Structure-activity relationship of ibogaine analogs interacting with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in different conformational states

The interaction of ibogaine analogs with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) in different conformational states was studied by functional and structural approaches. The results established that ibogaine analogs: (a) inhibit (±)-epibatidine-induced Ca2? influx in human embryonic muscle AChRs with the following potency sequence (IC(50) in μM): (±)-18-methylaminocoronaridine (5.9±0.3)～(±)-18-methoxycoronaridine (18-MC) (6.8±0.8)>(-)-ibogaine (17±3)～(+)-catharanthine (20±1)>(±)-albifloranine (46±13), (b) bind to the [3H]TCP binding site with higher affinity when the Torpedo AChR is in the desensitized state compared to that in the resting state. Similar results were obtained using [3H]18-MC. These and docking results suggest a steric interaction between TCP and ibogaine analogs for the same site, (c) enhance [3H]cytisine binding to resting but not to desensitized AChRs, with desensitizing potencies (apparent EC??) that correlate very well with the pK(i) values in the desensitized state, and (d) there are good bilinear correlations between the ligand molecular volumes and their affinities in the desensitized and resting states, with an optimal volume of ～345 ?3 for the ibogaine site. These results indicate that the size of the binding sites for ibogaine analogs, located between the serine and nonpolar rings and shared with TCP, is an important structural feature for binding and for inducing desensitization.     

Selectivity of coronaridine congeners at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and inhibitory activity on mouse medial habenula

The inhibitory activity of coronaridine congeners on human (h) α4β2 and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) is determined by Ca²⁺ influx assays, whereas their effects on neurons in the ventral inferior (VI) aspect of the mouse medial habenula (MHb) are determined by patch-clamp recordings. The Ca²⁺ influx results clearly establish that coronaridine congeners inhibit hα3β4 AChRs with higher selectivity compared to hα4β2 and hα7 subtypes, and with the following potency sequence, for hα4β2: (±)-18-methoxycoronaridine [(±)-18-MC] > (+)-catharanthine > (±)-18-methylaminocoronaridine [(±)-18-MAC] ∼ (±)-18-hydroxycoronaridine [(±)-18-HC]; and for hα7: (+)-catharanthine > (±)-18-MC > (±)-18-HC > (±)-18-MAC. Interestingly, the inhibitory potency of (+)-catharanthine (27 ± 4 μM) and (±)-18-MC (28 ± 6 μM) on MHb (VI) neurons was lower than that observed on hα3β4 AChRs, suggesting that these compounds inhibit a variety of endogenous α3β4* AChRs. In addition, the interaction of bupropion with (−)-ibogaine sites on hα3β4 AChRs is tested by [³H]ibogaine competition binding experiments. The results indicate that bupropion binds to ibogaine sites at desensitized hα3β4 AChRs with 2-fold higher affinity than at resting receptors, suggesting that these compounds share the same binding sites. In conclusion, coronaridine congeners inhibit hα3β4 AChRs with higher selectivity compared to other AChRs, by interacting with the bupropion (luminal) site. Coronaridine congeners also inhibit α3β4*AChRs expressed in MHb (VI) neurons, supporting the notion that these receptors are important endogenous targets for their anti-addictive activities.     

Kinetics of inhibition of calf intestinal adenosine deaminase by (+)- and (-)-erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine.

The enantiomers of erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine [(+)- and (-)-EHNA) bound to adenosine deaminase (ADA) at pH 7 with concomitant changes in the optical properties of the enzyme. The association rate constant for (+)-EHNA was 2.9 x 10(6) M-1 s-1 and that for (-)-EHNA was 6.4 x 10(6) M-1 s-1. The dissociation of (-)-EHNA.ADA or (+)-EHNA.ADA in the presence of excess coformycin was monitored by the quenching of enzyme fluorescence as coformycin.ADA was formed. The dissociation rate constants of (+)- and (-)-EHNA.ADA were 0.0054 s-1 and 2.7 s-1, respectively. A similar value for the dissociation rate constant (0.005 s-1) for (+)-EHNA.ADA was calculated from the time course for the appearance of catalytic activity after dilution of (+)-EHNA.ADA into 100 microM adenosine. The Ki values of ADA for (+)- and (-)-EHNA were similar to the dissociation constants calculated from the ratio of the respective dissociation and association rate constants. The biphasic time-dependent inhibition of the catalytic activity of ADA by (+/- )-EHNA [Frieden, C., Kurz, L. C., & Gilbert, H. R. (1980) Biochemistry 19, 5303-5309] was confirmed. However, the catalytic activity of ADA was inhibited monophasically by (+)-EHNA. Thus, the biphasic nature of the time course for inhibition of ADA by (+/- )-EHNA was the result of the presence of both enantiomers of the inhibitor in this assay. These kinetic data were interpreted in terms of single-step mechanisms for binding of (+)- and (-)-EHNA.     

Interaction of 18-methoxycoronaridine with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in different conformational states

The interaction of 18-methoxycoronaridine (18-MC) with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) was compared with that for ibogaine and phencyclidine (PCP). The results established that 18-MC: (a) is more potent than ibogaine and PCP inhibiting (±)-epibatidine-induced AChR Ca²⁺ influx. The potency of 18-MC is increased after longer pre-incubation periods, which is in agreement with the enhancement of [³H]cytisine binding to resting but activatable Torpedo AChRs, (b) binds to a single site in the Torpedo AChR with high affinity and inhibits [³H]TCP binding to desensitized AChRs in a steric fashion, suggesting the existence of overlapping sites. This is supported by our docking results indicating that 18-MC interacts with a domain located between the serine (position 6′) and valine (position 13′) rings, and (c) inhibits [³H]TCP, [³H]ibogaine, and [³H]18-MC binding to desensitized AChRs with higher affinity compared to resting AChRs. This can be partially attributed to a slower dissociation rate from the desensitized AChR compared to that from the resting AChR. The enthalpic contribution is more important than the entropic contribution when 18-MC binds to the desensitized AChR compared to that for the resting AChR, and vice versa. Ibogaine analogs inhibit the AChR by interacting with a luminal domain that is shared with PCP, and by inducing desensitization.     

(+)-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1-propyl)piperidine [(+)-3-PPP] but not (-)-3-PPP produces (+)-N-allylnormetazocine-like (SKF 10,047) discriminative stimuli

In rats trained to discriminate the prototypic sigma receptor agonist, (+)-N-Allylnormetazocine [(+)-N-Allylnormetazocine [(+)-NANM/SKF 10,047], from saline, the (+)- but not the (-)-isomer of 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1-propyl)piperidine (3-PPP) produced (+)-NANM-like discriminative stimuli. (+)-3-PPP binds stereo selectively to the (+)-NANM binding site, but not to the phencyclidine binding site. Additionally, phencyclidine was found to produce (+)-NANM-like discriminative stimuli. Although the 3-PPP isomers were shown to produce changes in central dopaminergic activity (Hjorth et al. Life Sci 37, 673, 1985), the discriminative stimulus properties of (+)-3-PPP are apparently not mediated via the dopaminergic system. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that apomorphine did not produce (+)-NANM-like discriminative stimuli. These stimuli are thus non-dopaminergic and may be due to the (+)-3-PPP actions at the sigma binding site. However, it is possible that (+)-NANM, PCP, and (+)-3-PPP may have common non-sigma pharmacologic properties that account for the similar discriminative stimulus properties of these compounds.     

Functional characterization of MHC class II-restricted CD8+CD4- and CD8-CD4- T cell responses to infection in CD4-/- mice

Classical CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells recognize Ag presented by MHC class II (MHCII) and MHC class I (MHCI), respectively. However, our results show that CD4(-/-) mice mount a strong, readily detectable CD8(+) T cell response to MHCII-restricted epitopes after a primary bacterial or viral infection. These MHCII-restricted CD8(+)CD4(-) T cells are more similar to classical CD8(+) T cells than to CD4(+) T cells in their expression of effector functions during a primary infection, yet they also differ from MHCI-restricted CD8(+) T cells by their inability to produce high levels of the cytolytic molecule granzyme B. After resolution of a primary infection, epitope-specific MHCII-restricted T cells in CD4(-/-) mice persist for a long period of time as memory T cells. Surprisingly, upon reinfection the secondary MHCII-restricted response in CD4(-/-) mice consists mainly of CD8(-)CD4(-) T cells. In contrast to CD8(+) T cells, MHCII-restricted CD8(-)CD4(-) T cells are capable of producing IL-2 in addition to IFN-gamma and thus appear to have attributes characteristic of CD4(+) T cells rather than CD8(+) T cells. Therefore, MHCII-restricted T cells in CD4(-/-) mice do not share all phenotypic and functional characteristics with MHCI-restricted CD8(+) T cells or with MHCII-restricted CD4(+) T cells, but, rather, adopt attributes from each of these subsets. These results have implications for understanding thymic T cell selection and for elucidating the mechanisms regulating the peripheral immune response and memory differentiation.     

The time course of effects of cadmium and 3-methylcholanthrene on activities of enzymes of xenobiotic metabolism and metallothionein levels in the plaice, Pleuronectes platessa

Plaice were treated with an acute dose of a polyaromatic hydrocarbon (3-methylcholanthrene, 3-MC) or cadmium, or 3-MC and cadmium by i.p. injection. The effects on hepatic detoxication systems, cytochrome P-450 (ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase, EROD), UDP-glucuronyl transferase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase activities, total glutathione (GSH), metallothionein and Cd and Zn in the cytosol were studied over a 14 day period. 3-MC increased EROD (7-18-fold), glucuronyl transferase (40%) and GSH transferase (200%) activities, whereas GSH peroxidase activity decreased by 60%. Cd treatment inhibited EROD (90%), GSH transferase (90%) and GSH peroxidase (30%) activities and displaced Zn. Total GSH levels increased (200%) prior to onset of metallothionein synthesis (6 days). Cotreatment with 3-MC and Cd led to a marked increase in GSH levels (300%) but the onset of metallothionein synthesis was delayed by a week. Induction of enzyme activities was abolished, EROD activity was strongly inhibited and there was a transient 50-90% decrease in glucuronyl transferase, GSH transferase and GSH peroxidase activities on days 2 and 3 after treatment. The results indicate that a polyaromatic hydrocarbon could result in increased peroxidative damage, the heavy metal Cd can severely inhibit organic xeno- and endobiotic metabolism and that the effects of both agents may be synergistic.     

Fungal oxidation of 3-methylcholanthrene: Formation of proximate carcinogenic metabolites of 3-methylcholanthrene

The filamentous fungus, Cunninghamella elegans, was found to metabolize the potent carcinogen, 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) to 1-hydroxy-3-MC, 2-hydroxy-3-MC, 1-keto-3-MC, 2-keto-3-MC and trans-9,10-dihydrodiols of 1-hydroxy-3-MC. In addition several unidentified derivatives of 3-MC were found. The metabolites formed were separated by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and identified by comparison of retention times, absorbance, fluorescence and mass spectra with those of synthetic standards. Incubation of (±)-1-hydroxy-3-MC and (±)-2-hydroxy-3-MC with cells of C. elegans indicated that 1-hydroxy-3-MC is metabolized to form diasteromerically related trans-9,10-dihydrodiols of 1-hydroxy-3-MC. Experiments with 3-[¹⁴C]MC showed that over a 48-h period, 8.7% of the hydrocarbon was oxidized to organic solvent-soluble metabolic products. Most of the metabolites were polar products, some of which co-chromatographed with trans-9,10-dihydrodiols of 1-hydroxy-3-MC. The results show that C. elegans has the ability to oxidize 3-MC to metabolites that have been implicated as proximate carcinogenic forms of 3-MC in higher organisms.     

Biochemical pharmacology of (+)- and (-)-2',3'-dideoxy-3'-thiacytidine as anti-hepatitis B virus agents.

2',3'-Dideoxy-3'-thiacytidine (cis-(+/-)-SddC) was found to have potent activity against hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency viruses in culture. Recent studies by us identified (-)-SddC as the stereoisomer responsible for the antiviral effect and showed that the cytotoxicity was mainly caused by (+)-SddC. Metabolism studies showed that these drugs were converted to their monophosphates, diphosphates, and triphosphates. The enzyme responsible for the formation of monophosphates was identified to be cytoplasmic deoxycytidine kinase in CEM cells. Uptake studies showed that the intracellular concentration of (-)-SddC and its metabolites was approximately 5-fold higher than that of (+)-SddC metabolites. (-)-SddCTP was more potent than (+)-SddCTP in inhibiting hepatitis B virus replication; (+)- and (-)-SddCTP exhibited minimal inhibition on polymerases alpha and delta, more inhibition on beta, and strong inhibition on gamma. In all cases, (+)-SddCTP was found to be more inhibitory than (-)-SddCTP to all four polymerases. (+)-SddCMP competed with dCTP for incorporation into DNA by DNA polymerase gamma and beta and served as a chain terminator; however, similar incorporation was not detected using other polymerases. The selective inhibition of DNA synthesis in isolated mitochondria by (+)- and (-)-SddCTP suggests a stereospecificity on the mitochondrial uptake of deoxynucleoside triphosphates.     

Carbon tetrachloride activation in liver microsomes from rats induced with 3-methylcholantrene

The irreversible binding of¹⁴C from¹⁴CCl₄ to microsomal lipids is decreased in animals treated with 3-methylcholantrene (3-MC), while it is increased in animals induced with phenobarbital (PB). CCl₄-induced lipid peroxidation in 3-MC treated rats is as intense as in controls. Destruction of glucose 6-phosphatase (G6P-ase) by CCl₄ is smaller in 3-MC treated rats than in controls. Destruction of total cytochrome P-450 (P-450 + P₁-450) by CCl₄ is smaller in 3-MC treated than in PB treated rats but similar to that obtained in controls. Results would indicate that P-450 would participate in CCl₄ activation much more effectively than P₁-450.     

Cutaneous metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene: comparative studies in C57BL/6N and DBA/2N mice and neonatal Sprague--Dawley rats

The metabolism of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) was studied using microsomes prepared from the skin of the mouse and rat. Topical application of the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) Aroclor 1254 or the PAH 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) to the skin of the C57BL/6N and DBA/2N mouse and the Sprague-Dawley rat caused statistically significant enhancement of cutaneous microsomal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity in each animal. PCB was a more potent inducer of the enzyme than was 3-MC. BaP metabolism by skin microsomes from the same animals was assessed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The skin of untreated animals metabolized BaP into 9,10-, 7,8- and 4,5-dihydrodiols, phenols and quinones. Skin application of PCB caused greater than 16–18-fold enhancement of BaP metabolism in the C57BL/6N mouse and the rat and 2–5-fold enhancement in the DBA/2N mouse. Skin application of 3-MC enhanced BaP metabolism 2–8-fold in the C57BL/6N mouse and 5–10-fold in the rat and had no effect in the DBA/2N mouse. The formation of procarcinogenic metabolite BaP-7, 8-diol was greatly enhanced (4–12-fold) by treatment with the PCB and 3-MC in the tumor susceptible C57BL/6N mouse and in the tumor-resistant neonatal Sprague-Dawley rat. In contrast, the formation of BaP-7,8-diol was either slightly enhanced (2-fold) or unaffected by treatment with the PCB or 3-MC in the tumor-resistant DBA/2N mouse. Our data indicate that neither the patterns of metabolism nor the amount of BaP-7,8-diol formation in the skin are reliable predictors of tumor susceptibility to the PAH in rodent skin.     

3-Methylcholanthrene induces phenobarbital-induced cytochrome P-450 hemoprotein in fetal liver and not cytochrome P-448 hemoprotein induced in maternal liver of rats

The characteristic nature of the drug-metabolizing system in fetal liver microsomes of rats was investigated. The aminopyrine(AM)- and the hexobarbital (HB)-metabolizing activities in fetal liver microsomes of the 21st day of pregnancy were induced by the maternal administration of 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) once daily on the 18th and the 19th day of pregnancy, while they were inhibited in maternal liver microsomes. The inductions of the AM- and the HB-metabolizing enzymes in fetal liver microsomes of rat by the maternal administration of 3-MC occurred exclusively in fetal period and simultaneously hemoprotein like phenobarbital-induced type P-450 different from that in maternal liver microsomes was newly induced in fetal liver microsomes of rats.     

Effects of the R(+)- and S(-)-isomers of beta-adrenoceptor blockers with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, befunolol and carteolol, on rabbit intraocular pressure.

Effects of the R(+)- and S(-)-isomers of befunolol and carteolol, beta-adrenoceptors with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, on the rabbit intraocular pressure were tested. The intraocular pressure was decreased by instillation of the R(+)- and S(-)-isomers of befunolol (0.1 and 0.3%) and of carteolol (1.0%) to the eye and attained the minimum level at 60 min. However, 0.3% of the R(+)- and S(-)-isomers of carteolol did not influence the pressure. The corresponding time courses for the intraocular pressure for the R(+)- and S(-)-isomers did not differ, suggesting that in the treatment of glaucoma, the therapeutic advantage of the R(+)-isomers of befunolol and carteolol may be similar to the S(-)-isomers.     

The effect of Sudan III on drug metabolizing enzymes

We have examined the induction of drug metabolizing enzymes in rat liver microsomes by azo dye, 1-(p-phenylazophenylazo)-2-naphthol (Sudan III). Marked increases were observed in the levels of cytochrome P-448 as well as in p-nitroanisole O-demethylase (p-NAD), amaranth (AR) and neoprontosil reductases (NPR) and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECD) activities. On the other hand, aminopyrene N-demethylase activity was not significantly increased. Further, induced ECD activity was inhibited 90% by a specific antibody against cytochrome P-448 while the inhibition observed with an antibody against cytochrome P-450 was less than 25%. Simultaneous administration of Sudan III and 3-methylcholanthene (3-MC) induced cytochrome P-448 up to a level brought about by either Sudan III or 3-MC treatment alone. In contrast, Sudan III did not induce cytochrome P-448 in the 3-MC insensitive DBA/2 mouse. Solubilized microsomes from Sudan III-treated rats showed an identical sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic (SDS-PAGE) pattern with those from 3-MC-treated animals. It is concluded that the cytochrome P-448 induced in liver by Sudan III is very similar to that induced by 3-MC. Sudan III also induced UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity towards 1-naphthol and estradiol. It did not induce NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, nor any of the enzymes which constitute the microsomal electron transport chain except for cytochrome P-448.     

Determination of a neuroprotective agent (S)-(+)-BMS-204352 in human, rat and dog plasma by enantioselective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method (LC/ESI/MS/MS) for the enantioselective determination of (S)-(+)-BMS-204352, a potent and specific maxi-K channel opener, in human, rat and dog plasma was developed. (S)-(+)-BMS-204352, its enantiomer (R)-(--)-BMS-204353 and the internal standard (13C-deuterated racemate of (S)-(+)-BMS-204352) were extracted from plasma using toluene. Chromatographic separation for the enantiomers was achieved on a Chiralcel OD-H analytical column with a run time of 8 min. An aqueous mobile phase modifier was added post column to enhance the mass spectrometer sensitivity. ESI mass spectra were acquired in the negative mode with selected reaction monitoring. The limit of quantitation (LLOQ) is 0.10 ng/mL for human plasma assay. Samples from a clinical study and two animal studies were processed using these procedures. Based on the in vivo data, lack of inversion of (S)-(+)-BMS-204352 to (R)-(--)-BMS-204353 was demonstrated in human, rat and dog after administration of the drug. A sensitive non-enantioselective LC/ESI/MS/MS assay has also been developed for (S)-(+)-BMS-204352 which uses a similar extraction procedure with a C18 column with a limit of quantitation at 0.05 ng/mL. Human study samples were analyzed by both methods and the correlation coefficient between both sets of data is greater than 0.99.     

Synthesis and Biological Properties of (+) and (-)-(E)-5-(2-bronovinyl)-21 -deoxy-11 a-Carbauridine

Abstract

Carbocyclic (+)- and (-)-(E)-5- (2-bromovinyl)-2′-deoxyuridlne have been prepared from (+)- and (-)-endo-norborn-5-en-2-y1 butyrate. In cell cultures both (+)- and (-)-C-BVDU showed activity against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, (+)-C-BVDU being only slightly less active than BVDU itself. (-)-C-BVDU gave a smaller but still significant antiviral effect. A nomenclature for carbocyclic nucleosides is proposed.     

Mucosal and peripheral Lin- HLA-DR+ CD11c/123- CD13+ CD14- mononuclear cells are preferentially infected during acute simian immunodeficiency virus infection

Massive infection of memory CD4 T cells is a hallmark of early simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection, with viral infection peaking at day 10 postinfection (p.i.), when a majority of memory CD4 T cells in mucosal and peripheral tissues are infected. It is not clear if mononuclear cells from the monocyte and macrophage lineages are similarly infected during this early phase of explosive HIV and SIV infections. Here we show that, at day 10 p.i., Lin(-) HLA-DR(+) CD11c/123(-) CD13(+) CD14(-) macrophages in the jejunal mucosa were infected, albeit at lower levels than CD4 memory T cells. Interestingly, Lin(-) HLA-DR(+) CD11c/123(-) CD13(+) CD14(-) macrophages in peripheral blood, like their mucosal counterparts, were preferentially infected compared to Lin(-) HLA-DR(+) CD11c/123(-) CD13(+) CD14(+) monocytes, suggesting that differentiated macrophages were selectively infected by SIV. CD13(+) CD14(-) macrophages expressed low levels of CD4 compared to CD4 T cells but expressed similar levels of CCR5 as lymphocytes. Interestingly, CD13(+) CD14(-) macrophages expressed Apobec3G at lower levels than CD13(+) CD14(+) monocytes, suggesting that intracellular restriction may contribute to the differential infection of mononuclear subsets. Taken together, our results suggest that CD13(+) CD14(-) macrophages in mucosal and peripheral tissues are preferentially infected very early during the course of SIV infection.     

Responses of frog skin Na(+) and Cl(-) transport to guanylin

A possible role for the peptide hormone guanylin was investigated in frog skin (Rana pipiens) epithelium. Sodium and chloride fluxes in response to this peptide were evaluated in Ussing-type chambers. Net and unidirectional Na(+) fluxes were measured by using (22)Na(+) and atomic absorption analysis of total [Na(+)], whereas net Cl(-) fluxes were measured by using electrometric titration for [Cl(-)]. Mucosal application of guanylin (0.5-2.0 micromol/l) caused marked increases in serosal to mucosal net flux and efflux of Na(+). Serosal application of guanylin over the same dose range caused similar large increases in net serosal to mucosal (S-->M) Na(+) and Cl(-) flux as well as Na(+) efflux. Responses of Na(+) influx were small and inconsistent. When frog skin was bathed on the serosal side with Cl(-)-free Ringer's solution mucosal application of guanylin stimulated large efflux and S-->M net fluxes of Na(+). Serosal treatment yielded large Na(+) effluxes and S-->M Na(+) and Cl(-) net fluxes. When frog skin serosal surfaces were bathed with Na(+)- free Ringer's solution mucosal guanylin treatment had no effect but serosal treatment produced large S-->M Cl(-) net fluxes.     

Biosynthesis of chiral α- and β-pinenes in pinus species

C-3 of (+) and (?)-α-pinene and of (?)-β-pinene biosynthesized in several Pinus species was derived from C-2 of mevalonate; and the hydrogen at C-5 in all the isomers was derived from that at C-6 in nerol. This pattern is consistent with two routes for bicyclization of the acyclic biosynthetic precursor: one leads to (?)-β-pinene and the other to (+)-α-pinene of opposite absolute configuration. (?)-α-Pinene probably results from subsequent isomerisation of the (?)-β-isomer, and (very small) amounts of (+)-β-pinene result from similar (unfavoured thermodynamically) isomerisation of the (+)-α-isomer.     

Hepatic mitochondrial cytochrome P-450 system. Distinctive features of cytochrome P-450 involved in the activation of aflatoxin B1 and benzo(a)pyrene

Rat liver mitoplasts containing less than 1% microsomal contamination contain cytochrome P-450 at 25% of the microsomal level and retain the capacity for monooxygenase activation of structurally different carcinogens such as aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), and dimethylnitrosamine. Both phenobarbital (PB) and 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) induce the level of mitochondrial cytochrome P-450 by 2.0- to 2.5-fold above the level of control mitoplasts. The enzyme activities for AFB1 (3-fold) and BaP (16-fold) metabolism were selectively induced by PB and 3-MC, respectively. Furthermore, the metabolism of AFB1 and BaP by intact mitochondria was supported by Krebs cycle substrates but not by NADPH. Both PB and 3-MC administration cause a shift in the CO difference spectrum of mitoplasts (control, 448 nm; PB, 451 nm; and 3-MC, 446 nm) suggesting that they induce two different forms of mitochondrial cytochromes P-450. Mitoplasts solubilized with cholate and fractionated with polyethylene glycol exhibit only marginal monooxygenase activities. The activity, however, was restored to preparations from both PB-induced and 3-MC-induced mitochondrial enzymes (AFB1 activation, ethylmorphine, and benzphetamine deamination and BaP metabolism) by addition of purified rat liver cytochrome P-450 reductase, and beef adrenodoxin and adrenodoxin reductase. The latter proteins failed to reconstitute activity to purified microsomal cytochromes P-450b and P-450c that were fully active with P-450 reductase. Monospecific rabbit antibodies against cytochrome P-450b and P-450c inhibited both P-450 reductase and adrenodoxin-supported activities to similar extents. Anti-P-450b and anti-P-450c provided Ouchterlony precipitin bands against PB- and 3-MC induced mitoplasts, respectively. We conclude that liver mitoplasts contain cytochrome P-450 that is closely similar to the corresponding microsomal cytochrome P-450 but can be distinguished by a capacity to interact with adrenodoxin. These inducible cytochromes P-450 are of mitochondrial origin since their levels in purified mitoplasts are over 10 times greater than can arise from the highest possible microsomal contamination.