Enzymatic oxidation of xenobiotic chemicals

Studies with biomimetic models can yield considerable insight into mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis. The discussion above indicates how such information has been important in the cases of flavoproteins, hemoproteins, and, to a lesser extent, the copper protein dopamine beta-hydroxylase. Some of the moieties that we generally accept as intermediates (i.e., high-valent iron oxygen complex in cytochrome P-450 reactions) would be extremely hard to characterize were it not for biomimetic models and more stable analogs such as peroxidase Compound I complexes. Although biomimetic models can be useful, we do need to keep them in perspective. It is possible to alter ligands and aspects of the environment in a way that may not reflect the active site of the protein. Eventually, the model work needs to be carried back to the proteins. We have seen that diagnostic substrates can be of considerable use in understanding enzymes and examples of elucidation of mechanisms through the use of rearrangements, mechanism-based inactivation, isotope labeling, kinetic isotope effects, and free energy relationships have been given. The point should be made that a myriad of approaches need to be applied to the study of each enzyme, for there is potential for misleading information if total reliance is placed on a single approach. The point also needs to be made that in the future we need information concerning the structures of the active sites of enzymes in order to fully understand them. Of the enzymes considered here, only a bacterial form of cytochrome P-450 (P-450cam) has been crystallized. The challenge to determine the three-dimensional structures of these enzymes, particularly the intrinsic membrane proteins, is formidable, yet our further understanding of the mechanisms of enzyme catalysis will remain elusive as long as we have to speak of putative specific residues, domains, and distances in anecdotal terms. The point should be made that there is actually some commonality among many of the catalytic mechanisms of oxidation, even among proteins with different structures and prosthetic groups. Thus, we see that cytochrome P-450 has some elements of a peroxidase and vice versa; indeed, the chemistry at the prosthetic group is probably very similar and the overall chemistry seems to be induced by the protein structure. The copper protein dopamine beta-hydroxylase appears to proceed with chemistry similar to that of the hemoprotein cytochrome P-450 and, although not so thoroughly studied, the non-heme iron protein P. oleovarans omega-hydroxylase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Cross-talk between one-carbon metabolism and xenobiotic metabolism: implications on oxidative DNA damage and susceptibility to breast cancer

The aim of this case–control study is to explore the role of aberrations in xenobiotic metabolism in inducing oxidative DNA damage and altering the susceptibility to breast cancer. Cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) m1 (OR: 1.41, 95% CI 1.08–1.84), CYP1A1 m4 (OR: 5.13, 95% CI 2.68–9.81), Catecholamine-O-methyl transferase (COMT) H108L (OR: 1.49, 95% CI 1.16–1.92), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) T1 null (OR: 1.68, 95% CI 1.09–2.59) variants showed association with breast cancer risk. Reduced folate carrier 1 (RFC1) 80A/CYP1A1 m1/CYP1A1 m4 and RFC1 80A/thymidylate synthase (TYMS) 5′-UTR 2R/methionine synthase (MTR) 2756G/COMT 108L genetic combinations were found to inflate breast cancer risk under the conditions of low dietary folate (345 ± 110 vs. 379 ± 139 μg/day) and low plasma folate (6.81 ± 1.25 vs. 7.09 ± 1.26 ng/ml) by increasing plasma 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG). This increase in 8-oxodG is attributed to low methionine (49.38 ± 23.74 vs. 53.90 ± 23.85 μmol/l); low glutathione (378 ± 242 vs. 501 ± 126 μmol/l) and GSTT1 null variant; and hypermethylation of CpG island of extracellular-superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) (92.78 ± 11.49 vs. 80.45 ± 9.86%), which impair O-methylation of catechol estrogens to methoxy estrogens, conjugation of glutathione to semiquinones/quinones and free radical scavenging respectively. Our results suggest cross-talk between one-carbon metabolism and xenobiotic metabolism influencing oxidative DNA damage and susceptibility to breast cancer.     

Improved xenobiotic metabolism and reduced susceptibility to cancer in gluten-sensitive macaques upon introduction of a gluten-free diet

Background

A non-human primate (NHP) model of gluten sensitivity was employed to study the gene perturbations associated with dietary gluten changes in small intestinal tissues from gluten-sensitive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).

Methodology

Stages of remission and relapse were accomplished in gluten-sensitive animals by administration of gluten-free (GFD) and gluten-containing (GD) diets, as described previously. Pin-head-sized biopsies, obtained non-invasively by pediatric endoscope from duodenum while on GFD or GD, were used for preparation of total RNA and gene profiling, using the commercial Rhesus Macaque Microarray (Agilent Technologies),targeting expression of over 20,000 genes.

Principal Findings

When compared with normal healthy control, gluten-sensitive macaques showed differential gene expressions induced by GD. While observed gene perturbations were classified into one of 12 overlapping categories - cancer, metabolism, digestive tract function, immune response, cell growth, signal transduction, autoimmunity, detoxification of xenobiotics, apoptosis, actin-collagen deposition, neuronal and unknown function - this study focused on cancer-related gene networks such as cytochrome P450 family (detoxification function) and actin-collagen-matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) genes.

Conclusions/Significance

A loss of detoxification function paralleled with necessity to metabolize carcinogens was revealed in gluten-sensitive animals while on GD. An increase in cancer-promoting factors and a simultaneous decrease in cancer-preventing factors associated with altered expression of actin-collagen-MMP gene network were noted. In addition, gluten-sensitive macaques showed reduced number of differentially expressed genes including the cancer-associated ones upon withdrawal of dietary gluten. Taken together, these findings indicate potentially expanded utility of gluten-sensitive rhesus macaques in cancer research.     

The role of enzymes of xenobiotic metabolism in the resistance of insects to insecticides

The activity of three enzymatic systems of xenobiotic metabolism (cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases, non-specific esterases and glutathione S-transferases) was studied in sensitive (S) and resistant to tetrametrin (Rtetr.), permetrin (Rperm.), mecarbenyl (Rmec.) and chlorophos (Rchlor.) strains of the housefly M. domestica L. In Rtetr. and Rmec., the activity of microsomal monooxygenases was increased 2.7- and 2.3-fold, respectively, as compared to S. The position of maxima of CO-difference spectra of cytochrome P-450 in all resistant strains (with the exception of Rchlor.) were shifted towards the short-wave region by 1-2 nm. The activity of glutathione S-transferase in Rtetr. was increased as compared to S. Analysis of the total esterase activity and electrophoresis in starch gel revealed quantitative and qualitative differences between the strains under study. In all resistant strains, except for Rmec., additional bands corresponding to the esterase activity were observed. The experimental results are discussed in terms of resistance of insects to insecticides.     

In situ sites for xenobiotic activation and detoxication: implications for the differential susceptibility of cells to the toxic actions of environmental chemicals

The findings reported in this communication illustrate that histochemical approaches can provide a significant amount of insight into an area of considerable toxicologic importance. Results of our immunohistochemical and histochemical studies clearly demonstrate that neither xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes nor oxidative xenobiotic metabolism occur uniformly throughout tissues that often are damaged as a result of the bioactivation of environmental chemicals and other xenobiotics, that there can be significant differences in both the contents and activities of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes among even morphologically similar cells such as hepatocytes, and that enzyme inducers can alter differentially the extents to which different cells in a tissue metabolize xenobiotics. Knowledge of the precise intratissue localizations and distributions of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes and xenobiotic biotransformation reactions clearly is critical for defining the roles individual cells play in the metabolism of xenobiotics. It must be recognized, however, that the mere presence of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in a cell cannot, by itself, explain why that cell might be highly susceptible to toxicities resulting from the bioactivation of certain xenobiotics. Thus, it is apparent that considerably more study is needed, especially in situ using histologic and cytologic techniques, in order to characterize the balance between xenobiotic activation and detoxication processes within individual cells in target tissues and elucidate the basis for the cell-selective nature of toxicities caused by the generation of reactive metabolites from many xenobiotics.     

Heterocyclic aromatic amines, food-derived mutagens: metabolism and relevance to cancer susceptibility

It is estimated that diet contributes to as much as one-third of cancer incidents. Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) are well-known mutagens/carcinogens found in thermal-processed meat and fish. HCAs require metabolic activation to exert their carcinogenic potential. First step in HCAs activation--the generation of N-hydroxy-HCA derivatives--is catalyzed by cytochrome P450, mainly isoenzyme CYP1A2. Further activation is carried out by N-acetyltransferases and sulfotransferases, which catalyze esterification of N-hydroxy-HCAs. The products of these reactions are highly genotoxic, capable of direct interaction with DNA by adduct formation. HCA-DNA adducts may cause errors in DNA replication and the generation of mutations, which, when not repaired, may contribute to cancer development. On the other hand, among enzymes involved in HCAs detoxication, UDP-glucuronosyltransferases and glutathione S-transferases can be mentioned. Balance between activation and detoxication processes of HCAs, together with genetically determined differences in HCA metabolism are crucial for the assessment of HCA-dependent cancer risk among individuals.     

Alterations in xenobiotic metabolism in the long-lived Little mice

Our previous microarray expression analysis of the long-lived Little mice (Ghrhr(lit/lit)) showed a concerted up-regulation of xenobiotic detoxification genes. Here, we show that this up-regulation is associated with a potent increase in resistance against the adverse effects of a variety of xenobiotics, including the hepatotoxins acetaminophen and bromobenzene and the paralyzing agent zoxazolamine. The classic xenobiotic receptors Car (Constitutive Androstane Receptor) and Pxr (Pregnane X Receptor) are considered key regulators of xenobiotic metabolism. Using double and triple knockout/mutant mouse models we found, however, that Car and Pxr are not required for the up-regulation of xenobiotic genes in Little mice. Our results suggest instead that bile acids and the primary bile acid receptor Fxr (farnesoid X receptor) are likely mediators of the up-regulation of xenobiotic detoxification genes in Little mice. Bile acid levels are considerably elevated in the bile, serum, and liver of Little mice. We found that treatment of wild-type animals with cholic acid, one of the major bile acids elevated in Little mice, mimics in large part the up-regulation of xenobiotic detoxification genes observed in Little mice. Additionally, the loss of Fxr had a major effect on the expression of the xenobiotic detoxification genes up-regulated in Little mice. A large fraction of these genes lost or decreased their high expression levels in double mutant mice for Fxr and Ghrhr. The alterations in xenobiotic metabolism in Little mice constitute a form of increased stress resistance and may contribute to the extended longevity of these mice.     

Molecular insights into the association of obesity with breast cancer risk: relevance to xenobiotic metabolism and CpG island methylation of tumor suppressor genes

Obesity, genetic polymorphisms of xenobiotic metabolic pathway, hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes, and hypomethylation of proapoptotic genes are known to be independent risk factors for breast cancer. The objective of this study is to evaluate the combined effect of these environmental, genetic, and epigenetic risk factors on the susceptibility to breast cancer. PCR–RFLP and multiplex PCR were used for the genetic analysis of six variants of xenobiotic metabolic pathway. Methylation-specific PCR was used for the epigenetic analysis of four genetic loci. Multifactor dimensionality reduction analysis revealed a significant interaction between the body mass index (BMI) and catechol-O-methyl transferase H108L variant alone or in combination with cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1m1 variant. Women with “Luminal A” breast cancer phenotype had higher BMI compared to other phenotypes and healthy controls. There was no association between the BMI and tumor grade. The post-menopausal obese women exhibited lower glutathione levels. BMI showed a positive association with the methylation of extracellular superoxide dismutase (r = 0.21, p < 0.05), Ras-association (RalGDS/AF-6) domain family member 1 (RASSF1A) (r = 0.31, p < 0.001), and breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein (r = 0.19, p < 0.05); and inverse association with methylation of BNIP3 (r = ?0.48, p < 0.0001). To conclude based on these results, obesity increases the breast cancer susceptibility by two possible mechanisms: (i) by interacting with xenobiotic genetic polymorphisms in inducing increased oxidative DNA damage and (ii) by altering the methylome of several tumor suppressor genes.     

The possible absence of cytochrome P-450 linked xenobiotic metabolism in helminths

The distribution of cytochrome P-450, b5 and associated oxidations, aniline hydroxylase, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase and 4-nitroanisole O-demethylase were studied in the parasitic nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus, its mammalian host, Mus musculus and the free-living nematode Panagrellus redivivus. Cytochrome P-450, its associated oxidations and cytochrome b5 could not be detected in whole homogenates or subcellular fractions (mitochondrial, microsomal and soluble fractions) of either nematode under a variety of assay conditions which included attempted induction with sodium phenobarbital. P. redivivus was able to reduce 1,2-dimethyl-4-(4-carboxyphenylazo)-5-hydroxybenzene and azobenzene, which is predominantly microsomal. The implications of these results in terms of chemotherapy are discussed.     

Sulfenic acids as reactive intermediates in xenobiotic metabolism

Sulfenic acid reactive intermediates are formed during the oxidation of cysteine residues of proteins and play key roles in enzyme catalysis, redox homeostasis and regulation of cell signalling. However few data are presently available on the formation and fate of sulfenic acids as reactive intermediates during the metabolism of xenobiotics. This article is a review of the xenobiotic metabolism situations in which the intermediate formation of a sulfenic acid has been reported. Formation of these intermediates has been either proposed on the basis of the isolation of products possibly deriving from sulfenic acids or shown after trapping of the sulfenic acid by specific nucleophiles. This review indicates the different mechanisms by which a sulphur-containing xenobiotic can be metabolized with the intermediate formation of a sulfenic acid. It also indicates the different possible fates of these sulfenic acids that have been reported in the literature. Finally, it discusses the possible implications of the formation of xenobiotic-derived sulfenic acid reactive metabolites in pharmacology and toxicology.     

Role of aldehyde dehydrogenases in endogenous and xenobiotic metabolism

Aldehydes are highly reactive molecules that are intermediates or products involved in a broad spectrum of physiologic, biologic and pharmacologic processes. Aldehydes are generated from chemically diverse endogenous and exogenous precursors and aldehyde-mediated effects vary from homeostatic and therapeutic to cytotoxic, and genotoxic. One of the most important pathways for aldehyde metabolism is their oxidation to carboxylic acids by aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs). Oxidation of the carbonyl functional group is considered a general detoxification process in that polymorphisms of several human ALDHs are associated a disease phenotypes or pathophysiologies. However, a number of ALDH-mediated oxidation form products that are known to possess significant biologic, therapeutic and/or toxic activities. These include the retinoic acid, an important element for vertebrate development, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an important neurotransmitter, and trichloroacetic acid, a potential toxicant. This review summarizes the ALDHs with an emphasis on catalytic properties and xenobiotic substrates of these enzymes.     

Polymorphism of genes for xenobiotic metabolism in petrochemical workers

Genetic polymorphism of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes responsible for individual susceptibility to different environmental factors was examined in a cohort of petrochemical workers occupationally exposed to adverse action of chemical compounds. Molecular genetic analysis of the 1462V mutation in exon 17 of the CYP1A gene demonstrated close similarity between the genotype and allele frequency distribution patterns in the industrial and control groups. No association between the CYP1A polymorphic alleles and genotypes and the duration of service and concomitant diseases was observed. The odds ratio of the disease development in the workers carrying heterozygous CYP1A1 mutant allele was 2.2. Analysis of the STM1 gene polymorphism demonstrated a decrease in the frequency of the homozygous deletion carriers in the workers compared to the control group. There were no substantial differences between the industrial and control groups with respect to the frequencies of rapid and slow acetylator genotypes revealed at the analysis of the NAT2 gene polymorphism. However, considering the concomitant diseases, in the corresponding industrial subgroup a clear trend towards lower frequency of rapid acetylators was demonstrated. In addition, the odds ratio of the disease development for the workers with slow acetylator phenotype was 1.7.     

Effects of microbial community interactions on transformation rates of xenobiotic chemicals.

The effects of culture filtrates, mixed populations, and common microbial exudates on bacterial transformations of three agricultural and industrial chemicals were investigated. Test chemicals included methyl parathion, diethyl phthalate, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid butoxyethyl ester. The presence of various cultures, filtrates, or exudates of algae, fungi, or other bacteria either stimulated or inhibited bacterial transformation rates. Inhibition resulted from treatments that lowered the pH, and stimulation resulted from an increase in cell biomass (based on plate counts) and from a different process whereby rates of transformation per bacterial cell rapidly increased as much as 10-fold.     

The metabolism of dietary polyphenols and the relevance to circulating levels of conjugated metabolites

Berry extracts rich in anthocyanins have been linked to protective effects including the modulation of age-related neurological dysfunction and the improvement of the resistance of red blood cells against oxidative stress in vitro . In this study the bioavailability, metabolism and elimination of polyphenols from blackcurrant juice, rich in anthocyanins, flavonols, and hydroxycinnamates, were investigated. The four major native anthocyanidin glycosides of blackcurrant juice, delphinidin-3-glucoside, delphinidin-3-rutinoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside, were detected and identified in low amounts by HPLC and LC-MS in plasma and urine post-ingestion. Elimination of the anthocyanins was fast (maximum excretion after 1 h) and plasma levels (0-128.6 nmol/l) and total urinary excretion (0.07-1.35 mg; 0.007-0.133% of the dose ingested) were low. Most significantly, of the hydroxycinnamates, conjugated and free ferulic, isoferulic, p -coumaric, sinapic and vanillic acids were identified in plasma and urine, using GC-MS techniques. Quercetin and kaempferol (as glucuronides) and the proposed colonic metabolite of quercetin, 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, were detectable in a minority of subjects. Increased daily urinary hippuric, 4-hydroxyhippuric and 3-hydroxyhippuric acid levels were also observed post-ingestion in all volunteers.     

Engineering xylose metabolism in yeasts to produce biofuels and chemicals

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The microsomal ethanol oxidizing system: its role in ethanol and xenobiotic metabolism

After chronic ethanol consumption, the activity of the microsomal ethanol-oxidizing system (MEOS) increases and contributes to ethanol tolerance, as most conclusively shown in alcohol-dehydrogenase-negative deermice. In man and animals, there is an associated rise in microsomal cytochrome P-450, including a specific form (P-450IIEI) with high affinity for ethanol and for the activation of some drugs (i.e. acetaminophen), carcinogens (i.e. N-nitrosodimethylamine) and hepatotoxic agents (i.e. CCl4), thereby contributing to the susceptibility of alcoholics to xenobiotics, including industrial solvents. In addition, a benzoflavone-inducible liver cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme distinct but catalytically similar to cytochrome P-450IIE1 was purified which may play a significant role in drinkers who also are heavy smokers. Cross-induction of other microsomal enzymes is associated with enhanced metabolism of various drugs, resulting in drug tolerance. Catabolism of retinol was also found to be accelerated, in part through activation of newly discovered vitamin A depletion and possibly toxicity. Thus, elucidation of the microsomal metabolism of ethanol explains a number of complications that develop in alcoholics.