Assessment of the Mulder and Van Doorn kinetic procedure and rapid centrifugal analysis of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities

Vitamin A modulates the effects of thyroid hormone on UDP-glucuronosyltransferase expression and activity in rat liver

We studied the influence of thyroid hormones and vitamin A status on the regulation of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) expression and the glucuronidation of thyroid hormones by UGTs. For this, we used an original model of rats fed with different vitamin A diets and implanted subcutaneously by osmotic minipumps delivering vehicle or thyroid hormones, which permitted the control of plasma thyroid hormone concentrations. The activity and expression of family 1 UGTs are correlated and were significantly modified by both thyroid status and amounts of retinol in the diet. Dietary vitamin A did not perturbe the UGT1A expression in thyroidectomized animals. Thyroid hormones and dietary vitamin A did not affect the activity and expression of family 2 UGTs. We conclude that thyroid hormones and vitamin A are co-regulator of the UGT1 family expression, without affecting the UGT2 family; by modifying activity and expression of the bilirubin UOT isoform, a member of UGT1 family, thyroid hormone reduced the glucuronidation of T4 and rT3.

Influence of vitamin A status on the regulation of uridine (5'-)diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1 and UGT1A6 expression by L-triiodothyronine

The uridine (5'-)diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) are involved in the phase II of various xenobiotics and endogenous compounds. They are responsible for glucuronidation of many substrates, especially including bilirubin (UGT1A1) and phenolic compounds (UGT1A6). We previously showed that the expression of both isoforms is regulated at the transcriptional level by thyroid hormone in rat liver. In this present study, effects of vitamin A dietary intake (0, 1.72, 69 microg retinol acetate/g food) on the regulation of UGT1A1 and UGT1A6 activity and expression by 3,5,3' triiodo-l-thyronine (l-T3) were examined in the same organ. Activities were determined toward bilirubin and 4-nitrophenol. UGT mRNA were analysed by reverse transcription and amplification methods (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) and quantified by capillary electrophoresis. In rats fed a vitamin A-balanced diet, a single injection of l-T3 (500 microg/kg body weight) increased UGT1A6 mRNA expression whereas this hormone decreased UGT1A1 mRNA expression. In addition we observed that the specific effect of l-T3 on UGT1A1 and UGT1A6 was reduced in animals receiving a vitamin A-enriched diet and disappeared in those fed a vitamin A-free diet. The modulations observed in mRNA expression are concomitant with those found for UGT activities. Our results demonstrate for the first time the existence of a strong interaction between vitamin A and thyroid hormone on the regulation of genes encoding cellular detoxification enzymes, in this case the UGT.

Induction and inhibition of cicletanine metabolism in cultured hepatocytes and liver microsomes from rats

Cicletanine, a racemic furopyridine derivative synthesized as racemate, is used as an antihypertensive agent. Its two enantiomers are involved in the pharmacological effects of the drug. Cicletanine is metabolized by conjugation enzyme systems (phase II) into sulfoconjugated or glucuroconjugated enantiomers. This study reports on the use of both the induction with 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) or phenobarbital (PB) and inhibition with selective compounds to determine and identify UGT isoenzymes involved in the metabolism of cicletanine enantiomers. PB and 3-MC both enhanced the cicletanine enantiomer glucuronidation. These two compounds being known as inducing agents of UGT2B1 and UGTIA6 isoforms, respectively, this suggests an implication of UGT2B1 and UGT1A6 isoforms in the metabolism of the two cicletanine enantiomers: ( + )-cicletanine and ( - )-cicletanine. The use of selective compounds for inhibition study evidenced, in addition to UGT2B1 and UGT1A6 isoforms, the involvement of other UGT isoforms such as UGT1A1, UGT2B7 and UGT2B15 in cicletanine metabolism.

Tyrosine protein kinase assays

Protein kinases form a large family of enzymes that play a major role in a number of live processes. The study of their action is important for the understanding of the transformation mechanisms and of the normal and pathological growth events. The quality of an enzyme assay is often the key point of an enzymatic study. It must be flexible and compatible with various experimental conditions, such as those for the purification process, the screening of inhibitors and the substrate specificity studies. As will be shown in the present review, two categories of substrates, peptidic and proteic, should be distinguished. The use of peptide substrates facilitates the determination of the recognition requirements of the enzyme and of the kinetic effects of even minute variations in their sequence. These linear peptide structures are assumed to mimic a complex interaction between the enzyme and a protein substrate in which distant amino acids in the sequence are vicinal in the folded substrate. Less amenable to a systematic study, but probably more adequate to investigate the natural substrate of a given kinase, are the proteic substrates. Obviously the tools to measure protein kinase activities are not the same in these two cases. The main difficulty in assaying protein kinases is the use of labelled gamma-ATP, mostly at large excess concentration, since the final product of the reaction has to be separated from the non-reacted labelled ATP. In the case of peptide substrates, the difficulty is to separate them from ATP basing on differences of molecular mass. Despite the efforts of many investigators to rely upon differences in solubility, in charges or in "affinity", this separation, which is crucial for the assay, is still an unsolved experimental problem. Chromatographic, as well as electrophoretic assays appeared relatively late in this domain, and more work in assessing new methodologies might bring new breakthroughs in the next few years. Specific, simple and reliable kinase assays are still a major challenge. Their improvement will help to conduct specificity studies, to elucidate complex growth mechanisms in which they are involved and to discover more selective potent inhibitors.

Lead exposure alters the drug metabolic activity and the homeostasis of essential metal ions in the lenticular system of the rat

Potential lead exposure to the eyes as a result of the use of traditional cosmetic Kohl in Asia, Africa and the Middle East has been a subject of recent debate to the scientific community. In continuation of our earlier work we therefore examine in the present study, the drug metabolic activity and the homeostasis of essential metal ions in the lenticular system of adult rats exposed to long term low level lead (lead acetate 0.1% w/v). The results of our investigation demonstrate that long term low level lead exposure impaired the phase I & phase II metabolic activity of the lenticular system when assessed by aminopyrine demethylase, benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase, aniline hydroxylase and UDP glucuronyl transferase (UDPGT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), respectively. A more pronounced decrease (55%) in GST was noticed compared to UDPGT, aminopyrene demethylase, benzo[a]-pyrene hydroxylase and aniline hydroxylase (20-30%). Increased lead concentration in the lenticular system of the rats as monitored by atomic absorption spectroscopy resulted in a significant decrease (15-35%) in the levels of Ca, Cu, Zn and Fe, along with a progressive loss in body weight. Respective increase in blood lead level was also monitored parallel to increase in lenticular lead concentration at different time points in lead treated rats. The present investigation, therefore, demonstrates that long term low level lead exposure to rats results in a profound impairment in the homeostasis of essential metal ions, lenticular drug metabolizing enzymatic activity and significant loss in body weight when compared to untreated control rats. Whether such a decrease in these functions reflects an inhibition of protein synthesis at transcriptional/post transcriptional levels or gene regulation at molecular level remains to be established.

Heterogeneity of hepatic microsomal UDP-glucuronosyltransferase(s) activities: a new kinetic approach for the study of induction and specificity

UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activities have been described as heterogeneous, i.e. supported by a family of isoenzymes, each of them being capable of conjugating a given chemical family of aglycons, including steroids, coumarines, and phenols. Some of these isoenzymes are specifically induced by xenobiotics. In order to discriminate between the different isoenzymes, we propose a new in situ approach that combines induction (gene regulation) and catalytic activities (specificity). The characterization of one isoenzyme is obtained by (i) increasing its amount by specific inductive stimulation and (ii) studying simultaneously the glucuronidation kinetics of a series of alternative substrates. Provided the substrates are of similar structure, a linear relationship can be established between their glucuronidation rates before versus after induction. We developed a simple mathematical model to analyze the kinetic behaviors observed. With this method, it is possible to know (i) the exact extent of induction of a given isoenzyme by a given inducer (induction factor, n) and (ii) its strict specificity. This in situ methodology is complementary to isolated protein or cDNAs, for the characterization of the real in situ substrate specificity of differentially regulated UGT isoenzymes.

Changes in liver drug glucuronidation during cholestasis are non predictable

Liver microsomal glucuronidation of acetaminophen, chloramphenicol, salicylic acid, lorazepam, p-nitrophenol and morphine were measured in 8 days bile duct ligated rats. Compared to normals, cholestatic rats showed a decrease of 31% for p-nitrophenol glucuronidation; salicylic acid glucuronidation increased 281%; acetaminophen glucuronidation increased 38% while morphine, chloramphenicol and lorazepam values were similar to controls. We concluded that cholestasis produces non predictable changes on liver drug glucuronidation pathways.

Modification of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes in rat fed naturally occurring allyl sulphides

1. The effects of feeding allyl sulphides to rat (2000 ppm of the diet for 15 days) were investigated on various microsomal hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes by their immunochemical detection and catalytic activity. 2. Allyl sulphides provoked a temporary dietary restriction, which enhanced the microsomal level of P450 and the activities of NADH-cytochrome c reductase and p-hydroxybiphenyl UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UDPGT 2), and lowered the activities of p-nitrophenol hydroxylase (PNPH), N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase (NDMAD), laurate omega-hydroxylase (LAH) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Therefore, pair-fed animals were used as a more relevant control for the dietary effects of allyl sulphides. 3. Diallyl sulphide (DAS) as well as diallyl disulphide (DADS) produced an enhancement of the microsomal level of P4501A2, 2B1/2 and 3A1/2, and epoxide hydrolase (EH) proteins, with an increase in the enzymatic activities they catalyse: ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH), methoxyresorufin O-demethylase (MROD), ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD), pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD), benzoxyresorufin O-debenzylase (BROD) and EH. Although P4502E1 proteins were lowered on treatment, NDMAD activity was not modified, and PNPH activity was even enhanced by allyl sulphides. Only DAS treatment raised erythromycin N-demethylase (ERDM) activity. 4. Both DAS and DADS increased the activity of GST and p-nitrophenol UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UDPGT 1), whereas UDPGT 2 activity was enhanced only by DAS.

Heterogeneity of hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities: investigations of isoenzymes involved in p-nitrophenol glucuronidation

1. UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase (UGT, EC 2.1.4.17) has been measured routinely with para-nitrophenol (pNP) because the UGT assay using this substrate is easy to assess and run. 2. This compound has been used in several studies as a substrate for purification of the enzyme. 3. In the present work, we characterize the para-nitrophenol-conjugating activity. 4. An analysis of kinetics of para-nitrophenol conjugation obtained from various biological sources (various tissues and various species) leads us to the conclusion that at least three isoenzymes are responsible for this activity in the rat. 5. Both UGT-(testosterone) and the 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible form previously described in the literature, may be responsible for the activity, whilst a highly specific form (UGT-phenol) is reported here for the first time. 6. This work is intended to lay down the basis of further investigations, including purification of the highly specific isoform.

Differential effects of human recombinant interleukin-1 beta and dexamethasone on hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes in male and female rats

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) is one of the major inflammation mediators, commonly reported to be an inhibitor of hepatic drug metabolism. We studied the effect of IL-1 treatment on various drug-metabolizing enzymes in male and female rats. IL-1 induced both cytochrome P450 (P450) 3A1 activity and protein in females, but in males, IL-1 repressed P450 3A2 activity, without decreasing the protein. P450 1A1 was impaired in males, but was retained after dexamethasone pretreatment. IL-1 did not change P450 2B1/2 activity and protein, but counteracted their induction by dexamethasone. Uridine diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A2 (bilirubin) activity and its induction by dexamethasone were not affected by IL-1 treatment. Both P450 2C11 and epoxide hydrolase activities were repressed by IL-1 treatment, and both activities were impaired after dexamethasone treatment. These results clearly demonstrate that IL-1 acts at different steps of protein synthesis and gene expression. The effect of IL-1 on P450 was isoform-dependent, indicating that IL-1 can act on pretranscriptional events. The discrepancy between the variations of the activities and the protein of P450 3A2 suggests a post-translational regulation. For P450 2C11, 3A1, and for microsomal epoxide hydrolase, but not for P450 1A1 and 2B1/2, IL-1 mimics the glucocorticoid effects. These differential effects can affect the kinetics and the bioavailability of drugs used in pathologies in which IL-1 is increased.

Studies of the potency of protein kinase inhibitors on ATPase activities

Tyrosine as well as serine/threonine protein kinase inhibitors have potentially two sites of interaction with their targets: the protein-substrate binding site and the ATP binding site. The latter could be modelized by measuring the capacity of protein kinase inhibitors to inhibit ATPase activities. In order to do so, we assess a novel, highly sensitive HPLC method based on hydrophilic separation of [gamma-32P]ATP and [32P]Pi. The novel assay is presented. Furthermore, the potency of 13 protein kinase inhibitors was tested on two types of ATPase, namely: apyrase and partially purified liver mitochondria F1-ATPase. The method described for the assay of ATPase can be used with almost any type of enzyme catalyzing this activity. Only cibacron blue and suramin show interesting capacities in inhibiting these ATPase activities pointing out that several widely used protein kinase inhibitors are at least somewhat specific in that they do not inhibit these two ATPases.

A growth factor- and hormone-stimulated NADH oxidase from rat liver plasma membrane

NADH oxidase activity (electron transfer from NADH to molecular oxygen) of plasma membranes purified from rat liver was characterized by a cyanide-insensitive rate of 1 to 5 nmol/min per mg protein. The activity was stimulated by growth factors (diferric transferrin and epidermal growth factor) and hormones (insulin and pituitary extract) 2- to 3-fold. In contrast, NADH oxidase was inhibited up to 80% by several agents known to inhibit growth or induce differentiation (retinoic acid, calcitriol, and the monosialoganglioside, GM3). The growth factor-responsive NADH oxidase of isolated plasma membranes was not inhibited by common inhibitors of oxidoreductases of endoplasmic reticulum or mitochondria. As well, NADH oxidase of the plasma membrane was stimulated by concentrations of detergents which strongly inhibited mitochondrial NADH oxidases and by lysolipids or fatty acids. Growth factor-responsive NADH oxidase, however, was inhibited greater than 90% by chloroquine and quinone analogues. Addition of coenzyme Q10 stimulated the activity and partially reversed the analogue inhibition. The pH optimum for NADH oxidase was 7.0 both in the absence and presence of growth factors. The Km for NADH was 5 microM and was increased in the presence of growth factors. The stoichiometry of the electron transfer reaction from NADH to oxygen was 2 to 1, indicating a 2 electron transfer. NADH oxidase was separated from NADH-ferricyanide reductase, also present at the plasma membrane, by ion exchange chromatography. Taken together, the evidence suggests that NADH oxidase of the plasma membrane is a unique oxidoreductase and may be important to the regulation of cell growth.

Effects of simvastatin, a lipoprotein-lowering drug, on the hepatic enzymes involved in drug metabolism in the Wistar rat

1. Simvastatin, a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl CoA reductase, lowers the plasma cholesterol level and has been approved for treatment of hyperlipoproteinaemia. 2. Simvastatin has been studied for its effects on hepatic microsomal drug metabolism in rat. No induction of 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase (ECOD) and of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases were found, in vitro, after administration of 0.5, 1.5 and 10 mg/kg per day for 22 days. 3. Epoxide hydrolases (microsomal and cytosolic) were also unchanged after treatment with simvastatin. 4. No increase of the palmitoyl CoA oxidase activity or of mitochondrial glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase activity occurred. 5. Fatty acid distribution in rat liver microsomal phosphatidylcholines showed a significant decrease of C16:1 and a significant increase of C20:4 acids.

Phenobarbital inducible UDP-glucuronosyltransferase is responsible for glucuronidation of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine: characterization of the enzyme in human and rat liver microsomes

Glucuronidation by liver microsomes of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) was characterized in human and in various animal species. The glucuronide isolated by HPLC, was identified by mass spectrometry (fast atom bombardment, desorption in chemical ionization), and beta-glucuronidase hydrolysis. AZT glucuronidation reaction in liver microsomes of human and monkey proceeded similarly with an apparent Vmax of 0.98 nmol/min/mg protein and apparent Km of 13 mM. Oleoyl lysophosphatidylcholine activated more than twofold the formation of the glucuronide. Human kidney microsomes could also biosynthesize AZT glucuronide, although to a lower extent (six times less than the corresponding liver). Probenecid, which is administered to AIDS patients, decreased hepatic AZT glucuronidation in vitro (I50 = 1.5 mM), whereas paracetamol did not exert any effect at concentrations up to 21.5 mM. Morphine also inhibited the reaction (I50 = 2.7 mM). AZT glucuronidation presented the highest rate in human and in monkey (0.50 nmol/min/mg protein); pig and rat glucuronidated the drug two and three times less, respectively. In Gunn rat, the specific activity in liver microsomes was similar (0.18 nmol/min/mg protein) to that of the congenic normal strain; this suggests that an isozyme other than bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase catalyzed the reaction. In rats, AZT glucuronidation was stimulated fourfold by phenobarbital; 3-methylcholanthrene or clofibrate failed to increase this activity. This result was consistent with the bulkiness of the AZT molecule (thickness 6.7 A), which is a critical structural factor for glucuronidation of the drug by phenobarbital-induced isozymes. Altogether, the results strongly indicate that UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (phenobarbital inducible forms) is responsible for AZT glucuronidation.

Differential action of thyroid hormones and chemically related compounds on the activity of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases and cytochrome P-450 isozymes in rat liver

The effect of thyroid hormones and chemically related compounds, on the activity of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (EC 2.4.1.17) and cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases in rat liver microsomes was investigated. The animals were thyroidectomized and treated with different doses of the drugs for 3 weeks. Opposite effects were observed depending on the isoenzyme of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase considered. While 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine, 3,3',5-triiodothyroacetic acid, 3,3',5-triiodothyropropionic acid, isopropyldiiodothyronine and L- and D-thyroxine strongly increased 4-nitrophenol glucuronidation in a dose-dependent fashion, they decreased markedly bilirubin glucuronidation. However, the activity toward nopol, a monoterpenoid alcohol, was not significantly changed regardless of which compound or dose was used. Variation of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase observed with 4-nitrophenol and bilirubin was related to the thyromimetic effect of the drugs estimated from the increase in alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase. Thyronine and 3,5-diiodo-L-tyrosine, which did not enhance this activity, also failed to affect glucuronidation. Variations in UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity were more likely due to changes in protein expression rather than changes in enzyme latency, since lipid organization of the microsomal membrane, as estimated from the mean anisotropy of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene by fluorescence polarization was not significantly modified by the drug administration. Although some of the drugs could significantly decrease the triacylglycerol and cholesterol contents in plasma, all failed to affect lauric acid hydroxylation. The activities of catalase, palmitoyl-CoA dehydrogenase (CN- insensitive) and carnitine acetyltransferase in the fraction enriched in peroxisomes were also not significantly affected by treatment with the thyroid hormone LT3. In contrast, the activity of 7-ethoxycoumarine O-deethylase was increased by large doses of thyronine and by 3,3',5-triiodothyropropionic acid. The concentration of total cytochrome P-450 was decreased in a dose-dependent fashion by all the compounds used, except thyronine. Finally, significant correlations were observed between glucuronidation of bilirubin and 4-nitrophenol and the content in cytochrome P-450. This suggests a possible coordinate regulation of the two processes, which depends on the physicochemical characteristics of the thyroid hormones and related compounds.

Effect of 1-benzylimidazole on cytochromes P-450 induction and on the activities of epoxide hydrolases and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases in rat liver

The influence of 1-benzylimidazole on the activities of hepatic monooxygenases cytochromes P-450 dependent, epoxide hydrolases and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases was investigated in male Wistar rats. Several doses (25, 75 and 100 mg/kg/day) were administered gastrically during 5 days in order to evaluate the dose-related induction. The treatment caused a dose-dependent hepatomegaly. 1-Benzylimidazole decreased the plasma level in triglycerides by 60-70%; by contrast the cholesterol content was not changed during the time course of the experiment. Lauric acid hydroxylase, benzphentamine N-demethylase, 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase activities were increased 3.5-, 4-, 13- and 46-fold, respectively with the highest dose. By immunoblotting, an enhancement in the protein bands corresponding to cytochromes P-450c and P-450b could be simultaneously observed, whatever the dose administered, thus suggesting an induction process. However, 1-benzylimidazole failed to bind with high affinity to the cytosolic Ah receptor. On the other hand, measurement of the activity of the microsomal epoxide hydrolase with benzo(a)pyrene-4,5-oxide as substrate and quantitation of the enzyme protein by immunoassay revealed that the increase in the activity after treatment with the compound was the result of enzyme activation only. By contrast, cytosolic epoxide hydrolase was not affected by 1-benzylimidazole. This compound also stimulated three distinct forms of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase. The activities towards 4-methylumbelliferone, 1-naphthol, morphine or a monoterpenoid alcohol, nopol, supported by two different isozymes were significantly increased only with the highest dose; meanwhile bilirubin glucuronidation was 2-fold enhanced, whatever the dose used. These observations emphasize the variety of the effects of 1-benzylimidazole on drug-metabolizing enzymes.

Inducing effect of albendazole on rat liver drug-metabolizing enzymes and metabolite pharmacokinetics

Albendazole (ABZ), methyl (5-(propylthio)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)carbamate, is a broad spectrum anthelmintic drug. S-oxidation to the sulfoxide (SO-ABZ) and the sulfone (SO2-ABZ) are the first steps of its bioconversion. SO-ABZ is pharmacologically active and embryotoxic in rats. In the present study, rat liver microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes were assayed after 10 days oral administration with 40 mumol ABZ/kg per day. The activities of 4-nitroanisole O-demethylase, benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase, and 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase increased 6-, 7-, 8-, and 30-fold, respectively. By immunoblotting an increase in cytochrome P-448 was observed. UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (GT) type 1 activities (1-naphthol, 7-hydroxycoumarin, 4-nitrophenol, and 4-methylumbelliferone) were significantly higher than in control microsomes (3- to 4-fold), while GT type 2 activities and bilirubin-GT remained unchanged. Microsomal epoxide hydrolase (benzo[a]pyrene oxide) increased 2-fold. Microsomal gamma-glutamyltransferase activity was unchanged. The in vivo SO-ABZ plasma level was decreased when the SO2-ABZ plasma level was increased. In vitro sulfoxidation and sulfonation were, however, unchanged. Although a range of imidazole derivatives, including benzimidazole itself, were commonly reported as inhibitors of monooxygenase activities, ABZ behaved as an inducer of cytochrome P-448, GT1, and epoxide hydrolase.

Induction of hepatic cytochrome P-450c-dependent monooxygenase activities by dantrolene in rat

The effect of dantrolene sodium, a skeletal muscle relaxant, on drug metabolizing enzymes has been investigated after treatment of rats with a dose of 200 mg/kg for five days. We observed an induction of cytochrome P-450c and epoxide hydrolase in immunoassays and activities. An enhancement of the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (GT1) activity was observed. We also reported a decrease of both liver cytochrome P-450 content and microsomal cytochrome P-450b dependent N-demethylation activities. On the other hand, the binding of dantrolene on microsomal cytochrome P-450 produced a type I difference spectrum, these data were obtained with liver microsomal cytochrome P-450c induced by 3-methylcholanthrene.

Differential time-course of induction of rat liver gamma-glutamyltransferase and drug-metabolizing enzymes in the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi and plasma membranes after a single phenobarbital injection. Evaluation of protein variations by two-dimensional electrophoresis

This study was conducted to follow as a function of time the activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase in the various membranes of rat liver cells after a single dose of phenobarbital (PB) (75 mg kg-1 body weight). Gamma-glutamyltransferase induction was maximal 24 h after PB treatment in both the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membranes. This pattern of induction differed from that of some drug metabolizing enzymes. While total cytochrome P-450 content was enhanced mainly in endoplasmic reticulum until 48 h after PB treatment, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity was not greatly altered by PB under the same conditions. The comparison of two-dimensional electrophoretic polypeptide profiles of each subcellular membrane isolated from control and phenobarbital-treated rats revealed important variations induced by PB. In plasma membranes, the heaviest subunit (apparent Mr = 60 x 10(3)) of hepatic gamma-glutamyltransferase was provisionally identified as a collection of polypeptide which differ only by their pI. The concentration of these polypeptides was smaller in the endoplasmic reticulum where they were of lower apparent molecular mass. This suggests that the gamma-glutamyltransferase precursor is already processed at the level of the endoplasmic reticulum but it is still not completely mature or glycosylated. Five days of continuous PB treatment induced by appearance of new gamma-glutamyltransferase isoforms in plasma membranes. We demonstrate that after a single injection of PB, gamma-glutamyltransferase activity increases simultaneously with some drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as total cytochrome P-450 but not with others, such as UDP-glucuronosyltransferases.

Differential induction profile of drug-metabolizing enzymes after treatment with hypolipidaemic agents

Various hypolipidaemic agents differentially induced microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes. Clofibrate, clofibric acid, fenofibric acid and dulofibrate, which are mainly hypotriglyceridaemic, increased the content in cytochromes P-450 (77-185% over control), and especially cytochrome P-452-dependent lauric acid 12-hydroxylation (5.6- to 8.4-fold increase). Bilirubin glucuronidation was 2.1- to 2.8-fold stimulated; epoxide hydrolase activity (benzo(a)pyrene-oxide) was only slightly increased by the drugs. By contrast, F1379, which lowers plasma cholesterol only, did not change cytochromes P-450 content and slightly affected the 12-hydroxylation of lauric acid. It dramatically enhanced the epoxide hydrolase activity (7.6-fold), and increased (200%) the glucuronidation of planar group I substrates (4-nitrophenol, 4-methylumbelliferone, 1-naphthol). These effects were accompanied by a highly positive staining of gamma-glutamyltransferase in the liver characterized by a great number of intensively coloured foci in the periportal and perilobular area of the tissue. Treatment of rats for three weeks with F1379 did not modify this typical profile in enzyme induction. Such continuous effect could reveal some biochemical changes of hepatocytes with important toxicological relevance. Compared to the parent compound, treatment of rats with two metabolites of F1379 led to a decrease in the induction potency on epoxide hydrolase and on the forms I of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase; by contrast, the content in cytochromes P-450 was increased.

The activity of 1-naphthol-UDP-glucuronosyltransferase in the brain

Cerebral microsomes catalysed efficiently the glucuronidation of 1-naphthol, this formation of glucuronide being activated by treatment with Triton X-100 or digitonin. Activated microsomes from the brain of the rat conjugated 1-naphthol with an apparent Km of 95 microM and a Vmax of 5.47 nmol/hr mg protein at 30 degrees C. Microsomal uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferase activity in brain towards 1-naphthol was not significantly induced by pretreatment of animals with 3-methylcholanthrene or phenobarbital. These data suggest that UDP-glucuronosyltransferases in brain are different from the hepatic enzymes with regard to biochemical parameters and in response to inducers of drug metabolism. The hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase deficiency in Gunn rats was also observed in the brain.

Properties of human hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferases. Relationship to other inducible enzymes in patients with cholestasis

Glucuronidation of 4-nitrophenol, nopol (a monoterpenoid alcohol) and bilirubin, which in the rat, are catalyzed by three different enzymes, has been examined in liver biopsies from patients with various liver diseases, in particular cholestasis. These different activities were not correlated, which strongly suggests that at least three independently regulated forms of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases were present in the microsomes. Non ionic detergents (Triton X100, Emulgen 911) and deoxycholate produced similar activation (more than 2-fold) of the glucuronidation of 4-nitrophenol. Amphipathic substances, such as CHAPS (3-[3-cholamidopropyl-dimethylammonio]-1-propane sulfonate), and lysophosphatidylcholines maximally increased this UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity, the most potent being oleoyl lysophosphatidylcholine (4-fold increase). Discriminant analysis of the data revealed no correlation between the three different UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities and the age or sex of the patients. A good correlation was found on multidimensional analysis between form 1 of the enzyme (4-nitrophenol glucuronidation) and, in decreasing order of magnitude, epoxide hydrolase (measured with benzo(a)pyrene-4,5-oxide as substrate), cytochrome P-450, 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylase, aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase (r = 0.89); and between Form 3 of the enzyme (bilirubin glucuronidation) and NADPH cytochrome c reductase, alkaline phosphatase, (r = 0.81). These relationships may reflect the differential variation in enzymatic activities in various hepato-biliary diseases.

Liquid chromatographic assay for the measurement of glucuronidation of arylcarboxylic acids using uridine diphospho-[U-14C] glucuronic acid

A general method for the assay of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity towards arylcarboxylic acids (clofibric acid, 1- and 2-naphthylacetic acid) using UDP-[U-14C] glucuronic acid in liver microsomes is described. The 14C-labelled glucuronide was separated by high-performance liquid chromatography, identified by hydrolysis by beta-glucuronidase, characterized by laser desorption mass spectrometry and quantified by scintillation counting. The coefficient of variation of the enzyme activity for the inter-assay repeatability was below 4.5%. As little as 2.5 nmol of the arylcarboxylic acid glucuronides could be detected and precisely quantified. The method was applied to the determination of the apparent kinetic constants for glucuronidation of the acids. Clofibric acid was the best substrate for UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (Vmax/KM, the ratio of the maximum initial velocity and the Michaelis-Menten constant, is 12.3). The two isomers, 1- and 2-naphthylacetic acids, were transformed at a similar rate. However, they exhibited different enzymatic affinities, as the KM values were 1.0 mM and 5.6 mM for 1- and 2-naphthylacetic acid, respectively. This indicates that the spatial organization of the substrates played a critical role in this acyl glucuronoconjugation.

Inhibition of microsomal NAD(P)H oxidation by Triton X-100

The non-ionic detergent Triton X-100 is shown to inhibit the spontaneous oxidation of NAD(P)H associated with rat liver microsomes. Advantage of this observation is taken to measure different microsomal NAD(P)H-dependent oxidoreductase activities such as 3-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, dihydrodiol dehydrogenase and various xenobiotic oxidoreductases. This inhibition provides an easy method for the screening of the under-investigated microsomal oxidoreductive metabolism of xenobiotics.

Rat liver microsomal 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and dihydrodiol dehydrogenase: solubilization, separation and partial purification

Rat liver microsomes contain 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) (EC 1.1.1.50) and dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (DHD) (EC 1.3.1.20) activities. The two enzyme activities were solubilized by 10% Triton X-100 or 0.4% sodium deoxycholate. Unlike the cytosolic enzyme (Penning & Talalay (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 80, 4505), the microsomal HSD and DHD activities were not inhibited by indomethacin. Chromatography of the microsomal Triton X-100 extract on Affigel Blue and then on Phenyl-Sepharose gave an HSD preparation containing no detectable (less than 3 - 5%) DHD activity, whereas chromatography of the deoxycholate extract on Phenyl-Sepharose provided a DHD preparation that lacked measurable HSD activity. These results are in sharp contrast to the cytosolic enzyme where both HSD and DHD activities could be copurified to homogeneity (Penning et al. (1984) Biochem. J. 222, 601).

Kinetic constant determination of liver microsomal and purified UDP-glucuronosyltransferase after phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene treatments in rats

After induction by phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase involved mainly in the conjugation of planar substrates was purified. Compared to the microsomal enzyme, the purified protein exhibited less affinity towards the substrates, but the corresponding Vmaxs were increased. These results were attributed to a change in the lipid environment of the purified enzyme. The conjugation rate for 4-hydroxycoumarine was 15-45 times less than that measured for the 7-hydroxyisomer with the microsomal or the purified enzymes. Immunoprecipitation studies of the enzyme revealed that the two compounds were transformed by the same enzyme, or metabolized by two separate enzymes presenting the same antigenic site. The orientation of the hydroxyl group of planar aglycones in the active site is the determinant for the efficiency of catalysis.

UDP-glucuronosyltransferase(s) activities towards natural substrates in rat liver microsomes. Kinetic properties and influence of triton X-100 activation

We studied the in vitro capability of hepatic microsomal UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) in male rats to conjugate 22 natural xenobiotics which are known to be excreted as glucuronides in vivo. We clearly demonstrated that the Vmax can range in a decreasing scale for the following families of aglycones: 7-hydroxylated coumarins greater than 2-naphthol and phenols greater than monoterpenoid alcohols greater than 4-hydroxylated coumarins. The Km app. cannot be arranged in the same scale. This suggests that the catalytic mechanism of UDPGT is dependent on the hydroxyl group reactivity rather than on the binding interaction at the active site expressed by the Km app. The effects of various concentrations of detergent (Triton X-100) were determined on specificity (apparent Km) and activity (Vmax). For the 22 aglycones we showed that activation caused a variation in the Vmax which was a function of the concentration in detergent. The maximum of this activation did not always correspond to the same detergent/protein weight ratio. The impact of activation on Km app. was less clear since the variations observed were slightly different.

Heterogeneity of hepatic microsomal UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities. Conjugations of phenolic and monoterpenoid aglycones in control and induced rats and guinea pigs

In this report we present evidence that the heterogeneity of hepatic microsomal UDP-glucuronosyltransferase(s) (UDPGT) activities depends on the chemical structures of the aglycones as well as their biophysical constants. Three animal models were used: Wistar rats, which have active UDPGTs; Gunn rats, in which some of the UDPGT activities are reduced, but which can be induced by phenobarbital; and guinea pigs. In Wistar rats, we found that some coumarins were poor substrates of UDPGT (GT1) and that twenty monoterpenoid alcohol activities showed typical phenobarbital-inducible behavior. In Gunn rats, we showed that substitution of the phenolic aglycone by bulky (alkyl- or methoxy-) groups in the 2-position of the phenolic ring decreased UDPGT (GT1) activity, whereas substitution in the 4-position resulted in an increase in this activity. We also showed that, in this particular strain, activities toward terpenes were less affected than activities toward flat (aromatic) aglycones. Induction by phenobarbital in Gunn rats increased the activity and limited the deficiency for monoterpenoid alcohols. In guinea pigs, we confirmed that phenobarbital selectively increased the activities of UDPGT towards twenty monoterpenoid alcohols without affecting other typical phenobarbital-induced activities such as those for conjugation of morphine. Finally, we showed that orientation of the aglycone molecule in the active site was apparently related to its dipole moment and that the distance between "acceptor-oxygen" (hydroxyl) and the carbons out of the general plane of the molecule was an important factor. These studies clearly suggest that rat and guinea pig contain a UDPGT(monoterpenoid alcohols) with restricted specificities and also that UDPGT(GT1) comprises at least two or three different isoenzymes, each with a slightly different restricted specificity towards flat aromatic aglycones.

Heterogeneity of hepatic microsomal UDP-glucuronosyltransferase(s) activities: comparison between human and mammalian species activities

The first comparative profiles of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase(s) (UDPGT) activities obtained under standard conditions in vitro in mammals (man, rat [Wistar and Gunn], mouse, monkey [Papio papio and Cynomolgus], pig, guinea pig, rabbit, dog) are presented for 16 aglycones. A decreasing scale of these activities was obtained from planar to bulky molecules. The scale was identical for each of the mammals studied, including man. Statistical analysis of the results revealed a division of the aglycones into three groups, one being correlated with the molecular form called GT1 the two others with the GT2 form. The profile of activities in the Gunn rat revealed very weak activity towards planar molecules (GT1). These results provide evidence that under standard conditions, human UDPGT activities are comparable to those from other animals.

Kinetic properties of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase(S) in different membranes of rat liver cells

Glucuronidation of 4-nitrophenol, borneol and morphine occurred in rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and plasma membranes of rat liver cells. In all fractions, prior fixation of either substrate (UDP-glucuronic acid or the aglycone) enhanced the affinity for the second substrate. Whatever the membrane, glucuronidation of 4-nitrophenol was characterized by high Vmax and high affinity for UDP-glucuronic acid. On the other hand, glucuronidation of borneol exhibited a lower Vmax and a lower affinity for UDP-glucuronic acid. In the endoplasmic reticulum, conjugation of morphine had a low Vmax, but the enzyme had high affinities for both UDP-glucuronic acid and the aglycone.