Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Microsomes”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

An in vitro study of the microsomal metabolism and cellular toxicity of phenytoin, sorbinil and mianserin.

1. The cytotoxicity of metabolites generated from phenytoin, sorbinil and mianserin by human and mouse liver microsomes was assessed by co-incubation with human mononuclear leucocytes as target cells. Cytotoxicity was determined by trypan blue dye exclusion. 2. Phenytoin and sorbinil were metabolised by NADPH-dependent murine microsomal enzymes to cytotoxic metabolites. Cytotoxicity produced by both drugs was significantly enhanced by the epoxide hydrolase inhibitor trichloropropane oxide (TCPO). No significant cytotoxicity was observed in the presence of human liver microsomes. 3. Mianserin was metabolised by both human and mouse liver microsomes to a cytotoxin. Cytotoxicity was greater in the presence of human liver microsomes (13.7 +/- 2.2%; mean +/- s.d. for four livers, compared with 6.0 +/- 2.4%, mean +/- s.d., n = 4, with mouse liver microsomes), and was unaffected by pretreatment with TCPO. 4. Stable metabolites were quantified by radiometric high performance liquid chromatography. Phenytoin and sorbinil were metabolised to 5-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenyl-hydantoin (0.3-0.5% of incubated radioactivity) and 2-hydroxysorbinil (0.4-2.7% of incubated radioactivity), respectively, by both human and mouse liver microsomes. 5. Mianserin was metabolised to 8-hydroxymianserin and desmethylmianserin by both human and mouse liver microsomes. Desmethylmianserin was the major product in incubations with human liver microsomes (32.3 +/- 12%, mean +/- s.d. for four livers), whereas 8-hydroxymianserin was the predominant metabolite generated by mouse liver microsomes (25.9 +/- 1.5%, mean +/- s.d., n = 4). 6. Generation of electrophilic metabolites was assessed by determination of the amount of radiolabelled material which became irreversibly bound to protein. Only mouse liver microsomes activated phenytoin to a chemically reactive metabolite, whereas both mouse and human liver microsomes generated reactive metabolites from sorbinil and mianserin. 7. These studies show that drug cytotoxicity can be mediated by low concentrations (circa microM) of metabolites generated by NADPH-dependent hepatic microsomal enzymes; however demonstration of cytotoxicity in vitro has not been established as a means of predicting in vivo toxicity.

Adult↗

The influence of nonspecific microsomal binding on apparent intrinsic clearance, and its prediction from physicochemical properties.

The apparent intrinsic clearance of 13 drugs has been determined using rat liver microsomes at three different concentrations of microsomal protein. The kinetics was studied using the in vitro half-life method. The nonspecific binding of these drugs to the microsomes was also studied under the same conditions, except for cofactor removal, using equilibrium dialysis. The intrinsic clearances are shown to be dependent on the microsomal concentration, but are approximately constant when corrected for the extent of nonspecific binding to the microsomes. The large difference between observed intrinsic clearance and unbound intrinsic clearance that exists for some compounds, particularly lipophilic bases, is highlighted. A simple model has been developed for understanding the binding of compounds to microsomes and is demonstrated to accurately predict the extent of microsomal binding at one concentration of microsomes from measurement at another. The binding of a further 25 drugs to rat liver microsomes at a microsomal concentration of 1 mg/ml was also studied, along with measurements of lipophilicity using octanol-water partition coefficients. It is shown that the extent of microsomal binding is correlated with lipophilicity, but that basic compounds show a different behavior to acidic and neutral compounds. Microsomal binding is shown to be best predicted using a model where log P is used for basic compounds, and log D(7.4) is used for acidic and neutral compounds. This model has been developed further so that the extent of binding to microsomes of any given concentration can be estimated purely from a knowledge of lipophilicity and ionization.

Animals↗

A cytochrome P450 immunochemically related to P450c,d (P450I) localized to the smooth microsomes and inner zone of the guinea pig adrenal.

In addition to their capacity for steroid synthesis, guinea pig adrenal microsomes have a well documented ability to metabolize foreign compounds. The capacity for metabolism of foreign compounds is localized to the smooth endoplasmic reticulum-filled cells of the inner zone. However, it has not been clear whether they possess cytochrome P450(s) specific for this function, distinct from the two known steroid hydroxylases, P450(21) and P450(17)alpha. Multiple prominent protein bands in the mol wt range of known cytochrome P450s are seen on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels of guinea pig adrenal microsomes. Most are more intense in smooth microsomes, where the concentration of cytochrome P450 is highest. However, one band (52K) appears unique to the smooth microsomes. This band is also characteristic of microsomes obtained from the inner zone. This protein and two others (54K and 50K) are concentrated in the membrane pellet after carbonate treatment of the microsomes, indicating that they are integral membrane proteins. All three decrease in intensity after treatment of the animals with spironolactone, a compound known to cause depletion of adrenal cytochrome P450s. On Western blots of microsomal proteins the 54K and 50K proteins react with antibodies specific for P450(17) alpha and P450(21), respectively. The 52K protein, characteristic of the smooth microsomes and inner zone, does not react with anti-P450(21) or anti-P450(17) alpha, but does react with polyclonal antibody raised against microsomal cytochrome P450s induced by methylcholanthrene in rat liver (P450c,d). These results suggest that there is at least one additional cytochrome P450 in adrenal microsomes which is immunochemically distinct from P450(21) and P450(17) alpha. Its localization to the smooth microsomes and inner zone microsomes correlates with the high activity for ethylmorphine metabolism detected in these fractions. This suggests that this cytochrome P450, which is immunochemically related to members of the P450I subfamily, may be associated with the ability of guinea pig adrenal microsomes to metabolize foreign compounds.

Adrenal Glands↗

Lysosomal degradation of cell organelles. II. Ultrastructural analysis of uptake and digestion of intravenously injected microsomes and ribosomes by Kupffer cells.

Rough and smooth microsomes, "mixed" or total microsomes, and ribosomes were isolated from one single rat liver and subsequently injected intravenously into a series of inbred rats. The uptake and the degradation of the injected organelles by Kupffer cells were followed by means of electron microscopic analysis. By 1 minute after injection, microsomes were seen attached to the surface of Kupffer cells separated by a gap of 200 to 300 A. No attachment to hepatocytes, fat-storing cells, or endothelial cells was seen. By 5 and 10 minutes, most microsomes were phagocytosed and sequestered in large numbers within single membrane-enclosed vacuoles or phagosomes. The engulfment proceeded by two mechanisms: (1) most frequently, flaplike processes of cytoplasm embraced aggregates of microsomes, concomitant with the formation of indention of the cytoplasm; (2) occasionally, single microsomal profiles were taken up by bristle-coated endocytic vacuoles. Ribosomes were also seen penetrating into the wormlike structures (micropinocytosis vermiformis) at the cell surface. At 30 minutes after injection, clear signs of alteration were noted starting with vesicle aggregation, clumping, and elongation of the microsomal profiles. The ribosomes were quickly stripped from their microsomal membranes and marginated to the inside of the vacuoles but separated from the limiting membrane by a distance of 200 to 300 A. By 1 and 2 hours, disruption of the vesicles into membrane fragments and formation of dense material in and between the profiles occurred. By 8 hours it was difficult to recognize the degradation products as membrane derivatives. The digestive vacuoles retained their size at this time interval. Typical pentalaminar structures were observed. By 14 to 24 hours the digestive vacuoles became electron lucent and appeared to shrink, and in addition to containing various types of granular material, many were laden with lipid-like droplets presumed to be conglomerates of phospholipid remnants. Rough microsomes, when compared to smooth microsomes, gave rise to more granular material within the digestive vacuoles. Ribosomes were still identifiable 24 hours after injection, indicative of a somewhat slower rate of degradation. Accumulation of various types of lipid-like droplets in the "residual bodies" was typical after microsomal injections. It is concluded that although microsomes appear to be phagocytosed at a quicker rate than mitochondria, they are digested within the lysosomal apparatus of the Kupffer cells at a somewhat slower rate. This especially seems to be the case for ribosomes. Heterophagy of microsomes is one source of residual bodies.

Animals↗

Endogenous esterification of bilirubin by liver microsomes. Evidence for an intramicrosomal pool of UDP-glucose and lumenal orientation of bilirubin UDP-glycosyltransferase.

Conjugation of natural bilirubin (BR) depends on a hepatic microsomal UDP-glycosyltransferase using UDP-Glc, UDP-xylose, and predominantly UDP-GlcA. We found that esterification of BR occurred when washed intact microsomes derived from rat or guinea pig liver were incubated with BR in the absence of added UDP-sugar. This endogenous esterification was shown to lead predominantly to formation of the two positional isomers of BR monoglucoside and displayed the same regioselectivity as found for the BR monoglucosides formed by microsomes incubated with a saturating concentration of added UDP-Glc. This finding and absence of endogenous esterification in liver microsomes from mutant rats lacking BR UDP-glycosyltransferase activities demonstrated that endogenous esterification depended on UDP-glycosyltransferase and indicated, therefore, that UDP-Glc was present in the intact microsomal vesicles. With UDP-Glc added to the extramicrosomal incubation medium, BR glucosidation was markedly enhanced when the membrane permeability barrier was disrupted by pretreatment of the microsomes with detergent, sonication, or Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin. In contrast, such membrane disruption resulted in abolishment of endogenous esterification of BR, and a direct relationship was found between impairment of endogenous esterification and degree of vesicle disruption, suggesting that the UDP-Glc on which endogenous esterification depended was present in the lumenal space of the microsomes. Kinetic evidence and absence of an effect of increasing the microsomal concentration of dolichol-P-Glc (Dol-P-Glc) on endogenous esterification excluded direct or indirect involvement of Dol-P-Glc in the endogenous esterification reaction. Preincubation of intact microsomes with UDP-Glc or UDP-xylose at 37 degrees C, but not at 0 degrees C, led to expansion of the microsomal UDP-sugar pool on which endogenous esterification depended, suggesting that both UDP-sugars can enter the microsomal vesicles by a temperature-dependent mechanism. In contrast to these findings, no increase of BR esterification was detected when the microsomes had been preincubated at 37 degrees C with UDP-GlcA. We conclude that native, intact microsomes contain a lumenal pool of endogenous UDP-Glc and that BR UDP-glucosyltransferase and UDP-xylosyltransferase, by virtue of a lumenal orientation, have direct access to the postulated intramicrosomal pool of nucleotide sugar.

Animals↗

Characterization of microsomal cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the oxidation of xenobiotic chemicals in human fetal liver and adult lungs.

Levels and catalytic activities of cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes involved in the oxidation of drugs and carcinogens were determined in human adult lungs and fetal livers and compared with those in microsomes from adult livers. P450s immunoreactive with anti-human P4501A1 and anti-human P4503A antibodies were detected in fetal liver microsomes by immunoblotting analysis, and P450s related P4501A1, 2A6, 2C9, 2E1, and 3A4 were determined in adult lung microsomes; all of these P450 enzymes were detected in much higher amounts in adult liver microsomes except that P4501A2 was only the 1A subfamily of P450 found in adult livers. Drug oxidation activities with the substrates ethoxyresorufin, coumarin, 7-ethoxycoumarin, bufuralol, and testosterone were determined in these microsomes, and we found that none of the activities were higher in microsomes of adult lungs and fetal livers than in adult livers. Activation of procarcinogens to reactive metabolites that induce umu gene expression in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002 or NM2009 was also examined and it was found that activities with (+)- and (-)-enantiomers of 7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene were higher in fetal liver microsomes than adult lung or liver microsomes. The adult liver and lung activities for these two procarcinogens were similar on the basis of microsomal protein contents despite the fact that p450 contents are higher in liver than lung microsomes. alpha-Naphthoflavone, a known inhibitor of P4501A-related activities, did not affect these procarcinogen activation in fetal liver microsomes. Fetal liver microsomes catalyzed activation of aflatoxin B1 and sterigmatocystin, two procarcinogens known to be activated by P4503A4/7 in humans, although activation of carcinogenic arylamines that are good substrates for P4501A2 was much lower in microsomes of fetal livers and adult lungs than in adult livers. These results suggest that in human fetal livers at least two P450 enzymes, a form of P450 that is immunoreactive P4501A1 and P4503A7, are actually expressed and these enzymes are suggested as being involved in the activation of the (+)- and (-)-enantiomers of 7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene and the carcinogenic mycotoxins, respectively. The exact nature of the former enzyme in fetal livers is unknown. In adult human lungs, several P450 enzymes are expressed, although the precise roles of these enzymes in the oxidation of xenobiotics were not determined due to the low level of expression of these P450s.

Antibodies↗

Ethosuximide is primarily metabolized by CYP3A when incubated with isolated rat liver microsomes.

The cytochrome P450 (CYP) subfamily responsible for ethosuximide metabolism was investigated by HPLC assay of ethosuximide incubations with isolated rat liver microsomes from control rats and from rats treated with inducing agents to enrich hepatic microsomes in selected CYP isoforms. Inducing agents included beta-naphthoflavone (BNF, CYP1A inducer), phenobarbital (PB, CYP2B/2C/3A), isoniazid (INH, CYP2E1), clotrimazole (CTZ, CYP3A), clofibrate (CLO, CYP4A), and an imidazole CTZ-analog known as CDD3543 (CYP3A). Incubations with BNF, INH, CTZ, and control microsomes showed significantly (p<0.05) more metabolite produced by CTZ microsomes vs. BNF, INH, and control microsomes at 10, 30, 60, and 120 min incubation. Ethosuximide metabolite levels generated by CTZ microsomes at 120 min were 36.5 times those of control microsomes. Correspondingly, ethosuximide concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) lower for incubations with the CTZ microsomes compared with BNF, INH, and control microsomes at 60 and 120 min. Sixty-minute incubations with all microsome groups exhibited significantly (p<0.05) higher metabolite formation rates (nmol/nmol CYP/min) for CTZ (11.8x control) and PB (9.6x control) microsomes vs. all other groups. Antibody inhibition experiments demonstrated ethosuximide metabolite levels for PB microsomes were not affected by CYP2B1 antibodies, whereas CYP3A2 antibodies reduced metabolite levels for both PB and CTZ microsomes by over 80%. These results indicate CYP3A is primarily responsible for ethosuximide metabolism in rats.

Animals↗

Relative susceptibility of microsomes from lung, heart, liver, kidney, brain and testes to lipid peroxidation: correlation with vitamin E content.

Rates of in vitro lipid peroxidation of microsomes and homogenates were found to vary widely among different tissues and species. In rats and rabbits, lung microsomes peroxidized at a 25- to 50-fold lower rate than liver, kidney, testes and brain microsomes. Heart microsomes peroxidized at a rate slightly greater than, but most similar to, lung microsomes. Comparison of tissue homogenates also revealed the unique resistance of lung and heart to lipid peroxidation. The ratio of vitamin E to peroxidizable polyunsaturated fatty acids in lung and heart microsomes was several-fold higher than in microsomes from the other tissues studied, which accounted for the relative resistance of lung and heart to lipid peroxidation. Liposomes of extracted rat lung microsomal lipid were also resistant to peroxidation and the amount of vitamin E contained in the lung lipid extract was sufficient to confer the same degree of resistance when incorporated into an equivalent amount of rat liver lipid. Higher rates of peroxidation in mouse lung microsomes relative to rabbit, rat and human lung microsomes were similarly correlated with a lower ratio of vitamin E to peroxidizable fatty acids in mouse lung microsomes. These data provide strong support for the role of vitamin E as the major cellular antioxidant, especially in the highly oxygenated tissues of heart and lung, and demonstrate the utility of the microsomal system in characterizing tissue differences in susceptibility to peroxidative membrane decomposition.

Animals↗

In vivo effects of 3-methylcholanthrene, phenobarbital, pyrethrum and 2,4,5-T isooctylester on liver, lung and kidney microsomal mixed-function oxidase system of guinea-pig: a comparative study.

The optimum conditions (pH, microsomal protein amount and substrate concentration) of guinea-pig liver, lung and kidney microsomal aniline 4-hydroxylase, ethylmorphine N-demethylase and benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activities were determined. Male guinea-pigs weighing 500-700 g were administered 3-methylcholanthrene (25 mg/kg, i.p. 3 days), phenobarbital (75 mg/kg, i.p. 3 days), pyrethrum (120 mg/kg, i.p. 2 days) and 2,4,5-T isooctylester (200 mg/kg, i.p. 3 days). 3-Methylcholanthrene treatment caused significant increases in liver microsomal benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase and kidney microsomal aniline 4-hydroxylase activities. However, with phenobarbital treatment the only significant increase was observed in liver microsomal ethylmorphine N-demethylase activity. Pyrethrum treatment decreased kidney microsomal ethylmorphine N-demethylase activity significantly. 2,4,5-T isooctylester treatment increased liver microsomal aniline 4-hydroxylase and lung microsomal ethylmorphine N-demethylase activities significantly. Liver microsomal NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity was increased significantly by phenobarbital and pyrethrum treatment. The other treatments did not cause any significant changes in microsomal NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activities of liver, lung and kidney. Cytochrome P-450 content of guinea-pig liver microsomes were increased significantly about 2.5-fold and 2-fold by treatment with 3-methylcholanthrene and phenobarbital, respectively. 3-Methylcholanthrene also caused 1 nm spectral shift in the absorption maxima of CO difference spectrum of the dithionite-reduced liver microsomal cytochrome P-450, forming P-449.

2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

Glutathione S-transferases in rat testis microsomes: comparison with liver transferase.

Glutathione S-transferases in testis microsomes were purified from rats and compared with the liver microsomal transferase. When microsomal fractions were prepared from rat testis by the same method as used for liver microsomes, testis microsomal glutathione S-transferase activity was increased 2-fold by N-ethylmaleimide as compared to a 7-fold increase in that of the liver transferase. In contrast to the single glutathione S-transferase in liver microsomes, at least three isozymes of glutathione S-transferase were separated from testis microsomes on hydroxylapatite column chromatography. The major fraction exhibiting glutathione S-transferase activity from the testis microsomes was shown to contain a member of the Mu family. The second fraction with transferase activity contained one of the Alpha class, and the third and smallest fraction was found to contain the liver microsomal form of glutathione S-transferase. Since the GSH S-transferase of the Mu family is present in the cytosol, we isolated the GSH S-transferase from testis cytosol, it being suggested that the major GSH S-transferase in testis microsomes is the cytosolic transferase. These results indicate that testis microsomes contain mainly the cytosolic form of glutathione S-transferase, and that the activity of the liver microsomal form of the transferase is very low.

Animals↗

Glucuronidation of diflunisal in liver and kidney microsomes of rat and man.

1. The glucuronidation of diflunisal to its phenolic (DPG) and acyl glucuronide (DAG) was measured in vitro using microsomes prepared from rat (n = 4) and human (n = 6) liver and kidney tissue. UGT activities towards bilirubin, 4-nitrophenol and (-)-morphine were also determined. 2. beta-Glucuronidase activity towards phenolphthalein glucuronide was much lower in microsomes prepared from human liver (45.2 +/- 3.1 Fishman Units/mg protein), human kidney (22.0 +/- 3.3 FU/mg), and rat kidney (25.1 +/- 2.5 FU/mg) as compared with rat liver (118.7 +/- 8.8 FU/mg). 3. The formation rate of DAG significantly increased when saccharo-1,4-lactone, a beta-glucuronidase inhibitor, was added to the rat liver microsomal incubation medium. beta-Glucuronidase inhibition, however, had little effect on the formation rate of DAG in human liver microsomes, and no effect in rat and human kidney microsomes. The formation of DPG was not affected by the microsomal beta-glucuronidase activity. 4. Unlike rat kidney microsomes, which only formed DAG, human kidney microsomes formed both diflunisal glucuronides. Formation of both diflunisal glucuronides in human kidney microsomes (Vmax = 0.97 +/- 0.21 and 0.27 +/- 0.07 nmol/min/mg for formation of DAG and DPG respectively) represented 60-70% of the activity found in liver microsomes (Vmax = 1.58 +/- 0.32 and 0.40 +/- 0.08 nmol/min/mg for formation of DAG and DPG respectively). 5. These results demonstrate that the in vitro glucuronidation rate of diflunisal may be affected by the microsomal beta-glucuronidase activity particularly when using rat liver microsomes. Our results also demonstrate that the human kidney has an important UGT-activity towards diflunisal.

Animals↗

Hepatic and pulmonary microsomal metabolism of naphthalene to glutathione adducts: factors affecting the relative rates of conjugate formation.

Earlier studies demonstrating marked differences in the profile of polar metabolites formed during incubations of glutathione, naphthalene and microsomes from target (lung) and nontarget (liver and kidney) tissues of the mouse suggested that the formation of a particular reactive metabolite may be the underlying basis for the highly organ selective toxicity of this hydrocarbon. The studies reported here were done to characterize more fully the microsomal metabolism of naphthalene to 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene and to three glutathione-derived conjugates that were separated by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The microsomal formation of polar naphthalene metabolites was linear with time and microsomal protein; the relative proportions of each of the metabolites remained relatively stable over the range of time and protein concentrations studied. The rate of formation of naphthalene glutathione adducts, but not the dihydrodiol, was dependent upon the amount of 100,000 X g supernatant protein added. Addition of lung cytosol to liver microsomal incubations or liver cytosol to lung microsomal incubations altered the overall rate of conjugate formation but not the relative proportions of each of the three conjugate peaks. Epoxide hydrolase induction by dietary butylated hydroxyanisole or inhibition by cyclohexene oxide altered the rate of hepatic microsomal formation of naphthalene dihydrodiol in the expected manner and increased the production of conjugate peak 2. Butylated hydroxyanisole or cyclohexene oxide failed to alter the rate of formation of conjugate peak 1 or 3. Addition of piperonyl butoxide or SKF 525-A to hepatic microsomal incubations markedly decreased covalent binding of naphthalene metabolites but only slightly decreased glutathione adduct formation. Dihydrodiol formation was increased by both inhibitors. Phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene pretreatment produced a marked increase in the pulmonary microsome-catalyzed formation of all four polar naphthalene metabolites. In comparison, phenobarbital increased the rates of formation of the dihydrodiol, conjugate peaks 1 and 2 but not 3 in hepatic microsomes. 3-Methylcholanthrene increased the rate of formation of the dihydrodiol and conjugate peak 2 but not 1 or 3. These studies indicate that the predominant formation of conjugate peak 2 in lung microsomal incubations in comparison to liver microsomal incubations is due to the regio- or stereoselectivity of naphthalene metabolism by cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases or epoxide hydrolases but not by the glutathione transferases.

Animals↗

Fetal and adult human liver differ markedly in the fluidity and lipid composition of their microsomal membranes.

The fluidity and lipid composition of the human hepatic microsomal membrane were studied in 11 livers from 16- to 21-week-old fetuses and in 5 adult livers, and compared with those of fetal and adult rat liver microsomes. Membrane fluidity was analyzed by measurement of fluorescence polarization using the fluorophore 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. The lipid apparent microviscosity (eta) of human fetal liver microsomes was 2.17 +/- 0.13 poise, as compared with 1.08 +/- 0.08 poise in adult liver (p less than 0.001). Similar differences in fluidity were found between fetal and adult rat liver microsomes. The more "fluid" adult microsomes had higher phospholipid/cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine/sphingomyelin molar ratios than those of the more "rigid" fetal microsomes. The degree of unsaturation of the adult microsomal lipids was much higher than that of the fetal lipids. The ratios of unsaturated/saturated fatty acids in microsomal lipids highly correlated with the eta values obtained for the combined group of fetal and adult human livers, suggesting that the developmental increase in degree of unsaturation of the microsomal lipids is a major determinant of the increased fluidity of adult as compared with fetal liver microsomes. These differences in fluidity and lipid composition between fetal and adult human liver microsomes may be a critical factor in the regulation of hepatic microsomal drug and carcinogen metabolizing enzyme activity, and could so determine the extent of toxicity and teratogenicity of drugs and/or their metabolites in the developing human fetus.

Adult↗

Human hepatic and renal microsomes, cytochromes P450 1A1/2, NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase and prostaglandin H synthase mediate the formation of aristolochic acid-DNA adducts found in patients with urothelial cancer.

Aristolochic acid (AA), a naturally occurring nephrotoxin and carcinogen, has been associated with the development of urothelial cancer in humans. Understanding which human enzymes are involved in AA activation and/or detoxication is important in the assessment of an individual's susceptibility to this plant carcinogen. Using the (32)P postlabeling assay, we examined the ability of microsomal samples from 8 human livers and from 1 human kidney to activate AAI, the major component of the plant extract AA, to metabolites forming adducts in DNA. Microsomes of both organs generated DNA adduct patterns reproducing those found in renal tissues from humans exposed to AA. 7-(deoxyadenosin-N(6)-yl)aristolactam I, 7-(deoxyguanosin-N(2)-yl)aristolactam I and 7-(deoxyadenosin-N(6)-yl)aristolactam II were identified as AA-DNA adducts formed from AAI by all human hepatic and renal microsomes. To define the role of human microsomal enzymes in the activation of AAI, we investigated the modulation of AAI-DNA adduct formation by cofactors and selective inhibitors of microsomal reductases, cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, NADPH:CYP reductase and NADH:cytochrome b(5) reductase. We also determined whether the activities of CYP and NADPH:CYP reductase in different human hepatic microsomal samples correlated with the levels of AAI-DNA adducts formed by the same microsomal samples. On the basis of these studies, we attribute most of the activation of AAI in human hepatic microsomes to CYP1A2. In contrast to human hepatic microsomes, in human renal microsomes NADPH:CYP reductase is more effective in AAI activation. In addition, prostaglandin H synthase is another enzyme activating AAI in renal microsomes. The results demonstrate for the first time the potential of microsomal enzymes in human liver and kidney to activate AAI by nitroreduction.

Adult↗

Purification and characterization of two rat liver microsomal carboxylesterases (hydrolase A and B).

The enzymatic hydrolysis of para-nitrophenylacetate by rat liver microsomes is predominantly catalyzed by two esterases: one with high affinity (Km approximately 25 microM) and one with low affinity (Km approximately 400 microM) for the substrate. Two kinetically distinct esterases were similarly detected in liver microsomes from mouse, hamster, guinea pig, rabbit, cat, cynomolgus monkey, and human, but only the high-affinity enzyme was detectable in dog liver microsomes. The tissue distribution of these kinetically distinct esterases was examined in rats. High-affinity (Km 20-35 microM esterase activity toward para-nitrophenylacetate was detected in testis, lung, prostate, and pancreas. The activity in testicular microsomes was comparable to that in liver microsomes. Low-affinity (Km 200-700 microM) esterase activity was detected in kidney, small intestine, lung, spleen, heart, and brain. The activity in kidney microsomes was comparable to that in liver microsomes. The high-affinity esterase in testicular and liver microsomes was highly sensitive to the inhibitory effects of phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), whereas the low-affinity esterase in kidney and liver microsomes was relatively resistant. These results suggested that rat liver microsomes contain two esterases with high activity toward para-nitrophenylacetate, a PMSF-sensitive esterase with high substrate affinity, and a PMSF-insensitive esterase with low substrate affinity. In support of the hypothesis, we have purified and characterized two esterases, designated hydrolases A and B, which appear be the only abundant enzymes in rat liver microsome that rapidly hydrolyze para-nitrophenylacetate. Hydrolase A hydrolyzed para-nitrophenylacetate with high affinity (Km approximately 25 microM), and was inhibited by extremely low concentrations of PMSF (IC50 approximately 100 nM). In contrast, hydrolase B hydrolyzed para-nitrophenylacetate with low affinity (Km approximately 400 microM) and was inhibited only by relatively high concentrations of PMSF (IC50 approximately 100 microM Paraoxon, the active metabolite of parathion, and cresylbenzodioxaphosphorin oxide, the active metabolite tri-ortho-tolylphosphate, completely inhibited the hydrolysis of pra-nitrophenylacetate by rat liver microsomes and by hydrolases A and B, whereas the sulfhydryl agent, para-chloromercurobenzoate, was not inhibition. These results suggest that hydrolases A and B are both serine esterases. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of hydrolases A and B were similar but distinct (23 the first 30 amino acid residues were identical), indicating that these two esterases are isozymes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amidohydrolases↗

Dexamethasone induces bisallylic hydroxylation of polyunsaturated fatty acids by rat liver microsomes.

Human, monkey, and rat liver microsomes catalyze bisallylic hydroxylations of arachidonic and linoleic acids. The cytochrome P450 gene family of these hydroxylases has not been determined. We examined whether inducers of cytochrome P450 could augment the bisallylic hydroxylation activity of male rat liver microsomes. The microsomes were incubated with [14C]linoleic acid and NADPH and the monohydroxy metabolites were characterized. Microsomes prepared from control rats yielded mainly 18-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (18-HODE) and 17-HODE and microsomes from clofibrate-treated rats 18-HODE. Microsomes from beta-naphthoflavone-treated rats hydroxylated linoleic acid without position specificity, i.e., at carbons 8, 11, 14, 16, 17, and 18. 11-HODE, 17-HODE, and 18-HODE were major metabolites. Microsomes from rats treated with phenobarbital, isopropanol, imidazole, or acetone also formed these three products along with many other hydroxy metabolites. The synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone increased the biosynthesis of 11-HODE selectively. Microsomes from male Sprague-Dawley and Fischer rats treated with dexamethasone mainly formed 11-HODE and 18-HODE. The biosynthesis of 11-HODE was increased 10-fold and troleandomycin (50 microM) inhibited the biosynthesis of 11-HODE by 90%. The bisallylic hydroxylases were also investigated with 14C-labeled arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids as substrates. Microsomes from rats treated with dexamethasone converted 20:4n-6 to 13-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (13-HETE), 10-HETE, 7-HETE, 19-HETE, and 20-HETE. Induction by acetone yielded the same products. Microsomes from dexamethasone-treated rats metabolized 20:5n-3 to 16-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (16-HEPE), 13-HEPE, 10-HEPE, 19-HEPE, and 20-HEPE as major products, while microsomes from control and acetone-treated rats mainly formed 19-HEPE and 20-HEPE. We conclude that microsomes from dexamethasone-treated rats catalyze bisallylic hydroxylations of 18:2n-6, 20:4n-6, and 20:5n-3, possibly by induction of bisallylic hydroxylases of the CYP3A subfamily.

Acetone↗

Increased microsomal oxidation of hydroxyl radical scavenging agents and ethanol after chronic consumption of ethanol.

The oxidation of ethanol by rat liver microsomes is increased after chronic ethanol consumption. Previous experiments indicated that hydroxyl radicals play a role in the mechanism whereby microsomes oxidize ethanol. Experiments were therefore carried out to evaluate the role of these radicals in ethanol oxidation by microsomes from ethanol-fed rats, and to determine whether the increase in ethanol oxidation by these induced microsomes correlates with an increase in the generation of hydroxyl radicals. Rat liver microsomes from ethanol-fed rats catalyzed the oxidation of two typical hydroxyl radical scavenging agents, dimethylsulfoxide and 2-keto-4-thiomethylbutyric acid, at rates which were two- to threefold greater than rates found with control microsomes. This increased rate of oxidation of hydroxyl radical scavengers was similar to the increased rate of microsomal oxidation of ethanol. Azide, which inhibits contaminating catalase in microsomes, increased the oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide and 2-keto-4-thiomethylbutyric acid by both microsomal preparations. This suggests that H2O2 may serve as the microsomal precursor of the hydroxyl radical. Cross competition for oxidation between ethanol and the hydroxyl radical scavenging agents was observed. Moreover, the oxidation of ethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, or 2-keto-4-thiomethylbutyric acid was inhibited by other compounds which interact with hydroxyl radicals, e.g., benzoate, and the free-radical, spin-trapping agent, 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide. These results suggest that the increase in the rate of ethanol oxidation found with microsomes from ethanol-fed rats may be due, at least in part, to an increase in the rate of production of hydroxyl radicals by these induced microsomes. Increased production of oxyradicals may possibly result in oxidative damage to the liver cell as a result of ethanol consumption.

Alcoholism↗

Nucleotide-induced alteration of rat liver microsome calcium pump activity.

Rat liver microsomes sequester calcium by an energy dependent process that may be a nonmuscle cell analog of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump of skeletal muscle (Moore, L., Chen, T.S., Knapp, H.R., Jr. and Landon, E.J. (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 4562-4568). Homogenization of rat liver in the presence of ATP (5 mM) results in a 2-fold increase of the specific activity of the microsome Ca2+ pump. The effect of ATP is concentration dependent and is detected at ATP levels as low as 0.1 mM. ATP will produce this effect if added before homogenization, after homogenization or after any of the centrifugation steps of microsome isolation. Homogenization of rat liver in the presence of ADP and AMP also increases specific activity of the microsome Ca2+ pump, but to a lesser extent than ATP. Other nucleoside triphosphates have been tested and are in general less effective than ATP in increasing microsome Ca2+ pump activity. The phosphate group of nucleotides appears to be improtant to his effect in that adenosine does not affect Ca2+ pump activity, while sodium pyrophosphate will increase pump activity but to a smaller extent than ATP. The presence of nucleotides or pyrophosphate during microsome isolation results in the release of a small amount of protein material from microsomes. These proteins can be detected in 105 000 Xg supernatant by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Three bands of molecular weight 46 000, 42 000 and 36 000 comprise the majority of protein material released from microsomes. The ability of nucleotides to release one of the these proteins, the 42 000 molecular weight band, from microsomes correlates with the ability of the nucleotide to increase microsome Ca2+ pump activity. Preliminary evidence indicates that the protein released from ATP-treated microsomes is able to suppress the stimulated calcium uptake measured in ATP-treated microsomes. It is possible that this protein functions to regulate Ca2+ pump activity in the endoplasmic reticulum of liver.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗