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T R Tephly

Publications and source records attributed to T R Tephly.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Biosynthesis of hydroxyl-linked glucuronides of short-chain bile acids by rat liver 3-hydroxysteroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferase.

Microsomal preparations from livers of Sprague-Dawley rats catalyze the glucuronidation of 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 beta-H (3 alpha, 5 beta) short-chain bile acids (C20-C23), predominantly at the hydroxyl group, while the glucuronidation of 3 beta, 5 beta short-chain bile acids occurs exclusively at the carboxyl group. A similar pattern of conjugation was also observed in Wistar rats having normal levels of 3-hydroxysteroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferase. Significant reductions of formation rates for hydroxyl-linked, but not carboxyl-linked, short-chain bile acid glucuronides were observed in hepatic microsomes from Wistar rats with low 3-hydroxysteroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity. 3-Hydroxysteroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, purified to homogeneity from Sprague-Dawley liver microsomes, catalyzed the 3-O-glucuronidation of 3 alpha, 5 beta C20-23 bile acids, as well as of lithocholic and isolithocholic acids (C24). The apparent Michaelis constants (KM) for short-chain bile acids were similar to the value obtained for androsterone. 3 alpha, 5 beta-C20 and 3 beta, 5 beta-C20 competitively inhibited glucuronidation of androsterone by the purified 3-hydroxysteroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferase. Purified 17 beta-hydroxysteroid and p-nitrophenol UDP-glucuronosyltransferases did not catalyze the glucuronidation of bile acids. In addition, none of the purified transferases catalyzed the formation of carboxyl-linked bile acid glucuronides. The results show that 3-hydroxysteroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, an enzyme specific for 3-hydroxyl groups of androgenic steroids and some conventional bile acids, also catalyzes the glucuronidation of 3 alpha-hydroxyl (but not carboxyl) groups of 3 alpha, 5 beta short-chain bile acids.

Animals↗

N-glucuronidation of carcinogenic aromatic amines catalyzed by rat hepatic microsomal preparations and purified rat liver uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferases.

The N-glucuronidation of three carcinogenic aromatic amines (4-aminobiphenyl, alpha-naphthylamine, and beta-naphthylamine) was investigated in hepatic microsomal preparations from two rat strains. In preparations from Wistar rats, individual variability was observed for the glucuronidation of the arylamines. This variability correlated with high and low levels of 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) in hepatic microsomal preparations from Wistar rats. This individual variability was not observed in Sprague-Dawley rat hepatic microsomal preparations because hepatic 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid UDPGT levels do not vary in this strain of rats. Five highly purified rat liver UDPGTs were investigated for their ability to catalyze the conjugation of the aromatic amines. Of the purified enzymes investigated, only 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid UDPGT catalyzed the glucuronidation of 4-aminobiphenyl. alpha-Naphthylamine and beta-naphthylamine conjugations were catalyzed by 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid, 17 beta-hydroxysteroid, and 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible p-nitrophenol UDPGTs. The three aromatic amines did not serve as substrates for purified digitoxigenin monodigitoxoside or phenobarbital-inducible morphine UDPGTs. The results show that N-glucuronide formation can be catalyzed by UDPGT isoforms which also catalyze the formation of O-glucuronides. In addition, variable levels of 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid UDPGT in Wistar rat liver may have toxicological significance for substrates of this isoenzyme.

1-Naphthylamine↗

The enzymatic mechanism of glucuronidation catalyzed by two purified rat liver steroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferases.

A kinetic analysis of two homogeneous rat liver steroid (3 alpha-hydroxysteroid and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid) UDP-glucuronosyltransferases was conducted using bisubstrate kinetic analysis, product inhibition studies, and dead-end competitive inhibition studies. Double reciprocal plots of initial velocity versus substrate concentration, using bisubstrate kinetic analysis, gave a sequential mechanism. Product inhibition studies were compatible with either a rapid equilibrium, random-order kinetic mechanism or an ordered Theorell-Chance mechanism. Results of dead-end competitive inhibition studies excluded an ordered Theorell-Chance mechanism. The cumulative results are consistent with a rapid equilibrium random-order sequential kinetic mechanism for the glucuronidation of testosterone by purified 17 beta-hydroxysteroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferase and of androsterone by purified 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferase.

Androsterone↗

Glucuronidation of 6 alpha-hydroxy bile acids by human liver microsomes.

The glucuronidation of 6-hydroxylated bile acids by human liver microsomes has been studied in vitro; for comparison, several major bile acids lacking a 6-hydroxyl group were also investigated. Glucuronidation rates for 6 alpha-hydroxylated bile acids were 10-20 times higher than those of substrates lacking a hydroxyl group in position 6. The highest rates measured were for hyodeoxy- and hyocholic acids, and kinetic analyses were carried out using these substrates. Rigorous product identification by high-field proton nuclear magnetic resonance and by electron impact mass spectrometry of methyl ester/peracetate derivatives revealed that 6-O-beta-D-glucuronides were the exclusive products formed in these enzymatic reactions. These results, together with literature data, indicate that 6 alpha-hydroxylation followed by 6-O-glucuronidation constitutes an alternative route of excretion of toxic hydrophobic bile acids.

Adult↗

Isolation and purification of two human liver UDP-glucuronosyltransferases.

Two UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (EC 2.4.1.17) were purified from human liver microsomes. Human liver microsomes were solubilized with Emulgen 911 and the UDP-glucuronosyltransferases were separated and purified by chromatofocusing and UDP-hexanolamine Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. One isoenzyme eluted with an apparent pl of 7.4, displayed a subunit molecular weight of 53,000 after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and catalyzed the glucuronidation of p-nitrophenol, 4-methylumbelliferone, alpha-naphthylamine, and estriol, but not that of 4-aminobiphenyl. A second isoenzyme eluted with an apparent pl of 6.2, displayed a subunit molecular weight of 54,000 after SDS-PAGE, and catalyzed the glucuronidation of p-nitrophenol, 4-methylumbelliferone, alpha-naphthylamine, and 4-aminobiphenyl, but not that of estriol. Neither of the purified human liver UDP-glucuronosyltransferases employed estrone, beta-estradiol, testosterone, androsterone, or 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol as substrate. These enzymes displayed apparent Km values in the same order of magnitude for a given substrate. In general, high concentrations of phosphatidylcholine were required for reconstitution of maximal glucuronidation activity. This report documents the existence of multiple UDP-glucuronosyltransferases in human liver.

Glucuronates↗

The role of formate and S-adenosylmethionine in the reversal of nitrous oxide inhibition of formate oxidation in the rat.

Studies have been performed in rats in order to test whether methionine reverses the inhibition of formate oxidation produced by nitrous oxide by virtue of the conversion of methionine to formate. At a dose of methionine (100 mg/kg, 671 mumol/kg) that completely reverses the nitrous oxide inhibition of formate oxidation no significant conversion of the methyl group, carboxyl, or backbone of methionine to formate was apparent. No increases in hepatic formate levels were seen after the administration of 671 mumol/kg methionine or ethionine, and formate treatment did not alter the rate of 14CO2 formed after methionine was administered labeled in the methyl, carboxyl, or backbone position. The reversal of nitrous oxide inhibition of formate oxidation was found to correlate temporally with either S-adenosylmethionine levels after methionine administration or S-adenosylethionine levels following ethionine treatment. After methionine or ethionine administration, elevated hepatic steady state levels of tetrahydrofolate were observed and were coincident with elevated S-adenosylmethionine or S-adenosylethionine. Since formate oxidation rates are dependent on the hepatic tetrahydrofolate level, the mechanism of methionine reversal of nitrous oxide inhibition appears to be related to effects of hepatic S-adenosylmethionine which are important in maintaining and regulating tetrahydrofolate, rather than formate generation from methionine.

Adenosine↗

Studies on the role of folic acid and folate-dependent enzymes in human methanol poisoning.

Methanol toxicity is observed in monkeys and humans but is not seen in rats or mice. The expression of methanol poisoning is related to the ability of an animal to metabolize formate to carbon dioxide. Since the rate of formate oxidation is related to hepatic tetrahydrofolate (H4folate) content and the activities of folate-dependent enzymes, studies were designed to determine hepatic concentrations of H4folate and activities of folate-dependent enzymes of human liver and livers of species considered insensitive to methanol poisoning. An excellent correlation between hepatic H4folate and maximal rates of formate oxidation has been observed. In human liver, H4folate levels were only 50% of those observed for rat liver and similar to those found in monkey liver. Total folate was also lower (60% decreased) in human liver than that found in rat or monkey liver. Interestingly, mouse liver contains much higher hepatic H4folate and total folate than rat or monkey liver. This is consistent with higher formate oxidation rates in this species. A second important observation has been made. 10-Formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase activity, the enzyme catalyzing the final step of formate oxidation to carbon dioxide, was markedly reduced in both monkey and human liver. Thus, two mechanisms may be operative in explaining low formate oxidation in species susceptible to methanol toxicity, low hepatic H4folate levels and reduced hepatic 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase activity.

Acidosis↗

Substrate specificity and characterization of rat liver p-nitrophenol, 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferases.

Purified preparations of rat liver 17-hydroxysteroid, 3-hydroxyandrogen and p-nitrophenol (3-methylcholanthrene-inducible) UDP-glucuronosyltransferases were further characterized as to their substrate specificities, phospholipid-dependency and physical properties. The two steroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferases were shown to exhibit strict stereospecificity with respect to the conjugation of steroids and bile acids. These enzymes have been renamed 17 beta-hydroxysteroid and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferase to reflect this specificity for important endogenous substrates. An endogenous substrate has not yet been identified for the p-nitrophenol (3-methylcholanthrene-inducible) UDP-glucuronosyltransferase. The steroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities were dependent on phospholipid for maximal catalytic activity. Complete delipidation rendered the UDP-glucuronosyltransferases inactive, and enzymic activity was not restored when phospholipid was added to the reaction mixture. After partial delipidation, phosphatidylcholine was the most efficient phospholipid for restoration of enzymic activity. Partial delipidation also altered the kinetic parameters of the 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferase. The three purified UDP-glucuronosyltransferases are separate and distinct proteins, with different amino acid compositions and peptide maps generated by limited proteolysis with Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase. Some similarity was observed between the amino acid composition and limited proteolytic maps of the steroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferases, suggesting they are more closely related to each other than to the p-nitrophenol UDP-glucuronosyltransferase.

Amino Acids↗

Isolation and characterization of multiple forms of rat liver UDP-glucuronate glucuronosyltransferase.

UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.17) activity was solubilized from male Wistar rat liver microsomal fraction in Emulgen 911, and six fractions with the transferase activity were separated by chromatofocusing on PBE 94 (pH 9.4 to 6.0). Fraction I was further separated into Isoforms Ia, Ib and Ic by affinity chromatography on UDP-hexanolamine-Sepharose 4B. UDP-glucuronosyltransferase in Fraction III was further purified by rechromatofocusing (pH 8.7 to 7.5). UDP-glucuronosyltransferases in Fractions IV and V were purified by UDP-hexanolamine-Sepharose chromatography. The transferase isoforms in Fractions II, III, IV and V were finally purified by h.p.l.c. on a TSK G 3000 SW column. Purified UDP-glucuronosyltransferase Isoforms Ia (Mr 51,000), Ib (Mr 52,000), Ic (Mr 56,000), II (Mr 52,000), IV (Mr 53,000) and V (Mr 53,000) revealed single Coomassie Blue-stained bands on sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Isoform III enzyme showed two bands of Mr 52,000 and 53,000. Comparison of the amino acid compositions by the method of Cornish-Bowden [(1980) Anal. Biochem. 105, 233-238] suggested that all UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isoforms are structurally related. Reverse-phase h.p.l.c. of tryptic peptides of individual isoforms revealed distinct 'maps', indicating differences in primary protein structure. The two bands of Isoform III revealed distinct electrophoretic peptide maps after limited enzymic proteolysis. After reconstitution with phosphatidylcholine liposomes, the purified isoforms exhibited distinct but overlapping substrate specificities. Isoform V was specific for bilirubin glucuronidation, which was not inhibited by other aglycone substrates. Each isoform, except Ia, was identified as a glycoprotein by periodic acid/Schiff staining.

Amino Acids↗

Effect of the suicide substrate 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-2,6-dimethyl-4-ethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine on the metabolism of xenobiotics and on cytochrome P-450 apoproteins.

Treatment of rats with the cytochrome P-450 suicide substrate, 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-2,6-dimethyl-4-ethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine (DDEP), produced a 95% inhibition of the in vivo demethylation of either aminopyrine or morphine within 2 hr. One-carbon metabolism of formaldehyde or formate to carbon dioxide was not altered. DDEP also produced a time-dependent decrease in total hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 but had no effect on either NADPH-cytochrome c reductase or p-nitrophenol glucuronyl-transferase activities up to 24 hr after administration. A rapid decrease in rat liver microsomal aniline hydroxylation and ethoxyresorufin deethylation was observed in vitro following DDEP administration. Although in vitro testosterone metabolism to 16 alpha-, 16 beta-, and 2 alpha-hydroxy metabolites was depressed profoundly by DDEP in microsomes from untreated and 3-methylcholanthrene-treated animals, 7 alpha-hydroxylation of testosterone was much less affected. Immunochemical quantification of various microsomal cytochrome P-450 protein moieties showed that cytochromes P-450 beta NF-B, P-450UT-A, P-450PCN-E, and P-450PB-C were decreased in hepatic microsomes from DDEP-treated rats. However, the protein moiety of cytochrome P-450UT-H was not diminished and the immunoreactive protein for cytochromes P-450UT-F, P-450PB-B, and P-450ISF-G was only slightly decreased. These results show that DDEP treatment leads to marked decreases in holoprotein and apoproteins of many but not all hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 isozymes.

Animals↗

Isolation and purification of rat liver morphine UDP-glucuronosyltransferase.

A UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) isoenzyme capable of morphine glucuronidation has been purified to apparent homogeneity and partially characterized from hepatic microsomes of female Wistar rats which have low 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid UDPGT. A rapid and sensitive assay was developed to quantify morphine glucuronide formation using 14C-UDP-glucuronic acid and reverse phase C-18 minicolumns whereby radioactive glucuronides were differentially eluted from 14C-UDP-glucuronic acid. Trisacryl-DEAE and chromatofocusing chromatographic procedures were employed to separate and purify morphine UDPGT in the presence of exogenous phosphatidylcholine. The addition of phospholipid was necessary to stabilize UDPGT activities throughout the purification procedures. Morphine UDPGT was isolated to apparent homogeneity and displayed a pl of 7.9 upon chromatofocusing. A monomeric molecular weight of 56,000 was obtained. The purified enzyme reacted with morphine but not with 4-hydroxybiphenyl, p-nitrophenol, testosterone, androsterone, estrone, bilirubin, 4-aminobiphenyl, or alpha-naphthylamine. The MgCl2 requirement for maximal expression of morphine glucuronidation was higher for the purified enzyme than for solubilized and intact microsomes. Codeine competitively inhibits morphine glucuronidation with an apparent Ki of 1.1 mM with the purified morphine UDPGT. 4-Hydroxybiphenyl UDPGT was separated from morphine UDPGT using a chromatofocusing procedure for Emulgen 911-solubilized microsomes. An apparent pl value of 5.5 was obtained for this protein. Based on this work we conclude that morphine and 4-hydroxybiphenyl can react with separate UDPGT isoforms.

Animals↗

Strain differences in purified rat hepatic 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferase.

Qualitative and quantitative differences of purified hepatic 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferase were investigated in Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats. Individual differences in the glucuronidation rate of androsterone and chenodeoxycholic acid were observed in hepatic microsomal fractions from Wistar but not Sprague-Dawley rats. No individual variation was observed in the glucuronidation of testosterone, p-nitrophenol or oestrone. The 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferases from livers of Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated and highly purified by using Chromatofocusing and affinity chromatography. The amount of 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferase in the liver of Wistar rats exhibiting low rates for androsterone glucuronidation is about 10% or less than that found in hepatic microsomal fractions obtained from Wistar rats having high rates for androsterone glucuronidation. The apparent Km for androsterone with purified 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferase from Wistar rats with high glucuronidation activity (6 microM) was not different from that observed for the enzyme purified from Sprague-Dawley animals, whereas that for the enzyme purified from Wistar rats with low glucuronidation activity was substantially higher (120 microM). Despite the differences in apparent Km values for androsterone, the apparent Km for UDP-glucuronic acid (0.3 mM) was not different in the different populations of rats.

Androsterone↗

Role of hepatic tetrahydrofolate in the species difference in methanol toxicity.

The susceptibility of various species to methanol toxicity is inversely related to the rate of tetrahydrofolate (H4folate)-dependent formate oxidation to carbon dioxide. Thus, the levels of various folate derivatives and folate-dependent enzyme activities present in the livers of monkeys, which are sensitive to methanol, and rats, which are not, were compared in order to investigate the biochemical basis of this species difference. Hepatic H4folate levels in monkeys were 60% of those in rats, and formylated-H4folate derivatives were 2-fold higher in monkeys than in rats. No significant difference between monkeys and rats in the levels of total hepatic folate or 5-methyl-H4folate was observed. The activities of formyl-H4folate synthetase (EC 6.3.4.3) and formyl-H4folate dehydrogenase (EC 1.5.1.6) were 4- and 2-fold higher, respectively, in monkeys than in rats. There was no significant difference between monkeys and rats in methionine synthetase activity (EC 2.1.1.13). Dihydrofolate reductase activity (EC 1.5.1.3) in monkeys was 20% of that in rats. 5,10-Methylene-H4folate reductase (NADPH) activity (EC 1.1.1.171) in monkeys was 40% and 25% of that in rats when the rates of the forward and reverse reactions, respectively, were compared. Serine hydroxymethyltransferase activity (EC 2.1.2.1) was 2-fold higher in monkeys than in rats. The differences in the activities of methylene-H4folate reductase and serine hydroxymethyl-transferase between monkeys and rats may have contributed to the difference in hepatic H4folate levels. The 40% lower level of hepatic H4folate in monkeys, as compared to rats, relates well to the 50% lower maximal rate of formate oxidation in monkeys. Thus, the species difference in susceptibility to methanol may be explained by the difference in the level of hepatic H4folate.

Animals↗

Glucuronidation of bile acids by rat liver 3-OH androgen UDP-glucuronyltransferase.

The glucuronidation of bile acids is an important pathway for the detoxification and elimination of retained bile acids during cholestasis. A 3-OH-specific androgen UDP-glucuronyltransferase was purified from solubilized female rat liver microsomes using Chromatofocusing and UDP- hexanolamine -Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. The purified 3-OH androgen UDP-glucuronyltransferase is reactive towards bile acids, including lithocholic acid, deoxycholic acid, and ursodeoxycholic acid, in addition to the androgenic steroids etiocholanolone and androsterone. The highest activity towards bile acids is seen with lithocholic acid-24-methyl ester, and no activity is seen with lithocholic acid-3 alpha-sulfate or 5 beta- cholanic acid-3-one. No glucuronidation activity towards bile acids was observed with either a purified 17-OH steroid UDP-glucuronyltransferase or a p-nitrophenol-UDP-glucuronyltransferase. Lithocholic acid competitively inhibits etiocholanolone glucuronidation by the purified 3-OH androgen isoenzyme. These results suggest that a UDP-glucuronyltransferase isoenzyme is present in female rat liver which is capable of specifically glucuronidating the 3-OH group of bile acids and androgenic steroids.

Androgens↗