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Role of electrostatic interactions in the reaction of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase with cytochromes P-450.

Chemical modification of cytochrome P-450 reductase was used to determine the involvement of charged amino acids in the interaction between the reductase and two forms of cytochrome P-450. Acetylation of 11 lysine residues of the reductase with acetic anhydride yielded a 20-40% decrease in the apparent Km of the reductase for cytochrome P-450b or cytochrome P-450c using either 7-ethoxycoumarin or benzphetamine as substrates. A 20-45% decrease in the Vmax was observed except for cytochrome P-450b with 7-ethoxycoumarin as substrate, where there was a 27% increase. Modification of carboxyl groups on the reductase with 1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide (EDC) and methylamine, glycine methyl ester, or taurine as nucleophiles inhibited the interaction with the cytochromes P-450. We were able to modify 4.0, 7.9, and 5.9 carboxyl groups using methylamine, glycine methyl ester, or taurine, respectively. The apparent Km for cytochrome P-450c or cytochrome P-450b was increased 1.3- to 5.2-fold in a reconstituted monooxygenase assay with 7-ethoxycoumarin or benzphetamine as substrate. There were varied effects on the Vmax. There was no significant change in the conformation of the reductase upon chemical modification with either acetic anhydride or EDC. These results strongly suggest that electrostatic interactions as well as steric constraints play a role in the binding and electron transfer step(s) between the reductase and cytochrome P-450.

Acetylation↗

Mechanism of monoclonal antibody inhibition/stimulation of reactions catalyzed by cytochrome P450IIB1.

We describe two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against rat cytochrome P450IIB1 and investigate the mechanisms by which they influence P450IIB1-mediated catalysis. MAb ce9 partially inhibits the activities toward p-nitroanisole, 7-ethoxycoumarin, and benzphetamine as well as NADPH oxidation. These findings can be explained by the observation that ce9 cross-links P450 to form large aggregates resulting in the inhibition of the functional interaction with NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase. Binding of ce9 to P450IIB1 does not affect the spin state of the P450 heme, as revealed by comparing the magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra of free and antibody-bound P450IIB1. On the other hand, the second antibody tested, MAb 14E10, induces a remarkable low to high spin transition upon binding to P450IIB1, as shown by MCD difference spectroscopy. This MAb stimulates activities toward p-nitroanisole and 7-ethoxycoumarin without affecting the rate of NADPH oxidation. This observation indicates that MAb 14E10 may increase the efficiency of electron utilization by P450IIB1. Benzphetamine metabolism remains unchanged in the presence of MAb 14E10.

Animals↗

High-pressure-induced transitions in microsomal cytochrome P450 2B4 in solution: evidence for conformational inhomogeneity in the oligomers.

Pressure-induced changes in ferric P450 2B4 (LM2) were studied as a function of benzphetamine concentration (0.05 divided by 2 mM) and state of aggregation of the hemoprotein in solution. Application of factor analysis to the spectral changes in the Soret region allowed us to resolve two particular pressure-induced processes in 2B4 oligomers. The first process was identified as the conversion of the low-spin P450 into the P420 state. At 25 degrees C it was followed by decay (bleaching) of about 50% of the newly formed P420. The second process was a pressure-induced high- to low-spin shift. Both transitions were reversible, except the hemoprotein bleaching. The amplitude of the P450-->P420 transition accounted for 67 +/- 5% of the total hemoprotein content. Furthermore, the fraction of the hemoprotein exposed to spin equilibrium was not affected by the P450-->P420 conversion and was estimated to be only about 31 +/- 5% of the total hemoprotein content. After the dissociation of the oligomers by 0.2% Triton N-101, the inhomogeneity vanished: 95% of the monomers were involved in the P450-->P420 transition (delta V degrees = -86 ml/mol) followed by intense bleaching of the hemoprotein. This agrees with our earlier observations on the reduced carbonyl complex of P450 2B4 and suggests some conformational difference between subunits in P450 LM2 oligomers. The parameters of the P450-->P420 conversion (delta V degrees = -32 ml/mol, P1/2 = 1560 bar) show no dependency on the substrate concentration. Analysis of the pressure-induced spin shift versus benzphetamine concentration shows this transition to be caused mainly by changes in the spin equilibrium of both substrate-bound (delta V degrees = -49 ml/mol) and substrate-free (delta V degrees = -21 ml/mol) hemoprotein, whereas the substrate binding step itself has a very weak pressure dependency (delta V degrees = -8 ml/mol).

Algorithms↗

Chemical modification of rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450: study of enzymic properties and membrane topology.

Isolated rat liver cytochrome P-450IIB1 was alkylated and acetylated at primary amino groups, and the position of the modified amino acids in the protein was identified. Alkylation of up to nine amino groups did not disturb the interaction of reconstituted P-450 and NADPH-cytochrome-P-450 reductase in a way that hydroxylation of benzphetamine was altered, whereas deethylation of 7-ethoxycoumarin was gradually reduced in parallel with impaired 7-ethoxycoumarin binding. Acetylation of four lysine residues completely inhibited binding and metabolism of 7-ethoxycoumarin but not of benzphetamine. These results suggest the presence of different substrate binding sites on P-450. Exhaustive proteolysis of modified P-450 in proteoliposomes liberated all but the N-terminal modified peptide and 85 to 90% of the cytochrome's mass from intact proteoliposomes. These findings further support our previously proposed model of P-450 topology (Vergères, G., Winterhalter, K.H. and Richter, C. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 3650-3655), in which P-450 is anchored to the membrane with the N-terminal peptide only, the N-terminal methionine facing the lumenal interior.

Alkylation↗

Expression and characterization of a rabbit liver cytochrome P450 belonging to P450IIB subfamily with the aid of the baculovirus expression vector system.

Using baculovirus a cDNA for cytochrome P450 (P450F1) belonging to rabbit P450IIB subfamily was expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda cells, where P450F1 was located on electron-dense structures (derived from the endoplasmic reticulum) present in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Partially purified P450F1 exhibited absorption spectra similar to those of P450(1), the major phenobarbital-inducible form in rabbit liver. Like P450(1), P450F1 could oxidize aminopyrine, benzphetamine, 7-ethoxycoumarin, 1-nitropropane, and 2-nitropropane, though its activities toward benzphetamine and 7-ethoxycoumarin were about 50 and 5%, respectively, of those of P450(1). It is concluded that the members of P450IIB subfamily can act on a variety of xenobiotics, although substrate preferences are different among them.

Animals↗

Immunological and enzymatic comparison of hepatic cytochrome P-450 fractions from phenobarbital-, 3-methylcholanthrene-, beta-naphthoflavone- and 2,3,7,8- tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-treated rats.

A comparison of the cytochrome P-450 forms induced in rat liver microsomes by phenobarbital on the one hand, and 3-methylcholanthrene, beta-naphthoflavone and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on the other hand, was performed using specific antibodies: anti-P-450 B2 PB IG (against the phenobarbital-induced cytochrome P-450) and anti-P-450 B2 BNF IG (against the beta-naphthoflavone-induced cytochrome P-450). On DEAE-cellulose chromatography, four cytochrome P-450 fractions were separated, called P-450 A (non-adsorbed), P-450 Ba, P-450 Bb and P-450 Bc, from control, phenobarbital-, 3-methylcholanthrene, beta-naphthoflavone- and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-treated rats. Cytochrome P-450 A fractions appeared to be unmodified by the inducers, whereas the specifically induced cytochrome P-450 forms were always recovered in Bb fractions. The P-450 Bb fractions induced by 3-methylcholanthrene, beta-naphthoflavone and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin exhibited common antigenic determinants, comparable catalytic activities (benzphetamine N-demethylase, benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase) and similar mol. wts. Moreover, the inhibition patterns by the two antibodies of benzphetamine N-demethylase and benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activities catalysed by 3-methylcholanthrene, beta-naphthoflavone and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin microsomes or by the corresponding P-450 Bb fractions in a reconstituted system were quite identical. By these different criteria, beta-naphthoflavone, 3-methylcholanthrene and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin seem to induce a common cytochrome P-450 species in rat liver.

Animals↗

Identification and partial purification of hamster microsomal cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes.

We have identified and partially purified three forms of cytochrome P-450 from hamster liver microsomes. Phenobarbital (PB) treatment induced three major polypeptides with relative mobilities (Mr) of 47,000, 50,000 and 51,500. The 47,000 polypeptide was assigned as epoxide hydrolase, since it was also enhanced by trans-stilbene oxide (TSO) treatment. Two polypeptides (Mr = 48,500 and 53,500) were induced by both 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and beta-naphthoflavone (BNF) treatments. Treatment with Aroclor 1254 induced three polypeptides (Mr = 48,500, 50,000 and 53,500), indicating the induction of both drug- and carcinogen-inducible cytochrome P-450s. Liver microsomal benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activity was not affected significantly by any of these inducers. In contrast, it was induced 2- to 3-fold in lung microsomes by 3-MC, BNF or Aroclor 1254 treatment. Benzphetamine N-demethylase and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase activities, expressed as nmoles of product formed per min per mg of liver microsomal protein, were increased 3- to 4-fold by either PB or Aroclor treatment. The activity of 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase was the only one enhanced significantly by 3-methylcholanthrene or beta-naphthoflavone treatment in liver microsomes. Pregnenolone-16-alpha-carbonitrile (PCN) and TSO did not alter any of these activities. The major polypeptides induced by PB (Mr = 50,000) and 3-MC (Mr = 48,500 and 53,500 respectively) were partially purified, to a specific content of 6-10 nmoles P-450/mg of protein and were active in catalyzing N-demethylation of benzphetamine, hydroxylation of benzo[a]pyrene, and O-deethylation of 7-ethoxycoumarin with different substrate specificity. None of these isoenzymes immuno-cross-reacted with antibodies prepared against rabbit cytochrome P-450LM2 or P-450LM4.

Animals↗

Obligatory role of cytochrome b5 in the microsomal metabolism of methoxyflurane.

Cytochrome b5 has recently been shown to be required in the reconstituted cytochrome P-450 system for the metabolism of the volatile anesthetic methoxyflurane [E. Canova-Davis and L. A. Waskell, J. biol. Chem. 259, 2541 (1984)]. To determine whether this observation in the reconstituted system was merely dependent on the particular ratios of the various components or some other fortuitous, unknown factor, or whether cytochrome b5 plays a role in the liver microsomal metabolism of methoxyflurane, the following studies were undertaken. Antibody to rabbit holocytochrome b5 was raised in guinea pigs. The antibody to cytochrome b5 was able to inhibit 75% of the microsomal metabolism of methoxyflurane. This same antibody also inhibited methoxyflurane metabolism in the reconstituted system. When the antibody to cytochrome b5 was treated with purified cytochrome b5 before addition to the microsomes, it did not inhibit methoxyflurane metabolism. Furthermore, the antibody to cytochrome b5 did not inhibit the microsomal metabolism of benzphetamine. This suggests that cytochrome b5 was required for the microsomal metabolism of methoxyflurane. It is possible that cytochrome b5 functioned in the metabolism of methoxyflurane by retaining a specific conformation of cytochrome P-450 and not by transferring the second electron to cytochrome P-450. To explore this possibility, cytochrome b5 was reconstituted with Mn3+-protoporphyrin IX. The Mn3+-protoporphyrin IX derivative retained the conformation of cytochrome b5 but not its electron transfer properties. This manganese derivative of cytochrome b5 was unable to stimulate the metabolism of methoxyflurane. The study demonstrated that cytochrome b5 was obligatory for the microsomal metabolism of methoxyflurane, whereas it was not required for the microsomal N-demethylation of benzphetamine. Moreover, the heme moiety of cytochrome b5 functioned to transfer electrons in this reaction.

Animals↗

Differences in the duration of the enhancement of liver mixed-function oxidase activities in ethanol-fed rats after withdrawal.

Liver microsomal mixed-function oxidase activities were determined in female Sprague-Dawley rats after 3 weeks of ethanol feeding and for up to 10 days after withdrawal. Ethanol (36% of total calories) was administered in a high fat liquid diet and was replaced isocalorically by carbohydrates in controls. Chronic ethanol feeding similarly enhanced both microsomal cytochrome P-450 content and benzphetamine N-demethylase activity, per mg of protein, and resulted in a disproportionate increase in both aniline hydroxylase and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase activities. A 6- to 7-day withdrawal period was apparently necessary for the overall disappearance of these effects of ethanol. Marked differences, however, were seen in the time courses of return of these variables to control levels, as also indicated by changes, during this period and specially during the first 24 hr after withdrawal, in the apparent molar activity of the microsomal fraction with the three substrates tested. The results were interpreted as indicating that the distinct ethanol-inducible cytochrome P-450 isozyme, with a high specific activity toward aniline, undergoes a very rapid turnover in liver microsomes. Induction of another form of cytochrome P-450, differing from the former by its slower turnover rate, would explain the induction by ethanol of 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase activity. The withdrawal of ethanol was followed by a rapid but transient increase in benzphetamine N-demethylase activity above the ethanol-induced level, at a time when other activities were rapidly declining. This could suggest that the microsomal content of other cytochrome P-450 isozyme(s), with high specific activity toward this substrate, would also be temporarily altered during ethanol withdrawal. Important alterations in microsomal cytochrome P-450-dependent mixed-function oxidase activities occurred during the initial 24-hr period of withdrawal, even in the absence of a change in microsomal cytochrome P-450 content, indicating that the effects of chronic ethanol ingestion on hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme activities may also be highly dependent on the proximity of ethanol intake.

7-Alkoxycoumarin O-Dealkylase↗

Interaction of drugs and retinol.

In liver microsomes of ethanol-fed rats, retinol competitively inhibited the hydroxylation of aniline, the demethylation of dimethylnitrosamine, and the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde, whereas the inhibition of benzphetamine demethylation was of the mixed type in microsomes of phenobarbital-treated, ethanol-treated or control rats. Conversely, benzphetamine exerted a striking inhibition of the 4-hydroxylation of retinol in microsomes of phenobarbital-treated rats. At the concentration used, ethanol (100 mM) and dimethylnitrosamine (10 mM) had no such effect. In vivo administration of phenobarbital resulted in a 9-fold increase in the Vmax of the microsomal retinol 4-hydroxylase activity, with a 3-fold increase of the Km, whereas ethanol feeding resulted in a doubling of the Vmax with no significant change in the Km. The induction of this microsomal retinol-metabolizing system may contribute to the hepatic vitamin A depletion that has been reported previously after either ethanol or drug administration. Conversely, the observed inhibition, by retinol, of microsomal drug metabolism, including the demethylation of dimethylnitrosamine, may be of significance with regards to the interaction of retinol with carcinogenesis.

Animals↗

Effect of o-benzyl-p-chlorophenol on drug-metabolizing enzymes in rats.

o-Benzyl-p-chlorophenol (BCP) is widely used as a broad spectrum disinfectant. Treatment of male Fischer 344 rats with BCP resulted in an increase in cytochrome P-450 content and an accompanying decrease in aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity in both liver and kidney microsomes. Several other drug-metabolizing enzymes were not affected by BCP treatment. However, in kidney, BCP induced NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and uridine diphosphate glucuronyl transferase activities and caused a small increase in total cytochrome P-450 content and glutathione concentration. The cytochrome P-450 isozymes induced by BCP were fractionated by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The HPLC profile following BCP treatment most closely resembled that seen after phenobarbital. Using an immunoblotting procedure and a radioimmunoassay, it was shown that the increase in cytochrome P-450 content in the liver after BCP treatment was, in part, due to an increase in the phenobarbital-inducible isozymes, P-450b + e. In the kidney, the increase in total cytochrome P-450 content after BCP exposure was not due to an increase in P-450b + e. The decrease in AHH activity appeared to be caused by noncompetitive inhibition of constitutive AHH activity by BCP. BCP also inhibited benzphetamine demethylation, although to a lesser extent. The failure to observe an increase in benzphetamine demethylase activity in vivo, despite the induction of P-450b, was probably due to the concomitant induction and inhibition of drug-metabolizing enzymes by BCP.

Animals↗

Incorporation of cytochrome b5 into rat liver microsomal membranes. Impairment of cytochrome P-450-dependent mixed function oxidase activity.

Cytochrome b5 was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from the liver microsomes of untreated rats and reincorporated into liver microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rats, resulting in an approximate three-fold enrichment of the cytochrome b5 specific content (1.5 nmol haemoprotein X mg-1 protein). Our results have shown that the N-demethylation of benzphetamine was progressively inhibited in cytochrome b5-fortified microsomal preparations. Using stopped flow, visible difference spectrophotometry, the NADPH-driven reduction kinetics of cytochrome P-450 were examined in the modified microsomes over the first few seconds of reaction. Increasing the amount of incorporated cytochrome b5 resulted in a progressive inhibition of the initial, fast phase reduction rate constant of microsomal cytochrome P-450, both in the absence and presence of the type I substrate benzphetamine. Although the initial rate of NADPH-driven cytochrome b5 reduction was the same for both native and cytochrome b5-fortified microsomes, the extent of cytochrome b5 reduction was greater in the fortified microsomes. If cytochrome b5 has a positive role to play in cytochrome P-450-dependent mixed function oxidase activity either as an effector or in electron transfer or both, the former haemoprotein must be already present in sufficient concentrations in the native microsomes.

Animals↗

Effects of poly I: poly C on rat pulmonary and hepatic cytochromes P-450 and b5.

Interferon inducing agents such as poly I:poly C have been shown to reduce the hepatic hemoproteins cytochromes P-450 and b5 along with the associated monooxygenase activities [el Azhary and Mannering, Molec. Pharmac. 15, 698 (1979)]. In a previous study [Kikkawa et al., Lab. Invest. 50, 62 (1984)], we demonstrated that the interferon inducing agent poly I:poly C reduces pulmonary microsomal hemoprotein by 50% when administered to rats. The current investigation was conducted to characterize these changes in more detail and compare them to analogous changes in the liver. Compared to controls, cytochrome P-450 in both the lungs and livers of poly I:poly C treated rats declined by 40% at 24 hr and 55% at 48 hr (P less than 0.01). By 72 hr the decline was only 25%. In contrast, cytochrome b5 levels declined by less than 30% of control values during the first 48 hr following poly I:poly C injection (P less than 0.01) and returned to control levels by 72 hr. These changes in both cytochrome P-450 and b5 were reflected in decreases in pulmonary microsomal hemoprotein. Benzphetamine-N-demethylase activity declined by 45% in lung microsomes at 48 hr (P less than 0.01) after injection of poly I:poly C, while 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase (P less than 0.05) and 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activities declined by approximately 41%. In the liver from these same poly I:poly C treated groups, benzphetamine-N-demethylase declined by 66% (P less than 0.05), while 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase and 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activities declined by 60% (P less than 0.02 and P less than 0.05 respectively).

Animals↗

Effects of the immunosuppressant FK-506 and its analog FK-520 on hepatic and renal cytochrome P450 mixed-function oxidase.

The novel immunosuppressant FK-506 and its analog FK-520 were found to inhibit the hepatic microsomal mixed-function oxidase system in male Sprague-Dawley rats. At 5 and 10 mg/kg/day, s.c., for 6 days they caused 30-80% decreases in cytochrome P450 levels, NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, and benzphetamine N-demethylase activities. The metabolism of FK-506 itself was inhibited by 50%. FK-506 and FK-520 had a minimal effect on the renal cytochrome P450 levels unlike cyclosporin A which produced a 67% increase after six daily 25 mg/kg doses. A single dose of FK-506 (25 mg/kg, s.c.) had a minimal effect on the hepatic or renal metabolizing enzyme system. In vitro, addition of FK-506 and FK-520 to human and control rat liver microsomes resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of benzphetamine N-demethylation (10-20% at 50 microM, 60-75% at 250 microM). We suggest that in view of its potential to inhibit hepatic cytochrome P450-dependent mixed-function oxidase, resulting in the inhibition of its own metabolism, FK-506 should be administered with caution to transplant patients.

7-Alkoxycoumarin O-Dealkylase↗

Induction of cytochrome P450 isozymes by simultaneous inhalation exposure of hens to n-hexane and methyl iso-butyl ketone (MiBK).

Chickens were exposed simultaneously to the industrial hexacarbon solvents n-hexane and methyl iso-butyl ketone (MiBK). n-Hexane has been shown to be neurotoxic in both humans and other vertebrates. While MiBK is not neurotoxic, it has been shown to greatly synergize the clinical appearance of neurotoxicity in animals exposed to both of these solvents. Groups of hens were exposed for 29 days in inhalation chambers to 1000 ppm n-hexane in combination with 10, 100, 250, 500, or 1000 ppm MiBK. Other groups received either 1000 ppm n-hexane, 1000 ppm MiBK, or ambient air and served as controls. A dose-dependent decrease in body weight and an increase in clinical effects were noted for the highest exposure groups (1000 ppm n-hexane combined with 1000, 500 or 250 ppm MiBK). There was an MiBK dose-dependent increase in cytochrome P450 content and benzphetamine N-demethylase activity, but there was no distinct pattern for ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase or cytochrome c reductase activities. Mixed-function oxidase levels and activities (cytochrome P450 content and benzphetamine N-demethylase) were elevated significantly (P less than 0.05) over controls even in the lowest MiBK group (10 ppm), although there were no clinical signs of neurotoxicity. Four different isozymes of cytochrome P450 were measured immunologically. There was a dose-dependent increase in three of the isozymes, two of which were phenobarbital inducible and one of which was induced by beta-napthoflavone. Quantitatively, the largest increase was in the PB-A isozyme, a phenobarbital-inducible isozyme which accounted for approximately 70% of the cytochrome P450 present in animals treated with MiBK. The results suggest that MiBK selectively induces cytochrome P450 isozymes leading to the metabolic activation of the weak neurotoxicant n-hexane to the potent neurotoxicant 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD).

Administration, Inhalation↗

Ethylbenzene-mediated induction of cytochrome P450 isozymes in male and female rats.

Male and female Holtzman rats were exposed to ethylbenzene, and the effect on liver microsomal activities was studied. Hydrocarbon- and sex-dependent effects on P450-dependent metabolism of drugs and aromatic hydrocarbons were investigated. Hydrocarbon treatment produced two patterns of induction in cytochrome P450-dependent activities: (1) induction common to both sexes; and (2) induction exclusively in females. Benzphetamine N-demethylation, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation, p-nitroanisole O-demethylation and aromatic hydroxylation of toluene were induced in both sexes after rats were exposed to ethylbenzene. The rate of benzphetamine N-demethylation increased 4-fold in females and nearly doubled in males. The increase in O-deethylation of 7-ethoxycoumarin was 3-fold in females and doubled in males, while p-nitroanisole O-demethylation increased 4-fold in both sexes after exposure to ethylbenzene. Ethylbenzene had its greatest effect upon the formation of aromatic hydroxylated metabolites of toluene. Ethylbenzene exposure increased the rate of o-cresol formation by 4- and 9-fold in female and male rats, respectively. The formation rate of p-cresol was undetectable in either sex prior to hydrocarbon exposure; however, after the rats were given ethylbenzene, rates increased to 0.4 nmol/min/mg protein in females and to 0.9 nmol/min/mg protein in the males. Ethylbenzene exposure selectively induced aminopyrine demethylation, aniline hydroxylation, N,N-dimethylnitrosamine N-demethylation (DMNA) and aliphatic hydroxylation of toluene in females. Rates for aminopyrine, aniline, and DMNA were increased 50% over controls, while formation of benzyl alcohol from toluene was enhanced to 260% of control. Western immunoblotting indicated that ethylbenzene treatment induced cytochrome P450 2B1/2B2 to a greater extent in male rats and cytochrome P450 2E1 only in females. Ethylbenzene exposure did not affect significantly the level of cytochrome P450 1A1.

Animals↗

Initial characterization of the major mouse cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the reductive metabolism of the hypoxic cytotoxin 3-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine-1,4-di-N-oxide (tirapazamine, SR 4233, WIN 59075).

The benzotriazine di-N-oxide SR 4233 (tirapazamine, WIN 59075) is currently in phase I clinical trials as the lead compound in a series of novel and highly selective antitumour hypoxic cytotoxins. Reductive bioactivation is thought to proceed via a one-electron reduced, oxidizing nitroxide radical and also forms the inactive single N-oxide SR 4317 via radical disproportionation or a second one-electron reduction. In mouse liver microsomes reductive metabolism is catalysed predominantly by cytochrome P450 (70%) and cytochrome P450 reductase (30%). The aim of the present study was to examine which cytochrome P450 isozymes may be involved. Reduction of SR 4233 to SR 4317 was monitored by HPLC analysis. Metabolism by microsomes from both control and dexamethasone-induced BALB/c male mice was 70% inhibited by carbon monoxide. The cytochrome P450 inhibitor SKF 525A, following aerobic preincubation, also inhibited SR 4233 reduction by 58%. Reduction was induced 2-3-fold by dexamethasone and was not accountable by increases in cytochrome P450 reductase or DT-diaphorase. The induction data and the greater degree of inhibition of SR 4233 reduction by metyrapone compared to alpha-naphthoflavone suggested a possible involvement of Cyp2b, Cyp2c and Cyp3a cytochrome P450 subfamilies. Both Cyp3a (7.4-fold) and Cyp2b (1.8-fold) type enzymes were shown by western immunoblot analysis to be induced by dexamethasone, the latter correlating more closely with increased SR 4233 reductase activity and also with the 2-fold induction of benzphetamine N-demethylase, a Cyp2b-type enzyme. No inhibition of SR 4233 reduction was seen with erythromycin or cyclosporin A which act as substrates/inhibitors for Cyp3a-type enzymes, but inhibition was seen with p-nitrophenol and tolbutamide which are substrates for Cyp2el- and Cyp2c-type enzymes, respectively (11% and 25% inhibition in induced microsomes). SR 4233 itself inhibited benzphetamine N-demethylase, which is catalysed by Cyp2b-type enzymes but not erythromycin N-demethylase which is catalysed by Cyp3a-type isoforms. Immunoinhibition studies with epitope specific monoclonal antibodies were consistent with the major involvement of phenobarbitone- and steroid-inducible products of the Cyp2b and Cyp2c subfamilies. These forms contributed at least 53% and 26%, respectively, of the cytochrome P450-associated SR 4233 reductase activity in the induced microsomes. The findings support our earlier conclusion that cytochrome P450 is the major SR 4233 reductase in mouse liver and provides leads as to the possible involvement of specific isoforms in human tumours and normal tissues.

Animals↗

Inactivation of chick embryo hepatic cytochrome P450 1A, 2H and 3A following in ovo administration of 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-ethylpyridine and 3-[2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)thioethyl]-4-methylsydnone.

Rat hepatic cytochrome P450 (P450) isozymes 1A1, 2C6, 2C11, 3A1 and 3A2 are targets for mechanism-based inactivation by the porphyrinogenic compound 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-ethylpyridine (4-ethyl DDC). It is of interest to determine whether similar P450 isozymes are targets of porphyrinogenic drugs in the chick embryo liver. The chick embryo expresses P450 2H1/2 isozymes, which are similar to the rat P450 2B1/2 isozymes, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-inducible P450 1A isozyme, and a pregnenolone 16 alpha-carbonitrile-inducible P450 3A isozyme. We have found previously that chick embryo hepatic P450 1A and 3A isozymes are targeted for in vitro mechanism-based inactivation by 4-ethyl DDC and by the sydnone 3-[2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)thioethyl]-4-methylsydnone (TTMS). Marked differences have been observed between the in vitro and in vivo effects of porphyrinogenic drugs on P450 isozymes. Thus, the first objective of this study was to determine whether chick embryo hepatic P450 1A and 3A isozymes are subject to in ovo inactivation by these porphyrinogenic compounds. Our second objective was to determine whether the chick embryo hepatic P450 2H isozyme(s) was subject to in ovo and in vitro inactivation by 4-ethyl DDC and TTMS. Using hepatic microsomes prepared from beta-naphthoflavone-, dexamethasone-, phenobarbital-, and glutethimide-induced 19-day-old chick embryos, we found that total P450 content was decreased significantly in microsomes prepared from all treatment groups following in ovo administration of 4-ethyl DDC and TTMS. Moreover, in ovo administration of both 4-ethyl DDC and TTMS caused a significant decrease of 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase, erythromycin N-demethylase, and benzphetamine N-demethylase activities, which are selective catalytic markers for chick embryo hepatic P450 1A, 3A and 2H isozymes, respectively. In addition, in vitro administration of 4-ethyl DDC and TTMS caused mechanism-based inactivation of benzphetamine N-demethylase activity in microsomes from phenobarbital- and glutethimide-treated chick embryos, showing that the chick embryo hepatic P450 2H isozyme is a target for mechanism-based inactivation. Therefore, it was concluded that the chick embryo hepatic P450 1A, 2H and 3A isozymes serve as targets for both in ovo and in vitro mechanism-based inactivation by 4-ethyl DDC and TTMS.

Alkylation↗