Differences in the cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes involved in the 2-hydroxylation of oestradiol and 17 alpha-ethinyloestradiol. Relative activities of rat and human liver enzymes.

The metabolism of oestradiol and 17 alpha-ethinyloestradiol to their 2-hydroxy derivatives is an important determinant in their biological effects. In this work, we have investigated which rat or human cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes are involved in catalysing these reactions. Oestradiol 2-hydroxylation was catalysed by a wide variety of rat cytochrome P-450s from gene families P450IA, P450IIB, P450IIC and P450IIIA. Interestingly, 17 alpha-ethinyloestradiol, which only differs structurally from oestradiol at a position distant from the site of oxidation, was metabolized predominantly by members of the P450IIC gene subfamily. In order to establish which enzymes are responsible for the oxidation of these substrates in man, antibodies to rat liver cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes were used to inhibit these reactions in a panel of human liver microsomal fractions. Also, possible correlations between the proteins recognized by the antibodies and the 2-hydroxylation rate were determined. These experiments provide evidence that 2-hydroxylation of 17 alpha-ethinyloestradiol in man is catalysed by cytochromes from the P450IIC, P450IIE and P450IIIA gene families. In contrast, the major proteins involved in oestradiol metabolism are from the P450IA gene family, although members of the P450IIC and P450IIE gene families may also play a role. These data demonstrate that the differences in the capacity of rat P-450s to metabolize these substrates are also present in the comparable enzymes involved in man, and that a variety of factors will determine the rate of disposition of these compounds in man.     

The effect of tetrahydrofuran on the microsomal monooxygenase system in vitro and in vivo]

The effects of tetrahydrofuran (THF) on rat liver microsomes in vitro and in vivo were opposite. In vitro THF inhibited the p-nitrophenol (PNP) hydroxylase activity of microsomes from control rats and from rats treated with PB, acetone, and isoniazide--by 50, 20, 60, and 80%, respectively. THF inhibited dimethylnitrosamine (NDMA) demethylation in control and induced microsomes in a lesser degree. THF increased the total cytochrome P-450 content as well as the contents of cytochromes P-450IIE1 and P-450IIB1/B2. The activities of PNP-hydroxylation and NDMA-demethylation increased also, whereas the PR-dealkylation activity was unchanged. An increase in the THF dose caused inhibition of the rat liver microsomal monooxygenase system.     

Role of cytochrome P-450IIE1 in N-nitroso-N-methylaniline induced hepatocyte cytotoxicity.

1. The cytotoxicity of N-nitrosomethylaniline (NMA) towards hepatocytes isolated from rats was prevented by acetone or ethanol (inhibitors for cytochrome P-450IIE1) but not by metyrapone or SKF525A (inhibitors for cytochrome P-450IIB1/2). Various alcohols, secondary ketones and isothiocyanates that induced cytochrome P-450IIE1 were also found to be protective. Various aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents that are substrates or inducers of cytochrome P-450IIE1 also prevented NMA cytotoxicity. Nitrogen-containing heterocycles that induced cytochrome P-450IIE1 were less effective. Further evidence that cytochrome P-450IIE1 was responsible for the activation of NMA was the marked increase in hepatocyte susceptibility if hepatocytes from pyrazole-induced rats were used. 2. NMA was more cytotoxic to hepatocytes isolated from phenobarbital-pretreated rats than uninduced rats. However, metyrapone now prevented and SKF525A delayed the cytotoxicity whereas ethanol, acetone, allyl isocyanate, isoniazid or trichloroethylene had no effect on the susceptibility of phenobarbital-induced hepatocytes. Furthermore, microsomes isolated from phenobarbital-pretreated rats had higher NMA-N-demethylase activity which was more inhibited by metyrapone and SKF525A than that of uninduced microsomal activity. By contrast the N-demethylase activity of phenobarbital induced microsomes was more resistant to acetone, ethanol, hexanal, trichloroethylene and toluene than uninduced microsome. 3. The above results suggest that cytochrome P-450IIE1 catalyses the cytotoxic activation of NMA in normal or pyrazole-induced hepatocytes whereas cytochrome P-450IIB1/2 is responsible for cytotoxicity in phenobarbital-induced hepatocytes.     

Induction of cytochrome P-450IA1, IA2, IIB1, IIB2 and IIE1 by broccoli in rat liver and colon

Ingestion of broccoli or other cruciferous vegetables inhibits the induction of cancer by chemicals and modifies some cytochrome P-450 enzyme activities. The effect of dietary broccoli on the levels of P450IA and IIB mRNA and proteins in rat liver and colon has been studied. Rats were fed a ten percent broccoli diet for 7 days. The expression of the cytochrome P-450 forms was altered to a different extent in the liver and colon. The level of total P450IA mRNA in the liver was increased by the broccoli together with the P450IA1 and IA2 proteins. Colonic P450IA1 mRNA and protein were induced by the broccoli diet, whereas only P450IA2 protein and not mRNA was detectable in colon, but the protein level was unaffected by the broccoli diet. Liver P450IIB and IIE1 proteins were increased by the broccoli diet, whereas the level of P450IIB mRNAs was not affected. In contrast, the P450IIB mRNA levels were reduced but the protein levels were increased in colon and we suggest that a feedback mechanism caused the decrease of the P450IIB mRNAs levels. Because the ratio between activation and deactivation may be an important risk determinant, we conclude that the protective effect of the broccoli diet on chemically induced tumors in rodents may be caused by the broccoli-induced changes in P450IA and IIB associated enzyme activities.     

Food restriction prevents the loss of isosafrole inducible cytochrome P-450 mRNA and enzyme levels in aging rats

The influence of food restriction (FR) on the drug-inducible capacity of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450s IA1, IA2 and IIB1 and IIB2 was studied in 20-month-old male Fischer-344 rats. ELISA and Western Blotting revealed that the induction of the cytochrome P-450-IA1/IA2 and P-450-IIB1/IIB2 enzymes was considerably higher in the liver microsomes of FR rats than in their ad libitum (AL) fed counterparts. In order to determine whether the higher P-450 enzyme levels in FR rats were a reflection of an increased synthesis rate or a stabilization of these enzymes, hybridization studies were performed with a cDNA probe for P-450-IIB1/IIB2. These studies show markedly higher levels of P-450-IIB1/IIB2 mRNAs in the livers of FR rats as compared to AL animals. These results suggest that it is possible to prevent the age-dependent loss of drug-induced cytochrome P-450s by 40% dietary restriction which suggest FR may improve the drug-metabolizing capacity during aging.     

Musk xylene is a novel specific inducer of cytochrome P-450IA2.

The effect of musk xylene on contents of both cytochrome P-450IA1 and cytochrome P-450IA2 in rat liver was investigated using Western blotting analysis. Rats were treated i.p. for five consecutive days with either 50, 100 or 200 mg musk xylene/kg body weight. Musk xylene increased both total cytochrome P-450 and cytochrome b5 contents in rat liver microsomes. Musk xylene induced cytochrome P-450IA2 (384 pmol/mg protein) strongly and preferentially and the ratio of cytochrome P450IA2/P-450IA1 was about 12 at the lowest dose tested. Musk xylene also induced the cytochrome P-450IA1 dose-dependently, but these extents were very small (32-174 pmol/mg protein). These results suggest that musk xylene may be a more specific inducer for cytochrome P-450IA2 than any other inducers reported.     

Centrilobular expression of ethanol-inducible cytochrome P-450 (IIE1) in rat liver

Western blot analysis of digitonin eluates as well as immunohistochemical analysis revealed a 30-fold higher concentration of cytochrome P-450IIE1 in the centrilobular than in the periportal regions of the rat liver. Ethanol treatment caused a selective centrilobular induction of P-450IIE1, whereas phenobarbital induced P-450IIB1/2 in both liver lobule regions. The heterogeneous distribution pattern of P-450IIE1 was also observed in cells isolated from either region and correlated to the relative content of P-450IIE1 mRNA in the two cell types. The regiospecific expression and induction of P-450IIE1 may explain why several hepatotoxins, known to be metabolized by this isozyme, primarily damage the centrilobular region in the liver.     

Androgen hydroxylation catalysed by a cell line (SD1) that stably expresses rat hepatic cytochrome P-450 PB-4 (IIB1).

Androgen hydroxylation catalysed by Chinese hamster fibroblast SD1 cells, which stably express cytochrome P-450 form PB-4, the rat P450IIB1 gene product, was assessed and compared to that catalysed by purified cytochrome P-450 PB-4 isolated from rat liver. SD1 cell homogenates catalysed the NADPH-dependent hydroxylation of androstenedione and testosterone with a regioselectivity very similar to that purified by P-450 PB-4 (16 beta-hydroxylation/16 alpha-hydroxylation = 6.0-6.8 for androstenedione; 16 beta/16 alpha = 0.9 for testosterone). Homogenates prepared from the parental cell line V79, which does not express detectable levels of P-450 PB-4 or any other cytochrome P-450, exhibited no androgen 16 beta- or 16 alpha-hydroxylase activity. The hydroxylase activities catalysed by the SD1 cell homogenate were selectively and quantitatively inhibited (greater than 90%) by a monoclonal antibody to P-450 PB-4 at a level of antibody (40 pmol of antibody binding sites/mg of SD1 homogenate) that closely corresponds to the P-450 PB-4 content of the cells (48 pmol of PB-4/mg of SD1 homogenate). Fractionation of cell homogenates into cytosol and microsomes revealed that the P-450 PB-4-mediated activities are associated with the membrane fraction. Although the P-450 PB-4-specific content of the SD1 microsomes was 15% of that present in phenobarbital-induced rat liver microsomes, the P-450 PB-4-dependent androstenedione 16 beta-hydroxylase activity of the SD1 membrane fraction was only 2-3% of that present in the liver microsomes. This activity could be stimulated several-fold, however, by supplementation of SD1 microsomes with purified rat NADPH P-450 reductase. These studies establish that a single P-450 gene product (IIB1) can account for the hydroxylation of androgen substrates at multiple sites, and suggest that SD1 cells can be used to assess the catalytic specificity of P-450 PB-4 with other substrates as well.     

Immunological characterization of constitutive isozymes of cytochrome P-450 from rainbow trout. Evidence for homology with phenobarbital-induced rat P-450s

Immunoglobulin G fractions (IgGs), isolated from rabbits immunized against hepatic cytochrome P-450 isozymes were used to investigate the immunochemical homology among trout P-450s and between trout and rat P-450s. The antigens used for immunization were five constitutive trout P-450s (LMC1 to LMC5), one beta-naphthoflavone (BNF)-inducible trout P-450 (LM4b), and one phenobarbital-induced rat P4500IIB1 (PB-B). In the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), strong cross-reactivity was observed between anti-LMC2 IgG and P-450 LMC1, and between anti-LMC3 IgG and P-450 LMC4. There was little or no cross-reactivity of anti-LMC5 IgG with other trout P-450s. Trout P-450 LM4b was not recognized by any of the antibodies against constitutive trout P-450s. Antibodies to P-450 LMC1 and P450 LMC2 cross-reacted strongly with rat P450IIB1 and with proteins of PB-induced rat liver microsomes. Rat P450IA1 (BNF-B) did not cross-react with anti-LMC1 or anti-LMC2 IgG. These cross-reactions were essentially confirmed by immunoblot (Western blot) analysis. Western blots of PB-induced rat liver microsomes probed with anti LMC1 revealed two major immunoreactive proteins in the P-450 region, one of which co-migrated with rat P450IIB1. P450IIB1 itself cross-reacted strongly with anti-LMC1 IgG. In control rats, a single protein band cross-reacted poorly with anti-LMC1 IgG. Antibodies to LMC1 and LMC2 did not cross-react with rat P450IA1 in Western blots. The antigenic epitopes in rat P450IIB1 recognized by anti-LMC1 IgG and anti-LMC2 IgG are probably not located at or near the active site of the enzyme since these antibodies did not inhibit benzphetamine N-demethylase activity of P450IIB1 or of PB-induced rat liver microsomes. In general, our results demonstrate: (1) the presence of a significant homology between LMC1 and LMC2, and between constitutive trout P-450 (LMC1) and PB-induced rat P-450 (P450IIB1); and (2) distant homology between constitutive trout P-450s and constitutive rat P-450s or BNF-induced rat P-450s.     

Cytochrome P-450 and oxygen toxicity. Oxygen-dependent induction of ethanol-inducible cytochrome P-450 (IIE1) in rat liver and lung

The ethanol-inducible form of cytochrome P-450 (P-450IIE1) has previously been shown to exhibit an unusually high rate of oxidase activity with the subsequent formation of reactive oxygen species, e.g., hydrogen peroxide, and to be the main contributor of microsomal oxidase activity in liver microsomes from acetone-treated rats [Ekstr?m & Ingelman-Sundberg (1989) Biochem. Pharmacol. (in press)]. The results here presented indicate that oxygen exposure of rats causes an about 4-fold induction of P-450IIE1 in rat liver and lung microsomes. The induction in liver was not accompanied by any measurable increase in the P-450IIE1 mRNA levels, but the enhanced amount of P-450IIE1 accounted for 60% of the net 50% increase in the level of hepatic P-450 as determined spectrophotometrically. The induction of P-450IIE1 was maximal after 60 h of O2 exposure, and concomitant increases in the rates of liver microsomal CCl4-dependent lipid peroxidation, O2 consumption, NADPH oxidation, O2- formation, H2O2 production, and NADPH-dependent microsomal lipid peroxidation were seen. Liver microsomes from oxygen-treated rats had very similar properties to those of microsomes isolated from acetone-treated rats with respect to the P-450IIE1 content and catalytic properties, but different from those of thyroxine-treated animals. Treatment of rats with the P-450IIE1 inducer acetone in combination with oxygen exposure caused a potentiation of the NADPH-dependent liver and lung microsomal lipid peroxidation and decreased the survival time of the rats. The results reached indicate a role for cytochrome P-450 and, in particular, for cytochrome P-450IIE1 in oxygen-mediated tissue toxicity.     

Age-dependent expression of cytochrome P-450s in rat liver

Age-related changes in the levels of multiple forms of cytochrome P-450 as well as in the testosterone hydroxylation activities of hepatic microsomes of male and female rats of different ages from 1 week to 104 weeks (24 months) were investigated. The total cytochrome P-450 measured photometrically did not change much with age in either male and female rats. Testosterone 2 alpha-, 2 beta-, 6 beta-, 15 alpha-, 16 beta-hydroxylation activities of male rats were much higher than those in female rats and were induced developmentally. These activities in male rats declined with aging to the very low level in female rats by 104 weeks of age. Testosterone 7 alpha-hydroxylation activity was maximum at 3 weeks of age in rats of both sexes. The levels of individual cytochrome P-450s were measured by immunoblotting. P450IA1 and IA2 (3-methylcholanthrene-inducible forms) and P450IIB1 and IIB2 (phenobarbital-inducible forms) were detected at low levels in rats of both sexes at all ages. P450IIA2, IIC11 and IVA2 were detected in male rats only and were induced developmentally. These male-specific forms disappeared in male rat liver at 104 weeks of age. P450IIC12, a typical female-specific form, was induced developmentally in female rats and was also detected in male rats at 3 and 104 weeks of age. P450IIIA2 (testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase) was induced developmentally in male rats, but disappeared when the rats were 104 weeks of age. In female rats, P450IIIA2 was detected only at 1 and 3 weeks of age. P450IIA1, IIC6, IIE1 and IVA3 were detected in rats of both sexes at any age. P450IIC6 and IVA3 were induced developmentally and detected at a similar level in rats of both sexes. The level of P450IIA1 was maximum at 3 weeks of age in rats of both sexes. The changes in the level of P450IIE1 during aging were small compared with the changes in other cytochrome P-450s used in this study. These observations provide concrete evidence to our earlier hypothesis that each of the forms of cytochrome P-450 in male rats alter with aging in different patterns resulting in a practical feminization of over-all cytochrome P-450 composition at old age.     

Catalysis of the oxidation of steroid and stilbene estrogens to estrogen quinone metabolites by the beta-naphthoflavone-inducible cytochrome P450 IA family.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) or catecholestrogens are metabolized by microsomal enzymes to quinones, DES Q or catecholestrogen quinones, respectively, which have been shown to bind covalently to DNA and to undergo redox cycling. The isoforms of cytochrome P450 catalyzing this oxidation of estrogens to genotoxic intermediates were not known and have been identified in this study by (a) using microsomes of rats treated with various inducers of cytochrome P450; (b) using purified cytochrome P450 isoforms; and (c) examining the peroxide cofactor concentrations necessary for this oxidation by microsomes or pure isoenzymes. The highest rate of oxidation of DES to DES Q was obtained using beta-naphthoflavone-induced microsomes (14.0 nmol DES Q/mg protein/min) or cytochrome P450 IA1 (6.4 pmol DES Q/min/pmol P450). Isosafrole-induced microsomes or cytochrome P450 IA2 oxidized DES to quinone at one-third or one-fifth of that rate, respectively. Low or negligible rates of oxidation were measured when oxidations were catalyzed by microsomal rat liver enzymes induced by phenobarbital, ethanol, or pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile or by pure cytochromes P450 IIB1, IIB4, IIC3, IIC6, IIE1, IIE2, IIG1, or IIIA6. Cytochrome P450 IA1 also catalyzed the oxidation of 2- or 4-hydroxyestradiol to their corresponding quinones. The beta-naphthoflavone-induced microsomes and cytochrome P450 IA1 had the highest "affinity" for cumene hydroperoxide cofactor (Km = 77 microM). Cofactor concentrations above 250 microM resulted in decreased rates of oxidation. The other cytochrome P450 isoforms required much higher cofactor concentrations and were not inactivated at high cofactor concentrations. The data demonstrate that beta-naphthoflavone-inducible cytochrome P450 IA family enzymes catalyze most efficiently the oxidation of estrogenic hydroquinones to corresponding quinones. This oxidation may represent a detoxification pathway to keep organic hydroperoxides at minimal concentrations. The resulting quinone metabolites may be detoxified by other pathways. However, in cells with decreased detoxifying enzyme activities, quinones metabolites may accumulate and initiate carcinogenesis or cell death by covalent arylation of DNA or proteins.     

Purification of a new cytochrome P-450 from human liver microsomes

Using a classical methodology of purification consisting of three chromatographic steps (Octyl-Sepharose, DEAE-cellulose, CM-cellulose) we have purified a new cytochrome P-450 from human liver microsomes. It was called cytochrome P-450(9). It has been proven to be different from all precedingly purified human liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 isozymes by its immunological and electrophoretical properties. It does not cross-react with any rat liver cytochrome P-450 and anti-cytochrome P-450(9) does not recognize rat liver microsomes; thus this cytochrome P-450(9) is specific to humans. This cytochrome P-450 isozyme exists in low amounts in human liver microsomes and exhibits an important quantitative polymorphism. In reconstituted system, cytochrome P-450(9) is able to hydroxylate all substrates tested but is not specific of any; its exact role in xenobiotic metabolism in man remains to be elucidated.     

Purification and characterization of cytochromes P-450 from liver microsomes of 3-methylcholanthrene-treated crab-eating monkeys

Two forms of cytochrome P-450 (P-450MC1 and P-450MC2) were purified from liver microsomes of crab-eating monkeys (Macaca irus) treated with 3-methylcholanthrene (MC). Monkey P-450MC1 preparation had a specific content of 14.0 nmol/mg protein and showed a main protein band with a minimum molecular weight of 52,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Monkey P-450MC2 preparation had a specific content of 12.1 nmol/mg protein and a minimum molecular weight of 54,000. The carbon monoxide-reduced difference spectral peaks of monkey P-450MC1 and P-450MC2 were at 448 and 447 nm, respectively. In the reconstituted system, monkey P-450MC2 had high activities for benzo[a]pyrene 3-hydroxylation and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation. Monkey P-450MC1 had low activities toward these two substrates and a high activity for benzphetamine N-demethylation. Monkey P-450MC1 and P-450MC2 were detected by immunoblotting using an antibody prepared against rat cytochrome P-450c, which is a major form of cytochrome P-450 in liver microsomes of MC-treated rats. These results suggested that the molecular properties of cytochrome P-450 in liver microsomes of crab-eating monkeys treated with MC are similar to those in rats.     

Increased catalytic activity of cytochrome P-450IIE1 in pericentral hepatocytes compared to periportal hepatocytes isolated from pyrazole-treated rats.

Cytochrome P-450IIE1 is induced by a variety of agents, including acetone, ethanol and pyrazole. Recent studies employing immunohistochemical methods have shown that P-450IIE1 was expressed primarily in the pericentral zone of the liver. In order to evaluate whether catalytic activity of P-450IIE1 is preferentially localized in the pericentral zone of the liver acinus, the oxidation of aniline and p-nitrophenol, two effective substrates for P-450IIE1, by periportal and pericentral hepatocytes isolated from pyrazole-treated rats was determined. Periportal and pericentral hepatocytes were prepared by a digitonin-collagenase procedure; the marker enzymes glutamine synthetase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase indicated reasonable separation of the two cell populations. Viability, yield and total cytochrome P-450 content were similar for the periportal and pericentral hepatocytes. Pericentral hepatocytes oxidized aniline and p-nitrophenol at rates that were 2-4-fold greater than periportal hepatocytes under a variety of conditions. Carbon monoxide inhibited the oxidation of the substrates with both preparations and abolished the increased oxidation found with the pericentral hepatocytes. Pyrazole or 4-methylpyrazole, added in vitro, effectively inhibited the oxidation of aniline and p-nitrophenol and prevented the augmented rate of oxidation by the pericentral hepatocytes. Western blots carried out using isolated microsomes revealed a more than 2-fold increase in immunochemical staining with microsomes isolated from the pericentral hepatocytes, which correlated to the 2-4-fold increase in the rate of oxidation of aniline or p-nitrophenol by the pericentral hepatocytes. These results suggest that functional catalytic activity of cytochrome P-450IIE1 is preferentially localized in the pericentral zone of the liver acinus, and that most of the induction by pyrazole of P-450IIE1 appears to occur within the pericentral zone.     

Induction and regulation of cytochrome P450 K-5 (lauric acid hydroxylase) in rat renal microsomes by starvation

The effects of starvation on rat renal cytochrome P-450s were studied. The content of spectrally measured cytochrome P-450 in the renal microsomes of male rats increased 2-fold with 72 h starvation, but cytochrome b5 and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase were not induced. 7-Ethoxycoumarin O-dealkylation and aniline hydroxylation activities of the renal microsomes of control male rats were very low but were induced 2.5-3-fold by 72 h starvation. Aminopyrine N-demethylation and lauric acid hydroxylation activities were induced 1.5-2-fold by 72 h starvation. The changes in catalytic activities suggested that the contents of individual cytochrome P-450s in the renal microsomes were altered by starvation. The contents of some cytochrome P-450s were measured by Western blotting. P450 DM (P450IIE1), a typical form of cytochrome P-450 induced by starvation in rat liver, was barely detected in rat kidney and was induced 2-fold by 72 h starvation. P450 K-5, a typical renal cytochrome P-450 and lauric acid hydroxylase, accounted for 81% of the spectrally measured cytochrome P-450 in the renal microsomes of control male rats and was induced 2-fold by 72 h starvation. P450 K-5 was not induced in rat kidney by treatment with chemicals such as acetone or clofibrate. The renal microsomes of male rats contained 6-times as much P450 K-5 as those of female rats. These results suggest that P450 K-5 is regulated by an endocrine factor.     

Relation between the 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity of the liver microsomal monooxygenase system and the level of methylcholanthrene-induced form of cytochrome P-450

Changes in the metabolic activity of 7-ethoxyresorufin in rat liver microsomes containing different amounts of cytochrome P-450 induced by 3-methylcholanthrene and other polycyclic hydrocarbons (P-450c) were studied. Using antibodies to cytochrome P-450c for the determination of the cytochrome P-450c content and its metabolic role, it was demonstrated that 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation by the liver microsomal monooxygenase system is catalyzed exclusively by cytochrome P-450c. The rate of the substrate metabolism is correlated with the cytochrome P-450c content in microsomal membranes; the cytochrome P-450c activity does not depend on the cytochrome P-450c/NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase ratio. The experimental results suggest that the level of 7-ethoxyresorufin metabolism in liver microsomes can be regarded as a measure of the cytochrome P-450c content, whose function is associated with the stimulation of potential carcinogenic and toxic substances.     

Induction of cytochrome P-450 isozymes by mirex and chlordecone

The effect of the insecticides, mirex and chordecone (Kepone), on the cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system in C57BL/6N mouse liver microsomes was studied. Mice were treated intraperitoneally with low (6 mg/kg) and high (30 mg/kg) doses of mirex and chlordecone in corn oil for 2 days. For comparison, mice were also treated with either phenobarbital (PB) or 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC). All treatments significantly increased the hepatic microsomal P-450 content over that of controls. Benzphetamine N-demethylase, ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase, benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase, and acetanilide hydroxylase activities were also determined. Mirex and chlordecone resembled phenobarbital with respect to the induction of monooxygenase activities. Immunoquantitation with antibodies to purified P-450 IIB1 (Pb-induced P-450) and P-450 IA1 (3-MC-induced P-450) indicated that mirex and chlordecone induced P-450 IIB1 in a dose-dependent manner. The high dose of mirex also induced a small amount of a protein cross reacting with the antibody to IA1. The induction of this isozyme did not, however, contribute significantly to the monooxygenase activities measured.     

Expression of human liver cytochrome P450 IIIA4 in yeast. A functional model for the hepatic enzyme

Cytochrome P-450 (P450) NF, a member of the P450 IIIA subfamily, is the major contributor to the oxidation of the calcium-channel blocker nifedipine in human liver microsomes. A cDNA clone designated NF25 encoding for human P450 NF was isolated from a bacteriophage lambda gt11 expression library [Beaune, P. H., Umbenhauer, D. R., Bork, R. W., Lloyd, R. S. & Guengerich, F. P. (1986) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 83, 8064-8068]. We have expressed NF25 cDNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using an expression vector constructed from pYeDP1/8-2 [Cullin, C. & Pompon, D. (1988) Gene 65, 203-217]. Yeast transformed with the plasmid containing the NF25 sequence (pVNF25) showed a ferrous-CO spectrum typical of cytochrome P-450. Microsomal preparations contained a protein with an apparent molecular mass identical to that of P450-5 (a form isolated from human liver indistinguishable from P450 NF) that was not present in microsomes from control yeast (transformed with pYeDP1/8-2 alone), as revealed by immunoblotting with anti-P450-5 antibodies. On the other hand, antibodies raised in rabbits against human liver P450 IIC8-10 and rat liver P450 IA1 and P450 IIE1 did not recognize yeast-expressed P450 NF25. The P450 NF25 content in microsomes was about 90 pmol/mg protein. Microsomal, yeast-expressed P450 NF25 exhibited a high affinity for different substrates including macrolide antibiotics, dihydroergotamine and miconazole as shown by difference visible spectroscopy. Microsomal suspensions containing P450 NF25 were also able to catalyze several oxidation reactions that were expected from the activities of the protein isolated from human liver, including nifedipine 1,4-oxidation, quinidine 3-hydroxylation and N-oxygenation, and N-demethylation of the macrolide antibiotics erythromycin and troleandomycin. The yeast endogenous NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase thus couples efficiently with the heterologous P450 NF25 though its level is far lower than that of its ortholog in human liver. Indeed addition of rabbit liver NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase increased the oxidation rates. Rabbit liver cytochrome b5 also caused a marked enhancement of catalytic activities, as had been noted previously for this particular P450 enzyme in a reconstituted system involving the protein purified from human liver. Furthermore, the level of the yeast endogenous cytochrome P-450 (lanosterol 14-demethylase) has been found to be negligible compared to the heterologously expressed cytochrome P-450 (30 times less). Thus, yeast microsomes containing P450 NF25 constitute by themselves a good functional model for studying the binding capacities and catalytic activities of this individual form of human hepatic cytochrome P-450.     

Expression of rabbit cytochrome P-450IIE2 in yeast and stabilization of the enzyme by 4-methylpyrazole

A rabbit cytochrome P-450IIE2 full-length cDNA was cloned into a yeast episomal plasmid (YEp13) between the copper-responsive yeast metallothionein gene promoter (CUP1) and the iso-1-cytochrome c gene terminator (CYC1), and the cytochrome P-450 was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The microsomal fraction prepared from copper-treated cells exhibited a ferrous carbonyl difference spectrum with an absorption maximum at 451 nm and contained approximately 0.07 nmol of P-450IIE2 per mg of protein. The P-450IIE2 protein expressed in yeast microsomes was catalytically competent as judged by the NADPH-dependent deethylation of N-nitrosodiethylamine and by the oxidation of butanol. Cholate solubilization and polyethylene glycol fractionation of yeast microsomal P-450IIE2 yielded a preparation with a markedly lower specific content than that of intact microsomes, but, when 4-methylpyrazole was included during solubilization, the holoenzyme was completely stabilized.