Cytochrome b5 as electron donor to rabbit liver cytochrome P-450LM2 in reconstituted phospholipid vesicles

CYP2E1 in Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Liver Injury. Roles of ROS, Reactive Intermediates and Lipid Overload

CYP2E1 is one of the fifty-seven cytochrome P450 genes in the human genome and is highly conserved. CYP2E1 is a unique P450 enzyme because its heme iron is constitutively in the high spin state, allowing direct reduction of, e.g., dioxygen, causing the formation of a variety of reactive oxygen species and reduction of xenobiotics to toxic products. The CYP2E1 enzyme has been the focus of scientific interest due to (i) its important endogenous function in liver homeostasis, (ii) its ability to activate procarcinogens and to convert certain drugs, e.g., paracetamol and anesthetics, to cytotoxic end products, (iii) its unique ability to effectively reduce dioxygen to radical species causing liver injury, (iv) its capability to reduce compounds, often generating radical intermediates of direct toxic or indirect immunotoxic properties and (v) its contribution to the development of alcoholic liver disease, steatosis and NASH. In this overview, we present the discovery of the enzyme and studies in humans, 3D liver systems and genetically modified mice to disclose its function and clinical relevance. Induction of the CYP2E1 enzyme either by alcohol or high-fat diet leads to increased severity of liver pathology and likelihood to develop ALD and NASH, with subsequent influence on the occurrence of hepatocellular cancer. Thus, fat-dependent induction of the enzyme might provide a link between steatosis and fibrosis in the liver. We conclude that CYP2E1 has many important physiological functions and is a key enzyme for hepatic carcinogenesis, drug toxicity and liver disease.

Membrane topology and search for potential redox partners of colon cancer-specific cytochrome P450 2W1

Cytochrome P450 2W1 (CYP2W1) is a colon tumor-specific enzyme, suggested as a potential target for cancer therapy. In contrast to other endoplasmic reticulum P450s, we found completely inverted ER membrane topology of CYP2W1 using different approaches (redox sensitive luciferase assay and protease protection assay) and demonstrated that canonical CYP reductants, cytochrome P450 reductase, and cytochrome b5 cannot serve as electron donors for CYP2W1. Moreover, the reduced catalytic activity of the Asn177 mutant that is modified by glycan moieties in the wild-type enzyme indicates a functional relevance of CYP2W1 glycosylation.

Mechanistic basis of electron transfer to cytochromes p450 by natural redox partners and artificial donor constructs

Cytochromes P450 (P450s) are hemoproteins catalyzing oxidative biotransformation of a vast array of natural and xenobiotic compounds. Reducing equivalents required for dioxygen cleavage and substrate hydroxylation originate from different redox partners including diflavin reductases, flavodoxins, ferredoxins and phthalate dioxygenase reductase (PDR)-type proteins. Accordingly, circumstantial analysis of structural and physicochemical features governing donor-acceptor recognition and electron transfer poses an intriguing challenge. Thus, conformational flexibility reflected by togging between closed and open states of solvent exposed patches on the redox components was shown to be instrumental to steered electron transmission. Here, the membrane-interactive tails of the P450 enzymes and donor proteins were recognized to be crucial to proper orientation toward each other of surface sites on the redox modules steering functional coupling. Also, mobile electron shuttling may come into play. While charge-pairing mechanisms are of primary importance in attraction and complexation of the redox partners, hydrophobic and van der Waals cohesion forces play a minor role in docking events. Due to catalytic plasticity of P450 enzymes, there is considerable promise in biotechnological applications. Here, deeper insight into the mechanistic basis of the redox machinery will permit optimization of redox processes via directed evolution and DNA shuffling. Thus, creation of hybrid systems by fusion of the modified heme domain of P450s with proteinaceous electron carriers helps obviate the tedious reconstitution procedure and induces novel activities. Also, P450-based amperometric biosensors may open new vistas in pharmaceutical and clinical implementation and environmental monitoring.

Dietary accumulation of tetrabromobisphenol A and its effects on the scallop Chlamys farreri

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is currently the most widely-used brominated flame retardant (BFR) and has been proven to have a very high toxicity to aquatic organisms including bivalves. In this study, a laboratory experiment was conducted to obtain a better understanding of the role of algae food on the bioaccumulation of TBBPA and its effects on the suspension-feeding bivalve, the scallop, Chlamys farreri. Scallops were exposed to TBBPA via algae food alone or food+water for 10 days. Results showed that TBBPA was accumulated rapidly by scallops, reaching an approximate steady state in soft tissues within 3 days. The primary route of TBBPA accumulation was via the water, while dietary uptake was relatively minor. TBBPA exposure led to significant inhibition on microsomal cytochrome P450 and cytochrome b5 levels in gills and digestive gland, whereas GST activity and GSH level increased significantly, which indicated that TBBPA could be a suitable substrate to directly participate in phase II metabolism. TBBPA clearly induced the activity of SOD, suggesting the oxidant stress induced by TBBPA. This study suggests that dietary uptake was not the predominant uptake route for TBBPA in bivalves and also provides a preliminary basis for studying the detoxification and antioxidant responses of marine bivalves upon exposure to TBBPA.

The interaction of microsomal cytochrome P450 2B4 with its redox partners, cytochrome P450 reductase and cytochrome b(5)

Cytochrome P450 2B4 is a microsomal protein with a multi-step reaction cycle similar to that observed in the majority of other cytochromes P450. The cytochrome P450 2B4-substrate complex is reduced from the ferric to the ferrous form by cytochrome P450 reductase. After binding oxygen, the oxyferrous protein accepts a second electron which is provided by either cytochrome P450 reductase or cytochrome b(5). In both instances, product formation occurs. When the second electron is donated by cytochrome b(5), catalysis (product formation) is ∼10- to 100-fold faster than in the presence of cytochrome P450 reductase. This allows less time for side product formation (hydrogen peroxide and superoxide) and improves by ∼15% the coupling of NADPH consumption to product formation. Cytochrome b(5) has also been shown to compete with cytochrome P450 reductase for a binding site on the proximal surface of cytochrome P450 2B4. These two different effects of cytochrome b(5) on cytochrome P450 2B4 reactivity can explain how cytochrome b(5) is able to stimulate, inhibit, or have no effect on cytochrome P450 2B4 activity. At low molar ratios (<1) of cytochrome b(5) to cytochrome P450 reductase, the more rapid catalysis results in enhanced substrate metabolism. In contrast, at high molar ratios (>1) of cytochrome b(5) to cytochrome P450 reductase, cytochrome b(5) inhibits activity by binding to the proximal surface of cytochrome P450 and preventing the reductase from reducing ferric cytochrome P450 to the ferrous protein, thereby aborting the catalytic reaction cycle. When the stimulatory and inhibitory effects of cytochrome b(5) are equal, it will appear to have no effect on the enzymatic activity. It is hypothesized that cytochrome b(5) stimulates catalysis by causing a conformational change in the active site, which allows the active oxidizing oxyferryl species of cytochrome P450 to be formed more rapidly than in the presence of reductase.

Cytochromes P450—A Family of Proteins and Scientists–Understanding their Relationships

The unifying thread of this review involves NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (CYPOR), the microsomal enzyme responsible for transferring electrons to cytochromes P450, as well as several other monooxygenase systems, a lifelong interest of the corresponding author. The intersection of her research with that of Dr. David Kupfer, their resulting collaboration, and the beginning of a long-standing study of fatty acid- and eicosanoid-metabolizing cytochromes P450 (CYP4A gene subfamily), including the role of cytochrome b5, will be reported. The culmination of this interest now involves purification and characterization of the human mutants of CYPOR that have been implicated in pathologies, such as Antley-Bixler syndrome.

Cytochrome P450 systems—biological variations of electron transport chains

Cytochromes P450 (P450) are hemoproteins encoded by a superfamily of genes nearly ubiquitously distributed in different organisms from all biological kingdoms. The reactions carried out by P450s are extremely diverse and contribute to the biotransformation of drugs, the bioconversion of xenobiotics, the bioactivation of chemical carcinogens, the biosynthesis of physiologically important compounds such as steroids, fatty acids, eicosanoids, fat-soluble vitamins and bile acids, the conversion of alkanes, terpenes and aromatic compounds as well as the degradation of herbicides and insecticides. Cytochromes P450 belong to the group of external monooxygenases and thus receive the necessary electrons for oxygen cleavage and substrate hydroxylation from different redox partners. The classical as well as the recently discovered P450 redox systems are compiled in this paper and classified according to their composition.

Molecular model of human CYP21 based on mammalian CYP2C5: structural features correlate with clinical severity of mutations causing congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Enhanced understanding of structure-function relationships of human 21-hydroxylase, CYP21, is required to better understand the molecular causes of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. To this end, a structural model of human CYP21 was calculated based on the crystal structure of rabbit CYP2C5. All but two known allelic variants of missense type, a total of 60 disease-causing mutations and six normal variants, were analyzed using this model. A structural explanation for the corresponding phenotype was found for all but two mutants for which available clinical data are also discrepant with in vitro enzyme activity. Calculations of protein stability of modeled mutants were found to correlate inversely with the corresponding clinical severity. Putative structurally important residues were identified to be involved in heme and substrate binding, redox partner interaction, and enzyme catalysis using docking calculations and analysis of structurally determined homologous cytochrome P450s (CYPs). Functional and structural consequences of seven novel mutations, V139E, C147R, R233G, T295N, L308F, R366C, and M473I, detected in Scandinavian patients with suspected congenital adrenal hyperplasia of different severity, were predicted using molecular modeling. Structural features deduced from the models are in good correlation with clinical severity of CYP21 mutants, which shows the applicability of a modeling approach in assessment of new CYP21 mutations.

Role of cytochrome b5 in catalysis by cytochrome P450 2B4

Cytochrome b5 has been shown to stimulate, inhibit or have no effect on catalysis by P450 cytochromes. Its action is known to depend on the isozyme of cytochrome P450, the substrate, and experimental conditions. Cytochrome P450 2B4 (CYP 2B4) has been used in our laboratory as a model isozyme to study the role of cytochrome b5 in cytochrome P450 catalysis using two substrates, methoxyflurane and benzphetamine. One substrate is the volatile anesthetic, methoxyflurane, whose metabolism is consistently markedly stimulated by cytochrome b5. The other is benzphetamine, whose metabolism is minimally modified by cytochrome b5. Determination of the stoichiometry of the metabolism of both substrates showed that the amount of product formed is the net result of the simultaneous stimulatory and inhibitory actions of cytochrome b5 on catalysis. Site-directed mutagenesis studies revealed that both cytochrome b5 and cytochrome P450 reductase interact with cytochrome P450 on its proximal surface on overlapping but non-identical binding sites. Comparison of the rate of reduction of oxyferrous CYP 2B4 and the rate of substrate oxidation by cyt b5 and reductase with stopped-flow spectrophotometric and rapid chemical quench experiments has demonstrated that although cytochrome b5 and reductase reduce oxyferrous CYP 2B4 at the same rate, substrate oxidation proceeds more slowly in the presence of the reductase.

Examining the mechanism of stimulation of cytochrome P450 by cytochrome b5: the effect of cytochrome b5 on the interaction between cytochrome P450 2B4 and P450 reductase

Dissociation constants K(d) for cytochrome P450 reductase (reductase) and cytochrome P450 2B4 are measured in the presence of various substrates. Aminopyrine increases the dissociation constant for binding of the two proteins. Furthermore, cytochrome b(5) (b(5)) stimulates metabolism of this substrate and dramatically decreases the substrate-related K(d) values. Experiments are performed to test if the b(5)-mediated stimulation is effected through a conformational change of P450. The effects of a redox-inactive analogue of b(5) (Mn b(5)) on product formation and reaction stoichiometry are determined. Variations in the concentration of Mn b(5) stock solution that have been shown to effect the aggregation state of the protein alter the rate of P450-mediated NADPH oxidation but have no effect on the rate of product formation. Thus, the electron transfer capability of b(5) is necessary for stimulation of metabolism. Furthermore, stopped flow spectrometry measurements of the rate of first electron reduction of the P450 by reductase indicate that the coupling of P450 2B4-mediated metabolism improves, in the presence of Mn b(5), with slower delivery of the first electron of the catalytic cycle by the reductase. These results are consistent with a model involving the regulation of the P450 catalytic cycle by conformational changes of the P450 enzyme. We propose that the conformational change(s) necessary for progression of the catalytic cycle is inhibited when reduced, but not oxidized, reductase is bound to the P450.

Effects of cytochrome b(5) on drug oxidation activities of human cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3As: similarity of CYP3A5 with CYP3A4 but not CYP3A7

Effects of cytochrome b(5) (b(5)) on catalytic activities of human cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A5, CYP3A4, and CYP3A7 coexpressed with human NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase in Escherichia coli membranes were investigated using 14 substrates. The activities of CYP3A5 were enhanced by addition of b(5) in approximately one third of the substrates employed in this study. Such enhancement by b(5) was roughly similar to that of CYP3A4, while the activities of CYP3A7 were not enhanced by b(5) with any substrates employed. V(max) values for midazolam 1'-hydroxylation and amitriptyline N-demethylation by CYP3A5 were increased about twice by addition of b(5), which was also seen with CYP3A4, although the extent of the effects of b(5) on S(50) (K(m)) and Hill coefficient differed dependent on substrates used. In contrast, b(5) did not alter any of these kinetic parameters of CYP3A7. The effects of b(5) on kinetic parameters of CYP3A5 were similar to those of CYP3A4 but not CYP3A7. These results suggest that roles of b(5) in drug oxidation activities of CYP3A5 and CYP3A4 are different from those of CYP3A7.

The many roles of cytochrome b5

Four distinct suggestions have been made to explain the mechanism of the cytochrome b(5)-imposed positive modifier action of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase reaction. The first mechanism involves a direct input of an electron into the monooxygenase cycle. This is the second of the two electrons necessary for activation of molecular oxygen, and appears to be a rate-limiting step in the monooxygenase reaction. P450 monooxygenases all appear to be uncoupled to varying extents, releasing superoxide and hydrogen peroxide instead of oxidized substrate. A second mechanism suggests that cytochrome b(5) acts as a positive modifier of the monooxygenase by decreasing the extent of uncoupling of the monooxygenase reaction. The implication is that a slow input of the second electron allows uncoupling of a superoxide anion instead of formation of two-electron reduced oxygen. Faster input of the second electron via cytochrome b(5) would result in formation of more of the activated oxygen that reacts with substrate to form product. A third suggestion involves formation of a two-hemoprotein complex between cytochrome b(5) and cytochrome P450 that allows acceptance of two electrons from NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase. Uncomplexed cytochrome P450 accepts an electron from the reductase, dissociates from it, binds oxygen, and re-associates with the reductase to accept another electron. Complexation with cytochrome b(5) enhances the rate of formation of the active oxygen by obviating the need for two interactions with reductase. The fourth mechanism has cytochrome b(5) serving as an effector without a reduction-oxidation role in the monooxygenation reaction. This effector function may be to enhance the breakdown of the oxygenated hemoprotein to products or to facilitate flow of electrons through the system.

Comparison of substrate metabolism by cytochromes P450 2B1, 2B4, and 2B6: relationship of heme spin state, catalysis, and the effects of cytochrome b5

The metabolism of selected substrates by cytochromes P450 (P450) 2B1, 2B4, and 2B6 was compared, and the effects of cytochrome b(5) (b(5)) on these reactions were assessed. There did not appear to be any trends regarding the effects of b(5) when the metabolism of a given substrate by the different P450 enzymes was compared. The changes in spin states of the P450 enzymes as a result of interactions with substrates and cytochrome b(5) were also determined. Only P450 2B4 demonstrated a relationship between spin state, reaction coupling and b(5) effects. The rates of benzphetamine and 7-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin metabolism by the three enzymes could be correlated with the proportions of high spin heme. Similarly, the proportion of reaction coupling during the metabolism of selected substrates was approximately equal to the proportion of high spin P450. The data are interpreted to indicate that a P450 conformational equilibrium coordinately regulates catalysis and spin state changes.

Stimulation of cytochrome P450 reactions by apo-cytochrome b5: evidence against transfer of heme from cytochrome P450 3A4 to apo-cytochrome b5 or heme oxygenase

Many cytochrome P450 (P450)-dependent reactions have been shown to be stimulated by another microsomal protein, cytochrome b(5) (b(5)). Two major explanations are (i) direct electron transfer from b(5) and (ii) a conformational effect in the absence of electron transfer. Some P450s (e.g. 3A4, 2C9, 17A, and 4A7) are stimulated by either b(5) or b(5) devoid of heme (apo-b(5)), indicating a lack of electron transfer, whereas other P450s (e.g. 2E1) are stimulated by b(5) but not by apo-b(5). Recently, a proposal has been made by Guryev et al. (Biochemistry 40, 5018-5031, 2001) that the stimulation by apo-b(5) can be explained only by transfer of heme from P450 preparations to apo-b(5), enabling electron transfer. We have repeated earlier findings of stimulation of catalytic activity of testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation activities with four P450 preparations, in which nearly all of the heme was accounted for as P450. Spectral analysis of mixtures indicated that only approximately 5% of the heme can be transferred to apo-b(5), which cannot account for the observed stimulation. The presence of the heme scavenger apomyoglobin did not inhibit the stimulation of P450 3A4-dependent testosterone or nifedipine oxidation activity. Further evidence against the presence of loosely bound P450 3A4 heme was provided in experiments with apo-heme oxygenase, in which only 3% of the P450 heme was converted to biliverdin. Finally, b(5) supported NADH-b(5) reductase/P450 3A4-dependent testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation, but apo-b(5) did not. Thus, apo-b(5) can stimulate P450 3A4 reactions as well as b(5) in the absence of electron transfer, and heme transfer from P450 3A4 to apo-b(5) cannot be used to explain the catalytic stimulation.

Carbamazepine: a 'blind' assessment of CVP-associated metabolism and interactions in human liver-derived in vitro systems

1. The ability of various in vitro systems for CYP enzymes (computer modelling, human liver microsomes, precision-cut liver slices, hepatocytes in culture, recombinant enzymes) to predict various aspects of in vivo metabolism and kinetics of carbamazepine (CBZ) was investigated. 2. The study was part of the EUROCYP project that aimed to evaluate relevant human in vitro systems to study drug metabolism. 3. CBZ was given to the participating laboratories without disclosing its chemical nature. 4. The most important enzyme (CYP3A4) and metabolic route (10,11-epoxidation) were predicted by all the systems studied. 5. Minor enzymes and routes were predicted to a different extent by various systems. 6. Prediction of a clearance class, i.e. slow clearance, was correctly predicted by microsomes, slices, hepatocytes and recombinant enzymes (CYP3A4). 7. The 10,11-epoxidation of CBZ by the recombinant CYP3A4 was enhanced by the addition of exogenous cytochrome-b5, leading to a considerable over-prediction. 8. Induction potency of CBZ was predicted in cultured hepatocytes in which 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase was used as an index activity. 9. It seems that for a principally CYP-metabolized substance such as CBZ, all liver-derived systems provide useful information for prediction of metabolic routes, rates and interactions.

Identification of the binding site on cytochrome P450 2B4 for cytochrome b5 and cytochrome P450 reductase

A model of cytochrome P450 2B4, which was constructed by homology modeling with the four known crystal structures of the cytochromes P450 (Chang, T.-T., Stiffelman, O. B., Vakser, I. A., Loew, G. H., Bridges, A., and Waskell, L. (1997) Protein Eng. 10, 119-129), was used to select amino acids predicted, by computer docking studies and numerous previous biochemical and site-directed mutagenesis studies, to be involved in binding the heme domain of cytochrome b5. Twenty-four amino acid residues located on both the distal and the proximal surface of the molecule were chosen for mutagenesis. These 24 mutant proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and characterized with respect to their ability to bind cytochrome b5 and support substrate oxidation. Seven mutants, R122A, R126A, R133A, F135A, M137A, K139A, and K433A, all on the proximal surface of cytochrome P450 2B4 near the heme ligand, were identified that exhibited decreased ability to bind cytochrome b5. All of the mutants except K433A are located in either the C or C* helices or their termini. In addition, these seven mutants and two additional mutants on the proximal surface of cytochrome P450, R422A and R443A, were shown to exhibit decreased binding to cytochrome P450 reductase. These studies indicate that the binding sites for cytochrome b5 and cytochrome P450 reductase are, as predicted, located on the proximal surface of cytochrome P450 2B4 and are partially overlapping but not identical.

The stoichiometry of the cytochrome P-450-catalyzed metabolism of methoxyflurane and benzphetamine in the presence and absence of cytochrome b5

The complete stoichiometry of the metabolism of the cytochrome b5 (cyt b5)-requiring substrate, methoxyflurane, by purified cytochrome P-450 2B4 was compared to that of another substrate, benzphetamine, which does not require cyt b5 for its metabolism. Cyt b5 invariably improved the efficiency of product formation. That is, in the presence of cyt b5 a greater percentage of the reducing equivalents from NADPH were utilized to generate substrate metabolites, primarily at the expense of the side product, superoxide. With methoxyflurane, cyt b5 addition always resulted in an increased rate of product formation, while with benzphetamine the rate of product formation remained unchanged, increased or decreased. The apparently contradictory observations of increased reaction efficiency but decrease in total product formation for benzphetamine can be explained by a second effect of cyt b5. Under some experimental conditions cyt b5 inhibits total NADPH consumption. Whether stimulation, inhibition, or no change in product formation is observed in the presence of cyt b5 depends on the net effect of the stimulatory and inhibitory effects of cyt b5. When total NADPH consumption is inhibited by cyt b5, the rapidly metabolized, highly coupled (approximately equal to 50%) substrate, benzphetamine, undergoes a net decrease in metabolism not counterbalanced by the increase in the efficiency (2-20%) of the reaction. In contrast, in the presence of the slowly metabolized, poorly coupled (approximately equal to 0.5-3%) substrate, methoxyflurane, inhibition of total NADPH consumption by cyt b5 was never sufficient to overcome the stimulation of product formation due to an increase in efficiency of the reaction.

Different influences of two fractions of lung cytochrome b5 on reconstituted lung benzphetamine N-demethylase system

Chromatography of lung microsomal cytochrome b5 obtained from DEAE-cellulose columns, yielded two distinct cytochrome b5 fractions. These cytochrome b5 fractions were further purified by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatography. The specific cytochrome b5 content of fraction 1 and fraction 2 was found to be 16.5 and 16.4 nmol/mg protein respectively. Both fractions were free of cytochrome P-450, NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase activities. The effects of lung cytochrome b5 (fraction 1 and fraction 2) and liver cytochrome b5 on benzphetamine N-demethylase activity were examined. Four different reconstitution systems were used. Lung cytochrome b5 fraction 2 and liver cytochrome b5 stimulated N-demethylase activity in all four systems when b5:P-450 molar ratio was low, i.e. 0.25 or 0.5. Both cytochrome b5 samples inhibited N-demethylase activity when b5:P-450 ratio exceeded 1:1 molar ratio. In contrast lung cytochrome b5 fraction 1 stimulated N-demethylase activity in all four systems. Maximal enhancement of the activity was obtained when b5:P-450 ratio was 0.5. The greatest increase in N-demethylation activity was observed in the reconstitution system with the lowest concentration of cytochrome P-450 reductase, conditions which most closely resemble intact microsomes.

Activation of alkylhydrazines to free radical intermediates by ethanol-inducible cytochrome P-4502E1 (CYP2E1)

Electron spin resonance (EPR) spectroscopy analysis using the spin trapping agent 4-pyridyl-1-oxide-t-butyl nitrone (4-POBN) was used to measure the formation of free radical intermediates during NADPH-dependent oxidation of 1-methyl-, 1-ethyl-, and 1-isopropylhydrazine in rat liver microsomes and in reconstituted enzyme systems. The experiments in microsomes revealed that the specific activation of the hydrazines, as measured by the EPR signal intensities, was about two-fold higher, when expressed per nmol of P-450, in microsomes from rats treated with ethanol (EtOH) as compared to membranes isolated from either phenobarbital (PB)-, beta-naphthoflavone (beta-NF)-treated or control rats. Furthermore, kinetic experiments revealed that EtOH-microsomes had an apparent affinity for 1-ethylhydrazine about one order of magnitude higher than PB-microsomes. In reconstituted vesicular systems composed of phospholipids, NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase and P-450, the intensities of EPR signals produced by the formation of the methyl-, ethyl- and isopropyl-free radicals, were 3- to 5-fold more intense in membrane vesicles containing ethanol-inducible CYP2E1 than phenobarbital-inducible CYP2B1. By contrast, CYP1A2, CYP2B4 and CYP2C4 were inefficient catalysts of radical formation. Desferrioxamine, catalase and superoxide dismutase did not influence the extent of ethyl radicals formed in EtOH-microsomes, indicating that hydroxyl radicals are not involved in the CYP2E1-dependent activation of 1-ethylhydrazine. Addition of cytochrome b5, an efficient donor of the second electron to P-450 and hence an inhibitor of the formation of the oxy-cytochrome P-450 complex, increased to be consistent with the results, did not influence the amount of ethyl radicals trapped. In liver microsomes from untreated rats selective substrates of CYP2E1, such as diethyl-dithiocarbamate and p-nitrophenol, as well as anti-CYP2E1-IgG, inhibited the free radical formation from 1-ethylhydrazine by about 60%. The anti-CYP2E1 IgG used significantly inhibited ethyl radical production also in human liver microsomes incubated with 1-ethylhydrazine and 4-POBN. Taken together, these results indicate that CYP2E1, as compared to other rat liver cytochromes P-450, is an efficient catalyst of transformation of alkylhydrazines to free radical intermediates, a finding that might be of importance in the development of the toxicity of these compounds.

Stimulatory effects of lung cytochrome b5 on benzphetamine N-demethylation in a reconstituted system containing lung cytochrome P450LgM2

Cytochrome b5 was partially purified from sheep lung microsomes in the presence of detergents Emulgen 913 and cholate by three consecutive DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatographies. The specific content of cytochrome b5 was 16.5 nmol/mg protein and purified cytochrome b5 fractions were free of cytochrome P450, NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase and NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase activities. The influences of increasing concentrations of lung cytochrome b5 on benzphetamine N-demethylation reactions were examined in four different reconstitution systems containing lung cytochrome P450LgM2, lung cytochrome P450 reductase and lipid. In each system concentration of reductase was doubled with respect to former system. In all systems cytochrome b5 stimulated benzphetamine N-demethylase activity especially when cytochrome b5 was present at 0.5:1 molar ratio with respect to cytochrome P450LgM2. Besides, the greatest fold of increase in benzphetamine N-demethylation activity due to addition of cytochrome b5 was observed in System 1 with the lowest concentration of reductase.

The oxidative inactivation of cytochrome P450 in monooxygenase reactions

Possible mechanisms of cytochrome P450 self-inactivation during catalytic turnover have been considered. Two ways of hemoprotein inactivation are so far known. The first, studied extensively by many authors, is the formation of active substrate intermediates, capable of modifying heme and apoenzyme. The second way, revealed quite recently and resulting from uncoupled cytochrome P450-catalyzed monooxygenase reactions, is yet to be clarified. Briefly, it involves formation of hydrogen peroxide in the hemoprotein active center, which interacts with the enzyme associated Fe2+, thereby generating hydroxyl radicals that bleach the heme and modify the apoenzyme. This mechanism operates with substrates and cytochrome P450 forms with partially coupled monooxygenase reactions, thus causing the formation of hydrogen peroxide as a byproduct.

Stimulation by paraquat of microsomal and cytochrome P-450-dependent oxidation of glycerol to formaldehyde

Glycerol can be oxidized to formaldehyde by microsomes in a reaction that is dependent on cytochrome P-450. An oxidant derived from the interaction of H2O2 with iron was responsible for oxidizing the glycerol, with P-450 suggested to be necessary to produce H2O2 and reduce non-haem iron. The effect of paraquat on formaldehyde production from glycerol and whether paraquat could replace P-450 in supporting this reaction were studied. Paraquat increased NADPH-dependent microsomal oxidation of glycerol; the stimulation was inhibited by glutathione, catalase, EDTA and desferrioxamine, but not by superoxide dismutase or hydroxyl-radical scavengers. The paraquat stimulation was also inhibited by inhibitors, substrate and ligand for P-4502E1 (pyrazole-induced P-450 isozyme), as well as by anti-(P-4502E1) IgG. These results suggest that P-450 still played an important role in glycerol oxidation, even in the presence of paraquat. Purified NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase did not oxidize glycerol to formaldehyde; some oxidation, however, did occur in the presence of paraquat. Reductase plus P-4502E1 oxidized glycerol, and a large stimulation was observed in the presence of paraquat. Rates in the presence of P-450, reductase and paraquat were more than additive than the sums from the reductase plus P-450 and reductase plus paraquat rates, suggesting synergistic interactions between paraquat and P-450. These results indicate that paraquat increases oxidation of glycerol to formaldehyde by microsomes and reconstituted systems, that H2O2 and iron play a role in the overall reaction, and that paraquat can substitute, in part, for P-450 in supporting oxidation of glycerol. However, cytochrome P-450 is required for elevated rates of formaldehyde production even in the presence of paraquat.

Enhanced in vivo monooxygenase activities of mammalian P450s in engineered yeast cells producing high levels of NADPH-P450 reductase and human cytochrome b5

We have engineered yeast genomic DNA to construct a set of strains producing various relative amounts of yeast NADPH-P450 reductase (Yred) and human cytochrome b5 (Hb5). Expression of cDNAs encoding human P450 1A1, 1A2, 3A4, 19A and mouse P450 1A1 in the different oxido-reduction backgrounds thus constituted were achieved after strain transformation by plasmid-based P450-encoding expression cassettes. The results indicate that the level of Yred strongly affects all activities tested. In contrast, the amount of Hb5 affects activities in a manner that is dependent both on the P450 isoform considered and the Yred level. In a strain containing optimized amounts of Hb5 and Yred, human P450 3A4-specific testosterone-6 beta-hydroxylase activity can be enhanced as much as 73-fold in comparison with the activity observed in a wild-type strain. Bioconversion of sterols or xenobiotics was easily achieved in vivo using this new co-expression system.

bis-Allylic hydroxylation of linoleic acid and arachidonic acid by human hepatic monooxygenases

[14C]Linoleic acid was incubated with human liver microsomes and NADPH and biosynthesis of allylic hydroxy fatty acids was investigated. 11-Hydroxy-9Z,12Z-octadecadienoic acid (11-HODE), 9-hydroxy-10E,12Z-octadecadienoic acid (9-HODE), 13-hydroxy-9Z,11E-octadecadienoic acid (13-HODE) and 14-hydroxy-9Z,12Z-octadecadienoic acid were identified. 9-HODE and 13-HODE were formed with stereoselectivity (80% R) provided that 11-HODE was prevented from decomposing to 9(R,S)-HODE and 13(R,S)-HODE by extractive isolation at pH 5-6. Human hepatic microsomes metabolized [14C]arachidonic acid to many products, including 13-HETE and small amounts of 15-HETE (> 90% R), 11-HETE (59% R) and 12-HETE (> 90% R). Hepatic microsomes of untreated rats metabolized [14C]linoleic acid to 11-HODE as a major product, but significant formation of 11-HODE by purified cytochrome P-450 (P450) (CYP1A1, CYP2B1, CYP2B4, CYP2E1, CYP3A6 and CYP4A1) in a reconstituted system could not be detected, indicating that 11-HODE might be formed by other and constitutive P450 isozymes.

The role of cytochrome b5 in adrenal microsomal steroidogenesis

The role of cytochrome b5 in adrenal microsomal steroidogenesis was studied in guinea pig adrenal microsomes and also in the liposomal system containing purified cytochrome P-450s and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. Preincubation of the microsomes with anti-cytochrome b5 immunoglobulin decreased both 17 alpha- and 21-hydroxylase activity in the microsomes. In liposomes containing NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and P-450C21 or P-450(17) alpha,lyase, addition of a small amount of cytochrome b5 stimulated the hydroxylase activity while a large amount of cytochrome b5 suppressed the hydroxylase activity. The effect of cytochrome b5 on the rates of the first electron transfer to P-450C21 in liposome membranes was determined from stopped flow measurements and that of the second electron transfer was estimated from the oxygenated difference spectra in the steady state. It was indicated that a small amount of cytochrome b5 activated the hydroxylase activity by supplying additional second electrons to oxygenated P-450C21 in the liposomes while a large amount of cytochrome b5 might suppress the activity through the interferences in the interaction between the reductase and P-450C21.

Hepatic metabolism of artemisinin drugs--III. Induction of hydrogen peroxide production in rat liver microsomes by artemisinin drugs

1. In this communication, induction of hydrogen peroxide production by the semisynthetic antimalarial drugs of the artemisinin class (beta-arteether, beta-artelinic acid and dihydroartemisinin) in rat liver microsomes, is reported. 2. Endogenous, NADPH-dependent, production of hydrogen peroxide in rat liver microsomes was enhanced in the presence of arteether and artelinic acid, but not in the presence of dihydroartemisinin. 3. NADPH-dependent metabolism of arteether and artelinic acid was closely coupled to the drug-induced production of hydrogen peroxide. 4. The redox cycle of cytochrome P-450 was presented, which describes satisfactorily both the endogenous and the drug-assisted hydrogen peroxide production in rat liver microsomes; also, the rate-limiting step of the cycle was identified.

Cytochrome P-450 spin state and leakiness of the monooxygenase pathway

1. The monooxygenase and oxidase activities of liver microsomes from phenobarbital (PB)-treated rabbits were investigated for their dependence on the high spin shift (delta alpha) of the ferric cytochrome P-450 induced by a series of benzphetamine analogues. 2. The spin shift activity of the substrate determines, via the first electron transfer kinetics, the steady-state level of the reaction intermediate oxycytochrome P-450. Correlation of the amount or oxycytochrome P-450 with delta alpha can be experimentally proved. 3. The spin-state-dependent formation of oxycytochrome P-450 regulates quantitatively the rates of NADPH oxidation and substrate N-demethylation. Both activities correlate with delta alpha. Oxycytochrome P-450 is substrate-stabilized towards decay with the formation of O2- which, upon dismutation, gives rise to H2O2. 4. The ratio of N-demethylase to NADPH oxidase activity (coupling ratio) also increases with the spin shift, delta alpha. Concomitantly, the proportion of NADPH accounted for by H2O2 and H2O formation via two- and four-electron reduction of dioxygen decreases. This indicates that the substrate-induced structural changes in the enzyme active centre which give rise to spin transition may likewise modify the coupling properties. 5. Perfluorinated compounds, which fail to undergo monooxygenation, fall in line with the benzphetamine derivatives with respect to the dependence of NADPH oxidation rate and steady-state oxycytochrome P-450 level on delta alpha. The increased oxidase activity results mostly in H2O formation. 6. The leakiness of the PB-induced monooxygenase pathway in the biotransformation of oxygen in the presence of the benzphetamines and perfluorinated compounds does not result in marked increases in H2O2 formation. Therefore, the increase of NADPH oxidase activity by these substrates does not significantly enhance H2O2-mediated oxygen tissue toxicity.

Cytochrome b5 potentiation of cytochrome P-450 catalytic activity demonstrated by a vaccinia virus-mediated in situ reconstitution system

A cDNA containing the full coding region of human cytochrome b5 was inserted into a vaccinia virus cDNA expression vector. Infection of human thymidine kinase-minus (TK-) 143 cells in culture with this recombinant virus resulted in production of 0.3 nmol of cytochrome b5 per mg of cell lysate protein. The expressed cytochrome had a reduced difference spectrum with a Soret peak at 424 nm, typical of pure cytochrome b5. TK- 143 cells have little detectable endogenous cytochrome b5, cytochrome P-450 (P450), and NADPH-P450 oxidoreductase. To test whether cytochrome b5 potentiated mixed-function monooxygenation in situ, these cells were coinfected with three recombinant vaccinia viruses individually carrying cDNAs encoding cytochrome b5, NADPH-P450 oxidoreductase, and P450 form IIB1. These triple-virus-infected cells were compared to cells infected with the P450IIB1 and NADPH-P450 oxidoreductase recombinant viruses with respect to P450IIB1-catalyzed monooxygenase activities. Cytochrome b5 specifically augmented the deethylation of p-nitrophenetole in microsomal membrane fractions of infected cells or when substrate was incubated directly with cells in situ. No significant increases were seen with P450IIB1-catalyzed testosterone, 7-ethoxycoumarin, or 7-pentoxyresorufin oxidations. These data demonstrate that cytochrome b5 is capable of specifically augmenting monooxygenase activities in intact cells.

Cytochrome P-450 involvement in the NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation in human placental mitochondria

The NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation in human placental mitochondria has been found to be inhibited strongly by amphenone B, aminoglutethimide and carbon monoxide, inhibitors of cytochrome P-450-mediated reactions, but was hardly affected by respiratory chain inhibitors. Cytochrome c, an exogenous electron acceptor which is known to compete with cytochrome P-450 for the reducing equivalents, showed an inhibitory effect on NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation. The observed NADPH-dependent superoxide generation was also strongly inhibited by amphenone B and aminoglutethimide. Moreover, the lipid peroxidation in placental mitochondria was demonstrated to be stimulated by xanthine/xanthine oxidase added as superoxide generating system. This peroxidation was not affected by amphenone B and aminoglutethimide. On the other hand, the superoxide dismutase was found to inhibit both the xanthine oxidase- and NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation. These data provide evidence that cytochrome P-450 is involved in NADPH-dependent mitochondrial lipid peroxidation. It is suggested that superoxide liberated from cytochrome P-450, in combination with iron, may be responsible for initiation of NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation in human placental mitochondria.

Metabolism and toxicity of xenobiotics in the adrenal cortex, with particular reference to 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene

The adrenal cortex contains high amounts of detoxifying enzymes, as well as generators and protectors of reactive oxygen species. The high content of cytochrome P-450 enzymes in the adrenal cortex together with its remarkable tendency to accumulate hydrophobic substances probably contributes to the extraordinary vulnerability of the gland to a number of xenobiotics. The best studied adrenocorticolytic compounds are the potent carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) and its liver metabolite 7-hydroxymethyl-12-methylbenz(a)anthracene (7-OHM-12-MBA). Adrenocorticolysis generated by these agents in vivo as well as in vitro demonstrates high regioselective requirements and is strongly influenced by the presence of ACTH, steroids, cytochrome P-450 inhibitors and antioxidants. Furthermore, 7-OHM-12-MBA has been demonstrated to uniquely generate selective and massive oxidation of mitochondrial glutathione in cultured rat adrenal cells. The DMBA-induced adrenocorticolysis is thoroughly discussed in this review with particular emphasis on the metabolism of DMBA and the influence of various effectors. A working hypothesis involving a possible peroxidative mechanism is also presented.

Demethylation of tertiary amines by a reconstituted cytochrome P-450 enzyme system: kinetics of oxygen consumption and hydrogen peroxide formation

Initial reaction rates of oxygen consumption and hydrogen peroxide formation in a cytochrome P-450 catalyzed reaction are practically independent of the nature of tertiary amines that were used as substrates. From the kinetic studies and the substrate conversion results that the amount of water formed in a side reaction is determined by the substrate specificity. Both hydrogen peroxide and water formation lower the efficiency of the monooxygenatic activity of cytochrome P-450.

Rat liver microsomal NADPH-supported oxidase activity and lipid peroxidation dependent on ethanol-inducible cytochrome P-450 (P-450IIE1)

The liver microsomal ethanol-inducible cytochrome P-450 (P-450IIE1) form is known to exhibit a high rate of oxidase activity in the absence of substrate and it was therefore of interest to evaluate whether this form of P-450 could contribute to microsomal and liposomal NADPH-dependent oxidase activity and lipid peroxidation. The rate of microsomal NADPH-consumption, O2--formation, H2O2-production and generation of thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reactive substances correlated to the amount of P-450IIE1 in 28 microsomal samples from variously treated rats. Anti-P-450IIE1 IgG inhibited, compared to control IgG, microsomal H2O2-formation by 45% in microsomes from acetone-treated rats and by 22% in control microsomes. NADPH-dependent generation of TBA-reactive products was completely inhibited by these antibodies, whereas preimmune IgG was essentially without effect. Liposomes containing reductase and P-450IIE1 were peroxidized in a superoxide dismutase (SOD) sensitive reaction at a 5-10-fold higher rate than membranes containing 3 other forms of cytochrome P-450. Lipid peroxidation in reconstituted vesicles dependent on the presence of P-450IIB1 was by contrast not inhibited by SOD. Microsomal peroxidase activities, using 15-(S)-hydroperoxy-5-cis-8,11,13-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid as a substrate were high in microsomes from phenobarbital- or ethanol-treated rats but low in membranes from isoniazid-treated rats, having the highest relative level of P-450IIE1. It is suggested that the oxidase activity of P-450IIE1 contributes to microsomal NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation. The combined action of the oxidase activity by P-450IIE1 and the peroxidase activities by P-450IIB1 and other forms of P-450 may be important for the high rate of lipid peroxidation observed in e.g. microsomes from ethanol- or acetone-treated rats. The possible importance of cytochrome P-450IIE1-dependent lipid peroxidation in vivo after ethanol abuse is discussed.

Characterization of the microsomal mixed-function oxygenase system of the hepatopancreas and green gland of the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii

1. The microsomal mixed-function oxygenase (MFO) system from the hepatopancreas and green gland of the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii has been characterized with respect to the constitution of electron transport proteins and the ability to catalyze the metabolism of xenobiotics. 2. Cytochrome P-450 content of hepatopancreas microsomes was approximately 10-fold higher than that of green gland and comparable to that of rat liver. NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity in hepatopancreas microsomes was approximately 2% of that found in rat liver microsomes. 3. Green gland microsomes catalyzed higher turnover rates of aminopyrine N-demethylase and benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase than hepatopancreas microsomes. With hepatopancreas microsomes, organic hydroperoxides supported a greater rate of aminopyrine N-demethylation than did NADPH plus O2. 4. P. clarkii hepatopancreas microsomes generally displayed a lower binding affinity (Ks) for a number of type I and type II ligands than did rat liver microsomes.

Testosterone metabolism by microsomal cytochrome P-450 in liver of rats treated with some inducers

1. The stereoselective hydroxylation of testosterone by microsomal cytochrome P-450 and the changes in level of components participated in the microsomal electron transport system were observed in the microsomes induced unique P-450 isozymes. 2. Flavone- and hesperetin-inducible P-450 catalyzed the hydroxylation of testosterone more effectively than other chemicals-inducible ones. 3. The P-450 in all the microsomal preparations tested most rapidly oxidized testosterone to 6 beta-monohydroxy form. 4. Particularly, MC- and BNF-inducible P-450 showed high stereoselectivity on C6-position of testosterone, and PB-, flavone- and hesperetin-inducible one showed that on C2-position of this compound, respectively. 5. This specificity of two flavonoid-inducible P-450 for the formation of 2 alpha- and 2 beta-epimer of monohydroxytestosterone was opposite to each other. 6. The content of P-450 and the activity of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase were high in PB-, MC- and BNF-microsomes, whereas NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase activity was high in two flavonoid-microsomes and the content of cytochrome b5 was not changed except the PB-treated rats. 7. It is suggested that the increasing activities of testosterone hydroxylases in flavonoid-microsomes seems to be closely related to NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase.

Methoxyflurane acts at the substrate binding site of cytochrome P450 LM2 to induce a dependence on cytochrome b5

Rabbit cytochrome P450 isozyme 2 requires cytochrome b5 to metabolize the volatile anesthetic methoxyflurane but not the substrate benzphetamine [E. Canova-Davis and L. Waskell (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 2541-2546]. To determine whether the requirement for cytochrome b5 for methoxyflurane oxidation is mediated by an allosteric effect on cytochrome P450 LM2 or cytochrome P450 reductase, we have investigated whether this anesthetic can induce a role for cytochrome b5 in benzphetamine metabolism. Using rabbit liver microsomes and antibodies raised in guinea pigs against rabbit cytochrome b5, we found that methoxyflurane did not create a cytochrome b5 requirement for benzphetamine metabolism. Methoxyflurane also failed to induce a role for cytochrome b5 in benzphetamine metabolism in the purified, reconstituted mixed function oxidase system. Studies of the reaction kinetics established that in the absence of cytochrome b5, methoxyflurane and benzphetamine are competitive inhibitors, and that in the presence of cytochrome b5, benzphetamine and methoxyflurane are two alternate substrates in competition for a single site on the same enzyme. These results all indicate that the methoxyflurane-induced cytochrome b5 dependence of the mixed function oxidase cytochrome P450 LM2 system is a direct result of the interaction between methoxyflurane and the substrate binding site of cytochrome P450 LM2 and suggest the focus of future studies of this question.

Reductive metabolism of halothane by purified cytochrome P-450

The reductive metabolism of halothane was determined using purified RLM2, PBRLM4 and PBRLM5 forms of rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450. The metabolites, 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (CTE) and 2-chloro-1,1-difluoroethylene (CDE), were determined. All three forms of cytochrome P-450 produced CTE with relatively small differences in its production among the various forms. There were major differences, however, in the production of CDE, with PBRLM5 being the most active. PBRLM5 was also the only form to show the development of a complex between halothane and cytochrome P-450. This complex absorbed light maximally at 470 nm. The complex formation and the production of CDE by PBRLM5 were stimulated by the addition of cytochrome b5. Cytochrome b5 had no effect on CDE production by PBRLM4 and inhibited the production of both CTE and CDE by RLM2. These results show that the two-electron reduction of halothane by cytochrome P-450 was catalyzed by the PBRLM5 form and that cytochrome b5 stimulated the transfer of the second electron to halothane through PBRLM5, but not RLM2 or PBRLM4.

The functional role of cytochrome b5 reincorporated into hepatic microsomal fractions

Incorporation of detergent-solubilized cytochrome b5 into phenobarbital-induced rabbit liver microsomal fractions decelerates hexobarbital-dependent reduction of ferric cytochrome P-450; this is accompanied by retardation of NADPH utilization and H2O2 formation in the assay media. Integration of manganese-substituted cytochrome b5 into the microsomal preparations fails to affect these parameters. Analysis of the cytochrome P-450 reduction kinetics in the presence of increasing amounts of cytochrome b5 reveals a gradual augmentation of the amplitude of slow-phase electron transfer at the expense of the relative contribution of the fast phase; finally, a slow, apparently monophasic reaction persists. This defect in enzymatic reduction is not due to detergent effects and also does not seem to reflect cytochrome b5-induced perturbation of anchoring of NADPH-cytochrome c(P-450) reductase to cytochrome P-450. Experiments with the highly purified cytochrome P-450 isozyme LM2, in which amino acid residue(s) close to the heme edge had undergone suicidal inactivation through covalent attachment of chloramphenicol metabolite(s) do not exclude the possibility that cytochrome b5 and reductase might compete for a common electron transmission site on the terminal acceptor. Hence, the inhibitory action of cytochrome b5 on the reduction of ferric cytochrome P-450 is tentatively attributed to partial substitution of the former pigment for reductase in direct transport of the first electron to the monooxygenase.

Alteration of liver microsomal monooxygenases and substrate competition with aniline hydroxylase from rats chronically fed low-fat and high-fat-containing alcohol diets

Male Sprague-Dawley rats fed ethanol (EtOH) 36% of total calories for four weeks in a liquid diet containing either 34% (HF) or 12% (LF) of calories as fat were studied with respect to induction of microsomal monooxygenases (MFO) and substrate competition with EtOH-inducible aniline hydroxylase. The specific activity and turnover of aniline hydroxylase were induced to similar extents by HF-EtOH and LF-EtOH diets. Whereas, both LF-EtOH and HF-EtOH caused a decrease in the turnover of arylhydrocarbon (benzo[a]pyrene) hydroxylase (AHH) and aldrin epoxidase compared to pair-fed (PF) controls, LF-EtOH but not HF-EtOH increased the turnover of ethoxycoumarin and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (ECOD and EROD). The increase in ECOD and EROD and the decrease in AHH by EtOH is contrary to the parallel induction of these activities by 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and Aroclor 1254 (Aroclor). Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) stimulated aniline hydroxylase in the HF-EtOH and PF systems, whereas with LF diet, stimulation was seen only in the EtOH group. Ethoxycoumarin (EC) inhibited aniline hydroxylase by microsomes from EtOH- and pyrazole-treated rats, whereas it stimulated aniline hydroxylase by control microsomes, suggesting that the EC effects were associated with EtOH-inducible cytochrome P-450. Ethoxyresorufin (ER) inhibited aniline hydroxylase in EtOH and PF groups, thus the differential effects of EC were not nonspecific O-deethylase effects. The effects of EtOH feeding on ECOD, EROD, and AHH (ie, substrates for 3-MC-inducible cytochrome P-450) displayed a greater differential between the experimental and control group with the LF- than with the HF-containing diet. The findings suggest that the alteration of certain MFO activities by chronic EtOH ingestion can be modified by the content of dietary fat. Moreover, the competition dynamics of MFO substrates toward EtOH-inducible aniline hydroxylase are altered by EtOH feeding and, in turn, modified by dietary fat.

The role of iron in the initiation of lipid peroxidation

Iron is required for the initiation of lipid peroxidation. Evidence is presented that lipid peroxidation requires both Fe3+ and Fe2+, perhaps with oxygen to form a Fe3+-dioxygen-Fe2+ complex. Other mechanisms of initiation, mostly involving the iron-catalyzed formation of hydroxyl radical, are described and discussed from both theoretical and experimental view points.

Purification to homogeneity and enzymological characterization of a functional covalent complex composed of cytochromes P-450 isozyme 2 and b5 from rabbit liver

A covalent complex between rabbit hepatic microsomal cytochromes P-450 isozyme 2 (LM2) and b5 was created and purified to greater than 95% homogeneity. The purified complex was largely comprised of the two cytochromes covalently attached at the interface of the functional electron transfer-effector complex as shown by the following evidence. The spin state of the LM2 within the complex was greater than the spin state of free LM2, and the addition of free cytochrome b5 (cyt b5) did not further increase the spin state of the LM2 within the complex. The spectral binding parameters (Kd and delta Amax) for the association of benzphetamine with LM2 in the complex were identical to those observed with free LM2 in the presence of saturating concentrations of free cyt b5 and much different from those observed for LM2 in the absence of cyt b5. Reconstituted monooxygenase activity of the covalent LM2-cyt b5 complex (LM2-cyt b5) in the presence of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase was much higher than the activity of free LM2 and approached the activity of free LM2 in the presence of optimal concentrations of free cyt b5. Furthermore, the Km for the flavoprotein in supporting either free LM2 or LM2-cyt b5-dependent p-nitroanisole demethylation were similar. (iv) Less than 20-25% of the cyt b5 within the complex could be reduced by free NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase (NADH-cyt b5 reductase) albeit at a slow rate. The implications of this data to the current understanding of the mechanism and stoichiometry of protein interactions in the hepatic mixed function oxidase system are discussed.

Mechanisms of lipid peroxidation dependent upon cytochrome P-450 LM2

A mechanism of lipid peroxidation dependent on the oxidase activity of cytochrome P-450 LM2 in reconstituted membrane vesicles has been investigated. The rate of lipid peroxidation, determined as the formation of thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances, was inhibited by CO. It increased concomitantly to the production of O-2 and H2O2, when cytochrome P-450 LM2 was incorporated into vesicles containing NADPH-cytochrome-P-450 reductase, until a 1:1 molar ratio between the enzymes was reached. Also the formation of lipid hydroperoxides was dependent on the presence of cytochrome P-450 LM2 in the membranes. This lipid peroxidation was not inhibited by hydroxyl radical scavengers and not specifically inhibited by scavengers of singlet oxygen. By contrast, superoxide dismutase was a very potent scavenger of the lipid peroxidation. A half-maximal effect at 3 ng/ml enzyme was registered, whereas a 100-fold higher concentration was necessary in order to inhibit O-2 formation as detected by succinylated cytochrome c or pyrogallol. The reason for this difference might be inherent in different types of kinetics in the interaction of O-2 with different scavengers or might possibly indicate that SOD scavenges another type of reactive oxygen, different from O-2, generated by cytochrome P-450 LM2. Iron chelators inhibited the P-450-dependent lipid peroxidation, whereas iron chelate interacted with NADPH-cytochrome-P-450 reductase in the membranes giving rise to reductase-dependent lipid peroxidation. Neither superoxide dismutase nor EDTA at high concentrations, inhibited CCl4-initiated lipid peroxidation, indicating the point of action of these compounds at the initiation step in the cytochrome-P-450-LM2-dependent lipid peroxidation. Superoxide generated by pyrogallol, in three times the amount produced by P-450 LM2, could not bring about lipid peroxidation. It is suggested that the cytochrome-P-450-dependent lipid peroxidation mechanism might be of importance for intracellular oxidative damage under certain conditions.

N-demethylation of N-nitrosodimethylamine catalyzed by purified rat hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450: isozyme specificity and role of cytochrome b5

Metabolism of the potent hepatocarcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) was evaluated in reconstituted monooxygenase systems containing each of 11 purified rat hepatic cytochrome P-450 isozymes. The reaction has an absolute requirement for cytochrome P-450, NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, and NADPH, as well as a partial dependence on dilauroylphosphatidylcholine. Of the cytochrome P-450 isozymes evaluated, only cytochrome P-450j, purified from livers of ethanol- or isoniazid-treated rats, had high catalytic activity for the N-demethylation of NDMA. At substrate concentrations of 0.5 and 5 mM, rates of NDMA metabolism to formaldehyde catalyzed by cytochrome P-450j were at least 15-fold greater than the rates obtained with any of the other purified isozymes. At the pH optimum (approximately 6.7) for the reaction, the Km,app and Vmax were 3.5 mM and 23.9 nmol/min/nmol cytochrome P-450j, respectively. With hepatic microsomes from ethanol-treated rats, which contain induced levels of cytochrome P-450j, the Km,app and Vmax were 0.35 mM and 3.9 nmol/min/nmol cytochrome P-450, respectively. Inclusion of purified cytochrome b5 in the reconstituted system containing cytochrome P-450j caused a six-fold decrease in Km,app (0.56 mM) of NDMA demethylation with little or no change in Vmax (29.9 nmol/min/nmol cytochrome P-450j). Trypsin-solubilized cytochrome b5, bovine serum albumin, or hemoglobin had no effect on the kinetic parameters of the reconstituted system, indicating a specific effect of intact cytochrome b5 on the Km,app of the reaction. These results demonstrate high isozyme specificity in the metabolism of NDMA to an ultimate carcinogen and further suggest an important role for cytochrome b5 in this biotransformation process.

Mechanism of interaction between cytochromes P-450 RLM5 and b5: evidence for an electrostatic mechanism involving cytochrome b5 heme propionate groups

The role of cytochrome b5 heme propionate groups in the functional interactions between cytochromes P-450 RLM5 and b5 has been investigated by comparing the capacity of RLM5 to interact with both native b5 and a b5 derivative in which the native heme was replaced with ferric protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester (DME-b5). Both forms of b5 interacted with RLM5 causing an increase in the RLM5 spin state from 28 to 68% high-spin RLM5 at saturation, as judged using uv-visible spectrophotometry. However, DME-b5 exhibited a 7-fold weaker affinity for RLM5. The apparent dissociation constant (Kd) for the interaction between RLM5 and b5 was also shown to be a strong function of ionic strength, in a manner consistent with the involvement of electrostatic attraction in complex formation. Reconstitution of b5 into an RLM5-dependent monooxygenase system stimulated the p-nitroanisole demethylase rate about 25-fold and 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylase about 6-fold. DME-b5, however, produced only 30% of the stimulation of RLM5-dependent turnover of p-nitroanisole observed at equivalent concentrations of native b5 without a change in Km. With 7-ethoxycoumarin, turnover was 50% diminished. The diminished capacity of DME-b5 to stimulate RLM5-dependent substrate turnover was shown not to be due to impairment of electron flow between NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and DME-b5, since the Km of reductase for DME-b5 is 2.5-fold lower, and the Vmax is actually increased, but rather to an impairment of some aspect of functional interaction between the DME-b5 and RLM5. The data show that complex formation between cytochrome P-450 and b5 involves electrostatic attraction mediated in part by cytochrome b5 heme propionate groups.

A simple method for purification of rat hepatic microsomal cytochrome b5

Rat hepatic microsomal cytochrome b5 was purified to homogeneity by solubilization with the detergent Lubrol 12-A9 and chromatography on Fractogel TSK DEAE-650(S). The protein was obtained in high yield (52-87%) in 8 h, and only one polypeptide band, of Mr 16 600, was visible after sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis.