Induction of cytochromes P450IA1 and P450IA2 and measurement of catalytic activities

Current issues confounding the rapid toxicological assessment of oil spills

Oil spills of varying magnitude occur every year, each presenting a unique challenge to the local ecosystem. The complex, changeable nature of oil makes standardised risk assessment difficult. Our review of the state of science regarding oil's unique complexity; biological impact of oil spills and use of rapid assessment tools, including commercial toxicity kits and bioassays, allows us to explore the current issues preventing effective, rapid risk assessment of oils. We found that despite the advantages to monitoring programmes of using well validated standardised tests, which investigate impacts across trophic levels at environmentally relevant concentrations, only a small percentage of the available tests are specialised for use within the marine environment, or validated for the assessment of crude oil toxicity. We discuss the use of rapid tests at low trophic levels in addition to relevant sublethal toxicity assays to allow the characterisation of oil, dispersant and oil and dispersant mixture toxicity. We identify novel, passive dosing techniques as a practical and reproducible means of improving the accuracy and maintenance of nominal concentrations. Future work should explore the possibility of linking this tiered testing system with ecosystem models to allow the prediction and risk assessment of the entire ecosystem.

Genistein decreases basal hepatic cytochrome P450 1A1 protein expression and activity in Swiss Webster mice

Soy consumption has been associated with risk reduction for chronic diseases such as cancer. One proposed mechanism for cancer prevention by soy is through decreasing cytochrome P450 1A1 (Cyp1a1) activity. However, it is not known with certainty which soy components modulate Cyp1a1, or the characteristics or mechanisms involved in the responses after short-term (<20 days) dietary treatment without concomitant carcinogen-mediated induction. Therefore, the objective was to test the hypothesis that physiologic concentrations of dietary genistein and/or daidzein will decrease basal hepatic Cyp1a1 protein expression and activity in male and female Swiss Webster mice via inhibiting the bindings of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-AhR nuclear translocator (ARNT) and estrogen receptor-α to the Cyp1a1 promoter region xenobiotic response element. The mice were fed the AIN-93G diet supplemented with 1500 mg/kg of genistein or daidzein for up to 1 week. Genistein, but not daidzein, significantly decreased basal hepatic microsomal Cyp1a1 protein expression and activity. AhR protein expression was not altered. Molecular mechanisms were investigated in Hepa-1c1c7 cells treated with 5 μmol/L purified aglycones genistein, daidzein, or equol. Cells treated with genistein exhibited inhibitions in ARNT and estrogen receptor-α bindings to the Cyp1a1 promoter region. This study demonstrated that genistein consumption reduced constitutive hepatic Cyp1a1 protein expression and activity, thereby contributing to the understanding of how soy isoflavone aglycones modulate cytochrome P450 biotransformation enzymes.

Predominant role of peripheral catecholamines in the stress-induced modulation of CYP1A2 inducibility by benzo(alpha)pyrene

The potential involvement of catecholamines and in particular of alpha(2)-adrenoceptor-related signalling pathways, in the regulation of drug-metabolizing enzymes by stress was investigated in Wistar rats after exposure to the environmental pollutant benzo(alpha)pyrene. For this purpose, total cytochrome P450 content, the CYP1A2 mRNA levels, 7-methoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (MROD), 7-pentoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (PROD) and p-nitrophenol hydroxylase activity levels were determined in the livers of rats exposed to repeated restraint stress after treatment with benzo(alpha)pyrene coupled with pharmacological manipulations of peripheral and/or central catecholamines and alpha(2)-adrenoceptors. The data show that stress is a significant factor in the regulation of CYP1A2 induction and that catecholamines play a central role in the stress-mediated modulation of hepatic CYP1A2 inducibility by benzo(alpha)pyrene. The up-regulating effect of stress on benzo(alpha)pyrene-induced CYP1A2 gene expression was eliminated after a generalized catecholamine depletion with reserpine. Similarly, in a state where only peripheral catecholamines were depleted and central catecholamines remained intact after guanethidine administration, the up-regulating effect of stress was eliminated. It is apparent that stress up-regulates the induction of CYP1A2 by benzo(alpha)pyrene mainly via peripheral catecholamines, while central catecholamines hold a minor role in the regulation. Pharmacological manipulations of alpha(2)-adrenoceptors appear to interfere with the effect of stress on the regulation of CYP1A2 inducibility. Either blockade or stimulation of alpha(2)-adrenoceptors with atipamezole and dexmedetomidine respectively, eliminated the up-regulating effect of stress on CYP1A2 benzo(alpha)pyrene-induced expression, while it enhanced MROD activity. In contrast, stress and pharmacological manipulations of catecholamines and alpha(2)-adrenoceptors did not affect total P450 content, the CYP2B1/2-dependent PROD and the CYP2E1-dependent p-nitrophenol hydroxylase activities. In conclusion, stress is a significant factor in the regulation of the CYP1A2 inducibility by benzo(alpha)pyrene, which in turn is involved in the metabolism of a large spectrum of toxicants, drugs and carcinogenic agents. Although the mechanism underlying the stress effect on CYP1A2 induction has not been clearly elucidated, it appears that peripheral catecholamines hold a predominant role, while central catecholamines and in particular, central noradrenergic pathways hold a minor role.

Do herbicide treatments reduce the sensitivity of mosquito larvae to insecticides?

Invasive mosquitoes are economic and sanitary concerns especially in Europe and America. Most work has emphasized the role of resistance [Berrada, S., Fournier, D., Cuany, A., Nguyen, T.X., 1994. Identification of resistance mechanisms in a selected laboratory strain of Cacopsylla pyri (Homoptera: Psyllidae): altered acetylcholinesterases and detoxifying oxidases. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 48, 41-47; Hemingway, J., Hawkes, N.J., McCarroll, L., Ranson, H., 2004. The molecular basis of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 34, 653-665] to insecticides. Compounds acting on larval sensitivity to insecticides are not well studied and their action remains poorly understood. Among several residual chemicals in ecosystems, particularly in wetlands, we identified a possible interaction of an herbicide on larval resistance to an insecticide. Our work contributes to the global control of mosquito populations by identifying possible pathways of resistance to insecticides of these vectors. Resistance or tolerance to insecticide treatments might contribute to successful invasion by mosquitoes. Here we report an ecotoxicological approach to test the hypothesis of an indirect effect of atrazine on mortality of an invasive vector. A brief contact (48h) between Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae and atrazine led to a modification of larval sensitivity to an insecticide: using atrazine as an inducer led to a decrease in the mortality of larvae treated with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti).

A mechanism-based integrated pharmacokinetic enzyme model describing the time course and magnitude of phenobarbital-mediated enzyme induction in the rat

PURPOSE

To characterize the magnitude, time course, and specificity of phenobarbital (PB)-mediated enzyme induction, and further, to develop an integrated pharmacokinetic (PK)-enzyme model describing the changes in the activities of CYP enzymes as well as in the PK of PB.

METHODS

PB plasma concentrations and in vitro activities of several CYP enzymes were measured in rats treated with PB between 0 and 14 days. A PB PK-enzyme induction model was developed using the program NONMEM: .

RESULTS

PB treatment both induces and reduces the activity of CYP enzymes by stimulating the enzymes' formation or elimination rates. Certain CYP enzymes affected the PB PK through autoinduction. The half-life of the induction process was estimated to be 2 days for CYP1A2, CYP3A1/2, and CYP2B1/2, and 3 days for androstenedione producing enzymes. The CYP2C11 activity was rapidly reduced by PB treatment. A lag time for the PB autoinduction was observed. This lag time is explained by the rate difference between induction and reduction in CYP activities.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first example of an induction model that simultaneously describes plasma PK and in vitro data. It does so by integrating the bidirectional interaction between drug and enzymes in a mechanistic manner.

Inhibition of PhIP-induced mammary carcinogenesis in female rats by ingestion of freeze-dried beer

This study evaluated the modulating effect of non-alcoholic constituents of beer on 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP)-induced mammary carcinogenesis. Female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 6 weeks of age were divided into four groups (n=26-30) and fed either a high fat diet or high fat diets containing 1, 2 or 4% freeze-dried beer (FD beer). One week after the start of feeding, rats received PhIP at a dose of 85 mg/kg by gavage four times weekly for 2 weeks. There were no differences in the body weights or diet intakes of rats between the control and the experimental groups. Weekly observation of palpable tumors indicated that tumor incidence and tumor multiplicity in the 2 and 4% FD beer groups were lower than in the control group throughout the experiment. Neoplastic lesions were pathologically examined at the end of the 22-weeks experiment. Tumor development was inhibited by FD beer intake in a dose-dependent manner. Tumor incidence (38.5%) and tumor multiplicity (0.8+/-0.4) for the group fed with a diet containing 4% FD were significantly reduced as compared with the control group (73.3% and 1.8+/-0.7). Supplementation with FD beer for 3 weeks together with the PhIP treatments resulted in increased liver GST activity, decreased liver CYP1A2 activity and a decrease in the number of DNA adducts in the mammary tissue, though these values were not significant. In conclusion, our results suggest that intake of FD beer may reduce the risk of carcinogenesis caused by heterocyclic amines.

Role of adrenoceptor-linked signaling pathways in the regulation of CYP1A1 gene expression

Alpha2-adrenoceptor agents as well as stress affect the activity of several hepatic monoxygenases including those related to CYP1A enzymes. This study was therefore designed to assess the role of central and/or peripheral catecholamines and, in particular, of adrenoceptors in the regulation of B(alpha)P-induced cytochrome CYP1A1 expression. In order to discriminate the role of central from that of peripheral catecholamines in the regulation of CYP1A1 induction, the effect of central and peripheral catecholamine depletion using reserpine versus only peripheral catecholamine depletion using guanethidine was assessed. By using selected agonists and antagonists, the role of alpha and beta-adrenoceptors in the regulation of CYP1A1 induction was evaluated. The results showed that the central catecholaminergic system has a negative regulatory effect on 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) inducibility by benzo(alpha)pyrene (B(alpha)P), and that this may be mediated via alpha1-, alpha2- and beta-adrenoceptors. Specifically, stimulation of alpha2-adrenoceptors with dexmedetomidine and blockade of alpha1- or beta-adrenoceptors with prazosin or propranolol respectively, resulted in a further increase of EROD inducibility. Adrenoceptors were found to be involved in the regulation of the CYP1A1 gene at mRNA level. Both, reduced noradrenaline release in central nervous system induced with dexmedetomidine and central catecholamine depletion, as well as blockade of central alpha1-adrenoceptors induced with prazosin, all were associated with up-regulation of CYP1A1 expression. In contrast, stimulation of central beta-adrenoceptors with isoprenaline resulted in a down-regulation of CYP1A1 expression. Our observations indicate that drugs, which stimulate or block adrenoceptors and catecholamine release may lead to complications in drug therapy and modulate the toxicity or carcinogenicity of drugs that are substrates for the CYP1A1.

EFFECTS OF AVASIMIBE ON CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 EXPRESSION IN VITRO AND IN VIVO

Avasimibe, an acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor, has been previously shown to be a potent inducer of CYP3A4 and multiple drug resistance protein 1. We have further characterized the drug interaction potential of avasimibe by studying the inductive and inhibitory effect of this compound on major drug-metabolizing enzymes. Enzymes known to be involved in the metabolism of drugs likely to be coadministered with avasimibe, such as CYP1A1/2, CYP2C, and CYP2B6, were evaluated further by microarray analysis, Western immunoblotting, and activity assays, using rifampicin and beta-naphthoflavone as positive controls. No change was observed in CYP1A1/2 mRNA or activity levels after avasimibe treatment. Differential induction of CYP2C9- and CYP2B6-immunoreactive protein and activity was observed depending on drug concentration and donor. Microarray analysis showed a similar increase in CYP2C and CYP2B6 mRNA levels. The inhibition potential of avasimibe on the major drug-metabolizing enzymes was assessed using pooled human liver microsomes. Avasimibe inhibited CYP2C9 (IC50 2.9 microM), CYP1A2 (IC50 13.9 microM), and CYP2C19 (IC50 26.5 microM). A clinical drug interaction study was conducted to determine whether avasimibe might interact with the CYP2C9 substrate warfarin. Volunteers received 750 mg of avasimibe and showed a 54.2% reduction in trough concentrations of S-warfarin and decreased prothrombin times by 12, 15, 19, and 21% on days 6 through 9, respectively. These results demonstrate that avasimibe's inductive spectrum resembles that of rifampin.

Atrazine induction of a family 4 cytochrome P450 gene in Chironomus tentans (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Cytochrome P450-dependent microsomal monooxygenase (P450) activity was measured in control and atrazine-exposed third instar midge larvae, Chironomus tentans. Significantly elevated O-demethylase activity was observed in gut homogenates taken from midges exposed to atrazine concentrations from 1 to 10 ppm for 90 h. No significant induction was observed at atrazine concentrations below 1 ppm. A region of a cytochrome P450 family 4 gene was amplified and sequenced from C. tentans larvae. Alignments of inferred amino acid sequences with other insect CYP4 gene homologues indicate a high degree of similarity. Northern blot analysis employing the CYP4 gene fragment as a probe showed an over-expression in C. tentans exposed to atrazine. The results support the previously identified inducibility of cytochrome P450-dependent activity and provide insight into the potential consequences of atrazine exposure to aquatic organisms.

Metabolic activation of 10-aza-substituted benzo[a]pyrene by cytochrome P450 1A2 in human liver microsomes

We previously reported that 10-azabenzo[a]pyrene (10-azaBaP), a 10-aza-analog of BaP and an environmental carcinogen, showed greater mutagenicity than BaP in the Ames test using pooled human liver S9. To investigate the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoform involved in the activation of 10-azaBaP to the genotoxic form, the mutagenicity of 10-azaBaP using nine individual donors' and pooled human liver microsome preparations was compared with each CYP activity. Induced revertants by 2.5 nmol per plate 10-azaBaP with 0.5 mg per plate human liver microsomal protein showed a large inter-individual variation (42-fold) among the nine donors. The number of induced revertants highly correlated with the CYP1A2-selective catalytic activity from each microsome preparation, and no correlation was observed with other CYP isoform-selective catalytic activities. Moreover, recombinant human CYP1A2 contributed to the mutagenicity of 10-azaBaP more markedly than recombinant human CYP1A1. These results suggest that CYP1A2 may be the principal enzyme responsible for the metabolic activation of 10-azaBaP in human liver microsomes. With regard to the proposal that BaP may be activated by human CYP1A1, our results suggest that the nitrogen-substitution at position-10 of BaP may cause the CYP enzyme-specificity in metabolic activation to change from CYP1A1 to CYP1A2.

Induction of drug metabolism enzymes and MDR1 using a novel human hepatocyte cell line

Induction of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters can cause drug-drug interactions and loss of efficacy. In vitro induction studies traditionally use primary hepatocyte cultures and enzyme activity with selected marker compounds. We investigated the use of a novel human hepatocyte clone, the Fa2N-4 cell line, as an alternative reagent, which is readily available and provides a consistent, reproducible system. We used the Invader assay to monitor gene expression in these cells. This assay is a robust, yet simple, high-throughput system for quantification of mRNA transcripts. CYP1A2, CYP3A4, CYP2C9, UGT1A, and MDR1 transcripts were quantified from total RNA extracts from Fa2N-4 cells treated with a panel of known inducers and compared with vehicle controls. In addition, we used enzyme activity assays to monitor the induction of CYP1A2, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4. The Fa2N-4 cells responded in a similar manner as primary human hepatocytes. Treatment with 10 microM rifampin resulted in increases in CYP3A4 mRNA (17-fold) and activity (6-beta-hydroxytestoterone formation, 9-fold); and in CYP2C9 mRNA (4-fold) and activity (4'-hydroxydiclofenac formation, 2-fold). Treatment with 50 microM beta-naphthoflavone resulted in increases in CYP1A2 mRNA (15-fold) and activity (7-ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylation, 27-fold). UGT1A mRNA was induced by beta-naphthoflavone (2-fold), and MDR1 (P-glycoprotein) mRNA was induced by rifampin (3-fold). These preliminary data using a few prototypical inducers show that Fa2N-4 cells can be a reliable surrogate for primary human hepatocytes, and, when used in conjunction with the Invader technology, could provide a reliable assay for assessment of induction of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters.

Stress-mediated modulation of B(α)P-induced hepatic CYP1A1: role of catecholamines

The present study investigated the involvement of catecholamines in stress-mediated alterations in CYP1A1 induction by benzo(alpha)pyrene (B(alpha)P) in Wistar rats. This was achieved by measuring EROD activity and CYP1A1 mRNA levels in liver tissue from rats exposed to restraint stress and B(alpha)P coupled with pharmacological modulation of peripheral and central catecholamine levels and different adrenoceptors. In a state of reserpine-induced central and peripheral catecholamine depletion, stress strongly suppressed EROD induction. Peripheral catecholamines do not appear to play a critical role in the stress-mediated modulation of EROD inducibility by B(alpha)P. Stress did not alter EROD inducibility by B(alpha)P when peripheral catecholamines were either depleted by guanethidine or supplemented by peripheral adrenaline administration. On the other hand, central noradrenergic systems appear to have a role in the stress-mediated changes in B(alpha)P-induced EROD activity and Cyp1A1 gene expression. Stimulation or blockade of noradrenaline release with atipamezole and dexmedetomidine, respectively, significantly modified the up-regulating effect of stress. Alpha1 adrenoceptors also appear to participate in the effect of stress on EROD inducibility. Alpha1-blockade with prazosin potentiated the up-regulating effect of stress, possibly preventing the down-regulating effect of noradrenaline. Beta adrenoceptors also seem to be involved directly or indirectly in the stress-mediated modulation of Cyp1A1, as propranolol (beta-antagonist) blocked the down-regulating effect of stress on B(alpha)P-induced Cyp1A1 gene expression. Plasma corticosterone alterations after stress were not related to alterations in the B(alpha)P-induced EROD activity and Cyp1A1 gene expression. In conclusion, stress appears to interfere in the regulation of B(alpha)P-induced hepatic CYP1A1 in an unpredictable manner and via signalling pathways not always directly related to catecholamines. In particular, whenever drug treatment disrupts noradrenergic neurotransmission, other stress-stimulated factors appear to modify the induction of CYP1A1. In summary, regulation of induction of hepatic CYP1A1 during stress appears to involve various components of the stress system, including central and peripheral catecholamines, which interact in a complex manner, yet to be elucidated.

Evidence for the involvement of CYP1A2 in the metabolism of bromodichloromethane in rat liver

Bromodichloromethane (BDCM) is a drinking water disinfectant by-product that has been implicated in liver, kidney and intestinal cancers in rodents and in intestinal tumors and low birth weight effects in humans. BDCM is also hepatotoxic and requires metabolic activation for both toxicity and carcinogenicity. We have recently reported that CYP1A2 may participate in that metabolism and we now report experiments to support that implication. Induction of CYP1A2 in male F344 rats without inducing CYP2E1 or CYP2B1/2, using TCDD, increased the hepatotoxicity of BDCM when compared to earlier work conducted under similar protocols. Inhibition of CYP1A2, with isosafrole, reduced the metabolism and toxicity of BDCM in the previously induced rats. In addition, specific activities and Western blots for these CYP isoenzymes were measured 24 h after exposure. Activity data show that only CYP1A2 was inhibited by isosafrole; isosafrole forms a complex with CYP1A2 that persists for more than 24 h. Western blot results generally agree with the activity data except that isosafrole induced the protein for all isoenzymes measured. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model, developed previously, estimated that BDCM metabolism was complete about 7 h after gavage dosing. It is noteworthy that the reduction in CYP1A2 activity was still measurable despite the production of additional CYP1A2 protein during the period of approximately 18 h after BDCM metabolism was complete. These results demonstrate that CYP1A2 does metabolize BDCM and does contribute to hepatotoxicity under certain conditions.

4-Hydroxylation of debrisoquine by human CYP1A1 and its inhibition by quinidine and quinine

A panel of 15 recombinant cytochromes P450 expressed in human B-lymphoblastoid cells was used to study debrisoquine 4-hydroxylation. Both CYP2D6 and CYP1A1 carried out the reaction. The apparent K(m) (micromolar) and V(max) (picomoles per minute per picomole of P450) for CYP2D6 were 12.1 and 18.2 and for CYP1A1 were 23.1 and 15.2, respectively. CYP1A1 debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase was inhibited by the CYP1A1 inhibitor alpha-naphthoflavone and the CYP1A1 substrate 7-ethoxyresorufin. Additionally and surprisingly, this reaction was also inhibited by quinidine and quinine, with respective IC(50) values of 1.38 +/- 0.10 and 3.31 +/- 0.14 microM, compared with those for CYP2D6 debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase of 0.018 +/- 0.05 and 3.75 +/- 2.07 microM, respectively. Anti-CYP1A1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) 1-7-1 abolished CYP1A1 debrisoquine hydroxylase and anti-CYP2D6 mAb 50-1-3 eradicated CYP2D6 debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase. Three further CYP2D6-specific reactions were tested: dextromethorphan O-demethylation, bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation, and sparteine dehydrogenation. The CYP2D6 specificity, judged by the CYP2D6/CYP1A1 activity ratios was 18.5, 7.0, 6.0, and 1.6 for dextromethorphan, bufuralol, sparteine, and debrisoquine, respectively. Thus, debrisoquine is not a specific CYP2D6 substrate and quinidine is not a specific CYP2D6 inhibitor. These findings have significant implications for the conduct of in vitro drug metabolism inhibition studies and underscore the fallacy of "specific chemical inhibitors" of a supergene family of enzymes that have overlapping substrate specificities. The use of highly specific mAbs in such studies is mandated. It is unclear as yet whether these findings have implications for the relationship between CYP2D6 genotype and in vivo debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase activity.

Soy and whey proteins downregulate DMBA-induced liver and mammary gland CYP1 expression in female rats

One possible mechanism by which diet may reduce cancer risk is through enhancement of metabolic systems that prevent activation of carcinogens or accelerate carcinogen inactivation. We studied the effects of diet and 7,12-dimethylbenz-(a)anthracene (DMBA) on hepatic and mammary gland CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 enzymes in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Diets (AIN-93G) were fed from conception to adulthood, and DMBA was given by oral gavage at age 48-50 d. The protein sources of diets were casein (CAS), soy protein isolate (SPI) or whey protein hydrolysate (WPH). The DMBA-induced hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase and methoxyresorufin-O-demethylase activities and CYP1A1 protein and mRNA expression were lower (P < 0.05) in SPI-fed rats compared with those fed casein. Differences in mammary gland CYP1 expression were also observed with decreased DMBA induction (P < 0.05) of all three CYP1 proteins and mRNAs in rats fed either SPI or WPH compared with those fed CAS. Most notable were the decreased constitutive and DMBA-induced mammary gland expression of CYP1B1 protein of 93 and 96%, respectively, in the SPI-fed rats relative to the CAS-fed controls. The diet-induced changes in CYP1 enzyme expression were consistent with changes in the AhR and ARNT transcription factors that regulate them. Decreased (P < 0.05) mammary constitutive AhR and ARNT proteins were measured in SPI-fed rats. There was also a 100% increase in constitutive AhR protein in the WPH-fed rats that paralleled a 100% increase in constitutive CYP1B1 protein in the mammary gland. These results demonstrate the importance of diet in regulation of phase I metabolism in liver and mammary gland, and suggest a potential mechanism by which soy or whey proteins reduce DMBA-induced mammary tumor incidence.

Rat oesophageal cytochrome P450 (CYP) monooxygenase system: comparison to the liver and relevance in N-nitrosodiethylamine carcinogenesis

N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) is able to induce tumours in the rat oesophagus. It has been suggested that this could be due to tissue specific expression of NDEA activating cytochrome P450 enzymes. We investigated this by characterizing the oesophageal monooxygenase complex of male Wistar rats and comparing it with that of the liver. Total amount of cytochrome P450, NADPH P450 reductase, cytochrome b5 and cytochrome b5 reductase of the oesophageal mucosa was approximately 7% of what was found in the liver. In addition, major differences were found in the cytochrome P450 isoenzyme composition between these organs: CYP 2B1/2B2 and CYP3A were found only in the liver, whereas CYP1A1 was constitutively expressed only in the oesophagus. Of the two well-known nitrosamine metabolizing enzymes, CYP2A3 was found only in the oesophagus whereas CYP2E1 was exclusively expressed in the liver. Catalytic studies, western blotting and RT-PCR analyses confirmed the expression of CYP2A3 in the oesophagus. CYP2A enzymes are known to be good catalysts of NDEA metabolism. Oesophageal microsomes had a K(m) for NDEA metabolism, which was about one-third of that of hepatic microsomes, but they showed similar activities when compared per nmol of total P450. NDEA activity in the oesophagus was significantly increased by coumarin (CO), which also induced oesophageal CYP2A3. Immunoinhibition of the microsomal NDEA activity showed that up to 70% of this reaction is catalysed by CYP2A3 in the oesophagus, whereas no inhibition of the hepatic NDEA activity could be achieved by the anti-CYP2A5 antibody. NDEA, but not N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) inhibited the oesophageal metabolism of CO. The results of the present investigation show major differences in the enzyme composition of the oesophageal and hepatic monooxygenase complexes, and are in accordance with the hypothesis that the NDEA organotropism could, to a large extent, be due to the tissue specific expression of the activating enzymes.

alpha-Naphthoflavone acts as activator and reversible or irreversible inhibitor of rabbit microsomal CYP3A6

This report describes the effect of alpha-naphthoflavone (alpha-NF), a known substrate, inhibitor and activator of several cytochromes P450 (CYP), on rabbit CYP3A6. Hepatic microsomes of rabbit pretreated with rifampicine (RIF), enriched with CYP3A6, as well as purified CYP3A6 reconstituted with isolated NADPH:CYP reductase were used as enzymatic systems in this study. The data from difference spectroscopy experiments showed that alpha-NF does yield a type I binding spectrum. This compound is oxidized by microsomal CYP3A6 into two metabolites (5,6-epoxide and trans-7,8-dihydrodiol). While alpha-NF is a substrate of CYP3A6, it also acts as an enzyme modulator. Under the conditions used, stimulation of 17beta-estradiol 2-hydroxylation by alpha-NF was observed. In contrast, this compound reversibly inhibited N-demethylation of erythromycin and tamoxifen, competitively with respect to these substrates, having the K(i) values of 51.5 and 18.0 microM, respectively. Moreover, alpha-NF was found to be an effective inactivator of progesterone and testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation catalyzed by CYP3A6 in RIF-microsomes. In addition, time- and concentration-dependent inactivation of human CYP3A4-mediated 6beta-hydroxylation of testosterone by alpha-NF, was determined. The inactivation of CYP3A6 followed pseudo-first-order kinetics and was dependent on both NADPH and alpha-NF. The concentrations required for half-maximal inactivation (K(i)) were 80.1 and 108.5 microM and the times required for half of the enzyme to be inactivated were 10.0 and 11.9 min for 6beta-hydroxylation of progesterone and testosterone, respectively. The loss of the enzyme activity was not recovered following dialysis, while 90% of the ability to form a reduced CO complex remained. This indicates the binding of alpha-NF to a CYP apoprotein molecule rather than to a heme moiety. Protection from inactivation was seen in the presence of all tested CYP3A substrates. Progesterone and testosterone protected CYP3A6 against inactivation competitively with respect to inactivator, erythromycin non-competitively and 17beta-estradiol showed a mixed type of protection. Here, we described for the first time that alpha-NF is capable of irreversible inhibition of microsomal rabbit CYP3A6 and human CYP3A4. The obtained results strongly suggest that the CYP3A active center contains at least two and probably three distinct binding sites for substrates.

Catalytic and immunochemical properties of hepatic cytochrome P450 1A in three avian species treated with beta-naphthoflavone or isosafrole

Induction of cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) can be used as a biomarker of exposure to planar halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAHs). Our objective was to characterize the induction of CYP1A activity and protein in three avian species following in vivo treatment with beta-naphthoflavone (BNF) and/or isosafrole. Alkoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (alk-ROD) activities of hepatic microsomes from Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) (HGs), Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) (DCCs) and chickens (Gallus domesticus) were measured using ethoxy-, methoxy-, pentoxy- and benzyloxy-resorufin, in the presence and absence of the inhibitors ellipticine or furafylline. Immunoreactivity of microsomal proteins with antibodies to several CYP1A proteins was investigated. CYP1A protein and alk-ROD activities of HGs and DCCs, but not chickens, were induced by isosafrole. Ellipticine was a potent and non-selective inhibitor of alk-ROD activity in all three species, while furafylline inhibition of alk-ROD activities varied among species and treatments. In all three species, BNF induced a protein immunoreactive with monoclonal antibody to CYP1A1 from the marine fish Stenotomus chrysops (scup), but a CYP1A2-like protein was not detected in avian microsomes probed with polyclonal antibodies to mouse CYP1A2. Variations in responses among avian species indicate that CYP1A proteins and substrate specificities should be characterized for each species used in PHAH biomonitoring programs.

Inducibility of hepatic CYP1A enzymes by 3-methylcholanthrene and isosafrole differs in male rats fed diets containing casein, soy protein isolate or whey from conception to adulthood

Hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A1 and 1A2 enzymes were studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats derived from 5-7 litters fed diets in which the protein source was casein, soy protein isolate or whey. At age 65 d, rats were gavaged with corn oil (vehicle), 40 mg/kg 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) or 75 mg/kg isosafrole (ISO). Hepatic expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 mRNA, apoprotein and associated monooxygenase activities were measured 17 h later. No significant dietary effects were observed on basal expression of either enzyme. However, interactions between diet and the two inducers (3-MC and ISO) were observed in soy-fed rats for ethoxy- and methoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activity, CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 apoprotein and mRNA (P < 0.05). The level of induction of CYP1A1 mRNA and apoprotein was lower in rats fed soy diets than in rats fed casein diets (P < 0.05), and the level of induced CYP1A2 mRNA was lower in rats fed soy or whey (P < 0.05) after treatment with the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor-dependent inducer 3-MC. This was accompanied by a 50% reduction in constitutive levels of the Ah receptor in liver cytosol of soy-fed, relative to casein-fed rats, and a slightly smaller reduction in whey-fed rats. Expression of the Ah receptor correlated with 3-MC-inducibility of CYP1A1 mRNA in rats fed the three diets. In contrast, in rats induced with ISO, which does not bind to the Ah receptor and induces CYP1As via different mechanisms than 3-MC, ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity and levels of CYP1A1 apoprotein and mRNA were elevated to a greater degree in soy-fed than in casein- or whey-fed rats (P < 0.05). Moreover, after ISO treatment, induction of methoxyresorufin O-demethylase activity, CYP1A2 apoprotein and mRNA levels was observed only in rats fed soy (P < 0.05). These data suggest potential effects of dietary protein source on metabolism of a wide variety of CYP1A substrates, including environmental and dietary carcinogens, many of which induce their own metabolism.

The effects of inhalation exposure to bromo-dichloromethane on specific rat CYP isoenzymes

Several cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes may be involved in the metabolism of bromo-dichloromethane (BDCM), a drinking water disinfection byproduct. After 4-h inhalation exposures of male F344 rats to BDCM between 100 and 3200 p.p.m., hepatic microsomal methoxyresorufin demethylase (MROD), ethoxyresorufin de-ethylease (EROD) and pentoxyresorufin dealkylase (PROD) activities showed modest increases at low exposure levels and larger decreases at high exposure levels, compared with controls. Western blots for CYP1A2 and CYP2B1 showed similar trends. In addition, p-nitrophenol hydroxylase (PNP) activity was measured and Western blots for CYP2E1 were performed. CYP2E1 and CYP2B1 isoenzymes are known to metabolize BDCM (Thornton-Manning, J.R., Gao, P., Lilly, P.D., Pegram, R.A., 1993. Acute bromodichloromethane toxicity in rats pretreated with cytochrome P450 inducers and inhibitors. The Toxicologist 13: 361). When compared with a multiple gavage study of BDCM in female F344 rats (Thornton-Manning, J.R., et al., 1994. Toxicology 94, 3-18), the results of the two studies for EROD, PROD, and PNP activities were qualitatively the same; PNP activity did not change, while both PROD and EROD activities decreased at high exposures. In the current work, Western blots for CYP2E1, CYP2B1 and CYP1A2 supported the results from the PNP, PROD and MROD activities, respectively. The decreases in MROD and PROD activities and in Western blots for CYP1A2 and CYP2B1 at high exposures suggest that BDCM may be a suicide substrate for these CYP isoenzymes. Other important conclusions that can be drawn from the comparison between the current and prior work are that the liver response is similar for both sexes, and it is also similar for inhalation and gavage exposures under these conditions. Finally, the decrease in EROD activity at high doses, found in both studies, may be a further reflection of CYP1A2 activity, since little or no CYP1A1 activity is normally found in uninduced rat liver and CYP1A2 is known to metabolize ethoxyresorufin, although much more slowly than CYP1A1.

Protective action of cardiac DT-diaphorase against menadione toxicity in guinea pig isolated atria

In myocardial preparations isolated from guinea pigs, 2-methyl-1, 4-naphthoquinone (menadione) causes an increase in contractility that is strictly related to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a consequence of quinone metabolism. In heart, menadione undergoes one-electron reduction to semiquinone, a reaction mainly catalysed by mitochondrial NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase. It is also converted to hydroquinone by the soluble two-electron reductase, DT-diaphorase, and is conjugated with GSH by glutathione S-transferase. In order to assess the role of DT-diaphorase in cardiac responses to menadione, we examined the effects of both a specific inhibitor (dicoumarol) and an inducer (beta-naphthoflavone) of the enzyme on the inotropic action of the quinone. In electrically driven left atria of guinea pig, 4 microM dicoumarol significantly enhanced the positive inotropic effect of menadione, especially at the lower concentrations of the quinone. In myocardial preparations isolated from guinea pigs treated with beta-naphthoflavone (80 mg/kg i.p.for 2 days), DT-diaphorase activity was enhanced (+36% with respect to control animals, P < 0. 01), whereas the activities of the other enzymes involved in menadione metabolism were not modified. In these preparations, menadione caused a significantly lower increase in the force of contraction than in atria from untreated animals; moreover, pretreatment with beta-naphthoflavone caused a significant decrease in the menadione-induced oxidative stress, as evaluated from the GSH redox index. Taken together, these results demonstrate that cardiac DT-diaphorase does not contribute to ROS generation, but represents a detoxification system.

Differential expression of two CYP1A genes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchys mykiss)

Differential expression of two rainbow trout CYP1A genes was measured in vivo and in vitro in response to treatment with the model CYP1A inducers beta-naphthoflavone (BNF), 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC), isosafrole (ISF), and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD, only in vitro). Originally described by Berndtson and Chen (Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 310, 187-195, 1994) as CYP1A1 and CYP1A2, these genes were renamed CYP1A3 and CYP1A1, respectively, by the P450 nomenclature committee. A significant, differential, inducer-dependent induction of the two CYP1A mRNAs, as measured by RNase protection assay, was observed in vivo. CYP1A3 and CYP1A1 mRNA levels in liver were significantly induced 50- and 18-fold, respectively, following ip injection with BNF. Conversely, CYP1A3 and CYP1A1 mRNA levels were significantly induced 5- and 66-fold, respectively, following ip injection with 3-MC. Isosafrole had no significant effect on in vivo induction of CYP1A mRNA levels. In primary cultures of hepatocytes, BNF, 3-MC, ISF, as well as TCDD all significantly induced CYP1A3 and CYP1A1 mRNA levels compared to controls. The differential induction of the two CYP1A genes was not as evident in vitro as in vivo. In addition, reanalysis and sequence comparison of the these two trout CYP1A genes with the first trout CYP1A cDNA described by Heilmann et al. (DNA 7, 379-387, 1988) indicate that the Heilmann cDNA is a hybrid of the two trout genes. The 5' portion of the cDNA sequence (212 bp) was determined by sequencing of a genomic clone and is 100% identical to the trout CYP1A3 gene. The majority of the cDNA sequence (2377 bp), however, was sequenced from a partial cDNA clone and is 99.2% identical to trout CYP1A1. Although the nomenclature of these two trout CYP1A genes is undergoing revision, these results demonstrate a differential, inducer-dependent response to model mammalian CYP1A inducers.

In vitro inhibition of liver monooxygenases by beta-ionone, 1,8-cineole, (-)-menthol and terpineol

The present study was undertaken to investigate the inhibitory effects of beta-ionone, (-)-menthol, 1,8-cineole and alpha-terpineol on liver microsomal enzymes involved in the biotransformation of xenobiotic substances. The effects of beta-ionone and the foregoing monoterpenoid compounds on the activity of pentoxyresorufin-O-depentilase (PROD), a selective marker for CYP2B1, were determined in a pool of liver microsomes prepared from phenobarbital-treated rats. On the other hand, the inhibitory effects of these substances on the activities of ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), a marker for CYP1A1, and methoxyresorufin-O-demethylase (MROD), a marker for CYP1A2, were investigated in a pool of hepatic microsomes from beta-naphthoflavone-treated rats. Beta-ionone caused a concentration-related reduction of PROD activity with an IC50 value as low as 0.03 microM. The analysis of alterations produced by beta-ionone on PROD kinetic parameters (Lineweaver-Burk double-reciprocal plot) suggested that inhibition is non-competitive (Ki = 89.9 nM). Although being less potent than beta-ionone, 1,8-cineole (IC50 = 4.7 microM), (-)-menthol (IC50 = 10.6 microM) and terpineol (IC50 = 14.8 microM) also proved to be in vitro inhibitors of PROD reaction. Results also revealed that beta-ionone was a weak inhibitor of EROD (IC50 >100 microM) and MROD (IC50 >200 microM). Neither 1,8-cineole nor terpineol--tested in concentrations up to 150 microM--caused any decrease of EROD activity while (-)-menthol, at a concentration as high as 160 microM, produced only a slight reduction of the reaction rate. Terpineol (up to 150 microM) did not induce any reduction of MROD activity while 1,8-cineole (IC50 >300 microM) and (-)-menthol (IC50 >300 microM) caused only slight decreases of the reaction rate. The potent inhibitory effects on CYP2B1 suggest that beta-ionone, and the other monoterpenoids tested, may interfere with the metabolism of xenobiotics which are substrates for this isoenzyme.

Inducibility of cytochromes P-4502E1 and P-4501A1 in the rat pancreas

Cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzymes have been incriminated in the toxicity and carcinogenicity of various xenobiotics in different tissues, but prior measurements of their activity in pancreatic microsomes have been disappointing. We now applied new isolation methods and a highly sensitive procedure to assay for the metabolism of p-nitrophenol and 7-ethoxyresorufin, specific substrates for CYP2E1 (2E1) and CYP1A1 (1A1), respectively. 2E1 and 1A1 content was estimated with high-resolution chemiluminescent Western blots using recombinant 2E1 and 1A1 as standards. We found that p-nitrophenol hydroxylase activity was 5.07 +/- 0.66 and 1.50 +/- 0.26 pmol/ min/mg of protein in pancreatic microsomes of ethanol-fed and control rats, respectively. Chronic ethanol treatment increased 2E1 content in pancreatic microsomes 3.6-fold. Activity and content of 2E1 were also assessed in hepatic microsomes: specific activity (expressed per 2E1 content) was similar in pancreatic and hepatic microsomes. There was also an inductive effect of 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) on 1A1 in pancreatic microsomes. Pancreatic microsomal 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylation activity in MC-treated rats was 19.6 +/- 1.7 pmol/min/mg of protein, 61-fold higher than in controls. MC treatment increased the 1A1 content in pancreatic microsomes 42-fold. These results demonstrate that, in pancreatic microsomes, ethanol and MC exert striking inductive effects on 2E1 and 1A1 activities, which could play a role in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis and/or pancreatic cancer.

Cytochrome P450IA2 and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase are hepatic autoantigens in autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type I

Autoimmune chronic active hepatitis (AI-CAH) is a feared component of autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type I (APS I). In this study, immunoreactivity was assessed in sera from eight APS I patients, of whom three had AI-CAH, in an attempt to identify hepatic autoantigens. We performed indirect immunofluorescence staining of human and rat liver sections, Western blots on subcellular fractions of human and rat liver, immunoprecipitations of labelled aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) and cytochrome P450IA2 (CYP IA2) expressed by an in vitro transcription and translation system and studies of enzymatic activity. Autoantibodies against AADC were present in sera from all eight APS I patients, while immunoreactivity against CYP IA2 was only found in sera from the three APS I patients with AI-CAH. Enzymatic activity of CYP IA2 was inhibited by sera from APS I patients with AI-CAH but not by control sera. Our results show that CYP IA2 and AADC constitute hepatic autoantigens in patients with APS I and that immunoreactivity against CYP IA2 is associated with the presence of AI-CAH.

Phenolic antioxidant-induced overexpression of class-3 aldehyde dehydrogenase and oxazaphosphorine-specific resistance

High-level cytosolic class-3 aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-3)-mediated oxazaphosphorine-specific resistance (> 35-fold as judged by the concentrations of mafosfamide required to effect a 90% cell-kill) was induced in cultured human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7/0 cells by growing them in the presence of 30 microM catechol for 5 days. Resistance was transient in that cellular sensitivity to mafosfamide was fully restored after only a few days when the inducing agent was removed from the culture medium. The operative enzyme was identified as a type-1 ALDH-3. Cellular levels of glutathione S-transferase and DT-diaphorase activities, but not of cytochrome P450 IA1 activity, were also elevated. Other phenolic antioxidants, e.g. hydroquinone and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene, also induced ALDH-3 activity when MCF-7/0 cells were cultured in their presence. Thus, the increased expression of a type-1 ALDH-3 and the other enzymes induced by these agents was most probably the result of transcriptional activation of the relevant genes via antioxidant responsive elements present in their 5'-flanking regions. Cellular levels of ALDH-3 activity were also increased when a number of other human tumor cell lines, e.g. breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-231, breast carcinoma T-47D and colon carcinoma HCT 116b, were cultured in the presence of catechol. These findings should be viewed as greatly expanding the number of recognized environmental and dietary agents that can potentially negatively influence the sensitivity of tumor cells to cyclophosphamide and other oxazaphosphorines.

Cytochrome P450 specificities of alkoxyresorufin O-dealkylation in human and rat liver

The O-dealkylations of ethoxyresorufin and pentoxyresorufin are widely used activity probes for measuring the cytochrome P450 forms, CYP1A1 and CYP2B1, respectively, and their induction by xenobiotics, but there is confusion in the literature about which P450 forms are detected in human and rat liver microsomes by these and homologous alkoxyresorufins. High performance liquid chromatographic analysis confirmed that O-dealkylation to resorufin was the sole or predominant route of metabolism for both short-chain and long-chain alkoxyresorufins and benzyloxyresorufin by rat liver microsomes. The purified 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC)-induced rat P450 forms, CYP1A1 and CYP1A2, and a possible variant form, CYP1A1*, showed substrate selectivities for propoxyresorufin, methoxyresorufin and ethoxyresorufin, respectively. Purified phenobarbitone (PB)-induced CYP2B1 was selective for benzyloxyresorufin and pentoxyresorufin. Purified constitutive CYP2C6 was much less active than CYP2B1 or the CYP1A forms but showed distinctive selectivity for benzyloxy-, propoxy- and butoxyresorufin. CYP1A2 and CYP2C6 metabolised n-propoxy- and n-butoxyresorufin much more rapidly (8-23-fold) than iso-propoxy- and iso-butoxyresorufin, whereas CYP1A1 and CYP2B1 showed only small differences (2-5-fold) between the n- and iso-homologues and CYP1A1* and CYP2B2 did not discriminate between them. The results show that ratios between different alkoxyresorufin O-dealkylation (AROD) activities can be more useful than absolute values of single activities for identifying P450 forms. Anti-P450 antibody and furafylline inhibition of rat liver microsomal AROD confirmed that ethoxyresorufin was a selective probe for CYP1A1 in 3MC-induced and isosafrole (ISF)-induced microsomes and that pentoxy- and benzyloxyresorufins both selectively measured CYP2B1 in PB-induced and ISF-induced microsomes. Ethoxyresorufin was not a selective probe for CYP1A in liver microsomes from untreated or PB-induced rats, however, where it was metabolised mainly by CYP2C6 and CYP2B1, respectively. Pentoxyresorufin and benzyloxyresorufin were metabolised by several different P450 forms in non-induced rat liver microsomes but mainly by the CYP1A subfamily in 3MC-induced microsomes and by CYP2B1 in PB- and ISF-induced microsomes. Although with purified rat P450s methoxyresorufin appeared not effectively to discriminate CYP1A2 from CYP1A1, CYP1A1* or CYP2C6, furafylline inhibition indicated that methoxyresorufin was a selective measure of CYP1A2 in uninduced and 3MC-induced rat liver microsomes but not in ISF- or PB-induced microsomes. In human liver microsomes, antibody inhibition and furafylline inhibition showed that ethoxyresorufin and methoxyresorufin were metabolised mainly by CYP1A2, whilst benzyloxyresorufin metabolism was due mainly to the CYP3A subfamily but also involved CYP1A2 and CYP2A6.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Comparison of levels of aldehyde oxidase with cytochrome P450 activities in human liver in vitro

Microsomal suspensions and 9000 g supernatant (S-9) fractions were prepared from the liver tissue of six human multiorgan donors. The S-9 fractions were characterized for cytosolic aldehyde oxidase (AO) activity, using three different substrates [N1-methylnicotinamide (NMN), benzaldehyde and 6-methylpurine]. In addition, human liver NMN oxidase activity was compared with that detected in rat, dog and monkey liver S-9 fractions. As expected, the rank order of NMN oxidase activity was monkey > rat > dog, and in five out of six subjects the activity was lowest in humans (< 2.0 nmol/min/mg). The variation in AO activity among the various human livers was greater for NMN oxidase (> 40 fold) than for 6-methylpurine and benzaldehyde oxidase (< or = 3.6 fold) activity. The corresponding microsomal preparations were characterized with respect to the levels of total cytochrome P450 (CYP) and six CYP-dependent mixed-function monooxygenase (MFO) activities. The variation was greatest for dextromethorphan O-demethylase (CYP2D6) and lowest for N,N-dimethylnitrosamine N-demethylase (CYP2E1) activity (147- vs. 1.4-fold). The inter-sample variation for the total CYP, CYP3A (erythromycin N-demethylase), CYP1A2 (7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase), CYP2A6 (coumarin 7-hydroxylase) and CYP2C9/10 (tolbutamide 4-methyl hydroxylase) was 2.2- to 5.3-fold. Furthermore, the levels of AO activity did not correlate with total (spectrally detectable) CYP or any of the CYP form-selective MFO activities.

Methoxyresorufin and benzyloxyresorufin: substrates preferentially metabolized by cytochromes P4501A2 and 2B, respectively, in the rat and mouse

The cytochrome P450 isozyme specificity for the O-dealkylation of methoxyresorufin (MTR) and benzyloxyresorufin (BZR) in the rat and mouse was investigated. The induction of various alkoxyresorufin O-dealkylation activities was measured in male F344/NCr rats exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin or 3,4,5,3',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl. MTR and ethoxyresorufin (ETR) O-dealkylation activities were induced 30- and 80-fold, respectively, in the liver. ETR O-dealkylation activity was induced > 250-fold in the kidney, whereas the metabolism of MTR was induced only 30-fold in this extrahepatic tissue. Phenacetin, a fairly specific CYP1A2 inhibitor, caused concentration-dependent competitive inhibition of MTR O-dealkylation (ki approximately 20 microM at 0.5 microM substrate) in hepatic microsomes from 3,4,5,3',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl-treated rats. The corresponding ki for inhibition of ETR O-dealkylation by phenacetin was > or = 333 microM at a 0.5 microM substrate concentration. A monoclonal antibody displaying inhibitory activity against rat CYP1A1 inhibited ETR O-dealkylation activity, whereas it failed to inhibit MTR O-dealkylation activity. In contrast, a monoclonal antibody reactive with both CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 inhibited both O-dealkylation activities to an equal extent. Similar experiments, employing phenacetin or specific monoclonal antibodies, yielded comparable results when performed with mouse microsomes. The maximal induction of MTR O-dealkylation activity in mice was > 100-fold. The P450 isozyme specificity of BZR O-dealkylation was also examined in both rats and mice. Pregnenolone-alpha-carbonitrile, a strong inducer of CYP3A, only weakly induced BZR O-dealkylation activity. In addition, a monoclonal antibody that specifically inhibits CYP2B caused inhibition of BZR metabolism in microsomes from phenobarbital- or dexamethasone-pretreated rats. In B6C3F1 mice exposed to dietary Aroclor 1254, significant induction of hepatic MTR O-dealkylation activity was observed at concentrations lower than those required for the induction of ETR or BZR O-dealkylation. In summary, it would appear that MTR is a relatively specific substrate for CYP1A2 activity in rodents, while BZR appears to be relatively specific for CYP2B.