Interactions of heme with hepatic microsomal mono-oxygenase. Effect on benzpyrene hydroxylation

Cytosolic activation of hematin-dependent microsomal monooxygenase activity in the lung

Additions of micromolar concentrations of hematin to washed rat pulmonary microsomal preparations resulted in marked (5-7-fold) increases in the NADPH-dependent generation of phenolic metabolites of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). 9-Hydroxy-BaP was identified as the major reaction product. Additions of pulmonary cytosolic fractions to microsomes produced no measurable effect but cytosol and hematin added together elicited 25-30-fold increases in total phenolic products. Cytosolic fractions from other tissues, including rat kidneys and perfused rat livers, were also highly effective in enhancing the hematin-mediated increases in monooxygenase activity. However, cytosol from human placental tissues was only minimally effective when either pulmonary or placental microsomes were utilized as enzyme source. Superoxide dismutase and catalase (alone or in combination) had no measurable effect on hematin-mediated increases. Horseradish peroxidase effectively inhibited the hematin-dependent reactions but hematin-independent reactions were inhibited with equal effectiveness. Carbon monoxide profoundly inhibited all hematin-mediated increases in metabolite formation. The activating cytosolic component was non-dialyzable, inactivated by trypsin and heat, and eluted in the void volume from Sephadex G-150 columns. This suggested that the cytosolic factor(s) responsible for the increased hematin-dependent oxidation was a protein(s) with a high molecular weight or perhaps an aggregate or oligomer of proteinaceous material. HPLC profiles indicated a major effect on the generation of phenolics; quinones were also increased but only minimal increases in diols were observed. Results were consistent with the hypothesis that hematin-mediated increases in pulmonary monooxygenase activity result from an increased association of a small pool of pulmonary P-450-apoprotein(s) with the hematin prosthetic group to result in increased levels of an unidentified holocytochrome(s) with a relatively high substrate turnover number. The current data suggest a quaternary interaction among P-450 apoprotein(s), heme prosthetic group, reaction products (particularly 3-hydroxy-BaP) and a cytosolic protein(s). We postulate that the mechanism of action of the cytosolic factor is to facilitate the interaction of hematin with the apocytochrome.

Structural and functional assembly of rat intestinal cytochrome P-450 isozymes. Effects of dietary iron and selenium

We have reported previously that both dietary iron and selenium regulate intestinal cytochrome P-450 content by modulating the synthesis of its prosthetic heme moiety. Whether these elements are required for synthesis and/or viability of its apocytochrome moiety is unknown. We have examined the effects of intraluminal deprivation of these elements on the apocytochrome moieties of the constitutive (P-450) and the beta-naphthoflavone inducible (P-448) intestinal isozymes. The relative content of intestinal apocytochrome P-450 moieties generated by dietary deprivation of iron and/or selenium was assessed indirectly by complexing with exogenous heme in vitro, to reassemble the holocytochromes which could be monitored spectrally and catalytically. We now report that, whereas both intraluminal iron and selenium are required for maintenance of the prosthetic apocytochrome moiety of the constitutive intestinal isozyme, only intraluminal selenium is required for the viability of apocytochrome P-448. The latter apparently survives in the absence of intraluminal iron and can be assembled to the holocytochrome, with exogenously added heme. The mechanistic basis of the critical requirement of intestinal apocytochromes for intraluminal selenium is unclear. It is intriguing, however, that the deleterious effects of selenium deprivation are principally exerted in cell systems actively synthesizing protein and inexorably dependent on their extracellular milieu for their nutriment.

Effect of xenobiotic estrogens and structurally related compounds on 2-hydroxylation of estradiol and on other monooxygenase activities in rat liver

Previous study demonstrated that the administration for several days of 1-(o-chlorphenyl)-1-(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane (o,p'DDT) (estrogenic DDT derivative) or of tamoxifen (antiestrogen), but not of 2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethylene (p,p'DDE) (nonestrogen), to ovariectomized female rats dramatically diminished the induction of uterine ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) by subsequently administered estradiol [W. H. Bulger and D. Kupfer, Archs Biochem, Biophys. 182, 138 (1977)]. The present investigation examines whether the inhibition of ODC induction by o,p'DDT and tamoxifen may have been due to enhanced hydroxylation of estradiol by the hepatic monooxygenase system. Additionally, the effects of other estrogenic and nonestrogenic xenobiotics on the major route of estradiol metabolism (2-hydroxylation) were examined. Treatment of ovariectomized (ovex) rats with o,p'DDT or p,p'DDE caused induction of hepatic estradiol-2-hydroxylation and increased demethylase activities of several substrates. Administration of Kepone (estrogenic) and Mirex (nonestrogenic), both inducers of hepatic monooxygenase, also increased 2-hydroxylation of estradiol. For comparative purposes, the effects on estradiol-2-hydroxylation of administration of classical estrogens (estradiol and diethylstilbestrol) and antiestrogen (tamoxifen) and inducers of monooxygenase activity (phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene) were also studied. Treatment of ovariectomized and adrenalectomized (ovex/adx) or intact female rats with estradiol or ovex/adx animals with diethylstilbestrol had no effect on estradiol-2-hydroxylation. Similarly, tamoxifen did not alter the rate of estradiol-2-hydroxylation. The treatment of ovex/adx rats with 3-methylcholanthrene did not affect the rate of estradiol-2-hydroxylation. By contrast, ovex/adx female or intact male rats treated with phenobarbital exhibited induction of estradiol-2-hydroxylase activity. In the above studies only 2-hydroxyestradiol was found; there was no evidence for the formation of primary metabolites hydroxylated at other sites on estradiol. The current findings exclude the possibility that the previously observed inhibition of estradiol-mediated induction of ODC by pretreatment with o,p'DDT or tamoxifen (see article cited above) was due to enhanced hydroxylation of estradiol by liver monooxygenases. Also, it was concluded that there is no correlation between the ability to induce hepatic microsomal estradiol-2-hydroxylase activity and estrogenic (or antiestrogenic) properties of a given compound.

Mixed function oxidase in the mammary gland and liver microsomes of lactating rats. Effects of 3-methylcholanthrene and beta-naphthoflavone

Mammary gland and liver microsomes of lactating rats were examined for the components of mixed function oxidase and related enzyme activities. Cytochrome b5, NADH- and NADPH- dependent cytochrome c reductase activities were 15-, 6- and 10-fold lower, respectively, in the mammary gland than in the liver microsomes. The determination of cytochrome P-450 (P-448) in the mammary gland microsomes required elimination of the spectral interferences by hemoglobin and cytochrome aa3. The presence of the latter in this fraction was also shown by cytochrome c oxidase activity. Cytochrome aa3 was reduced by anaerobic incubation of mammary gland microsomes, in the presence of antimycin A, with sodium succinate, phenazine ethosulfate, and sodium ascorbate for 30 min at room temperature. Spectral resolution of the dithionite-reduced cytochrome P-450 (P-488) carbon monoxide complex occurred 30 min after gassing. The basal level of cytochrome P-450 was about 500-fold greater in the liver than in the mammary gland microsomes. Pretreatment of lactating rats with the inducers of hepatic cytochrome P-448, 3-methylcholanthrene and beta-naphthoflavone, increased the cytochrome content 3- to 10-fold, in the mammary gland and liver microsomes, respectively. The induction of cytochrome P-448 in microsomes of both tissues was also shown by type I binding spectra obtained with N-2-fluorenylacetamide. Using hydroxylation of benzo[a]pyrene and N-2-fluorenylacetamide as a measure of mixed function oxidase activity, we found that the basal activities, which were 4- to 8-fold greater in the liver microsomes, were increased in both tissues after treatment of rats with the inducers. The induced activities were inhibited by 0.1 micrometers alpha-napthoflavone in vitro, indicating a dependence on cytochrome P-448. The data suggest that the mammary gland, an extrahepatic target for carcinogens, is capable of their metabolism.

Inhibitory effect of hemin on the mutagenic activities of carcinogens

An inhibitory effect of hemin on mutagenicities of a range of carcinogens was found by adding hemin to the preincubation mixture of the Ames' test. Strong inhibitions were observed for benzo[alpha]pyrene, 3-methylcholanthrene, 7,10-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene, chrysene, 2-acetylaminofluorene, 2-nitrofluorene and aflatoxin B1. Generally, 50% inhibition was caused by an amount of hemin 1--2 equivalents to the mutagen. Excess of hemin caused complete inhibitions. Hemin did not affect the mutagenicities of 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide, 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide, nitromin, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, N-nitrosodi-n-butyl-amine, quinoxaline-1,4-dioxide and carbadox. Biliverdin, bilirubin and chlorophyllin were also effective as inhibitors for the mutagenicity of benzo[alpha]pyrene.

Enhancement of nitro reduction in rat liver microsomes by haemin and haemoproteins

1. Reductive metabolism of p-nitrobenzoic acid and neoprontosil in rat liver microsomes was studied in the presence of haemin, haemoglobin and myoglobin. 2. Microsomal nitro reduction is enhanced 4-fold in the presence of haemoglobin, whereas azo reduction is not affected. 3. Microsomal nitro reduction is enhanced to a similar extent by haemoglobin, haemin and boiled haemoglobin, whereas myoglobin is about half as active. 4. Maximal enhancement of microsomal nitro reductase activity by haemoglobin is achieved at high substrate concentration (6 mM) and low microsomal protein concentration (0.5--1.0 mg/ml). 5. Control microsomal nitro reduction as well as the haemoglobin-enhanced microsomal nitro reduction are inhibited completely by O2 and CO whereas potassium azide as a ligand of ferric haem iron is a less potent inhibitor.

Role of haem in the synthesis and assembly of cytochrome P-450

By using 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, an inhibitor of haem synthesis, and 2-allyl-2-isopropylacetamide, a drug that degrades the haem moiety of cytochrome P-450, the involvement of haem in cytochrome P-450 synthesis and assembly was investigated. Phenobarbital was used to stimulate apo-(cytochrome P-450) synthesis. Degradation of preformed cytochrome P-450 haem does not result in a concomitant release of the apoprotein from the endoplasmic reticulum. The availability of haem for cytochrome P-450 synthesis in the normal animal is not rate-limiting. Prolonged inhibition of haem synthesis in vivo decreases the rate of apo-(cytochrome P-450) synthesis, although this effect is not discernible under conditions of short-term inhibition of haem synthesis. Under the former conditions exogenous haemin is able to counteract the decrease in the rate of apoprotein synthesis. In animals receiving successive injections of phenobarbital plus 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, compared with those receiving phenobarbital only, the holo-(cytochrome P-450) content measured spectrally shows a greater decrease than could be accounted for by the decrease in the content of the total apoprotein. In addition to less haem being available under these conditions, the free apoprotein appears to have undergone some modification, such that its haem-binding capacity is considerably decreased. This particular effect could be due to a direct interaction of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole or its metabolites with cytochrome P-450 rather than a consequence of haem deficiency. Apo-(cytochrome P-450) is capable of binding to the endoplasmic reticulum in a form and at a site, which can be reconstituted with haemin to yield the functional protein.

Enhancement of microsomal aniline and acetanilide hydroxylation by haemoglobin

1. Haemogloblin and myoglobin enhance rat liver microsomal p-hydroxylation of aniline and acetanilide. Microsomal N-demethylation of ethylmorphine and aminopyrine is not increased by haemoproteins. 2. The enhancement of microsomal p-hydroxylation is maximal at high substrate concentration and high haeme compound concentration. 3. Detergent-purified NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, free flavins and manganese ions considerably increase the haemoglobin-mediated, tissue-free hydroxylation of aniline. Microsomal aniline hydroxylation is not enhanced by haeme, ferric ion or albumin. 4 Catalase and cyanide ions are powerful inhibitors of haemoglobin-mediated aniline hydroxylation both in the presence and absence of tissue. Carbon monoxide inhibits the hydroxylase activity of the tissue-free system to a smaller extent than that of a system containing microsomes plus haemoglobin whereas p-chloromercuribenzoate inhibits only the flavoprotein-dependent hydroxylation of aniline mediated by haemoglobin. 5. Several possibilities of interactions between substrate, microsomes and haeme compounds are proposed.