花生四烯酸细胞色素P450代谢物在肾脏生理和疾病中的作用(英文)

肾脏疾病在全球范围内都是导致死亡的重要原因。肾脏微血管功能失调在肾病的发生与发展中发挥着不可忽视的作用。药理学和生物化学等领域的许多实验方法已被用来研究花生四烯酸的细胞色素P450 (cytochrome P450, CYP450)代谢物对肾脏微血管功能的调控作用。在肾脏中,CYP450表氧化酶代谢物环氧二十碳三烯酸(epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, EETs)主要在肾脏微血管产生。EETs可以通过舒张血管、降低血压、抗细胞凋亡、抗炎等多个方面发挥肾脏保护作用。CYP450表氧化酶代谢物EETs可作为肾脏疾病的治疗靶点。然而,在肾脏发生疾病时,肾脏微血管产生EETs的能力会显著降低。近来,用转基因动物过表达CYP450表氧化酶或用可溶性环氧化物水解酶(soluble epoxide hydrolase, sEH)抑制剂也均证实增加EETs水平具有明显的肾脏保护作用。本综述将重点讨论花生四烯酸的CYP450代谢物EETs在肾脏生理及疾病状态下具体的调控机制。     

花生四烯酸细胞色素P450表氧化酶对凋亡内皮细胞Bcl-2表达、Caspase-3及MAPK活性的影响

花生四烯酸经细胞色素P450表氧化酶代谢产生的内皮来源超极化因子(EDHF)[表氧化二十烷烯酸(EETs)]对内皮细胞具有保护作用。研究了转染细胞色素P450表氧化酶基因CYPBM3·F87V、CYP2C11OR及CYP2J2产生内源性EETs,通过检测内皮细胞中Bcl-2表达、caspase-3的活性及MAPK磷酸化水平探讨内源性EDHF的内皮细胞保护效应及其抗TNF-α诱导内皮细胞凋亡的作用机制。原代培养的牛主动脉血管内皮细胞转染CYP450表氧化酶基因24h后,加入TNF-α作用一定时间诱导内皮细胞凋亡,用Western印迹方法检测Bcl-2的表达,MAPK磷酸化水平,同时测定caspase-3的活性。结果显示转染表氧化酶基因能抑制TNF-α诱导的时间依赖性Bcl-2下调,抑制Caspase-3的激活。TNF-α使细胞内磷酸化MAPK水平呈时间依赖性减低,转染表氧化酶基因后细胞内的磷酸化MAPK水平较对照组升高。因此,转染表氧化酶基因CYPBM3·F87V、CYP2C11OR以及CYP2J2使内皮细胞产生内源性EETs(EDHF)通过激活MAPK(ERK1/2)途径,抑制抗凋亡基因Bcl-2的降解,抑制caspase-3的激活,从而抑制TNF-α诱导的内皮细胞凋亡,因而具有内皮保护效应。     

花生四烯酸细胞色素P450表氧化酶对凋亡内皮细胞Bc1-2表达、Caspase-3及MAPK活性的影响

花生四烯酸经细胞色素P450表氧化酶代谢产生的内皮来源超极化因子(EDHF)[表氧化二十烷烯酸(EETs)]对内皮细胞具有保护作用.研究了转染细胞色素P450表氧化酶基因CYPBM3·F87V、CYP2C110R及CYP2J2产生内源性EETs,通过检测内皮细胞中Bc1-2表达、caspase-3的活性及MAPK磷酸化水平探讨内源性EDHF的内皮细胞保护效应及其抗TNF-α诱导内皮细胞凋亡的作用机制.原代培养的牛主动脉血管内皮细胞转染CYP450表氧化酶基因24h后,加入TNF-α作用一定时间诱导内皮细胞凋亡,用Western印迹方法检测Bcl-2的表达,MAPK磷酸化水平,同时测定caspase-3的活性.结果显示转染表氧化酶基因能抑制TNF-α诱导的时间依赖性Bcl-2下调,抑制Caspase-3的激活.TNF-α使细胞内磷酸化MAPK水平呈时间依赖性减低,转染表氧化酶基因后细胞内的磷酸化MAPK水平较对照组升高.因此,转染表氧化酶基因CYPBM3·F87V、CYP2C11OR以及CYP2J2使内皮细胞产生内源性EETs(EDHF)通过激活MAPK(ERK1/2)途径,抑制抗凋亡基因Bcl-2的降解,抑制caspase-3的激活,从而抑制TNF-α诱导的内皮细胞凋亡,因而具有内皮保护效应.     

可溶性环氧化物水解酶在疾病中的作用

花生四烯酸经过细胞色素P450(cytochrome P450,CYP)表氧化酶途径生成环氧二十碳三烯酸(epoxy eicosatrienoic acid,EETs),具有扩张血管、降低血压、抗炎等多种生物学功能。在哺乳动物系统中的可溶性环氧化物水解酶（soluble epoxide hydrolase,sEH)具有α/β水解酶折叠结构,对环氧脂肪酸具有高度的选择性。sEH能够快速水解EETs,增加患心血管疾病的风险。目前,研究发现sEH抑制剂具有抑制sEH活性、提高EETs的含量的重要功能。 在多种疾病动物模型中应用sEH抑制剂或sEH基因敲除,证实sEH在心肌肥厚、糖尿病、高血压和肾病等疾病中发挥重要的生理作用。因此,sEH已被作为疾病治疗的新靶点而进行研究。本文就sEH的分布、作用机制以及sEH与疾病的关系等方面进行了讨论。     

花生四烯酸细胞色素P450表氧化酶代谢物EETs的内源性心血管保护作用

花生四烯酸(arachidonic acid, AA)是生物体内最丰富的多不饱和脂肪酸,其代谢产物具有广泛的生物学活性。环氧二十碳三烯酸(epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, EETs)是AA经细胞色素P450表氧化酶(cytochrome P450 epoxygenase, CYP450)代谢产生的内源性小分子化合物,近20年的研究表明EETs具有广泛的心血管保护作用,是重要的内源性心血管保护因子。EETs不仅可以改善不同病因导致的心脏重构,抑制心肌肥厚,减轻不同因素导致的心肌损伤,还能明显改善上述病理过程所导致的血流动力学紊乱和心功能损害。在血管保护方面,最早的研究证明EETs是一种内皮来源的超极化因子,可以通过作用于内皮细胞和平滑肌上的钙离子敏感通道而发挥血管舒张作用,随后研究发现,EETs可能有更多非超极化效应而产生降压、改善冠状动脉血供、调节肺动脉压力等作用。此外,EETs还具有显著的内皮保护效应,可以抑制内皮细胞的炎症反应和黏附作用,抑制血小板聚集,促进纤溶和血管的新生。EETs还能改善主动脉重构,包括抑制动脉粥样硬化、主动脉外膜纤维化和主动脉钙化。EETs心血管保护作用的分子机制是多方面的,EETs可通过调控多个信号通路从而调节不同病理生理环节,是一种多靶点内源性心血管保护因子。因此研究EETs在心血管系统中的生理和病理生理作用有利于阐明心血管疾病的内源性保护机制,为心血管疾病的防治提供新策略。本文综述了EETs的内源性心血管保护作用和机制,以期为该领域的转化研究提供新的思路。     

表氧化二十碳三烯对eNOS磷酸化水平的影响及其相关信号转导通路

内皮源性一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)是一氧化氮(NO)参与的血管稳态调节过程中的关键酶. 多种体液因子和机械刺激都可以通过磷酸化修饰调节eNOS的活性, 但具体的信号转导通路因刺激物不同而异. 最近发现花生四烯酸细胞色素P450(CYP)表氧化酶代谢产物表氧化二十碳三烯(EETs)可以显著上调eNOS的蛋白表达并增强其活性, 但其分子机制尚不清楚. 通过在4代以内培养的牛主动脉内皮细胞中直接加入外源性EETs和转染CYP表氧化酶基因CYP2C11和CYPF87V, 并同时给予实验组不同信号转导抑制剂进行干预, 观察其对总的eNOS表达及其在Ser1179 和Thr497位点磷酸化水平的影响. 结果显示, 内外源性EETs均可以显著上调eNOS的蛋白表达并增强及其在Ser1179和Thr497位点的磷酸化水平; PI3K抑制剂LY294002可以阻断EETs对eNOS-Ser1179的磷酸化上调作用, 但它对eNOS-Thr(P)497并无影响, 而Akt抑制剂却可以抑制eNOS在这两个位点的磷酸化, 且这两种抑制剂都可以阻断EETs对eNOS的蛋白表达上调作用.结果提示: (i) EETs对eNOS的活性调节可能与PI3K/Akt所介导的eNOS-Ser1179和Akt所介导的eNOS- Thr497磷酸化水平改变相关; (ii) PI3K/Akt信号通路可能参与了EETs对eNOS的蛋白表达上调过程.     

花生四烯酸细胞色素P450代谢途径在糖尿病中的作用研究进展

花生四烯酸(arachidonic acid,AA)是生物体内含量最丰富,其代谢产物最具生物活性的小分子物质之一.其代谢产物在众多生理及病理生理过程中发挥重要的调节作用.它们除参与细胞生长和分化、生殖和发育、体温及血压的维持等重要生理过程调节外,也在诸如炎症、疼痛、肿瘤、高血压、动脉粥样硬化等人类重大疾病的发生发展中发挥着极其重要的作用.AA及其代谢产物在糖尿病发生发展中的作用也逐渐引起关注,尤其是环氧化酶和脂氧酶代谢途径与糖尿病的关系研究较为广泛.花生四烯酸还可以经细胞色素P450途径产生表氧-二十碳三烯酸(EETs)和20-羟二十烷四烯酸(20-HETE).它们与糖尿病的关系研究甚少.近年来发现EETs和其水解酶与葡萄糖的吸收和胰岛素抵抗有关,20-HETE则参与糖尿病肾功能损伤和血管活性的改变.因而探讨花生四烯酸P450代谢途径对糖尿病的影响及其机制将有利于进一步阐明糖尿病的发病机理,为糖尿病的防治提出新的思路.本文就近五年有关花生四烯酸P450代谢途径与糖尿病关系的研究做一综述,以期为我国在该领域的研究提供新的方向.     

环氧二十碳三烯酸在心血管系统稳态中的生理功能

细胞色素P450表氧化酶与其代谢产物EETs在心血管系统的稳态中具有重要的作用。目前的研究表明,EETs具有调节血管张力,降低血压,促进血管新生以及抗炎等生理作用。深入研究细胞色素P450表氧化酶与EETs在心血管系统中的保护作用及其作用机制,有助于为探索心血管疾病新的治疗策略提供理论依据。     

新生儿CYP2E1基因5′端RsaⅠ位点多态性和PON2基因148位点多态性与早产的关系

为探讨新生儿细胞色素P450 2E1(CYP2E1)基因多态性和对氧磷酶2(二乙基对硝基苯磷酸酯酶2)基因(PON2)148位点多态性对早产的影响,采用横断面调查方法,使用统一的调查表,由安庆市各县医院对入院分娩孕妇及其单胎、活产、早产和对照新生儿进行调查,共得到有效样本209个母亲-新生儿对。单因素分析结果显示：CYP2E1野生纯合子基因型( ／ )与突变纯合子基因型(-／-)／杂合子基因型( ／-)比较,对早产的影响不具有统计学意义。而PON2 Alal48Ala纯合子基因型与G1y148G1y纯合子基因型／Ala148 Gly杂合子基因型比较,对早产的影响具有显著的统计学意义。进一步分析CYP2E1基因5′端RsaⅠ位点多态性和PON2基因148位点多态性是否存在交互作用,结果显示：CYP2E1野生纯合子基因型和PON2 Ala148Ala纯合子基因型这一组合与参照组比较,对早产的影响有显著的统计学意义。基因CYP2E1 5′端Rsa I位点多态性与新生儿早产不相关,但基因PON2 148位点多态性与新生儿早产相关,且CPY2E1 5′端Rsa I位点多态性和PON2 148位点多态性之间对早产的影响存在交互作用。     

细胞色素P450：肿瘤研究中的新热点

细胞色素P450(CYP450)是体内重要的Ⅰ相代谢酶,与许多前致癌物和致癌物的活化有关。CYP450是目前肿瘤研究中新的热点之一。深入研究CYP450在肿瘤发生、发展过程中的作用机制及基因多态性与肿瘤易感性的关系,对肿瘤防治有积极作用。现就近年来CYP450在肿瘤领域的研究进展进行综述。     

Role of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 polymorphisms in patients with atherosclerosis

The arachidonic acid metabolizing CYP enzymes with prominent roles in vascular regulation are epoxygenases of the two gene family which generate epoxyeicosatrienoic acids. Carriers of CYP2C9 mutant alleles exhibit a diminished CYP2C9 metabolic capacity leading to decreased endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHF) synthesis and an increased risk for atherosclerosis. We investigated whether the polymorphisms of CYP2C9/19 are related with atherosclerosis. We examined 108 patients having angioraphically > or =70 coronary artery narrowing and 90 healthy controls. CYPC2C9/19*2 and CYP2C9/19*3 alleles were investigated in both patients and controls by a real time PCR instrument. There was no significant difference in the distribution of the CYP2C9*2/*3 alleles between cases and the controls. We found that smoker patients having CYP2C9*2 heterozygote genotype have 3.7-fold risk of developing atherosclerosis. CYP2C19*3 heterozygote alleles are more frequent in patients than in controls (10.2%, 5.6% respectively) and it is related with a three-fold risk of atherosclerosis (odds ratio (OR) = 3.75, confidence interval (CI) = 0.75-18.65). It becomes clear that cigarette smoking can cause almost all major diseases prevalent today, such as cancer or heart disease. This inter-subject variability in cigarette-induced pathologies is partly mediated by genetic variants of genes that may participate in detoxification processes, e.g., cytochrome P450 (CYP), cellular susceptibility to toxins, such as p53, or disease development such as atherosclerosis.     

FMDV-2A sequence and protein arrangement contribute to functionality of CYP2B1-reporter fusion protein

Two optimized forms of green fluorescence proteins (GFP), enhanced GFP (EGFP) and humanized Renilla GFP (hrGFP), were used to track expression of cytochrome P450 2B1 (CYP2B1), an endoplasmic reticulum membrane-bound protein. In transiently expressing HEK293 cells we show that CYP2B1-GFP fusion proteins are stable and functional, whereas the vice-versa-arranged GFP-CYP2B1 fusions are not. The CYP2B1-hrGFP fusion protein is characterized by reduction in mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) to less than 20% of that of the hrGFP protein alone, accompanied by a 50% loss of CYP2B1 activity. Exchanging the linker for an alpha-helical peptide structure between CYP2B1 and hrGFP does not improve fusion protein activity. Insertion of a short linker (five amino acids) increases reporter protein fluorescence intensity twofold without improving CYP2B1 activity. Introduction of the foot and mouth disease virus 2A sequence providing cotranslational cleavage led to an unstable hrGFP-2A protein, whereas the corresponding EGFP-2A protein was stable and yielded an MFI superior to those of all other fusion constructs tested. CYP2B1 activity of the EGFP-2A-CYP2B1 protein was in the range of that of the unmodified CYP2B1. These data indicate that the protein arrangement EGFP-2A-CYP2B1 is superior to others, since it is most active and visible, which is essential for an effective tracking of the CYP2B1 enzyme.     

Comparison of genomic and cDNA sequences of guinea pig CYP2B18 and rat CYP2B2: absence of a phenobarbital-responsive enhancer module in the upstream region of the CYP2B18 gene

Potential mechanisms were investigated whereby CYP2B18, a cytochrome P450 gene exhibiting high constitutive expression but only low levels of phenobarbital-inducibility in the guinea pig liver, may be differentially regulated versus the highly inducible rat CYP2B2 gene. To comparatively assess potential regulatory sequences associated with CYP2B18, a guinea pig genomic library was screened enabling isolation of the CYP2B18 gene. The genomic screening process resulted in the identification of at least four closely-related CYP2B18 genes, designated here as CYP2B18A-D. Of these isolates, CYP2B18A exhibited sequence identical to that of the CYP2B18 cDNA. Further, the deduced amino acid sequence of the CYP2B18 cDNA was identical to that of N-terminal and internally-derived peptide sequences obtained in this investigation from CYP2B18 protein isolated from guinea pig liver. Genomic structural sequences were derived for CYP2B18A, together with the respective 5'-upstream and intronic regions of the gene. Comparison of the CYP2B18A and CYP2B2 gene sequences revealed the lack of repetitive LINE gene sequences in CYP2B18A, putative silencing elements that effect neighboring genes, although these sequences were present in both 5'-upstream and 3'-downstream regions of CYP2B2. We determined that the phenobarbital-responsive enhancer module was absent from the 5'-upstream region as well as the intronic regions of CYP2B18A gene. We hypothesize that the compromised phenobarbital inducibility of CYP2B18A stems from its lack of a functional phenobarbital responsive enhancer module.     

Linkage between the CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 genetic polymorphisms

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 and 2C9 are polymorphic enzymes. The CYP2C8*3 and CYP2C9*2 are the major variant alleles in Caucasian populations. The enzymes encoded by these variant alleles have impaired function for the metabolism of several drug substrates. In the present study 1468 subjects that were used as population-based controls in the Stockholm Heart Epidemiology Program (SHEEP) were genotyped by allelic discrimination using a 5'-nuclease assay for CYP2C8*1, 2C8*3, 2C9*1, 2C9*2, and 2C9*3 variant alleles in which the frequencies appeared to be 0.91, 0.095, 0.83, 0.11, and 0.066, respectively. Approximately, 96% of the subjects with CYP2C8*3 allele also carried a CYP2C9*2 and 85% of the subjects that had CYP2C9*2 variant also carried a CYP2C8*3. The number of subjects carrying both of the CYP2C8*1*3 and CYP2C9*1*2 was 4.5-fold higher than expected. This strong association may be of importance especially for the metabolism of common substrates of CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 like arachidonic acid that produces physiologically active metabolites.     

应用HRM技术对CYP2C19*2和CYP2C19*3进行双重SNP分型

氯吡格雷是一种广泛用于预防静脉血栓形成的抗血小板药物。研究表明, 携带有CYP2C19基因功能缺失型等位基因CYP2C19*2、CYP2C19*3的病人, 其体内代谢氯吡格雷成为其活性形式的能力降低, 导致氯吡格雷抑制血小板聚集功能减弱。文章旨在建立一种利用高分辨率熔解曲线分析(High-resolution melting curve analysis,HRM)技术在闭合单管中同时对CYP2C19*2、CYP2C19*3两个多态性位点进行简便、准确分型的方法。本实验针对两个SNP位点分别设计特异性的HRM引物, 并在两个位点引物的5′端分别加上富含AT和GC的序列, 保证两个位点的扩增产物熔解峰无重叠。利用HRM技术, 快速、灵敏地对64例随机DNA样本的CYP2C19*2 、CYP2C19*3两个多态性位点进行了基因分型, 且HRM方法的分型结果与测序验证结果完全一致。因此, 利用HRM技术可以实现在闭合单管中简便、准确地对CYP2C19*2 、CYP2C19*3两个多态性位点同时进行基因分型。该方法有望应用于临床, 指导氯吡格雷的个体化用药。     

Frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms of CYP2D6 in the Czech population

CYP2D6 is a member of cytochrome P450 enzymes that metabolise over 25% of commonly used drugs. Genetic polymorphisms can cause insufficient drug efficacy at usually administered doses or can be the cause of adverse drug reaction. CYP2D6 genotyping can be used to predict CYP2D6 phenotype and thereby explain some abnormalities in drug response and thus optimize pharmacotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of functionally important variant alleles of the CYP2D6 gene throughout the Czech population to predict the prevalence of ultra-rapid and poor metabolizer phenotypes. The DNA of 223 unrelated, healthy volunteers was analysed to detect the presence of CYP2D6*6, *5, *4, *3 and gene duplication. The variant allele frequencies in our population were 0.22%, 3.14%, 22.87%, 1.12% and 3.14% for CYP2D6*6, CYP2D6*5, CYP2D6*4, CYP2D6*3 and CYP2D6*MxN, respectively. Fifteen subjects carried two variant alleles leading to predicted poor type of metabolism, 84 subjects were heterozygous extensive metabolizers (het-EM). The full-text contains detailed comparison with European white populations. The distribution of variant alleles complies with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The frequencies of functional variant alleles of CYP2D6 in Czech population are in concordance with other Caucasian populations.     

Endothelium‐specific CYP2J2 overexpression attenuates age‐related insulin resistance

Ample evidences demonstrate that cytochrome P450 epoxygenase‐derived epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) exert diverse biological activities, which include potent vasodilatory, anti‐inflammatory, and cardiovascular protective effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of endothelium‐specific CYP2J2 overexpression on age‐related insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction. Endothelium‐specific targeting of the human CYP epoxygenase, CYP2J2, transgenic mice (Tie2‐CYP2J2‐Tr mice) was utilized. The effects of endothelium‐specific CYP2J2 overexpression on aging‐associated obesity, inflammation, and peripheral insulin resistance were evaluated by assessing metabolic parameters in young (3 months old) and aged (16 months old) adult male Tie2‐CYP2J2‐Tr mice. Decreased insulin sensitivity and attenuated insulin signaling in aged skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and liver were observed in aged adult male mice, and moreover, these effects were partly inhibited in 16‐month‐old CYP2J2‐Tr mice. In addition, CYP2J2 overexpression‐mediated insulin sensitization in aged mice was associated with the amelioration of inflammatory state. Notably, the aging‐associated increases in fat mass and adipocyte size were only observed in 16‐month‐old wild‐type mice, and CYP2J2 overexpression markedly prevented the increase in fat mass and adipocyte size in aged Tie2‐CYP2J2‐Tr mice, which was associated with increased energy expenditure and decreased lipogenic genes expression. Furthermore, these antiaging phenotypes of Tie2‐CYP2J2‐Tr mice were also associated with increased muscle blood flow, enhanced active‐phase locomotor activity, and improved mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle. Collectively, our findings indicated that endothelium‐specific CYP2J2 overexpression alleviated age‐related insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction, which highlighted CYP epoxygenase‐EET system as a potential target for combating aging‐related metabolic disorders.     

Polymorphic Cytochromes P450 and Drugs Used in Psychiatry

1. The cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and CYP2C9, display polymorphism. CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 have been studied extensively, and despite their low abundance in the liver, they catalyze the metabolism of many drugs.2. CYP2D6 has numerous allelic variants, whereas CYP2C19 has only two. Most variants are translated into inactive, truncated protein or fail to express protein.3. CYP2C9 is expressed as the wild-type enzyme and has two variants, in each of which one amino acid residue has been replaced.4. The nucleotide base sequences of the cDNAs of the three polymorphic genes and their variants have been determined, and the proteins derived from these genes have been characterized.5. An absence of CYP2D6 and/or CYP2C19 in an individual produces a poor metabolizer (PM) of drugs that are substrates of these enzymes.6. When two drugs that are substrates for a polymorphic CYP enzyme are administered concomitantly, each will compete for that enzyme and competitively inhibit the metabolism of the other substrate. This can result in toxicity.7. Patients can be readily phenotyped or genotyped to determine their CYP2D6 or CYP2C19 enzymatic status. Poor metabolizers (PMs), extensive metabolizers (EMs), and ultrarapid metabolizers (URMs) can be identified.8. Numerous substrates and inhibitors of CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and CYP2C9 are identified.9. An individual's diet and age can influence CYP enzyme activity.10. CYP2D6 polymorphism has been associated with the risk of onset of various illnesses, including cancer, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and epilepsy.     

The roles of amino acid residues at positions 43 and 45 in microsomal contents and enzymatic functions of rat CYP2D1 and CYP2D2

The effects of the substitution of amino acid residues at positions 43 and 45 of rat CYP2D1 and CYP2D2 on their microsomal contents and enzymatic functions were examined. The substitution of Val-45 of CYP2D1 by glycine decreased the microsomal content, whereas the substitution of Gly-45 of CYP2D2 by valine increased. The substitution of Leu-43 of CYP2D2 by tryptophan also increased the microsomal protein content. In reduced CO-difference spectra, CYP2D2 showed a P420 peak as well as a P450 peak, whereas CYP2D1 gave only a P450 peak. The substitution of Leu-43 and Gly-45 of CYP2D2 by valine and tryptophan, respectively, markedly decreased the P420 peak in parallel with an increase in P450 content. These substitutions did not cause remarkable changes in drug oxidation capacities (bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation and debrisoquine 4-hydroxylation) of the recombinant enzymes in terms of nmol/min/nmol CYP. The results indicate that amino acid residues at positions 43 and 45 are important for anchoring of the rat CYP2D proteins and their stabilities in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane.