of 2,4,3',4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl in rat feces

Metabolism in vivo of 2,4,3',4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB) was further studied using male Wistar rats. When the extract of feces of rats given TCB with chloroform was methylated and applied to gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry (MS), a new metabolite was detected. The structure of this new metabolite was 4-hydroxy-2,5,3'4'-TCB based on both its retention time in GC and comparison of the mass spectrum with that of the synthetic sample. 4-Hydroxy-2,5,3',4'-TCB was assumed to be formed via a 4,5-oxide intermediate followed by NIH-shift of a chlorine atom at 4-position.

Site-directed mutagenesis of cytochrome P450s CYP2A1 and CYP2A2: influence of the distal helix on the kinetics of testosterone hydroxylation

Cytochrome P450s CYP2A1 and CYP2A2 exhibit 88% sequence similarity, yet CYP2A1 metabolizes testosterone almost exclusively (90%) at the 7 alpha-position, whereas CYP2A2 forms several metabolites, with 15 alpha-hydroxytestosterone as a major metabolite. One of the regions with relatively low sequence homology corresponds by sequence alignment to the I and J helices of P450cam. Since this region is known to be part of the active site for P450cam, 26 single point and two double point mutants were prepared where the amino acid for one form was substituted with that of the other. Mutant and wild-type enzymes were expressed in Hep G2 cells using the vaccinia virus vector. Analysis of testosterone regioselectivity revealed that 25 of the mutants show the same regioselectivity as the parent wild-type enzymes and three are inactive, suggesting that no single amino acid in this region is totally responsible for the different selectivities of CYP2A1 and CYP2A2. Kinetic analysis of the CYP2A1 mutants showed that four of the mutants with changes near the conserved oxygen-binding region had Km values with much higher and Vmax values much lower than those of the wild-type enzyme and one mutant had a Vmax value twice as high as that of the wild-type enzyme. Deuterium isotope effects on 7 alpha-hydroxxylation were used to determine changes in the rate of reduction and estimate the relative amount of excess water formation. Changes in reduction rates and the amount of water produced are not sufficient to account for the differences in Vmax values, suggesting that the amount of hydrogen peroxide released is a primary determinant for changes in Vmax.

Metabolism in vitro of 3,4,3',4'- and 2,5,2',5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl by rat liver microsomes and highly purified cytochrome P-450

Metabolism of two polychlorinated biphenyls, 3,4,3',4'- and 2,5,2',5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB), was studied using rat liver microsomes and the four forms of cytochrome P-450 (P-450), P-450b, P-450e, P-450c and P-450d. At first, effects of various inducers of P-450 such as phenobarbital (PB), 3-methylcholanthrene (MC), isosafrole (ISF) and pregnenolone 16 alpha-carbonitrile on the formation of metabolites of these TCBs by liver microsomes were compared. 3,4,3',4'-TCB was significantly metabolized by liver microsomes from MC-treated rats to form two previously reported metabolites, 4-hydroxy-3,5,3',4'-TCB and 5-hydroxy-3,4,3',4'-TCB with a relative ratio of 2.5:1. Incubation with microsomes from untreated or PB-treated rats produced none of the metabolites. On the other hand, 2,5,2',5'-TCB was metabolized to 3-hydroxy-2,5,2',5'-TCB most easily by liver microsomes from PB-treated rats and at a moderate rate by liver microsomes from ISF-treated rats. Activities of microsomes from untreated or MC-treated rats to hydroxylate 2,5,2',5'-TCB were low or undetectable. When these TCB hydroxylase activities were examined with a reconstituted system consisting of each P-450, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-cytochrome P-450 reductase, dilauroylphosphatidylcholine and NADPH-generating system, only P-450c catalyzed both the 4- and 5-hydroxylations of 3,4,3',4'-TCB at a ratio of 2.2:1. On the contrary, the hydroxylation of 2,5,2',5'-TCB proceeded efficiently with P-450b and P-450e, being more efficient with the former. P-450d did not show any catalytic activity toward 3,4,3',4'-TCB and 2,5,2',5'-TCB.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Toxicological assessment of 2,5,2',5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl and its major metabolite, 3-hydroxy-2,5,2',5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl in rats]

We observed previously that polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) could be classified to two groups, 3-methylcholanthrene (MC)-type and phenobarbital (PB)-type, in term of inducibility of the hepatic enzymes. MC-type PCBs such as 3,4,3',4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB), 3,4,5,3',4'-pentachlorobiphenyl (PenCB) and 3,4,5,3',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (HexCB) exhibited high acute toxicity in parallel with their induction ability of microsomal benzo[a]pyrene 3-hydroxylase and cytosolic DT-diaphorase. On the contrary, PB-type PCBs such as 2,5,2',5'-TCB and 2,4,5,2',4',5'-HexCB which induce microsomal benzphetamine N-demethylase and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase activities showed virtually no or very low toxicity. In the present study, we examined effects of 2,5,2',5'-TCB and its major metabolite 3-hydroxy-2,5,2',5'-TCB on body weight gain, organ weights and activities of hepatic enzymes in rats and assessed acute toxicity of these compounds. As the results, in both 2,5,2',5'-TCB and 3-hydroxy-2,5,2',5'-TCB groups, the body weights were increased during the experiment, but the rate of growth was significantly suppressed after 3 days. Significant hypertrophy of the liver and decrease of total liver lipid content were observed in 2,5,2',5'-TCB group, but the atrophy of spleen and thymus was not affected in both groups. On the other hand, in 2,5,2',5'-TCB group, benzo[a]pyrene 3-hydroxylase and benzphetamine N-demethylase activities were increased to 2. 4-fold and 1.5-fold, respectively, but were not increased in 3-hydroxy-2,5,2',5'-TCB group. After injection of 2,5,2',5'-TCB, 45% of the dose was excreted as 3-hydroxy-2,5,2',5'-TCB in feces for 5 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Species difference of site-selective glucuronidation of morphine

Species difference in glucuronidation of morphine was studied using mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits in vivo and in vitro. Morphine-3-glucuronide (M-3-G) and morphine-6-glucuronide (M-6-G) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. M-3-G was the major urinary metabolite of morphine in all these animal species. However, a remarkable species difference was observed in the urinary excretion of the M-6-G. Excretion ratios of the M-3-G to M-6-G were approximately 4:1 and 50:1 in guinea pigs and rabbits, respectively. The urinary excretion of M-6-G in mice and rats was too small to be determined. On the other hand, the ratios of uridine diphosphate-glucuronyltransferase (UDPGT) activities toward 3- and 6-hydroxyl groups of morphine in liver microsomes of mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits were approximately 300:1, 90:1, 4:1 and 40:1, respectively. Ratios of two morphine UDPGT activities in the liver microsomes of guinea pigs and rabbits, thus, reflected those of urinary excretion of morphine glucuronides.

The human CYP2D locus associated with a common genetic defect in drug oxidation: a G1934----A base change in intron 3 of a mutant CYP2D6 allele results in an aberrant 3' splice recognition site

The debrisoquine polymorphism is a common genetic defect that results in deficient oxidation of debrisoquine and numerous other drugs. These compounds are metabolized by a form of cytochrome P450, designated CYP2D6. Some 5%-10% of Caucasians are unable to metabolize debrisoquine, because of mutant alleles of CYP2D6. A CYP2D6 allele was isolated from leukocyte DNA of an individual who was deficient in debrisoquine metabolism. The gene was completely sequenced, including 725 bp of upstream and 400 bp of downstream DNA. Several base changes were uncovered within the exons, resulting in four amino acid differences between the mutant and wild-type allele. Most important, a single base change G1934----A at the junction of the third intron and four exon would result in an incorrectly spliced primary transcript and in an mRNA having a single base deletion. This deletion presumably disrupts the mRNA reading frame, resulting in a truncated protein. These data establish unequivocally that the debrisoquine polymorphism is the result of mutant CYP2D6 alleles and provide a framework to design a genetic test for this drug oxidation deficiency. A defective CYP2D7 allele was also isolated and completely sequenced, providing evidence that gene conversions have occurred between CYP2D6 and CYP2D7.

Species difference in codeine uridine diphosphate-glucuronyltransferase activity of liver microsomes

Species difference in codeine uridine diphosphate-glucuronyltransferase (UDPGT) activity was studied in liver microsomes of mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits. Codeine UDPGT activity was the highest in guinea pigs, followed by that in rabbits, and the lowest in mice and rats among these four animal species. The specific activities of codeine UDPGT in liver microsomes were not correlated well with those toward morphine, 4-nitrophenol, and 4-hydroxybiphenyl in liver microsomes of each of the species. Inducibility of liver microsomal codeine UDPGT activity in rats was examined by pretreatment with phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene and compared with those of other UDPGT activities. The activity was inducible by phenobarbital pretreatment as the activity toward morphine and 4-hydroxybiphenyl. The inducibility of codeine UDPGT activity by phenobarbital pretreatment was not as high as that of morphine UDPGT activity.

Species differences in metabolism of codeine: urinary excretion of codeine glucuronide, morphine-3-glucuronide and morphine-6-glucuronide in mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits

1. Metabolites of codeine were determined by use of h.p.l.c. in urine of male mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits injected with 10 mg codeine/kg subcutaneously. 2. In 24 h urines of these species, unchanged codeine, codeine glucuronide, free morphine, and morphine-3-glucuronide were as follows: mice, 6.8, 1.6, 0.8 and 7.6% dose; rats, 1.6, 0.2, 4.3 and 23.9% dose; guinea pigs, 1.6, 39.8, 0.2 and 1.6% dose; rabbits, 2.2, 24.5, 1.3 and 17.9% dose. Urinary excretion of morphine-6-glucuronide was 0.7% dose in guinea pigs, 1.9% in rabbits, and not detectable in mice and rats. Norcodeine was found only in the urine of mice. 3. These results indicate that codeine is metabolized in all four species by glucuronidation and by oxidative N- and O-demethylation, but the quantitative excretions of metabolites were quite different in different species.

Sequence requirements for cytochromes P450IIA1 and P450IIA2 catalytic activity: evidence for both specific and non-specific substrate binding interactions through use of chimeric cDNAs and cDNA expression

Cytochrome P450s IIA1 and IIA2, encoded by the CYP2A1 and CYP2A2 genes, display 88% amino acid sequence similarities. The dissimilarities of sequence between these two enzymes are primarily localized within four discrete regions of the polypeptides that are separated by regions of absolute sequence identity. IIA1 specifically hydroxylates the prototype substrate testosterone at the 7 alpha and 6 alpha position with a predominance of 7 alpha metabolite. IIA2, on the other hand, hydroxylates this steroid at eight positions on the molecule, with one of the most abundant metabolites being 15 alpha-hydroxytestosterone. To determine those amino acids responsible for the difference in testosterone hydroxylation specificities, chimeras were constructed between IIA1 and IIA2 cDNAs and expressed in cell culture using vaccinia-virus-mediated cDNA expression. Chimeras, in which the first 355 amino acids correspond to a single enzyme, maintain the specificity associated with that enzyme. Of six chimeras which have substitutions between amino acids 161 and 276, two are inactive and the remaining four give similar metabolite profiles, in which both 7 alpha and 15 alpha hydroxylation specificities have been lost. Two of these four chimeras are diametric apposites, suggesting that modification of either the N-terminal or central regions of the enzymes results in conformational changes that prevent the specific binding interactions responsible for the narrow regioselectivity associated with IIA1 and 15 alpha-hydroxytestosterone formation associated with IIA2.

The rat clofibrate-inducible CYP4A gene subfamily. I. Complete intron and exon sequence of the CYP4A1 and CYP4A2 genes, unique exon organization, and identification of a conserved 19-bp upstream element

The P450 CYP4A1 and CYP4A2 genes were isolated from a rat genomic library constructed in the vector lambda EMBL3 and their complete sequences were determined. The CYP4A1 and CYP4A2 genes spanned 14,144 and 10,576 bp and contained 13 and 12 exons, respectively. The CYP4A1 gene contained an additional intron that splits the exon corresponding to exon 12 of the CYP4A2 gene, resulting in a noncoding 13th exon in CYP4A1. The exon numbers of these genes were distinct among known P450 genes, and yet several intron-exon junctions along the P450 amino acid coding region were conserved with P450 genes in the CYP2, CYP11, and CYP21 gene families. On the basis of these data, the number of exons in the putative ancestral P450 gene was estimated. The evolutionary implications of this finding are discussed. No consensus TATA sequence was found upstream of either gene's transcription start site. Comparison of the CYP4A1 and CYP4A2 promoters with other genes that lack TATA boxes did not reveal any strong consensus sequence in their immediate upstream regions. However, a conserved 19-bp sequence was located at the positions of 42 and 48 bp upstream from the CYP4A1 and CYP4A2 genes' start sites, respectively. The CYP4A2 gene also contained two 378-bp direct repeats upstream from the start site; these repeats are derived from portions of the long interspersed middle repetitive element present in high copy numbers in the rat genome.

Suppressive effect of interferon inducer, polyriboinosinic acid-polyribocytidylic acid on induction of uridine diphosphate-glucuronyltransferases and monooxygenases in liver microsomes of rats

The effect of polyriboinosinic acid-polyribocytidylic acid [poly(I).poly(C)] on glucuronyltransferase activities toward 4-nitrophenol and 4-hydroxybiphenyl in liver microsomes of Wistar rats was examined by its single or co-administration with 3-methylcholanthrene and phenobarbital. The increased 4-nitrophenol glucuronyltransferase activity by treatment with 3-methylcholanthrene was significantly suppressed following the co-administration with poly(I).poly(C), although the activity was not affected by the treatment with poly(I).poly(C) alone. In addition, 4-hydroxybiphenyl glucuronyltransferase activity decreased or tended to decrease by the treatment with poly(I).poly(C) alone, and the activity induced by phenobarbital was strikingly decreased following the co-administration with poly(I).poly(C). This result suggested that poly(I).poly(C) comprehensively decrease the induction of glucuronyltransferases regardless of their multiple forms. Furthermore, contents of cytochromes P-450 and b5 were also decreased by the treatment with poly(I).poly(C) alone or the co-administration with the inducers. Concomitantly, arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase and benzphetamine N-demethylase activities were significantly decreased by the treatment alone or the co-administration with the inducers. These findings supported a view that the suppressive effect of poly(I).poly(C) may be derived from the prevention of de novo synthesis of the apoprotein of the enzymes and/or the increased degradation.

Induction of microsomal stearoyl-CoA desaturase by the administration of various phenoxyacetic acid derivatives

The potency of seven phenoxyacetic acid derivatives to induce microsomal stearoyl-CoA desaturation activity in rat liver was compared with that of 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methyl-propionic acid (clofibric acid). These compounds were given to rats with diet. Of seven phenoxyacetic acid derivatives tested, both 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-propionic acid and 2-(2-chlorophenoxy)-2-methyl-propionic acid increased considerably the desaturation activity as was observed with clofibric acid. Moreover, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) also increased the desaturation activity, although the inducing effect on desaturation activity was very weak compared to that of clofibric acid. These three compounds increased activity of terminal desaturase without accompanying marked changes in reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)-cytochrome b5 reductase activity and cytochrome b5 content as was the case with clofibric acid. The other four phenoxyacetic acid derivatives, 2-(phenoxy)-propionic acid, 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2-chlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) changed scarcely the desaturation activity. These compounds had no influence on NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase activity, cytochrome b5 content and terminal desaturase activity. Correlating with the changes in the desaturation activity, concentration of octadecenoic acid was increased in hepatic microsomes, whole liver and serum. Treatment with clofibric acid did not change the concentration of octadecenoic acid in brain, lung, heart, spleen, testis and adipose tissue.

Induction of microsomal stearoyl-CoA desaturation by the administration of various peroxisome proliferators

Male rats were fed a diet containing 0.5% p-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid (clofibric acid), 1% acetylsalicylic acid, 2% di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, 2% dibutylphthalate, 2% di-(2-ethylhexyl)adipate or 0.5% 4,4'-(isopropylidenedithio)bis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol)) (probucol) for 7 days. Activity of microsomal stearoyl-CoA desaturation in rat liver was increased, ranging from 2.1 to 3.6 times, in association with an increase in the activity of peroxisomal beta-oxidation and catalase following the administration of clofibric acid, di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, dibutylphthalate or di-(2-ethylhexyl)adipate. The increase in the activity of stearoyl-CoA desaturation by peroxisome proliferators appears to be due to an increase in activity only of the terminal desaturase, but not to changes in either NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase activity or cytochrome b5 content. Unlike peroxisome proliferators, probucol increased little the activity of either microsomal desaturation or peroxisomal beta-oxidation. The percentage of octadecenoic acid in total fatty acid of hepatic microsomes, homogenates and serum was increased markedly by the administration of peroxisome proliferators.