Highly homologous cytochromes P-450 and b5: a model to study protein-protein interactions in a reconstituted monooxygenase system

Role of cytochrome b5 in the modulation of the enzymatic activities of cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P450 17A1)

Cytochrome b5 (cyt b5) is a small hemoprotein that plays a significant role in the modulation of activities of an important steroidogenic enzyme, cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P450 17A1, CYP17A1). Located in the zona fasciculata and zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex and in the gonads, P450 17A1 catalyzes two different reactions in the steroidogenic pathway; the 17α-hydroxylation and 17,20-lyase, in the endoplasmic reticulum of these respective tissues. The activities of P450 17A1 are regulated by cyt b5 that enhances the 17,20-lyase reaction by promoting the coupling of P450 17A1 and cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR), allosterically. Cyt b5 can also act as an electron donor to enhance the 16-ene-synthase activity of human P450 17A1. In this review, we discuss the many roles of cyt b5 and focus on the modulation of CYP17A1 activities by cyt b5 and the mechanisms involved.

[Protein-protein interactions of cytochromes P450 3A4 and 3A5 with their intermediate redox partners cytochromes b5]

Molecular interactions between proteins redox partners (cytochromes Р450 3А4, 3А5 and cytochrome b5) within the monooxygenase system, which is known to be involved in drug biotransformation, were investigated. Human cytochromes Р450 3А4 and 3А5 (CYP3A4 and CYP3A5) form complexes with various cytochromes b5: the microsomal (b5mc) and mitochondrial (b5om) forms of this protein, as well as with 2 "chimeric" proteins, b5(om-mc), b5(mc-om). Kinetic constants and equilibrium dissociation constants were determined by the SPR biosensor. Essential distinction between CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 was only observed upon their interactions with cytochrome b5om. Electroanalytical characteristics of electrodes with immobilized hemoproteins were obtained. The electrochemical analysis of CYP3A4, CYP3A5, b5mc, b5om, b5(om-mc), and b5(mc-om) immobilized on screen printed graphite electrodes modified with membranous matrix revealed that these proteins have very close reduction potentials -0.435  -0.350 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Cytochrome b5mc was shown to be capable of stimulating the electrocatalytic activity of CYP3A4 in the presence of its substrate testosterone.

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

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

[Protein-protein interactions of cytochromes P450 3A4 and 3A5 with their intermediate redox partners cytochromes b5]

Molecular interactions between proteins redox partners (cytochromes P450 3A4, 3A5 and cytochrome b5) within the monooxygenase system, which is known to be involved in drug biotransformation, were investigated. Human cytochromes P450 3A4 and 3A5 (CYP3A4 and CYP3A5) form complexes with various cytochromes b5: the microsomal (b5mc) and mitochondrial (b5om) forms of this protein, as well as with 2 "chimeric" proteins, b5(om-mc), b5(mc-om). Kinetic constants and equilibrium dissociation constants were determined by the SPR biosensor. Essential distinction between CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 was only observed upon their interactions with cytochrome b5om. Electroanalytical characteristics of electrodes with immobilized hemoproteins were obtained. The electrochemical analysis of CYP3A4, CYP3A5, b5mc, b5om, b5(om-mc), and b5(mc-om) immobilized on screen printed graphite electrodes modified with membranous matrix revealed that these proteins have very close reduction potentials -0.435 - -0.350 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Cytochrome b5mc was shown to be capable of stimulating the electrocatalytic activity of CYP3A4 to testosterone.

Mechanism of electron transfer in fusion protein cytochrome b5-NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase

In the present work we summarize results on construction of expression plasmid, heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, isolation and purification, as well as physicochemical characterization of chimeric protein consisting of hydrophilic domain of cytochrome b(5) and truncated from the N-terminal sequence (Delta(23)) form of NADH-cytochrome b(5) reductase. The kinetics and mechanism of electron transfer between NADH-cytochrome b(5) reductase and cytochrome b(5) in the frames of fusion protein consisting of cytochrome b(5) (94 amino acids) and truncated form of NADH-cytochrome b(5) reductase (277 amino acids) have been studied. It is shown that electron transfer takes place between redox partners belonging to two different molecules of the chimeric protein. Using computer modeling, we built the model of the tertiary structure of the fusion protein, which is in agreement with experimental data. By using Marcus theory of electron transfer in polar media, we demonstrate the inability of the hypothesis of electrostatic repulsions to explain the increase of electron transfer rate on increase of ion concentration in media due to elimination of the repulsion of similar charges. The real reason for the increase of the first order rate constant in some oxidation-reduction reactions between proteins, as shown in the present work, is a decrease of the media reorganization energy resulting in decrease of activation energy for oxidation-reduction reactions.

Comparison of the 17α-Hydroxylase/C17,20-Lyase Activities of Porcine, Guinea Pig and Bovine P450c17 Using Purified Recombinant Fusion Proteins Containing P450c17 Linked to NADPH-P450 Reductase

The cDNAs for cytochrome P450c17 (P450c17) of three species, pig, guinea pig, and cow, representing three families of mammals (suidae, procaviidae, and bovidae, respectively) were each engineered into an expression plasmid (pCWori+). The P450c17 domain of the coding sequence was connected to a truncated form of rat NADPH-P450 reductase by a linker sequence encoding two amino acids (SerThr). These fusion proteins were expressed in E. coli and purified for use in enzymatic assays to determine similarities and differences in 17 alpha-hydroxylase and lyase activities. The fusion proteins were found to catalyze both the 17 alpha-hydroxylation of progesterone (P4) and pregnenolone (P5) to 17 alpha-hydroxylated P4 and P5 (17 alpha-OH P4 and 17 alpha-OH P5) followed by the C17,20-lyase reaction for the conversion of these C(21)-17 alpha-hydroxylated steroids to C(19)-steroids (the C17,20-lyase reaction). These in vitro studies show that (a) porcine P450c17 possesses cytochrome b(5) (b(5))-stimulated C17,20-lyase activity that converts 17 alpha OH-P4 to androstenedione (AD) but also converts 17 alpha-OHP5 to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA); (b) guinea pig P450c17 possesses a b(5)-stimulated C17,20-lyase activity that converts 17 alpha-OH P4 to AD but does not convert 17 alpha-OH P5 to DHEA., and (c) bovine P450c17 possesses a b(5)-stimulated C17,20-lyase activity that converts 17 alpha-OH P5 to DHEA but does not convert 17 alpha-OH P4 to AD. Thus, the P450c17 of each species differs in its ability to catalyze in vitro the conversion of C(21)-steroids to C(19)-steroids. In addition, each P450c17 is capable of catalyzing additional hydroxylation reactions leading to low levels of 2 alpha-, 6 beta-, 16- and 21-hydroxy-metabolites. Porcine P450c17 also catalyzes the b(5)-dependent synthesis of andien-beta (androsta-5,16-dien-3beta-ol) from P5. When the amino acid sequences of the three P450c17s were aligned there was an approximate 50% variation in the alignment identity (227 differences in the sequences of 509 amino acids). Alignment did not permit the assignment of specific amino acids or domains to the observed differences in enzymatic activities.

Expression of outer mitochondrial membrane cytochrome b 5 in Escherichia coli. Purification of the recombinant protein and studies of its interaction with electron-transfer partners

In the present work, we report expression in Escherichia coli, purification, and characterization of recombinant full-length cytochrome b(5) from outer mitochondrial membrane. Optimization of expression conditions for cytochrome b(5) from outer mitochondrial membrane allowed reaching expression level up to 10(4) nmol of the hemeprotein per liter of culture. Recombinant cytochrome b(5) from outer mitochondrial membrane was purified from cell lysate by using metal-affinity chromatography. It has physicochemical, spectral, and immunochemical properties similar to those of cytochrome b(5) from rat liver outer mitochondrial membrane. Immobilized recombinant mitochondrial cytochrome b(5) was used as affinity ligand to study its interaction with electron transfer proteins. By using this approach, it is shown that in interaction of NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase with both forms of cytochrome b(5) an important role is played by hydrophobic interactions between proteins, although the contribution of these interactions in complex formation with NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase is different for isoforms of cytochrome b(5).

Association of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes is a Determining Factor in their Catalytic Activity

Previously, our laboratory demonstrated that one cytochrome P450 isoenzyme can influence the catalytic properties of another P450 isoenzyme when combined in a reconstituted system. Moreover, our data and that of other investigators indicate that P450 interaction is required for catalytic activity even when one isoenzyme is present. The goal of the current study was to examine the possible mechanism of these interactions in more detail. Analyzing recently published X-ray data of microsomal P450 enzymes and protein docking studies, four types of dimer formations of P450 enzymes were examined in more detail. In case of two dimer types, the aggregating partner was shown to contribute to NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) binding-a flavoprotein whose interaction with P450 is required for expressing P450 functional activity of the neighboring P450 moiety. Thus, it was shown that dimerization of P450 enzymes might result in an altered affinity towards the CPR. Two dimer types were shown to exist only in the presence of a substrate, while the other two types exist also without a substrate present. The molecular basis was established for the fact that the presence of a substrate and other P450 enzymes simultaneously determine the catalytic activity. Furthermore, a kinetic model was improved describing the catalytic activity of P450 enzymes as a function of CPR concentration based on equilibrium between different supramolecular organizations of P450 enzymes. This model was successfully applied in order to explain our experimental data and that of other investigators.

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

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

Functional interaction of cytochrome P450 with its redox partners: a critical assessment and update of the topology of predicted contact regions

The problem of donor-acceptor recognition has been the most important and intriguing one in the area of P450 research. The present review outlines the topological background of electron-transfer complex formation, showing that the progress in collaborative investigations, combining physical techniques with chemical-modification and immunolocalization studies as well as site-directed mutagenesis experiments, has increasingly enabled the substantiation of hypothetical work resulting from homology modelling of P450s. Circumstantial analysis reveals the contact regions for redox proteins to cluster on the proximal face of P450s, constituting parts of the highly conserved, heme-binding core fold. However, more variable structural components located in the periphery of the hemoprotein molecules also participate in donor docking. The cross-reactivity of electron carriers, purified from pro- and eukaryotic sources, with a diversity of P450 species points at a possible evolutionary conservation of common anchoring domains. While electrostatic mechanisms appear to dominate orientation toward each other of the redox partners to generate pre-collisional encounter complexes, hydrophobic forces are likely to foster electron transfer events by through-bonding or pi-stacking interactions. Moreover, electron-tunneling pathways seem to be operative as well. The availability of new P450 crystal structures together with improved validation strategies will undoubtedly permit the production of increasingly satisfactory three-dimensional donor-acceptor models serving to better understand the molecular principles governing functional association of the redox proteins.

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

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

Interaction of apo-cytochrome b5 with cytochromes P4503A4 and P45017A: relevance of heme transfer reactions

Maximal activity of CYP3A4 is obtained using a reconstitution system consisting of NADPH-P450 reductase (CPR), dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC), an ionic detergent, and cytochrome b(5) (b(5)). The mechanism by which b(5) stimulates the catalytic activity of CYP3A4 is controversial. Recent data report that apo-cytochrome b(5) (apo-b(5)) can substitute for holo-b(5) by serving as an allosteric effector. These authors concluded that b(5) is not directly involved in electron transfer reactions to CYP3A4. We have studied the effect of apo-b(5) on the ability of purified CYP3A4 to catalyze the 6beta-hydroxylation of testosterone and horse CYP17A to catalyze the 17,20-lyase reaction. The high molecular weight form of holo-b(5) (HMW-holo-b(5)) stimulates the 6beta-hydroxylation of testosterone while the low molecular weight (truncated) form of holo-b(5) (LMW-holo-b(5)) does not. When added to the reconstituted system, HMW-apo-b(5) stimulates the activity of CYP3A4 to a level 50-60% of that obtained with HMW-holo-b(5). A similar stimulation of 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone metabolism is seen when studying the CYP17A-catalyzed reaction. Neither LMW-holo-b(5) nor LMW-apo-b(5) stimulates the activity of CYP3A4 or CYP17A. CYP3A4 forms a complex during affinity chromatography with immobilized HMW-holo-b(5) but not with immobilized HMW-apo-b(5). Incubation of apo-b(5) with CYP3A4, using conditions required for reconstitution of enzymatic activities, results in the transfer of heme from the CYP3A4 preparation to apo-b(5), thereby forming holo-b(5). The separation of heme proteins by thiol-disulfide exchange chromatography confirms the formation of holo-b(5). A His67Ala mutant of HMW-b(5) as well as the Zn-substituted protoporphyrin derivative of HMW-b(5) do not stimulate the activity of either CYP3A4 or CYP17A. These data show that the mechanism of stimulation of CYP3A4 and CYP17A activities by apo-b(5) results from the formation of holo-b(5) by a heme transfer reaction.

Association of cytochromes P450 with their reductases: opposite sign of the electrostatic interactions in P450BM-3 as compared with the microsomal 2B4 system

The role of electrostatic interactions in the association of P450s with their nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate- (NADPH) dependent flavoprotein reductases was studied by fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The fluorescent probe 7-(ethylamino)-3-(4'-maleimidylphenyl)-4-methylcoumarin maleimide (coumarylphenylmaleimide, CPM) was introduced into the flavoprotein molecule at a 1:1 molar ratio. The interaction of P450 2B4 and NADPH-P450 reductase (CPR) from rabbit liver microsomes was compared with that of the isolated heme domain (BMP) and the flavoprotein domain (BMR) of P450BM-3. The cross-pairs of the components were also studied. Increasing ionic strength (0.05-0.5 M) was shown to result in the dissociation of the CPR-P450 2B4 complex with the dissociation constant increasing from 0.01 to 0.09 microM. This behavior is consistent with the assumption that charge pairing between CPR and P450 2B4 is involved in their association. In contrast, the electrostatic component of the interaction of the partners in P450BM-3 was shown to have an opposite sign. The isolated BMP and BMR domains have very low affinity for each other and the dissociation constant of their complex decreases from 8 to 3 microM with increasing ionic strength (0.05-0.5 M). Importantly, the BMP-CPR and P450 2B4-BMR "mixed", heterogeneous pairs behave similarly to the pairs of BMP and P450 2B4 with their native electron donors. Therefore, the observed difference in the interaction mechanisms between these two systems is determined mainly by the different structure of the heme proteins rather than their flavoprotein counterparts. P450BM-3 is extremely efficient and highly coupled, with the reductase and the P450 domains tethered to one another. Therefore, in contrast to P450 2B4-CPR binding, very tight binding between the P450BM-3 redox partners would be of no value in the synchronization of complex formation during catalytic turnover.

Synthetic peptide mimics of a predicted topographical interaction surface: the cytochrome P450 2B1 recognition domain for NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase

In order to identify the cytochrome P450-binding domain for NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, synthetic peptide mimics of predicted surface regions of rat cytochrome P450 2B 1 were constructed and evaluated for inhibition of the P450-reductase interaction. A peptide corresponding to residues 116-134, which includes the C helix, completely inhibited reductase-mediated benzphetamine demethylation by purified P450 2B1. Replacement of Arg-125 by Glu yielded a noninhibitory peptide, suggesting that this residue significantly contributes to the reductase-P450 interaction. Additional P450 peptides were prepared which correspond to combinations of regions distant in primary sequence, but predicted to be spatially proximate. A peptide derived from segments of the C and L helices was a more potent inhibitor than peptides derived from either segment alone. This topographically designed peptide not only inhibited P450 2B1 in its purified form, but also when membrane-bound in rat liver microsomes. The peptide also inhibited microsomal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, aniline hydroxylase, and erythromycin demethylase activities derived from other P450s. These results indicate that the C and L helices contribute to a reductase-binding site common to multiple P450s, and present a peptide mimic for this region that is useful for inhibition of P450-mediated microsomal activities.

The optical biosensor studies on the role of hydrophobic tails of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase and cytochromes P450 2B4 and b5 upon productive complex formation within a monomeric reconstituted system

The optical biosensor study of interaction between microsomal proteins-NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, cytochrome P450 2B4, and cytochrome b5-was carried out in the monomeric reconstituted system in the absence of phospholipids. The formation of individual complexes was kinetically characterized and their association and dissociation rate constants were determined. The association rate constants for the complexes formed were found to be close to the diffusiion limit-(0.5-4) x 10(6) M-1 s-1-while their dissociation rate constants did not exceed 0.5 s-1. It was shown that the interprotein electron transfer can occur both through complex formation and due to random collision. The dominant role of hydrophobic membraneous protein fragments in formation of productive electron transfer complexes was demonstrated.

Role of cytochrome b5 in the oxidative metabolism of polychlorinated biphenyls catalyzed by cytochrome P450

1. The role of cytochrome b5 in the cytochrome P450-dependent hydroxylation of tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB) isomers was examined using a reconstituted system consisting of CYP2B1 and CYP1A1 and rat liver microsomes. 2. By addition of cytochrome b5 to the reconstituted system containing CYP2B1, the 3-hydroxylation of 2,5,2,'5'- and 2,5,3',4'-TCB was increased about six-fold, but the 3- and 5-hydroxylation of 2,4,3',4'-TCB was decreased by about 50% 3. All hydroxylations of 3 ,4,3',4'-,2,5, 3,4'- and 2,4,3',4'-TCBs were decreased by addition of cytochrome b5 to the reconstituted system containing CYPlA1. 4. In stoichiometry measurements, changes in NADPH oxidation and coupling efficiency by addition of cytochrome b5 was observed and these differed according to the position of chlorine atoms of TCBs and cytochrome P450 isoforms used in the systems.

Involvement of cytochrome b5 in the metabolism of tetrachlorobiphenyls catalyzed by CYP2B1 and CYP1A1

The role of cytochrome b5 in the cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent hydroxylation of tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB) isomers was examined using a reconstituted mixed function oxygenase (MFO) system containing purified CYP2B1 or 1A1, and rat liver microsomes. Hydroxylations of 2,2',5,5'- and 3,3',4,4'-TCBs were catalyzed mainly by CYP2B1 and 1A1, respectively, in the reconstituted MFO system and those of 2,3',4',5- and 2,3',4,4'-TCBs were mediated by both cytochrome P450 systems. The activity toward 2,2',5,5'- and 2,3',4',5-TCB was significantly increased 6.5- and 5.5-fold, respectively, by addition of cytochrome b5 in the reconstituted MFO system containing of CYP2B1. Either hydroxylation activity toward 2,3',4,4'-TCB with the CYP2B1 system was very low or decreased by addition of cytochrome b5. These results suggest that the involvement of cytochrome b5 to the hydroxylation of TCBs is dependent on the TCB congener being metabolized, and the cytochrome P450 isoform involved in its metabolism.

Interactions of cytochrome P450 2B4 with NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase studied by fluorescent probe

A new method for monitoring the formation of the cytochrome P450 complexes with NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (NCPR) is introduced. The method is based on the quenching of fluorescence of NCPR labelled with 7-ethylamino-3-(4'-maleimidilphenyl)-4-methylcoumarin maleimide (CPM). In a monomerized soluble reconstituted system in the absence of phospholipid, cytochrome P450 2B4 and NCPRcpm were shown to form 1:1 complexes with a Kd of 0.038 microM. Formation of the complex follows the kinetics of reversible second order transition with k(on) = 6.5 10(5) M-1 s-1. Application of high hydrostatic pressure induces dissociation of the complex (delta V degrees = -65 mL/mol). Succinylation of the hemoprotein increases the value of Kd to 0.5 microM primarily by decreasing k(on). In contrast to what was shown for intact 2B4, rising pressure does not take apart succinylated hemoprotein and NCPRcpm molecules, but causes some internal transition in their complex that diminishes the quenching. This transition is characterised by a very large volume change (delta V degrees = -155 mL/mol). The following conclusions were drawn: 1) a molecule of 2B4 contains two distinct contact regions involved in the interactions with NCPR. Only one of these regions is polar and highly hydrated in unbound hemoprotein; 2) interactions of the polar regions of 2B4 and NCPR are necessary to bring CPM-labelled cysteine of NCPR in short distance of the heme of 2B4; and 3) some of the lysine residues located in the proximity of the polar binding regions are apparently involved in the formation of the internal salt bridges in the molecule of 2B4.

Specificity of the cytochrome P-450 interaction with cytochrome b5

The specificity of the interaction of cytochrome b5 with different forms of cytochrome P-450 was examined. Immunopurification of cytochromes P-450 1A1, 2B1 and 2E1 from rat liver microsomes resulted in co-purification of cytochrome b5 with cytochrome P-450 forms 2B1 and 2E1 but not 1A1. This specificity was evaluated in conjunction with multiple sequence alignment of the three cytochrome P-450s and a molecular model of the cytochrome P-450-cytochrome b5 complex [(1989) Biochemistry 28, 8201-8205]. These analyses suggest two basic residues in the arginine cluster region of P-450, which are present in P-450s 2B1 and 2E1 but are absent in P-450 1A1, as potential binding sites for cytochrome b5.