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CTP:phosphorylcholine cytidylyltransferase in rat lung. The effect of free fatty acids on the translocation of activity between microsomes and cytosol.

Phosphatidylglycerol and oleic acid had differential effects on cytidylyltransferase activity in cytosol and microsomes. The low-molecular-weight cytidylyltransferase in cytosol was stimulated more by phosphatidylglycerol than by oleic acid, whereas microsomal activity was stimulated more by oleic acid than by phosphatidylglycerol. Microsomal activity was stimulated by several unsaturated fatty acids but was not stimulated by saturated fatty acids. Bovine serum albumin decreased cytidylyltransferase activity in microsomes in the presence or absence of oleic acid but did not alter the activity measured in the presence of phosphatidylglycerol. The addition of oleic acid to albumin/microsome mixtures in amounts exceeding the binding capacity of albumin lead to complete recovery of the oleic acid stimulation. The addition of oleic acid to postmitochondrial supernatants resulted in a translocation of cytidylyltransferase activity from cytosol to microsome. The magnitude of the shift was severalfold greater with fetal preparations than adult. The free fatty acid content of microsomes increased coincident with the translocation. Bovine serum albumin, added to postmitochondrial supernatants, caused a release of cytidylyltransferase from microsomes to cytosol and a corresponding decrease in microsomal free fatty acid content. The amount of cytidylyltransferase activity in microsomes increased shortly after birth. The increase was accompanied by an increase in free fatty acid content of the microsomes. The increase in cytidylyltransferase activity and free fatty acids which occurred in vivo following birth was nearly identical to that obtained by adding oleic acid to postmitochondrial supernatants from fetal lung. We conclude that free fatty acids may affect the intracellular activity of cytidylyltransferase by promoting the translocation of inactive cytosolic forms to microsomes as well as by stimulating microsomal bound activity.

Aging↗

Interaction of constitutive and phenobarbital-induced cytochrome P-450 isozymes during the sequential oxidation of benzphetamine. Explanation for the difference in benzphetamine-induced hydrogen peroxide production and 455-nm complex formation in microsomes from untreated and phenobarbital-treated rats.

The following pathway for benzphetamine (Bz) metabolism in rat hepatic microsomes was established: Bz leads to norbenzphetamine (NorBz) leads to N-hydroxynorbenzphetamine leads to N-benzylethyl-alpha-phenylnitrone leads to 2-nitroso-1-phenylpropane. The last product forms a complex with cytochrome P-450 with an absorbance maximum at 455 nm. Steps 1, 2, and 4 are cytochrome P-450-dependent; Step 3 appears to involve the flavoprotein, mixed-function amine oxidase. Step 2 is partially uncoupled, producing H2O2 at approximately 3 times the rate of N-hydroxylation. Bz is oxidized to NorBz in microsomes from both untreated rats (U-microsomes) and phenobarbital (PB)-treated rats (PB-microsomes), but the 455-nm peak does not appear in U-microsomes until almost all of the Bz has been converted to NorBz; i.e., Bz inhibits the oxidation of NorBz in U- but not in PB-microsomes. The inhibition is competitive. Bz inhibits the oxidation of the nitrone to 2-nitroso-1-phenylpropane in both U- and PB-microsomes; NorBz inhibits this reaction in U-microsomes only. These results can be explained as follows. The substrate affinities of the cytochrome P-450 primarily responsible for the N-demethylation of Bz in U- and PB-microsomes differ markedly. The constitutive cytochrome(s) in U-microsomes has a high affinity for Bz; PB induces both this form and a cytochrome(s) with a lower affinity for Bz. The substrate affinities of these two cytochromes P-450 for NorBz do not differ appreciably. Thus, although both forms of cytochrome P-450 can oxidize Bz and NorBz in PB-microsomes, Bz is primarily oxidized by the constitutive form, whereas NorBz is oxidized primarily by the induced form, thereby relieving competition and increasing the over-all sequential oxidation of Bz. The nitrone appears to be oxidized exclusively by the constitutive form in both U- and PB-microsomes. The current study shows that PB induction of monooxygenase activity need not be due entirely to an increase in the amount of cytochrome P-450 or the substrate selectivity of cytochrome P-450 isozyme(s) responsible for that activity, but that, in at least one case, the metabolism of Bz, PB-induced activity can be due, at least in part, to the induction of a cytochrome P-450 isozyme that relieves substrate inhibition.

Animals↗

Interactions between solubilized cytochrome P-450 and hepatic microsomes.

Solubilized cytochromes P-450 and P-448 have been prepared from liver microsomes of phenobarbital- and 3-methylcholanthrene-pretreated rats, respectively. These hemoproteins can bind to microsomes and increase the microsomal monoxygenase activities. The binding of cytochrome P-450 enhances the microsomal benzphetamine demethylase activity, whereas cytochrome P-448 enhances the ethoxycoumarin dealkylase and benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activities. The added cytochrome P-450 is believed to be incorporated into the microsomal membrane, and the enriched microsomes can be separated from the free hemoprotein by gel filtration. A correlation between the increased cytochrome P-450 content and the enhanced catalytic activity of the microsomes is shown. Several lines of evidence suggest that the exogenous cytochrome P-450 molecules become catalytically active only when they are incorporated into the membrane. By measuring the enhanced ethoxycoumarin dealkylase activity, the rate of the proposed incorporation of cytochrome P-448 into microsomes can be measured, and the temperature dependence of the rate is reported. The addition of cytochromes P-448 and P-450 causes a great increase in the monoxygenase activities of microsomes which have been treated with linoleic acid hydroperoxide. The hydroperoxide treatment denatures almost all the cytochrome P-450 molecules in the microsomes but retains most of the NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase activity. Experiments with such microsomes indicate that the added cytochrome P-450 molecules, after incorporation into the membrane, have a direct access to the reductase molecules and are able to receive electrons directly from the latter. The present results are consistent with a nonrigid model for the organization of cytochrome P-450 and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase in the microsomal membrane.

Animals↗

Modulation of aflatoxin B1 biotransformation in rabbit pulmonary and hepatic microsomes.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a carcinogenic mycotoxin that requires activation to the corresponding 8,9-epoxide for activity. In addition to being present in foodstuffs, AFB1 can contaminate respirable grain dusts and thus the respiratory system is a potential target for carcinogenesis. In the present study, we have investigated the role of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-inducible forms of cytochrome P-450 in the pulmonary and hepatic microsomal activation ([3H]AFB1-DNA binding) and detoxification ([3H]AFM1 and [3H]AFQ1 formation) of [3H]AFB1. In rabbit lung microsomes, the apparent Vmax for [3H]AFM1 formation was increased significantly when values were expressed per mg microsomal protein or per nmol P-450 present. In liver microsomes, the apparent Vmax for DNA binding and [3H]AFM1 formation were increased by beta-naphthoflavone (BNF) treatment (to 2.3 and 3.3 times control, respectively) when expressed per mg protein, but when expressed per nmol P-450, only AFM1 formation was significantly increased. The apparent Km values for both these reactions were unaffected. The apparent Vmax for [3H]AFQ1 formation was not affected by BNF treatment, but the apparent Km was increased to 4.5 times control. Boiling of microsomes or omitting the NADPH-generating system decreased DNA binding, AFM1 formation and AFQ1 formation by 89-97%, while addition of 1.0 mM SKF-525A inhibited these reactions by 46-57%. Addition of 1.0 mM alpha-naphthoflavone (ANF) had no effect on the biotransformation of [3H]AFB1 in lung microsomes of control rabbits, but significantly decreased AFM1 formation (by 31%) in lung microsomes from BNF-treated animals (other reactions were unaffected). In liver microsomes from BNF treated rabbits, 1.0 mM ANF inhibited DNA binding of [3H]AFB1 by 68%, while there was no effect in control microsomes. ANF significantly inhibited AFM1 formation in liver microsomes from both control and BNF-treated animals (by 87-97% and 67-78% at 1.0 mM and 2.0 microM, respectively), but had no effect on AFQ1 formation in liver microsomes from animals in either treatment group. These results indicate an important role for the 1A subclass of P-450 isozymes in the biotransformation of AFB1 to AFM1 in rabbit lung and liver, and a minor role in AFB1 activation in liver.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Cooperativity of alpha-naphthoflavone in cytochrome P450 3A-dependent drug oxidation activities in hepatic and intestinal microsomes from mouse and human.

1. The effects of several CYP3A substrates (alpha-naphthoflavone (alphaNF), terfenadine, midazolam, erythromycin) on nifedipine oxidation and testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation activities were investigated in hepatic and intestinal microsomes from mouse and human. 2. alphaNF (10 microM) and terfenadine (100 microM) inhibited nifedipine oxidation activities (at substrate concentration of 100 microM) in mouse hepatic microsomes to approximately 50%, but not in mouse intestinal microsomes. alphaNF (30 microM) stimulated nifedipine oxidation activities in mouse and human intestinal microsomes and in human hepatic microsomes to approximately 1.3-1.8-fold. Inhibitory potencies (50% inhibition concentration, IC50) of midazolam and erythromycin for nifedipine oxidations were calculated to be approximately 90 microM in human intestinal microsomes. In contrast, testosterone (100 microM) stimulated the nifedipine oxidation activities approximately 1.5-fold in hepatic and intestinal microsomes from mouse and human. 3. alphaNF showed different effects on the kinetic parameters including the Hill coefficients of nifedipine oxidation and testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation catalysed by hepatic and intestinal microsomes from mouse and human. Cooperativity in nifedipine oxidation was increased by the addition of alphaNF to pooled human hepatic microsomes, but little effects of alphaNF could be observed in individual human intestinal microsomes. 4. These results suggest that CYP3A enzymes in liver and intestine might have different characteristics and that observations from hepatic microsomes should not be directly applicable to intestine metabolism in some cases. Studies of drug-drug interactions of CYP3A substrates are recommended to be performed using intestinal samples.

Animals↗

Microsome-mediated transacetylation and binding of N-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl to nucleic acids by hepatic and bladder tissues from dog.

Microsome-mediated metabolism of [3H]4-aminobiphenyl (ABP) and binding of [3H]N-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl (N-OH-ABP) to nucleic acids by dog hepatic and bladder microsomes were investigated. HPLC analysis of the ethyl acetate extracts of hepatic microsomal incubates of [3H]ABP in the presence of 4-acetylaminobiphenyl (AABP), N-hydroxy-4-acetylaminobiphenyl (N-OH-AABP), or acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA) as acetyl donors showed the formation of [3H]AABP, suggesting that microsomes catalyze N-acetylation of ABP involving transacetylation. Dog hepatic microsomes also catalyzed the binding of [3H]N-OH-ABP to RNA in the presence of AABP, N-OH-AABP or AcCoA, and the binding was blocked by paraoxon, an inhibitor of microsomal deacetylases. Binding of [3H]N-OH-ABP to DNA was catalyzed also by dog hepatic microsomes, and the extent of binding was 266, 156 and 135 pmol/mg DNA for AABP, N-OH-AABP and AcCoA as acetyl donors respectively. HPLC analyses of the DNA hydrolysates showed that the major adduct formed was N-(deoxyguanosine-8-yl)-4-aminobiphenyl, based on mobility of the adduct in comparison with the synthetic standard. The acetyl adduct N-(deoxyguanosine-8-yl)-4-acetylaminobiphenyl was not detected in the DNA hydrolysates. Adduct profiles obtained from 32P-postlabeling of DNA samples from the microsome-mediated binding of [3H]N-OH-ABP showed similarities to the profile obtained previously from the chemical interaction of N-OH-ABP with DNA under acidic conditions, suggesting that the microsome-mediated binding of N-OH-ABP may proceed via formation of aryl nitrenium ions as the ultimate electrophilic species. Microsomes from dog bladder also catalyzed the binding of [3H]N-OH-ABP to RNA and DNA in the presence of AABP, N-OH-AABP or AcCoA as acetyl donors, though the levels of binding were less than those observed with hepatic microsomes. The prevalence of these acetyl transferases in the target organs for ABP and AABP carcinogenesis raises the possibility that metabolic activation of the proximate metabolite N-OH-ABP could occur directly in these tissues and these reactions could play a critical role in the initiation of cancers.

Acetylation↗

Metabolic activation of 1,1-dichloroethylene by mouse lung and liver microsomes.

1,1-Dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE) causes lung and liver necrosis in mice. Covalent binding of [14C]1,1-DCE to isolated lung and liver microsomes from CD-1 mice required NADPH and was strongly inhibited by carbon monoxide. Lung and liver microsomes isolated from animals treated with phenobarbital demonstrated no changes in covalent binding of [14C]1,1-DCE compared with those from vehicle-treated animals. While 3-methylcholanthrene caused no alterations in binding to lung microsomes, the same pretreatment resulted in significantly increased levels of binding to liver microsomes. Piperonyl butoxide caused significant decreases in covalent binding to lung and liver microsomes; SKF 525-A significantly inhibited binding to liver microsomes but had no effect on lung microsomes. The incubation of liver microsomes with inhibitors required more NADPH than those performed with lung microsomes. The results demonstrate that reactive metabolites of 1,1-DCE can be formed by lung and liver microsomes, and suggest the involvement of cytochrome P-450 isozymes in the lung and liver injury induced by the halocarbon. However, metabolic activation by lung and liver microsomes may additionally involve non P-450 dependent mechanisms as evidenced by relatively high levels of nonspecific binding of 1,1-DCE.

Animals↗

Conversion of estrone to 2- and 4-hydroxyestrone by hamster kidney and liver microsomes: implications for the mechanism of estrogen-induced carcinogenesis.

As part of an ongoing investigation of the role of metabolic activation of estrogens in the genesis of cancers such as estrogen-induced renal tumors in hamsters, we have 1) determined steroid-17 beta-oxidoreductase activity of microsomes and cytosol prepared from hamster kidney and liver; 2) compared the rates of 2-, 4-, and 16 alpha-hydroxylations of estrone by microsomes from hamster kidney and liver; and 3) determined the rates of inactivation of 2- and 4-hydroxyestrone by catechol-O-methyltransferase from hamster kidney and by purified enzyme. Microsomal steroid-17 beta-oxidoreductase activity in hamster kidney and liver was low and favored the conversion of estrone to estradiol. Cytosolic steroid-17 beta-oxidoreductase activity was only barely detectable in both liver and kidney. Using hepatic microsomes, the rate of 2-hydroxylation of estrone was comparable to that found previously using estradiol as substrate, whereas 4-hydroxylation of estrone was double that of estradiol. Using renal microsomes, the rates of 2- and 4-hydroxylation of estrone were 10- to 20-fold higher than those with estradiol as substrate, and the ratio of 2- to 4-hydroxylation was about 2:1. Fadrozole hydrochloride was an equally good inhibitor of rates of 2- and 4-hydroxylation of estrone (20 microM) by hepatic microsomes (IC50, approximately 25 microM). Corresponding IC50 values with renal microsomes were less than 2 microM, and 2-hydroxylation of estrone was inhibited by Fadrozole hydrochloride up to 15% more than 4-hydroxylation. Treatment of hamsters with estradiol for 2 months decreased rates of 2- and 4-hydroxylation of estrone by renal microsomes by approximately 95%. The rate of conversion of estrone to 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone by hepatic microsomes was 10-20% that of 2-hydroxylation. Renal microsomes catalyzed 16 alpha-hydroxylation of estrone at an even lower rate (approximately 5% of that of 2-hydroxylation). Rates of O-methylation of 2- and 4-hydroxyestrone by hamster kidney cytosol were comparable to those of 2- and 4-hydroxyestradiol. In conclusion, conversion of estrone to its catechol metabolites by microsomes of hamster kidney, a target organ of estrogen-induced carcinogenesis, is quantitatively more important than the conversion to 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone. The findings are consistent with the postulated role of catechol estrogens generated in situ in estrone-induced carcinogenesis.

Animals↗

[Basic characteristics of rat brain microsomal estradiol 2-hydroxylase].

The basic properties of estradiol 2-hydroxylase in rat brain microsomes were studied and compared to the known characteristics of rat liver microsomal estradiol 2-hydroxylase. Rat liver microsomal estradiol 2-hydroxylase, which has been considered to be a cytochrome P450-like enzyme, was largely inhibited by carbon monoxide. On the other hand, the effect of carbon monoxide on the activity of rat brain microsomal estradiol 2-hydroxylase was rather weak. A known inhibitor of cytochrome P450, SKF-525A inhibited rat liver microsomal estradiol 2-hydroxylase in a concentration-dependent manner. The concentration of SKF-525A causing 50% inhibition of liver microsomal estradiol 2-hydroxylase was 33 microM where the substrate concentration was 1 microM. Conversely, the inhibitory effect of SKF-525A on the activity of brain microsomal estradiol 2-hydroxylase was much less. Moreover, norepinephrine inhibited brain microsomal estradiol 2-hydroxylase in a competitive manner, however, the effect of physiological concentrations of norepinephrine on liver microsomal estradiol 2-hydroxylase was negligible. These results suggest that the nature of microsomal estradiol 2-hydroxylase in rat brain is quite different from that of liver microsomal estradiol 2-hydroxylase.

Animals↗

Immunochemical detection and quantitation of microsomal cytochrome P-450 and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate:cytochrome P-450 reductase in the rat ventral prostate.

Treatment with beta-naphthoflavone (BNF) was found to induce 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activities about 500-fold in the microsomal fraction of the rat ventral prostate but had no effect on aminopyrine N-demethylase or reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate:cytochrome c reductase activities. Phenobarbital (PB) treatment did not alter any of these enzyme activities. Antibodies raised in rabbits against rat liver cytochrome P-450 reductase (P-450 reductase) and against P-450 BNF-B2 and P-450 PB-B2, the major forms of P-450 isolated from liver microsomes of BNF- and PB-treated rats, respectively, were used to characterize the P-450-dependent monooxygenase system in the rat ventral prostate. Anti-P-450 reductase immunoglobulin G inhibited reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate:cytochrome c reductase activity in prostatic microsomes, and anti-P-450 BNF-B2 but not anti-P-450 PB-B2 immunoglobulin G inhibited the BNF-induced prostatic microsomal 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activities. A highly sensitive immunoblotting method was used to quantitate P-450 BNF-B2, P-450 PB-B2, and P-450 reductase in prostatic microsomes. Using this technique, prostatic P-450 reductase with a molecular weight corresponding to that of purified liver P-450 reductase was detected at a level of 0.02 nmol/mg of microsomal protein. In the liver, the same enzyme amounts to 0.2 nmol/mg of microsomal protein. P-450 BNF-B2 was not detected in prostatic microsomes from control or PB-treated rats, whereas a protein band with a molecular weight corresponding to that of purified liver P-450 BNF-B2 was found in prostatic microsomes from BNF-treated rats at a level of 0.05 nmol P-450 per mg microsomal protein. P-450 PB-B2 was not detected in prostatic microsomes from either control, PB-treated, or BNF-treated animals.

Animals↗

P-450-dependent metabolism of lauric acid in alcoholic liver disease: comparison between rat liver and kidney microsomes.

Monooxygenase enzymatic activities were measured in liver and kidney microsomes of control and ethanol-treated rats. Animals were administered alcohol by using a model for alcoholic liver injury. Several in vitro approaches were used to compare the laurate metabolism in liver and kidney microsomes: correlation studies between specific P-450 catalytic activities, immunoblot analysis, and chemical and immunoinhibitions. Ethanol treatment increased the liver and renal hydroxylations of chlorzoxazone and 4-nitrophenol. Moreover, lauric acid (omega-1)-hydroxylation was found to be significantly increased (-6-fold) after ethanol treatment in liver, but not in kidney microsomes. The laurate omega-1/omega ratio increased from 1.52 +/- 0.49 to 4.11 +/- 1.01 in liver microsomes of control and ethanol-treated rats, and from 0.29 +/- 0.06 to 0.44 +/- 0.07 in kidney microsomes. Immunoblot analysis using polyclonal anti-cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2E1 or CYP4A antibodies showed an increase of CYP2E1 and CYP4A contents in both organs, but the increase was higher in liver than in kidney microsomes. Chemical inhibitions using CYP2E1 competitive inhibitors (such as chlorzoxazone and ethanol) led to a nonsignificant inhibition of the renal (omega-1)-hydroxylation of lauric acid. In contrast, 17-octadecynoic acid (a mechanism-based inhibitor of omega-hydroxylase) was able to inhibit both omega- and (omega-1)-hydroxylations of lauric acid in kidney microsomes. Immunoinhibitions specific to CYP2E1 significantly decreased the (omega-1)-hydroxylation of lauric acid in liver, but not in kidney microsomes, whereas the polyclonal anti-CYP4A1 antibody inhibited omega- and (omega-1)-hydroxylations of lauric acid in kidney microsomes. All of these results show that lauric acid hydroxylations in liver and kidney respond in different manners to ethanol treatment. Lauric acid (omega-1)-hydroxylation, a highly specific probe for CYP2E1 in rat and human liver microsomes, is mediated by a CYP4A isoform in rat kidney microsomes.

Animals↗

Hepatic regeneration is associated with preservation of microsomal glucuronidation.

Significant controversy exists regarding the regulation of glucuronidation during the process of hepatic regeneration. We used a partial hepatectomy rat model to elucidate the effects of hepatic regeneration on the various components of the microsomal glucuronidation system. Hepatic microsomes were prepared by standard sucrose density centrifugation, coupled with a modified technique involving Percoll centrifugation. Microsomal uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) protein expression and UGT messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were measured by Western and Northern blotting. UGT enzyme activity was determined toward two prototypical aglycones, p-nitrophenol and estrone, in intact and digitonin-treated microsomes. Microsomal uptake of the cosubstrate for all glucuronidation reactions, UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcUA), was determined using a rapid-filtration assay. Microsomal enrichment after hepatectomy was preserved only when the Percoll method was used. Microsomal UGT protein expression and UGT mRNA levels were unaltered after hepatectomy. UGT enzyme activity toward estrone was unchanged 1 day posthepatectomy compared with sham laparotomy controls. Similarly, p-nitrophenol glucuronide formation was unaffected by hepatic regeneration 1, 2, and 5 days posthepatectomy when digitonin-treated microsomes were used. Glucuronidation of p-nitrophenol in intact microsomes was increased in partial hepatectomy compared with sham-operated controls at 1 and 2 days. This increase was not attributable to changes in microsomal UDP-GlcUA uptake, which was comparable in both groups. We conclude that microsomal glucuronidation, in contrast to other well characterized hepatic metabolic functions, is highly preserved during liver regeneration.

Animals↗

Preparation of brain microsomes with cytochrome P450 activity using calcium aggregation method.

Microsomes have been conventionally prepared by centrifugation of the postmitochondrial supernatant at 100,000g using an ultracentrifuge. Liver microsomes have been prepared by low speed centrifugation following sedimentation of the microsomal membranes in the presence of calcium ions. However, this method has not been suitable for the preparation of microsomes from extrahepatic tissues as it often results in the loss of cytochrome P450 activity. Brain microsomes prepared by the traditional calcium aggregation method results in the loss of cytochrome P450. We now describe a modification of the calcium aggregation method for the rapid preparation of rat and mouse brain microsomes. This involves the incorporation of glycerol, dithiothreitol, and EDTA in the preparation of microsomes. Such preparations do not differ in their cytochrome P450 content and associated monooxygenase activity from the traditionally prepared microsomes using ultracentrifugation. Electron microscopic analysis also does not reveal any differences between the microsomes prepared by the two methods. As brain microsomes are relatively unstable and are obtained in low yields, rapid isolation of large quantities of microsomes, possible using the present method, should be very useful.

Animals↗

Induction of rabbit hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 by imidazole: enhanced metabolic activity and altered substrate specificity.

Pretreatment of rabbits with imidazole resulted in a twofold increase in hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 content, with the apparent induction of two or more distinct forms of the cytochrome [K. K. Hajek and R. F. Novak (1982) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 108, 664-672]. The metabolic properties of imidazole-induced microsomes have been compared to those of uninduced, phenobarbital- and beta-naphthoflavone-induced preparations. Metabolic activity was enhanced as a consequence of increased P-450 content and as a result of the presence of different forms of the cytochrome. When rates were expressed per nanomole P-450 the following were observed: (a) p-nitroanisole O-demethylation was comparable in all preparations; (b) N,N-dimethylaniline N-demethylation was comparable in imidazole- and beta-naphthoflavone-induced, and uninduced microsomes; (c) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity was approximately twofold greater in imidazole-induced relative to phenobarbital-induced microsomes, but was only one-half that of beta-naphthoflavone-induced microsomes; and (d) metabolism of N,N-dimethylnitrosamine was enhanced fivefold, alcohol oxidation increased three- to fivefold, and aniline hydroxylation was threefold greater in imidazole-induced microsomes compared to phenobarbital- or beta-naphthoflavone-induced preparations. Eadie-Scatchard analysis yielded a single Km value for dimethylnitrosamine N-demethylase activity in imidazole-induced microsomes; in contrast, both high- and low-Km values were obtained for phenobarbital- or beta-naphthoflavone-induced microsomal preparations. Dimethylnitrosamine N-demethylase activity was P-450 dependent; neither flavin monooxygenase nor monoamine oxidase appeared to contribute significantly to dimethylnitrosamine metabolism. Dimethyl sulfoxide was a competitive inhibitor of dimethylnitrosamine N-demethylase activity in imidazole-, phenobarbital-, and beta-naphthoflavone-induced microsomes. Dimethyl sulfoxide competitively inhibited ethanol oxidation in imidazole-induced microsomes; it was a noncompetitive inhibitor of ethanol oxidation in phenobarbital- or beta-naphthoflavone-induced microsomes.

Alcohols↗

Variations in hepatic progesterone 21-hydroxylase activity reflect differences in the microsomal concentration of rabbit cytochrome P-450 1.

A monoclonal antibody specific for cytochrome P-450 1 that extensively (greater than 95%) inhibits the hepatic 21-hydroxylation of progesterone was used in a two-site immunoradiometric assay to estimate the concentration of cytochrome P-450 1 in microsomes prepared from 24 individual, untreated New Zealand White rabbits. The progesterone 21-hydroxylase activities of these microsomes ranged from 0.2 to 5.8 nmol min-1 mg microsomal protein-1. Scatchard analysis revealed similar slopes and thus apparent affinities between the antibody and microsome samples that varied greater than 10-fold in 21-hydroxylase activity. The maximal extent of binding of the antibody to different microsomal preparations was greater for microsomes exhibiting high as compared to low 21-hydroxylase activity, suggesting that the level of binding reflects the microsomal content of P-450 1. Quantitation was based on the extent of binding of the 125I-labeled monoclonal antibody to P-450 1 sequestered from a sample by a heterologous monoclonal antibody adsorbed to the wells of a microtiter plate. These results indicate that the microsomal content of P-450 1 varies from less than 0.05 to 0.5 nmol/mg microsomal protein. The microsomal content of this antigen as determined in the two-site immunoradiometric assay was highly correlated (r = 0.97) with progesterone 21-hydroxylase activity. Linear regression analysis was used to estimate the turnover number for progesterone in situ, yielding a value of 11 nmol deoxycorticosterone formed min-1 nmol microsomal P-450 1(-1). This is similar to the value of 14 nmol deoxycorticosterone formed min-1 nmol-1 obtained for the reconstituted, purified P-450 1 used as a standard in the immunoquantitation assay.

Animals↗

Topology and regulation of bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase in sealed native microsomes from rat liver.

Bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase displays marked latency in native microsomes. To examine whether this latency correlates with structural integrity of the microsomal vesicles and reflects lumenal orientation of the enzyme's catalytic center, we analyzed the relationship between transferase activity and the degree of expression of mannose (Man)-6-phosphatase, which is a marker enzyme of the cisternal face of the ER membrane. Using detergent, sonication, or the pore-forming Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin to breach the microsomal membrane permeability barrier, we found that after each of these pretreatments a remarkably close direct relationship existed between latency changes for bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase and Man-6-phosphatase. This finding suggested that the transferase may have the same transverse topology as the phosphohydrolase. We also compared the effects of membrane-impermeant proteinases on bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity in native and disrupted microsomes. Whereas the unspecific proteinase nagarse markedly inactivated (to less than 30% of activities in controls) the transferase in disrupted microsomes, treatment with the proteinase had little effect on transferase activity in sealed microsomal vesicles. The results suggest that the active site of bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase is on the lumenal face of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. It was also found that activation of transferase activity by UDP N-acetylglucosamine, which is the presumed allosteric effector of UDP-glucuronyltransferase, was markedly altered by relatively small changes in structural integrity of the microsomes and totally abolished when latency of Man-6-P hydrolysis fell below approximately 80%. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the microsomal membrane permeability barrier is a major determinant of expression of microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity and that quantitative assessment of integrity of the microsomes is essential for studying kinetic properties and regulation of microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferase.

Animals↗

Temperature dependence of the microsomal oxidation of ethanol by cytochrome P450 and hydroxyl radical-dependent reactions.

The temperature dependence and activation energies for the oxidation of ethanol by microsomes from controls and from rats treated with pyrazole was evaluated to determine whether the overall mechanism for ethanol oxidation by microsomes was altered by the pyrazole treatment. Arrhenius plots of the temperature dependence of ethanol oxidation by pyrazole microsomes were linear and exhibited no transition breaks, whereas a slight break was observed at about 20 +/- 2.5 degrees C with control microsomes. Energies of activation (about 15-17 kcal/mol) were identical for the two microsomal preparations. Although transition breaks were noted for the oxidation of substrates such as dimethylnitrosamine and benzphetamine, activation energies for these two substrates were similar for control microsomes and microsomes from the pyrazole-treated rats. The addition of ferric-EDTA to the microsomes increased the rate of ethanol oxidation by a hydroxyl radical (.OH)-dependent pathway. Arrhenius plots of the .OH-dependent oxidation of ethanol by both microsomal preparations were linear with energies of activation (about 7 kcal/mol) that were considerably lower than values found for the P450-dependent pathway. These results suggest that, at least in terms of activation energy, the increase in microsomal ethanol oxidation by pyrazole treatment is not associated with any apparent change in the overall mechanism or rate-limiting step for ethanol oxidation but likely reflects induction of a P450 isozyme with increased activity toward ethanol. The lower activation energy for the .OH-dependent oxidation of ethanol suggests that different steps are rate limiting for oxidation of ethanol by .OH and by P450, which may reflect the different enzyme components of the microsomal electron transfer system involved in these reactions.

Animals↗

A comparative study of the microsomal S6 phosphatase and phosphorylase phosphatase activities in rat liver.

Rat liver microsomes contain type-1 S6 phosphatase (acting on the serine residues phosphorylated by protein kinase A) and type-1 phosphorylase phosphatase activities. The main aim of this study has been to characterize the microsomal S6 phosphatase activity and to compare its properties with those of the phosphorylase phosphatase activity in the same microsomal preparation. The specific activities of both microsomal S6 phosphatase and phosphorylase phosphatase were 1.6- to 1.7-fold higher in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum than in the rough sarcoplasmic reticulum. Both phosphatase activities were inhibited to a similar extent by MgCl2 (10 mM) and NaF (22 mM), were completely suppressed by glycerophosphate (80 mM) and ZnCl2(10 mM), and were stimulated by MnCl2(1 mM). When analyzed by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 superfine, both phosphatase activities eluted as broad peaks, stretching from the void volume to 45-60 kDa. The microsomal S6 phosphatase and phosphorylase phosphatase activities also displayed the following distinct characteristics: (a) Mn2+ stimulated the S6 phosphatase activity 2.9-fold more than the phosphorylase phosphatase activity, (b) limited trypsin digestion of microsomal preparations increased the phosphorylase phosphatase activity by 1.5- to 2-fold, but decreased the S6 phosphatase activity by 50%, (c) a synthetic peptide analog of S6 (S6229-239) (200 microM), which did not act as a substrate for the microsomal S6 phosphatase and did not affect its activity, inhibited the microsomal phosphorylase phosphatase activity by about 50%, and (d) the elution profile of the phosphorylase phosphatase activity was markedly broader than that of the S6 phosphatase activity. A series of in vivo studies showed that streptozotocin-diabetes and insulin replacement therapy as well as ip injection of insulin or vanadate, which modified the microsomal S6 phosphatase activity, had no statistically significant effects on the microsomal phosphorylase phosphatase activity. Taken together, these results suggest that the microsomal S6 phosphatase and phosphorylase phosphatase activities are due to two distinct enzyme populations.

Animals↗