Purified liver microsomal cytochrome P-450. Electron-accepting properties and oxidation-reduction potential.

The reduction of highly purified cytochrome P-450 from rabbit liver microsomes under anaerobic conditions requires 2 electrons per molecule. Similar results were obtained with dithionite, NADPH in the presence of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, or a photochemical system as the electron donor, with CO or other ligands, with substrate or phosphatidylcholine present, after denaturation to form cytochrome P-420, or with cytochrome P-450 partially purified from rat or mouse liver microsomes. The reduced cytochrome P-450 donates 2 electrons to dichlorophenolindophenol or to cytochrome c. Reoxidation of reduced cytochrome P-450 by molecular oxygen restores a state where 2 electrons from dithionite are required for re-reduction. Although these unexpected findings indicate the presence of an electron acceptor in addition to the heme iron atom, significant amounts of non-heme iron, other metals or cofactors, or disulfide bonds were not found, and free radicals were not detected by electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometry. Resolution of the cytochrome with acetone and acid yielded the apoenzyme, which did not accept electrons, and ferriprotoporphyrin IX, which accepted a single electron. A reconstituted hemoprotein preparation with the spectral characteristics of cytochrome P-420 accepted as much as 0.7 extra electron equivalent per heme. The midpoint oxidation-reduction potential of purified cytochrome P-450 from rabbit liver microsomes at pH 7.0 is -330 mv, and with CO present this value is changed to about -150 mv. The oxidation-reduction potential is unaffected by the presence of phosphatidylcholine or benzphetamine, a typical substrate. Laurate, aminopyrine, and benzphetamine undergo hydroxylation in the presence of chemically reduced cytochrome P-450 and molecular oxygen. Neither NADPH nor the reductase is required for substrate hydroxylation under these conditions.     

Liver microsomal cytochromes P-450 and azoreductase activity.

Hepatic microsomal azoreductase activity with amaranth (3-hydroxy-4[(4-sulfo-1-naphthalenyl)azo]-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonic acid trisodium salt) as a substrate is proportional to the levels of microsomal cytochrome P-450 from control or phenobarbital-pretreated rats and mice or cytochrome P-448 from 3-methylchol-anthrene-pretreated animals. In the "inducible" C57B/6J strain of mice, 3-methylcholanthrene and phenobarbital pretreatment cause an increase in cytochrome P-448 and P-450 levels, respectively, which is directly proportional to the increase of azoreductase activity. However, in the "noninducible" DBA/2J strain of mice, only phenobarbital treatment causes the increase both in cytochrome P-450 levels and azoreductase activity, while 3-methylcholanthrene has no effect. These experiments suggest that the P-450 type cytochromes are responsible for azoreductase activity in liver microsomes.     

Comparison of highly-purified microsomal cytochromes P-450 and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductases by peptide mapping

Considerable differences were observed among several cytochrome P-450 species upon mapping of proteolytic digests, although certain preparations derived from rabbits were not distinguished by this technique. Several NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductases gave peptide maps rather similar to each other. The results support and extend other evidence that microsomal cytochromes P-450 are not necessarily closely-related polypeptides.     

Cytochrome P-450 revealed: the effect of the respiratory cytochromes on the spectrum of bacterial cytochrome P-450

Soluble extracts of Bacillus megaterium ATCC 14581 prepared by centrifuging a sonicated cell suspension at 40,000 xg for 30 min apparently contained no cytochrome P-450 unless the culture had been grown in the presence of an inducer: a reduced+CO minus reduced spectrum was used to measure cytochrome P-450 concentration. When the 40,000 xg supernatants from the uninduced cultures were recentrifuged at 105,000 xg the respiratory cytochromes, including one like cytochrome a1, were sedimented, and cytochrome P-450 was observed to be 100 nM or 30 +/- 9 p mol cytochrome P-450/mg protein (n=9). Measurements of cytochrome P-450 in cultures induced with phenobarbital were always higher after ultracentrifugation. There was soluble cytochrome o in all extracts. When cytochrome a1 was present a deep trough at 441 nm developed in the reduced +CO minus reduced difference spectrum of the 40,000 xg supernatant of both the uninduced and the induced cultures. The 40,000 xg supernatant obtained after lysing protoplasts of B. megaterium did not contain cytochrome a1 and always gave a good measure of cytochrome P-450.     

NH2-terminal sequence analyses of four rat hepatic microsomal cytochromes P-450

Cytochromes P-450f, P-450g, P-450h, and P-450i are four hepatic microsomal hemoproteins that have been purified from adult rats. Whereas cytochromes P-450g and P-450h appear to be male-specific hemoproteins, cytochrome P-450i is apparently a female-specific enzyme purified from untreated adult female rats. Cytochrome P-450f has been purified from adult male and female rats with equivalent recoveries. Amino-terminal sequence analyses of the first 15-20 amino acid residues of each of these cytochromes P-450 has been accomplished in the current investigation. Each protein possesses a hydrophobic leader sequence consisting of 65-87% hydrophobic amino acids, and only one charged amino acid (Asp) in the amino-terminal region. Although differences in the amino-terminal sequences of cytochromes P-450f, P-450g, P-450h, and P-450i are identified, these hemoproteins all begin with Met-Asp, and marked structural homology is observed among certain of these enzymes. Cytochromes P-450g and P-450h, two male-specific proteins, have 11-12/15 identical residues with cytochrome P-450i, a female-specific isozyme. Cytochromes P-450f and P-450h have 16/20 identical amino-terminal residues. Only limited sequence homology is observed between the amino-terminal sequences of cytochromes P-450f-i compared to rat liver cytochromes P-450a-e. The results demonstrate that cytochromes P-450f, P-450g, P-450h, and P-450i are isozymic to each other and five additional rat hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 isozymes (P-450a-e).     

Catalytic activity of isolated cytochromes P-450d and P-450c

Cytochrome P-450d was isolated from isosafrol-induced rat liver microsomes by affinity chromatography on 1.8-diaminooctyl-Sepharose 4B and chromatography on hydroxylapatite using a linear potassium phosphate gradient (45-250 mM). The enzyme has a molecular mass of 54 kDa, CO-maximum 448 nm is characterized by a high spin state; the rate of 4-aminobiphenyl hydroxylation is 54 nmol/min/nmol of cytochrome P-450d (37 degrees C), those, of 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation and benz (a) pyrene oxidation are 1 nmol/min/nmol of cytochrome P-450d (22 degrees C) and 2 nmol/min/nmol of cytochrome P-450d (37 degrees C), respectively. The properties of cytochrome P-450d were compared to those of cytochrome P-450c isolated from 3-methylcholanthrene-induced rats. The yield of these cytochromes under the conditions used (10% P-450d from isosafrol-induced microsomes and 15% P-450c from 3-methylcholanthrene-induced microsomes) was relatively high. Antibodies to cytochromes P-450d and P-450c were obtained. Using rocket immunoelectrophoresis the percentage of these hemoprotein forms in 3-methylcholanthrene-induced (P-450d-20%, P-450c-70%) and isosafrol-induced rat liver microsomes (P-450d-50%, P-450c-15%) was determined.     

Primary and secondary progesterone hydroxylation by the rabbit liver microsomal cytochromes P-450 system

Progesterone metabolism by the rabbit liver microsomal cytochromes P-450 system has been investigated with reverse phase (C18) high performance liquid chromatography. Time-course studies indicated that 6 beta-OHDOC accumulated as a secondary metabolite produced by the sequential 6 beta- and 21-hydroxylation of progesterone. When 21-hydroxylation occurred first, DOC accumulated and 6-hydroxylation was reduced. 16-OHP was resistant to secondary metabolism at both the 6- and 21-positions. The variable rates of 21-hydroxylase activity between different rabbits was further influenced by the nature of C-6-function in the order of 6-oxo greater than 6 beta-OH greater than 6 beta-OH greater than 6 alpha-OH greater than 6-H greater than 6 beta-acetoxy. These results indicate the potential interaction of the microsomal cytochromes P-450 and/or products in the sequential hydroxylation of a single steroid substrate at multiple sites.     

Partial purification and properties of cytochromes P-450 and P-448 from rat liver microsomes

Cytochromes P-450 and P-448 in rat liver microsomes were solubilized with sodium cholate and were partially purified. The preparations contained 5.0–5.5 nmoles of cytochrome P-450 or P-448 per mg of protein; contamination with cytochrome P-420 and cytochrome b₅, was less than 10% of the total heme content. The absolute spectra of Cytochromes P-450 and P-448 differed only slightly; both hemoproteins had a Soret peak at 418–419 nm in the oxidized absolute spectra and at 448 and 450 nm in the reduced plus CO absolute spectra. Both hemoproteins showed typical type I (benzphetamine) and type II (aniline) binding spectra but differed in their binding of hexobarbital (another type I substrate). The total phospholipid content of the preparation (per mg protein) has been reduced by approximately 90% relative to microsomes and the hemoprotein has been purified 20–25 fold with respect to phospholipid. The partially purified hemoprotein fractions, after combination with a reductase and lipid fraction, were capable of oxidizing a variety of substrates inluding drugs, steroids, and chemical carcinogens.     

Brain mitochondrial cytochrome P-450scc: spectral and catalytic properties

The cytochrome P-450-dependent cholesterol side chain cleavage system of the brain has been studied using nonsynaptic mitochondria as the source of enzymatic activity. The system has been found to bind cholesterol and 11-deoxycorticosterone, producing type I difference spectra, whereas the binding of pregnenolone induced a reverse type I difference spectrum. Inhibitors of cytochrome P-450-linked monooxygenase activities produced type II spectra. The formation of labeled pregnenolone after incubation of brain mitochondria with [4-14C]cholesterol has been obtained, and this formation was inhibited by glutethimide, a specific inhibitor of cytochrome P-450scc. The functional significance of this enzymatic activity is discussed.     

Age-related changes in the iron spin state of testosterone-binding rat liver microsomal cytochromes P-450

The aging process is accompanied by decreased drug metabolism as well as lower levels of sex hormones such as testosterone. We examined the age-dependence of liver microsomal cytochromes P-450 from young (3 months) and old (24 months) male rats by absorption and ESR spectroscopy. Spectral perturbations by testosterone were used to identify testosterone-specific P-450 forms. Absorption difference spectra indicated that testosterone induced a greater conversion of P-450 to the high spin form in young rats than in old rats. ESR signals corresponding to total low spin P-450 were of higher intensity in the young rats and were increased by testosterone. Testosterone also interconverted one low spin P-450 species to another. These results demonstrate age-related differences in the types and amounts of testosterone-specific P-450's in rats.     

Structural requirements for substrates of cytochromes P-450 and P-448

Distinct and different molecular structural features are manifested by substrates, inhibitors and inducers of the two families of liver microsomal enzymes, the phenobarbital-induced cytochromes P-450 and the 3-methylcholanthrene-induced cytochromes P-448. In a theoretical study based on molecular orbital calculations and molecular graphics, it is established that cytochrome P-448 substrates contain fused aromatic or heteroaromatic rings giving rise to overall molecular planarity with relatively small molecular depth. In contrast, substrates of the cytochromes P-450 have greater conformational freedom and an ability to bind at more than one point of attachment, as a result of possession of certain characteristic functions, namely, a carbonyl and/or amine moiety coupled with an iso-propyl group, or similar function of equivalent shape and hydrophobicity. The implications are that the binding sites of cytochromes P-448 contain a number of hydrophobic aromatic amino acid residues orientated so as to allow occupation by similar substrates containing co-planar aromatic rings, whereas those of the phenobarbital-induced cytochromes P-450 contain hydrophilic amino acid residues capable of hydrogen bonding to greater than C = O moieties and at least one leucine or valine residue, as these contain the complementary isopropyl function. The corollary of these findings is the possibility of prediction of the toxicity of new chemicals on the basis of their molecular dimensions.     

Chromatographic and catalytic properties of multiple forms of rabbit pulmonary cytochromes P-450

Rabbit pulmonary cytochrome P-450 forms 2,5, and 6 were resolved using anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and their properties compared with rabbit liver cytochrome P-450 isozymes LM₂ and LM₆. Although rabbit pulmonary form 2 and liver LM₂ had similar electrophoretic mobilities and similar substrate specificities in reconstitution experiments, they differed in their HPLC elution profiles. High-performance liquid chromatography of pulmonary microsomes from rabbits treated with 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) revealed the induction of form 6 isozyme, which had a retention time, electro-phoretic mobility, and substrate specificity similar to those of rabbit liver LM₆. In reconstitution experiments, forms 2 and 6 showed the highest substrate specificities toward benzphetamine and 7-ethoxyresorufin, respectively. Rabbit lung cytochrome P-450 form 5 was relatively inactive toward all substrates tested.     

Kinetic properties of guinea pig liver microsomal NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase

NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase was purified to apparent homogeneity from detergent-solubilized guinea pig liver microsomes. The reductase had a mol. wt of 78,000 and contained one mole each of FAD and FMN. Electron transfer activity to cytochrome c was optimal at a pH of 8.0 and an ionic strength of 0.43. The results of kinetic experiments were consistent with a ternary-complex mechanism for the interaction of the reductase with cytochrome c and NADPH. Km values for NADPH and cytochrome c were 3.1 and 26.7 microM, respectively. Inhibition by NADP+ and 2'-AMP was competitive with respect to NADPH; Ki values were 12.1 microM for NADP+ and 46.7 microM for 2'-AMP.     

Conformational changes of cytochromes P-450cam and P-450lin induced by high pressure

Absorbance and fluorescence spectra of bacterial cytochrome P-450cam and cytochrome P-450lin have been studied as a function of pressure. These pressure-induced spectral perturbations fall into two categories, which are interpreted as resulting from denaturation domains and are discussed in terms of protein structural dynamics. The results presented herein support a view that these two bacterial cytochromes have large structural differences and suggest a picture in which the gellike cortex of each protein may play an essential role in stability and function.     

Studies on the molecular organization of cytochromes P-450 and b5 in the microsomal membrane.

1. The relative orientations of the heme groups of cytochromes P-450 and b5 in the microsomal membrane have been studied by the technique of electron paramagnetic resonance. The results show that the heme plane of cytochrome P-450 lies in the same plane as the membrane surface, whereas the cytochrome b5 heme plane has a random orientation. 2. No significant broadening or change in relaxation properties of the gz component of low spin cytochrome P-450 occurred when cytochrome b5 was reduced by redox poising. It is concluded that there is little or no paramagnetic coupling between the heme groups of the two species. 3. The results favor a model in which no tight complex between cytochromes P-450 and b5 is present, the species being independent and interacting only by random molecular collisions or via other intermediate species.     

Oxidation of substituted N,N-dimethylanilines by cytochrome P-450: estimation of the effective oxidation-reduction potential of cytochrome P-450

Rates of N-demethylation of N,N-dimethylaniline and of eight meta- or para-substituted N,N-dimethylanilines by rat liver cytochrome P-450PB-B (P-450) were determined under conditions where oxidation was supported by iodosylbenzene or NADPH-P-450 reductase. The rates of dimethylaniline oxidation were found to correlate with the substrate oxidation-reduction potential within each series of substrates supported by a particular oxygen activation protocol; the kcat for each substrate studied was approximately 20-fold faster in the iodosylbenzene-supported system relative to the NADPH-P-450 reductase supported system. Since the N-demethylation of amines is believed to proceed via an initial electron-transfer step, a kinetic scheme for P-450 was proposed that enabled evaluation of the data according to theoretical treatments that correlate rates of electron transfer with extrakinetic parameters. In these analyses, the data could be fitted to the Rehm-Weller and Agmon-Levine equations, providing lambda values (for the energetics of enzyme-substrate reorganization) of 22-26 kcal mol-1 and apparent E1/2 (oxidation-reduction potentials) of 1.7-2.0 V (vs saturated calomel) for the oxidized enzyme. The apparent E1/2 for the enzyme is composed of contributions from the intrinsic potential of the active prosthetic core of the enzyme, the Fe = O - porphyrin species, and a coulombic factor that is a function of the charge-separated radical anion/radical cation pair produced upon electron transfer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Monoclonal antibody-directed immunopurification and identification of cytochromes P-450

A 28 amino acid peptide with diuretic and natriuretic activity has been purified from rat atrial muscle. The primary structure of this atrial peptide is H-Ser-Leu-Arg-Arg-Ser-Ser-Cys-Phe-Gly-Gly-Arg-Ile-Asp-Arg-Ile-Gly- (sequence in text) Ala-Gln-Ser-Gly-Leu-Gly-Cys-Asn-Ser-Phe-(Arg)-Tyr-OH. The biological activity of this peptide is identical to that of atrial natriuretic factor and cardionatrin I isolated from rat atria.