Measurement of immunoreactive cytochrome P450 2E1 in human leucocytes

We describe initial results on a Western blotting method, using a ployclonal antibody and chemiluminescence detection, for the measurement of cytochrome P450 2E1 in human lymphocytes. The method has been used to study the levels of 2E1 in lymphocytes isolated from 5 ml blood samples collected from a small group of well-controlled type 1 diabetics and healthy individuals. The described method offers increased sensitivity compared with a previously published method and does not need in vitro culturing of the lymphocytes prior to 2E1 measurement. The apparent molecular weight of the lymphocyte P450 2E1 was 55 kDa. There was approximately a six-fold difference in expression levels of 2E1 detected by this immunochemical technique across the study population.     

Measurement of immunoreactive cytochrome P450 2E1 in human leucocytes

We describe initial results on a Western blotting method, using a ployclonal antibody and chemiluminescence detection, for the measurement of cytochrome P450 2E1 in human lymphocytes. The method has been used to study the levels of 2E1 in lymphocytes isolated from 5 ml blood samples collected from a small group of well-controlled type 1 diabetics and healthy individuals. The described method offers increased sensitivity compared with a previously published method and does not need in vitro culturing of the lymphocytes prior to 2E1 measurement. The apparent molecular weight of the lymphocyte P450 2E1 was 55 kDa. There was approximately a six-fold difference in expression levels of 2E1 detected by this immunochemical technique across the study population.     

The role of cytochrome P450 2E1 on ethanol-mediated oxidative stress and HIV replication in human monocyte-derived macrophages

BackgroundAlcohol consumption is considered to be a major health problem among people living with HIV/AIDS. Our previous reports have shown that ethanol reduced intracellular concentrations of antiretroviral drugs elvitegravir and darunavir in the HIV-1-infected U1 cell line. Ethanol also increased HIV-1 replication despite the presence of elvitegravir. Our previous finding has also shown that the levels of cytochrome P450 enzyme 2E1 (CYP2E1) and oxidative stress in blood monocytes were induced, while the concentration of alcohol in the plasma was reduced in HIV-1-infected alcohol users compared to uninfected alcohol users. However, the role of CYP2E1 in ethanol-enhanced oxidative stress and HIV-1 replication is still unclear.MethodsThis study examined the chronic effects (14 days) of ethanol on HIV viral load, oxidative DNA damage, expression of CYP2E1, expression of antioxidant enzymes (AOEs), expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). Further, to evaluate the role of CYP2E1 in mediating ethanol-induced viral replication, CYP2E1 siRNA and CYP2E1 selective inhibitor were used in the HIV-1-infected U1 cell line following ethanol treatment.ResultsChronic ethanol exposure demonstrated an increase in oxidative DNA damage and CYP2E1 expression in both non-infected and HIV-1-infected MDM. Our results showed that ethanol chronic exposure increased HIV-1 replication by ~3-fold in HIV-1-infected MDM. This ethanol-enhanced HIV-1 replication was associated with an increased oxidative DNA damage, an increased expression of CYP2E1, and a decreased expression of antioxidant enzyme PRDX6. In HIV-1-infected U1 cell line, we observed a decreased viral replication (~30%) and a decreased DNA damage (~100%) after repression of CYP2E1 by siRNA, upon ethanol exposure. We also observed a decreased viral replication (~25%) after inhibition of CYP2E1 by using selective CYP2E1 inhibitor.ConclusionsThe data suggest that chronic ethanol exposure increases HIV-1 replication in MDM, at least in part, through CYP2E1-mediated oxidative stress. These results are clinically relevant to potentially find effective treatment strategies for HIV-1-infected alcohol users.     

Molecular chaperone, HSP60, and cytochrome P450 2E1 co-expression in dilated cardiomyopathy

Physiological stresses (heat, hemodynamics, genetic mutations, oxidative injury and myocardial ischemia) produce pathological states in which protein damage and misfolded protein structures are a common denominator. The specialized proteins family of antistress proteins - molecular chaperons (HSPs) - are responsible for correct protein folding, dissociating protein aggregates and transport of newly synthesized polypeptides to the target organelles for final packaging, degradation or repair. They are inducible at different cell processes such as cell division, apoptosis, signal transduction, cell differentiation and hormonal stimulation. HSPs are involved in numerous diseases including cardiovascular pathologies, revealing changes of expression and cell localization. We studied the possible changes in expression level of abundant mitochondrial chaperon Hsp60 and main human cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (2E1 isoform) at dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) progression at the end stage of heart failure using Western blot analysis. The ischemic and normal humans' hearts were studied as control samples. We observed the decrease of Hsp60 level in cytoplasmic fraction of DCM- and ischemia-affected hearts' left ventricular and significant increase of Hsp60 in mitochondrial fractions of all hearts investigated. At the same time we detected the increase of P450 2E1 expression level in ischemic and dilated hearts' cytoplasmic fractions in comparison with normal myocardium and no detectable changes in microsomal fractions of hearts investigated which could be linked with increased level of oxidative injury for DCM heart muscle. In addition, all the changes described are accompanied by significant decrease of ATPase activity of myosin purified from DCM-affected heart in comparison with normal and ischemic myocardia as well. The data obtained allow us to propose a working hypothesis of functional link between antistress (HSPs) and antioxidative (cytochromes) systems at DCM progression.     

Inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes participating in p-nitrophenol hydroxylation by drugs known as CYP2E1 inhibitors

p-Nitrophenol hydroxylation is widely used as a probe for microsomal CYP2E1. Several drugs are known as CYP2E1 inhibitors because of their capability to inhibit p-nitrophenol hydroxylation. Our results suggest further participation of CYP2A6 and CYP2C19 enzymes in p-nitrophenol hydroxylation. Moreover, CYP2A6 and CYP2C19 may be considered as the primary catalysts, whereas CYP2E1 can also contribute to the hydroxylation of p-nitrophenol. Further aim of our study was to evaluate the selectivity of p-nitrophenol hydroxylase inhibitors towards cytochrome P450 enzymes. The effects of antifungals: bifonazole, econazole, clotrimazole, ketoconazole, miconazole; CNS-active drugs: chlorpromazine, desipramine, fluphenazine, thioridazine; and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug: diclofenac were investigated on the enzyme activities selective for CYP2A6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4. None of the drugs could be considered as a potent inhibitor of CYP2E1. Strong inhibition was observed for CYP3A4 by antifungals with IC(50) values in submicromolar range. However, ketoconazole was the only imidazole derivative that could be considered as a selective inhibitor of CYP3A4. The CNS-active drugs investigated were found to be weak inhibitors of CYP2A6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4. Diclofenac efficiently inhibited CYP2C9 and to a less extent CYP3A4 enzyme.     

Impairment of human CYP1A2-mediated xenobiotic metabolism by Antley-Bixler syndrome variants of cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase

Y459H and V492E mutations of cytochrome P450 reductase (CYPOR) cause Antley-Bixler syndrome due to diminished binding of the FAD cofactor. To address whether these mutations impaired the interaction with drug-metabolizing CYPs, a bacterial model of human liver expression of CYP1A2 and CYPOR was implemented. Four models were generated: POR^null, POR^wt, POR^YH, and POR^VE, for which equivalent CYP1A2 and CYPOR levels were confirmed, except for POR^null, not containing any CYPOR. The mutant CYPORs were unable to catalyze cytochrome c and MTT reduction, and were unable to support EROD and MROD activities. Activity was restored by the addition of FAD, with V492E having a higher apparent FAD affinity than Y459H. The CYP1A2-activated procarcinogens, 2-aminoanthracene, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone, and 2-amino-3-methylimidazo(4,5-f)quinoline, were significantly less mutagenic in POR^YH and POR^VE models than in POR^wt, indicating that CYP1A2, and likely other drug-metabolizing CYPs, are impaired by ABS-related POR mutations as observed in the steroidogenic CYPs.     

Kinetics of bromodichloromethane metabolism by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes in human liver microsomes

The kinetic constants for the metabolism of bromodichloromethane (BDCM) by three cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes have been measured in human liver microsomes. The three CYP isoenzymes, CYP2E1, CYP1A2 and CYP3A4, have been identified previously as important in the metabolism of this compound. To measure the constants for each isoenzyme, enzyme-specific inhibitory antibodies were used to block the activities for two of the three isoenzymes. CYP2E1 was found to have the lowest K(m), 2.9 microM, and the highest catalytic activity, k(cat). The K(m) for the other isoenzymes, CYP1A2 and CYP3A4, were about 60 microM with lower values of k(cat). Apparent kinetic constants obtained from two microsomal samples that were not inhibited were consistent with these results. In addition, 11 human microsome samples characterized for 10 CYP activities were correlated with the metabolism of 9.7 microM BDCM by each sample; statistical analysis showed a correlation with CYP2E1 activity only. This result is consistent with the finding that CYP2E1 is the only isoenzyme with a K(m) lower than the BDCM concentration used. The kinetic constants obtained from the inhibited microsomes were compared to similar results from recombinant human isoenzyme preparations containing only one CYP isoenzyme. The results for CYP2E1 were very similar, while the results for CYP1A2 were somewhat less similar and there was a substantial divergence for CYP3A4 in the two systems. Possible reasons for these differences are differing levels of CYP reductase and/or differing makeup of the membrane lipid environment for the CYPs. Because of the low levels of BDCM exposure from drinking water, it appears likely that CYP2E1 will dominate hepatic CYP-mediated BDCM metabolism in humans.     

Phytoremediation of trichloroethylene and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane-polluted water using transgenic Sesbania grandiflora and Arabidopsis thaliana plants harboring rabbit cytochrome p450 2E1

Sesbania grandiflora (L.) pers (Fabaceae) and Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) (Brassicaceae) were genetically engineered to constitutively express the rabbit cytochrome p450 2E1 enzyme aiming at increasing their activity toward trichloroethylene (TCE) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) removal Successful generation of Sesbania and Arabidopsis transgenic plants was verified using p450 2E1 specific PCR and confirmed by western blot analysis. Gas chromatography (GC) analysis revealed that small cuttings of Sesbania and third generation (F3) Arabidopsis transgenic plants exposed to TCE and DDT in small hydroponics' vessels accumulated more TCE and DDT compared to plants transformed with the empty vector. Furthermore, both transgenic plants were more effective in breaking down TCE and DDT with a 2-fold increase in TCE metabolism. Two independent Arabidopsis lines showed that DDT was metabolized about 4-fold higher than that detected in non transformed plants. Similarly, S. grandiflora cuttings removed 51 to 90% of the added DDT compared with only 3% removal in controls transformed with the null vector. Notably, stability of rabbit cytochrome p450 2E1 was confirmed using third generation Arabidopsis plants that displayed higher potential for the removal of two important pollutants, TCE and DDT compared with the controls.     

Quantitative evaluation of bromodichloromethane metabolism by recombinant rat and human cytochrome P450s

We report quantitative estimates of the parameters for metabolism of bromodichloromethane (BDCM) by recombinant preparations of hepatic cytochrome P450s (CYPs) from rat and human. Earlier work identified CYP2E1, CYP2B1/2 and CYP1A2 as activating enzymes necessary for hepatotoxicity in rat. In order to extend an existing PBPK model for rat to include a capability for extrapolation to humans, it is necessary to evaluate quantitatively the principal metabolic pathways in both species. We have conducted in vitro experiments using recombinant preparations of the three rat CYP isoenzymes mentioned above and for CYP2C11 and CYP3A1 as well. Similar experiments have been performed with human recombinant isoenzymes for CYP2E1, CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. Results indicate that the principal metabolizing enzymes in rat are those identified previously, CYP2E1, CYP2B1/2 and CYP1A2. CYP3A1 may also have some activity. In human, CYP2E1, CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 show substantial activity, and CYP2A6 also measurably metabolizes BDCM. In both species, CYP2E1 is the low K(m) isoenzyme, with K(m) approximately 27-fold lower than those for the isoenzymes with the next lowest K(m). In addition, the metabolic parameters, K(m) and k(cat), for rat and human CYP2E1 were nearly identical. The metabolic parameters for CYP1A2, the only other isoenzyme active in both species, were not similar across species. In addition, calculations based on the kinetic constants obtained are compared to results from two in vivo experiments to show that the in vitro kinetic data is relevant to in vivo exposures. We conclude that although several CYPs metabolize BDCM, at low concentration/exposure, BDCM metabolism is dominated by CYP2E1 in both rat and human, but that other isoenzymes can be important at higher concentrations. We further conclude that the kinetic data are consistent with existing in vivo results.     

Inhibition of human cytochrome P450 1A2 by flavones: A molecular modeling study

Cytochrome P450 1A2 metabolizes a number of important drugs, procarcinogens, and endogenous compounds. Several flavones, a class of phytochemicals consumed in the human diet, have been shown to differentially inhibit human P450 1A2-mediated methoxyresorufin demethylase. A molecular model of this P450 was constructed in order to elucidate the molecular basis of the P450-flavone interaction. Flavone and its 3,5,7-trihydroxy and 3,5,7-trimethoxy derivatives were docked into the active site to assess their mode of binding. The site is hydrophobic and includes several residues that hydrogen bond with substituents on the flavone nucleus. The binding interactions of these flavones in the modeled active side are consistent with their relative inhibitory potentials, namely 3,5,7-trihydroxylflavone > flavone >3,5,7-trimethoxylflavone, toward P450 1A2-mediated methoxyresorufin demethylation.     

Inhibition of human cytochrome P450 1A2 by flavones: A molecular modeling study

Cytochrome P450 1A2 metabolizes a number of important drugs, procarcinogens, and endogenous compounds. Several flavones, a class of phytochemicals consumed in the human diet, have been shown to differentially inhibit human P450 1A2-mediated methoxyresorufin demethylase. A molecular model of this P450 was constructed in order to elucidate the molecular basis of the P450-flavone interaction. Flavone and its 3,5,7-trihydroxy and 3,5,7-trimethoxy derivatives were docked into the active site to assess their mode of binding. The site is hydrophobic and includes several residues that hydrogen bond with substituents on the flavone nucleus. The binding interactions of these flavones in the modeled active side are consistent with their relative inhibitory potentials, namely 3,5,7-trihydroxylflavone > flavone >3,5,7-trimethoxylflavone, toward P450 1A2-mediated methoxyresorufin demethylation.     

Anionic phospholipid-induced regulation of reactive oxygen species production by human cytochrome P450 2E1

We suggest that the cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1)-induced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be regulated by anionic phospholipids and the presence of the N-terminal region of the enzyme. When the content of cardiolipin (CL) in membranes at the expense of phosphatidylcholine matrix was increased, the ROS produced by recombinant human CYP2E1 was decreased as a function of CL concentration. On the contrary, the N-terminally truncated CYP2E1 had a decreased effect on the lipid-induced reduction of ROS formation. These results suggest that specific phospholipids can regulate the function of CYP2E1 by interaction with the enzyme including the N-terminal region(s).     

Immobilization and activity assay of cytochrome P450 on patterned lipid membranes

We report on a methodology for immobilizing cytochrome P450 on the surface of micropatterned lipid bilayer membranes and measuring the enzymatic activity. The patterned bilayer comprised a matrix of polymeric lipid bilayers and embedded fluid lipid bilayers. The polymeric lipid bilayer domains act as a barrier to confine fluid lipid bilayers in defined areas and as a framework to stabilize embedded membranes. The fluid bilayer domains, on the other hand, can contain lipid compositions that facilitate the fusion between lipid membranes, and are intended to be used as the binding agent of microsomes containing rat CYP1A1. By optimizing the membrane compositions of the fluid bilayers, we could selectively immobilize microsomal membranes on these domains. The enzymatic activity was significantly higher on lipid bilayer substrates compared with direct adsorption on glass. Furthermore, competitive assay experiment between two fluorogenic substrates demonstrated the feasibility of bioassays based on immobilized P450s.     

Expression of constitutive and inducible cytochrome P450 2E1 in rat brain

Studies initiated to investigate the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) in rat brain demonstrated low but detectable protein and mRNA expression in control rat brain. Though mRNA and protein expression of CYP2E1 in brain was several fold lower as compared to liver, relatively high activity of N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase (NDMA-d) was observed in control rat brain microsomes. Like liver, pretreatment with CYP2E1 inducers such as ethanol or pyrazole or acetone significantly increased the activity of brain microsomal NDMA-d. Kinetic studies also showed an increase in the Vmax and affinity (Km) of the substrate towards the brain enzyme due to increased expression of CYP2E1 in microsomes of brain isolated from ethanol pretreated rats. In vitrostudies using organic inhibitors, specific for CYP2E1 and anti-CYP2E1 significantly inhibited the brain NDMA-d activity indicating that like liver, NDMA-d activity in rat brain is catalyzed by CYP2E1. Olfactory lobes exhibited the highest CYP2E1 expression and catalytic activity in control rats. Furthermore, several fold increase in the mRNA expression and activity of CYP2E1 in cerebellum and hippocampus while a relatively small increase in the olfactory lobes and no significant change in other brain regions following ethanol pretreatment have indicated that CYP2E1 induction maybe involved in selective sensitivity of these brain areas to ethanol induced free radical damage and neuronal degeneration.     

The genetic regulation of liver microsomal CYP2E1 activity among strains of the viviparous fish Poeciliopsis

CYP2E1 expression was examined within, among, and in F(1) and backcross progeny of strains (P. monacha S68-5; P. viriosa M65-23) of the viviparous fish Poeciliopsis. CYP 2E1 activity varied dramatically in P. monacha, and P. viriosa (3.9+/-0.8 and 9.6+/-1.3 microg/min/mg) as well as the temperature which gave maximal activity (T(0)=25 degrees C and 31 degrees C). F(1) individuals from a crosses between P. monacha and P. viriosa, produced progeny whose CYP2E1 activity segregated into three different groups: (1) phenotypically the same as P. viriosa; (2) intermediate between the two parental strains; and (3) phenotypically the same as P. monacha. When a male P. monacha was crossed with a female P. viriosa 25% of the offspring had an intermediate phenotype and 65% the maternal P. viriosa phenotype. From the same cross, 85% of the females progeny had the maternal phenotype, while 80% of male progeny had the intermediate and paternal phenotype, suggesting an effect of the maternal genome on the F(1) phenotype. Among F(1) fish the T(0) was evenly distributed between parental values. In the backcross of a F(1) female to a male P. viriosa, CZX-6-hydroxylase activity segregated into the same three phenotypes with 60% of the progeny expressing the P. monacha phenotype. From the same cross, 70% of females and 40% of males expressed the P. monacha phenotype. The T(0) in the backcross were evenly distributed between the two parental values and the sex ratio among progeny was different than expected.     

Evidence for the involvement of a distinct form of cytochrome p450 3a in the oxidation of digitoxin by rat liver microsomes

The preceding paper (B. Gemzik, D. Greenway, C. Nevins, and A. Parkinson (1992). Regulation of two electrophoretically distinct proteins recognized by antibody against rat liver cytochrome P450 3A1. J. Biochem. Toxicol, 7 (43–52).) described the regulation of two rat liver microsomal proteins (50- and 51-kDa) recognized by antibody against P450 3A1. It was also shown that changes in the levels of the 51-kDa 3A protein were usually paralleled by changes in the rate of testosterone 2β-, 6β-, and 15β-hydroxylation. The present study demonstrates that age- and sex-dependent changes in the 50-kDa protein were paralleled by changes in the rate of digitoxin oxidation to digitoxigenin bisdigitoxoside. Induction or suppression of the 50-kDa protein by treatment of rats with various xenobiotics were also paralleled by changes in the rate of digitoxin oxidation. These results suggest that, contrary to previous assumptions, the conversion of digitoxin to digitoxigenin bisdigitoxoside and the conversion of testosterone to 2β-, 6β- and 15β-hydroxytestosterone are primarily catalyzed by different forms of P450 3A. Further evidence for this coclusion was obtained from studies in which the suicide inhibitor, chloramphenicol, was administered to mature female rats previously treated with pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile (PCN), which induces both the 50-kDa and the 51-kDa protein. Treatment of mature female rats with PCN alone caused a marked increase (16- to 18-fold) in the 6β-hydroxylation of testosterone and the rate of digitoxin oxidation. Treatment of PCN-induced rats with chloramphenicol caused a ～70% decrease in liver microsomal testosterone 6β-hydroxylation, but had no effect on the rate of conversion of digitoxin to digitoxigenin bisdigitoxoside. The oxidation of testosterone by purified 3A1 (a 51-kDa protein) was also inhibited by chloramphenicol in a time- and reduced nicotinamite adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent manner. In addition to testosterone and chloramphenicol, purified 3A1 also metabolized trole-andomycin, but it was unable to convert digitoxin to digitoxigenin bisdigitoxoside. Testosterone inhibited the microsomal oxidation of digitoxin, but digitoxin did not inhibit testosterone oxidation. This suggests that testosterone is a substrate for the 3A enzyme that metabolizes digitoxin, but that this form of P450 3A does not contribute significantly to testosterone oxidation by rat liver microsomes. We propose that the 2SbT-, 6β-, and 15β-hydroxylation of testosterone by rat liver microsomes is primarily catalyzed by the 51-kDa 3A proteins (either 3A1 or 3A2 depending on the source of microsomes), whereas digitoxin oxidation is primarily catalyzed by the 50-kDa protein.     

Regulation of two electrophoretically distinct proteins recognized by antibody against rat liver cytochrome P450 3A1

We recently reported that antibody against purified P450 3A1 (P450p) recognizes two electrophoretically distinct proteins (50 and 51 kDa) in liver microsomes from male and female rats, as determined by Western immunoblotting. Depending on the source of the liver microsomes, the 51-kDa protein corresponded to 3A1 and/or 3A2 which could not be resolved by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The other protein (50 kDa) appears to be another member of the P450 IIIA gene family. Both proteins were markedly intensified in liver microsomes from male or female rats treated with pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile, dexamethasone, troleandomycin, or chlordane. In contrast, treatment of male or female rats with phenobarbital intensified only the 51-kDa protein. Treatment of male rats with Aroclor 1254 induced the 51-kDa protein, but suppressed the 50-kDa form. In addition to their changes in response to inducers, the 50- and 51-kDa proteins also differed in their developmental expression. For example, the 50-kDa protein was not expressed until weaning (3 weeks), whereas the 51-kDa protein was expressed even in 1-week-old rats. At puberty (between weeks 5 and 6), the levels of the 50-kDa and 51-kDa proteins markedly declined in female but not in male rats, which introduced a large sex difference (male > female) in the levels of both proteins. Changes in the level of the 51-kDa protein were paralleled by changes in the rate of testosterone 2β, 6β-, and 15β-hydroxylation. In male rats, the marked increase in the levels of the 50-kDa protein between weeks 2 and 3 coincided with a three- to four fold increase in the rate of testosterone 2β-, 6β-, and 15β-hydroxylation, which suggests that the 50-kDa protein catalyzes the same pathways of testosterone oxidation as the 51-kDa protein. However, this developmental increase in testosterone oxidation may have resulted from an activation of the 51-kDa 3A protein. These results indicate that the two electrophoretically distinct proteins recognized by antibody against P450 3A1 are regulated in a similar but not identical manner, and suggest that the 51-kDa 3A protein is the major microsomal enzyme responsible for catalyzing the 2β-, 6β-, and 15β-hydroxylation of testosterone.     

Active sites of two orthologous cytochromes P450 2E1: differences revealed by spectroscopic methods

Cytochromes P450 2E1 of human and minipig origin were examined by absorption spectroscopy under high hydrostatic pressure and by resonance Raman spectroscopy. Human enzyme tends to denature to the P420 form more easily than the minipig form; moreover, the apparent compressibility of the heme active site (as judged from a redshift of the absorption maximum with pressure) is greater than that of the minipig counterpart. Relative compactness of the minipig enzyme is also seen in the Raman spectra, where the presence of planar heme conformation was inferred from band positions characteristic of the low-spin heme with high degree of symmetry. In this respect, the CYP2E1 seems to be another example of P450 conformational heterogeneity as shown, e.g., by Davydov et al. for CYP3A4 [Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 312 (2003) 121-130]. The results indicate that the flexibility of the CYP active site is likely one of its basic structural characteristics.