Interaction of serum proteins with CYP isoforms in human liver microsomes: inhibitory effects of human and bovine albumin,alpha-globulins,alpha-1-acid glycoproteins and gamma-globulins on CYP2C19 and CYP2D6

The effects of serum proteins on the in vitro hydroxylation pathways of mephenytoin (CYP2C19) and debrisoquine (CYP2D6) were studied to enhance the predictability of in vivo drug metabolism from in vitro assays. Both CYP substrates are known to be weakly bound to albumin and the applicability of the free drug hypothesis was further appraised. Since bovine serum albumin (BSA) is used widely in in vitro assays, a comparison between human and bovine proteins was made. Four major serum proteins were studied: albumin, alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), alpha- and gamma-globulins. Human serum albumin (HSA) inhibited both CYP activities about 20% more than BSA. The addition of human alpha-globulins, but not the bovine protein, resulted in marked reduction of 86% and 41% in CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 activities, respectively. This reduction of activity was strikingly greater than the fraction bound (14 and 22%, respectively). The inhibition was of the competitive type and the Ki values of human alpha-globulins on CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 were found to be 0.45% (4.5 mg/ml) and 3.5% (35 mg/ml), respectively. The effect of both human and bovine gamma-globulins on CYP isoforms was negligible. The Ki values of human and bovine AGP for CYP2C19 were 1.84% (420 microM) and 0.93% (210 microM), respectively. For HSA, human alpha-globulins and human and bovine AGP, the strongly decreased CYP activities in vitro cannot be explained by the free drug hypothesis. A direct interaction of these serum proteins with CYP enzymes is postulated. Differential effects of bovine and human serum proteins and CYP specific inhibition were observed.     

Inhibitory effects of fruit juices on cytochrome P450 2C9 activity in vitro

There is limited information on the effect of fruits on human cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9 activity. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of fruit juice on CYP2C9-mediated drug metabolism. Nine citrus fruits and eight tropical fruits were chosen. We investigated effects of the fruits on diclofenac 4'-hydroxylation and tolbutamide hydroxylation by human liver microsomes. Among the fruits, pineapple juice showed potent inhibition of CYP2C9 activity. The addition of 25 microl (5.0% v/v) of pineapple juice resulted in almost complete inhibition. Next we examined the inhibitory effect of bromelain, a cysteine protease in pineapple. Bromelain also strongly inhibited CYP2C9 activity. In addition, E-64, a cysteine protease inhibitor, almost entirely blocked inhibition by pineapple juice and bromelain. Thus we found that pineapple juice was a potent inhibitor of CYP2C9, and that the inhibitory effect might be due to the bromelain contained in pineapple.     

Polysaccharide peptides from Coriolus versicolor competitively inhibit tolbutamide 4-hydroxylation in specific human CYP2C9 isoform and pooled human liver microsomes

Polysaccharide peptide (PSP), isolated from COV-1 strain of Coriolus versicolor, is commonly used as an adjunct in cancer chemotherapy in China. Previous studies have shown that PSP decreased antipyrine clearance and inhibited CYP2C11-mediated tolbutamide 4-hydroxylation in the rat both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, the effects of water extractable fraction of PSP on tolbutamide 4-hydroxylation was investigated in pooled human liver microsomes and in specific human CYP2C9 isoform. PSP (2.5-20 μM) dose-dependently decreased the biotransformation of tolbutamide to 4-hydroxy-tolbutamide. Enzyme kinetics studies showed inhibition of tolbutamide 4-hydroxylase activity was competitive and concentration-dependent. In pooled human liver microsomes, PSP had a K_i value of 14.2 μM compared to sulfaphenazole, a human CYP2C9 inhibitor, showed a K_i value of 0.32 μM. In human CYP2C9 isoform, the K_i value of PSP was 29.5 μM and the K_i value of sulfaphenazole was 0.04 μM. This study demonstrated that PSP can competitively inhibit tolbutamide 4-hydroxylation in both pooled human liver microsomes and specific human CYP2C9 in vitro. This study compliments previous findings in the rat that PSP can inhibit human tolbutamide 4-hydroxylase, but the relatively high K_i values in human CYP2C9 would suggest a low potential for PSP to cause herb-drug interaction.     

Identification of the human cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the in vitro biotransformation of lynestrenol and norethindrone

This study examined the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme selectivity of in vitro bioactivation of lynestrenol to norethindrone and the further metabolism of norethindrone. Screening with well-established chemical inhibitors showed that the formation of norethindrone was potently inhibited by CYP3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole (IC(50)=0.02 microM) and with CYP2C9 inhibitor sulphaphenazole (IC(50)=2.13 microM); the further biotransformation of norethindrone was strongly inhibited by ketoconazole (IC(50)=0.09 microM). Fluconazole modestly inhibited both lynestrenol bioactivation and norethindrone biotransformation. Lynestrenol bioactivation was mainly catalysed by recombinant human CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4; rCYP3A4 was responsible for the hydroxylation of norethindrone. A significant correlation was observed between norethindrone formation and tolbutamide hydroxylation, a CYP2C9-selective activity (r=0.63; p=0.01). Norethindrone hydroxylation correlated significantly with model reactions of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. The greatest immunoinhibition of lynestrenol bioactivation was seen in incubations with CYP2C-Ab. The CYP3A4-Ab reduced norethindrone hydroxylation by 96%. Both lynestrenol and norethindrone were weak inhibitors of CYP2C9 (IC(50) of 32 microM and 46 microM for tolbutamide hydroxylation, respectively). In conclusion, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 are the primary cytochromes in the bioactivation of lynestrenol in vitro, while CYP3A4 catalyses the further metabolism of norethindrone.     

Influence of various polymorphic variants of cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) on drug metabolic activity of CYP3A4 and CYP2B6

Cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) is known as the sole electron donor in the metabolism of drugs by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in human. However, little is known about the effect of polymorphic variants of POR on drug metabolic activities of CYP3A4 and CYP2B6. In order to better understand the mechanism of the activity of CYPs affected by polymorphic variants of POR, six full-length mutants of POR (e.g., Y181D, A287P, K49N, A115V, S244C and G413S) were designed and then co-expressed with CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 in the baculovirus-Sf9 insect cells to determine their kinetic parameters. Surprisingly, both mutants, Y181D and A287P in POR completely inhibited the CYP3A4 activity with testosterone, while the catalytic activity of CYP2B6 with bupropion was reduced to approximately ~70% of wild-type activity by Y181D and A287P mutations. In addition, the mutant K49N of POR increased the CLint (Vmax/Km) of CYP3A4 up to more than 31% of wild-type, while it reduced the catalytic efficiency of CYP2B6 to 74% of wild-type. Moreover, CLint values of CYP3A4-POR (A115V, G413S) were increased up to 36% and 65% of wild-type respectively. However, there were no appreciable effects observed by the remaining two mutants of POR (i.e., A115V and G413S) on activities of CYP2B6. In conclusion, the extent to which the catalytic activities of CYP were altered did not only depend on the specific POR mutations but also on the isoforms of different CYP redox partners. Thereby, we proposed that the POR-mutant patients should be carefully monitored for the activity of CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 on the prescribed medication.     

Site-directed mutagenesis studies of human serum albumin define tryptophan at amino acid position 214 as the principal site for nitrosation

The patterns of nitric oxide (NO) release from nitrosated bovine serum albumin (BSA), human serum albumin (HSA) and a number of recombinant HSA mutants were compared. All albumin species were nitrosated by incubation with acidified NO(2)(-). The pattern of NO release from BSA nitrosated with acidified NO(2)(-) was in agreement with previous reports which indicated that Cys-34 is the primary target for nitrosation in BSA. In contrast, the pattern of NO release from HSA nitrosated with acidified NO(2)(-) indicated that the primary nitrosation target was an amino acid residue other than Cys-34. Based on our initial findings and a previous report that tryptophan is a potential target for nitrosation by acidified NO(2)(-), several recombinant HSA mutants were synthesized in the yeast species Pichia pastoris. The following recombinant HSA species were produced: wild-type, C34S, W214L, W214E and W214L/Y411W HSA. Nitrosation of these mutants using acidified NO(2)(-) showed that Trp-214 is the primary nitrosation target in HSA. Mutation of Trp-214 led to an increase in Cys-34 nitrosation, indicating possible competition between these two residues for reaction with N(2)O(3), the reactive nitrosating species formed in aqueous acidified NO(2)(-) solutions.     

Familial dysalbuminemic byperthyroxinemia may result in altered warfarin pharmacokinetics

Two distinct genotypes that result in the amino acid substitutions R218P and R218H in subdomain 2A of human serum albumin (HSA) have been identified as the cause of familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxinemia (FDH). These substitutions increase the affinity of subdomain 2A for thyroxine by approximately 10-fold elevating plasma thyroxine levels in affected individuals. While many studies have examined the binding of thyroxine to FDH HSA, the binding of FDH HSA to drugs has not been widely investigated. The widely administered drug warfarin was selected as a model compound to study FDH HSA/drug interactions since it binds to subdomain 2A and its pharmacokinetics are dramatically influenced by HSA binding. Using two independent methods, fluorescence spectroscopy and equilibrium dialysis with radioactive warfarin, the binding of recombinant R218P, R218H, R218M and wild type HSA to warfarin was measured. Both methods showed an approximately 5-fold decrease in the affinity of R218P, R218H and R218M HSA for warfarin relative to wild type HSA. The Kd values determined by fluorescence spectroscopy for wild type, R218H, R218P and R218M HSA binding to warfarin were 1.35, 5.38, 5.61, and 8.34 microM, respectively. The values determined by equilibrium dialysis were 5.36, 29.5, 14.5, and 23.4 microM, respectively. Based on the above findings one would expect the free serum warfarin concentration in homozygous R218P and R218H FDH patients to be elevated about 5-fold, resulting in about a 5-fold reduction in the serum half-life of the drug.     

Enzyme kinetic and molecular docking studies on the metabolic interactions of 1-hydroxy-2,3,5-trimethoxy-xanthone, isolated from Halenia elliptica D. Don, with model probe substrates of human cytochrome P450 enzymes

Halenia elliptica D. Don is a Tibetan herb and medicinal preparations containing Halenia elliptica have been commonly used for the treatment of hepatitis B virus infection in China. The metabolism of 1-hydroxy-2,3,5-trimethoxy-xanthone (HM-1) to its metabolites is mediated through cytochrome P450 enzymes. This study aimed to investigate the herb-drug interaction potential of HM-1 by studying its effects on the metabolism of model probe substrates of five major CYP450 isoforms in human liver microsomes. HM-1 showed moderate inhibitory effects on CYP1A2 (IC(50)=1.06μM) and CYP2C9 (IC(50)=3.89μM), minimal inhibition on CYP3A4 (IC(20)=11.94μM), but no inhibition on model CYP2D6 (dextromethorphan) and CYP2E1 (chlorzoxazone) probe substrates. Inhibition kinetic studies showed that the K(i) values of HM-1 on CYP1A2, CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 were 5.12μM, 2.00μM and 95.03μM, respectively. HM-1 competitively inhibited testosterone 6β-hydroxylation (CYP3A4) but displayed mixed type inhibitions for phenacetin O-deethylation (CYP1A2) and tolbutamide 4-hydroxylation (CYP2C9). Molecular docking study confirmed the inhibition modes of HM-1 on these human CYP isoforms.     

Interaction of ergosterol with bovine serum albumin and human serum albumin by spectroscopic analysis

This study was designed to examine the interactions of ergosterol with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) under physiological conditions with the drug concentrations in the range of 2.99-105.88?μM and the concentration of proteins was fixed at 5.0?μM. The analysis of emission spectra quenching at different temperatures revealed that the quenching mechanism of HSA/BSA by ergosterol was the static quenching. The number of binding sites n and the binding constants K were obtained at various temperatures. The distance r between ergosterol and HSA/BSA was evaluated according to F?ster non-radioactive energy transfer theory. The results of synchronous fluorescence, 3D fluorescence, FT-IR, CD and UV-Vis absorption spectra showed that the conformations of HSA/BSA altered in the presence of ergosterol. The thermodynamic parameters, free energy change (ΔG), enthalpy change (ΔH) and entropy change (ΔS) for BSA-ergosterol and HSA-ergosterol systems were calculated by the van't Hoff equation and discussed. Besides, with the aid of three site markers (for example, phenylbutazone, ibuprofen and digitoxin), we have reported that ergosterol primarily binds to the tryptophan residues of BSA/HSA within site I (subdomain II A).     

The binding of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate to human serum albumin

Most of the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) in plasma is bound to protein, primarily albumin. Binding to protein is probably important in transporting PLP in the circulation and in regulating its metabolism. The binding of PLP to human serum albumin (HSA) was studied using absorption spectral analysis, equilibrium dialysis, and inhibition studies. The kinetics of the changes in the spectrum of PLP when mixed with an equimolar concentration of HSA at pH 7.4 followed a model for two-step consecutive binding with rate constants of 7.72 mM-1 min-1 and 0.088 min-1. The resulting PLP-HSA complex had absorption peaks at 338 and 414 nm and was reduced by potassium borohydride. The 414-nm peak is probably due to a protonated aldimine formed between PLP and HSA. The binding of PLP to bovine serum albumin (BSA) at equimolar concentrations at pH 7.4 occurred at about 10% the rate of its binding to HSA. The final PLP-BSA complex absorbed maximally at 334 nm and did not appear to be reduced with borohydride. Equilibrium dialysis of PLP and HSA indicated that there were more than one class of binding sites of HSA for PLP. There was one high affinity site with a dissociation constant of 8.7 microM and two or more other sites with dissociation constants of 90 microM or greater. PLP binding to HSA was inhibited by pyridoxal and 4-pyridoxic acid. It was not inhibited appreciably by inorganic phosphate or phosphorylated compounds. The binding of PLP to BSA was inhibited more than its binding to HSA by several compounds containing anionic groups. It is concluded that PLP binds differently to HSA than it does to BSA.     

Tolbutamide hydroxylation by hepatic microsomes from Atlantic salmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo salar</Emphasis> L.)

Metabolic transformations of two substrates for human cytochrome P450 (CYP450) 2C9, tolbutamide and diclofenac, were investigated in hepatic microsomes from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). Tolbutamide hydroxylation followed Michaelis–Menten kinetics. Mean apparent Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) and maximum reaction velocity (V_max) values for 4-hydroxytolbutamide (TBOH) formation were 0.09 ± 0.031 mM and 49.5 ± 6.03 pmol/min/mg, respectively. Addition of sulfaphenazole, an inhibitor for mammalian CYP2C9, in a range from 1 to 200 μM decreased formation of TBOH in a concentration-dependent manner, but not to 50%. Neither fluconazole, an inhibitor of human CYP2C9, nor ketoconazole, inhibitor of CYP1A and CYP3A in fish, affected TBOH formation. In contrast ellipticine, an inhibitor of CYP1A in fish inhibited TBOH formation with the IC₅₀ value of 12.1 μM. The rate of TBOH formation was competitively inhibited by 100 μM of sesamin in the incubations, but the degree of inhibition did not increase with increased sesamin concentration. Ethoxyresorufin hydroxylase (EROD) activity was inhibited by tolbutamide in a non-competitive manner (inhibition constant K_i = 218 μM). Our data suggest that tolbutamide is metabolized by salmon microsomes with formation of TBOH. CYP1A might be involved in this reaction as suggested by decreased TBOH formation in the presence of ellipticine and decreased EROD activity in the presence of tolbutamide. Incubation of diclofenac with the microsomes yielded no metabolite formation, suggesting that salmon does not possess diclofenac-metabolizing activity.     

Tolbutamide and phenytoin hydroxylations by cDNA-expressed human liver cytochrome P4502C9

A human cytochrome P4502C9 cDNA clone has been isolated from a human liver bacteriophage Lambda gt11 library using oligonucleotide probes. Expression of the 1762 base pair cDNA in COS cells demonstrated that the encoded enzyme has a molecular mass of 55 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The expressed enzyme catalysed the methylhydroxylation of tolbutamide with an apparent Km of 131.7 microM, similar to that observed in human liver microsomes. P4502C9 also catalysed the 4-hydroylation of phenytoin, and inhibition experiments demonstrated that phenytoin was a competitive inhibitor of tolbutamide hydroxylation with an apparent Ki of 19.1 microM. Sulphaphenazole was a potent inhibitor of the expressed enzyme with respect to both tolbutamide and phenytoin hydroxylations. These data demonstrate that a single isozyme can catalyse the hydroxylations of both tolbutamide and phenytoin, and suggest that both reactions are mediated by the same isozyme(s) of cytochrome P450 in human liver.     

Important amino acid residues that confer CYP2C19 selective activity to CYP2C9

Although CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 display 91% sequence identity at the amino acid level, the two enzymes have distinct substrate specificities for compounds such as diclofenac, progesterone and (S)-mephenytoin. Amino acid substitutions in CYP2C9 were made based on an alignment of CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and monkey CYP2C43 sequences. Mutants of CYP2C9 were expressed in Escherichia coli. Sixteen amino acids, which are common to both CYP2C19 and CYP2C43 but different between CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, were substituted in CYP2C9 (CYP2C9-16aa). Next, the mutated amino acids in CYP2C9-16aa were individually reverted to those of CYP2C9 to examine the effect of each substitution on the enzymatic activity for CYP2C marker substrates. In addition, the role of the F-G loop in CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 was examined for substrate specificity and enzymatic activity. Our results showed: (i) CYP2C9-16aa displays 11% (S)-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylase and full omeprazole 5-hydroxylase activity compared with that of CYP2C19; (ii) residue 286 is important for conferring CYP2C9-like enzyme activity on CYP2C9-16aa and residue 442 in CYP2C19 may be involved in the interaction with NADPH-P450 reductase; (iii) substitution of the F-G loop in CYP2C9 to that of CYP2C19 enhances tolbutamide p-methyhydroxylase and diclofenac 4'-hydroxylase activities and confers partial (S)-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylase and omeprazole 5-hydroxylase activities, which are attributed to CYP2C19.     

Preparation of cross-linked enzyme aggregates by using bovine serum albumin as a proteic feeder

Addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a proteic feeder facilitates obtaining cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs) in cases where the protein concentration in the enzyme preparation is low and/or the enzyme activity is vulnerable to the high concentration of glutaraldehyde required to obtain aggregates. CLEAs of Pseudomonas cepacia lipase and penicillin acylase were prepared. CLEA of lipase prepared in the presence of BSA retained 100% activity whereas CLEA prepared without BSA retained only 0.4% activity of the starting enzyme preparation. Lipase CLEA showed 12-fold increase in activity over free enzyme powder when the CLEA was used in transesterification of tributyrin. For the transesterification of Jatropha oil, while free enzyme powder required 8 h and 50 mg lipase to obtain 77% conversion, CLEA required only 6 h and 6.25 mg lipase to obtain 90% conversion. In the case of penicillin acylase, 86% activity could be retained in CLEA prepared with BSA whereas CLEA made without BSA retained only 50% activity. CLEA prepared without BSA lost 20% activity after 8 h at 45 degrees C whereas CLEA with BSA retained full activity. CLEA prepared with BSA showed Vmax/Km of 36.3 min-1 whereas CLEA prepared without BSA had Vmax/Km of 17.4 min-1 only. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that CLEAs prepared in the presence of BSA were less amorphous and closer in morphology to CLEAs of other enzymes described in the literature.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In silico</Emphasis> analysis of paraoxon binding by human and bovine serum albumin

Albumin is known to be able to cleave ether bonds in organophosphates (OPs). Amino acids responsible for esterase and pseudo-esterase albumin activity towards OPs are not yet finally identified. Presumably, Sudlow’s site I with the Tyr150 residue shows a “true” esterase activity, while Sudlow’s II site with the Tyr411 residue—a pseudo-esterase one. Both human (HSA) and bovine (BSA) serum albumins were used in in vitro studies of albumin (pseudo)esterase activity towards OPs. There is a body of evidence that the efficiency of interaction of different xenobiotics differs for these two proteins. Using paraoxon as an example, the aim of this study was to conduct an in silico study of the OP interaction with the previously identified potential sites of HSA and BSA (pseudo)esterase activity, to estimate the possibility of enzymatic reactions at these sites, to comparatively analyze these proteins from the evolutionary viewpoint, and to assess the possibility of extrapolating the experimental data obtained on BSA to a human organism. Molecular docking of paraoxon into the sites of HSA and BSA potential (pseudo)esterase activity has been performed. Conformational changes occurring in the resultant complexes with time have been studied by molecular dynamics simulation. It has been shown that Sudlow’s site II is less liable to evolutionary changes. Binding of modulators at other sites is not required for productive sorption of OPs and the phosphorylation reaction at Sudlow’s site II. It has been concluded that simi lar results for HSA and BSA could be expected for the irreversible binding of OPs at Sudlow’s site II. Since Sudlow’s site I is less conservative, diff erent binding efficiency could be expected for rigid molecules or optically active compounds. Both for HSA and BSA, productive binding of OPs at Sudlow’s site I is possible only after changes in the albumin molecule structure induced by binding of modulators at other sites.     

Oxidative stresses induced by glycoxidized human or bovine serum albumin on human monocytes

Oxidative stress and protein modifications are frequently observed in numerous disease states. Albumin, the major circulating protein in blood, can undergo increased glycoxidation in diabetes. Protein glycoxidation can lead to the formation of advanced glycoxidation end products, which induce various deleterious effects on cells. Herein, we report the effect of glucose or methylglyoxal-induced oxidative modifications on BSA or HSA protein structures and on THP1 monocyte physiology. The occurrence of oxidative modifications was found to be enhanced in glycoxidized BSA and HSA, after determination of their free thiol group content, relative electrophoretic migration, carbonyl content, and antioxidant activities. Cells treated with glycoxidized albumin exhibited an overgeneration of intracellular reactive oxygen species, impairments in proteasomal activities, enhancements in RAGE expression, and an accumulation of carbonylated proteins. These novel observations made in the presence of a range of modified BSA and HSA facilitate the comparison of the glycoxidation extent of albumin with the oxidative stress induced in cultured monocytes. Finally, this study reconfirms the influence of experimental conditions in which AGEs are generated and the concentration levels in experiments designed to mimic pathological conditions.     

Roles of bovine serum albumin and copper in the assay and stability of ammonia monooxygenase activity in vitro.

We investigated the effects of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on both the assay and the stability of ammonia-oxidizing activity in cell extracts of Nitrosomonas europaea. Ammonia-dependent O2 uptake activity of freshly prepared extracts did not require BSA. However, a dependence on BSA developed in extracts within a short time. The role of BSA in the assay of ammonia-oxidizing activity apparently is to absorb endogenous free fatty acids which are present in the extracts, because (i) only proteins which bind fatty acids, e.g., BSA or beta-lactoglobulin, supported ammonia-oxidizing activity; (ii) exogenous palmitoleic acid completely inhibited ammonia-dependent O2 uptake activity; (iii) the inhibition caused by palmitoleic acid was reversed only by proteins which bind fatty acids; and (iv) the concentration of endogenous free palmitoleic acid increased during aging of cell extracts. Additionally, the presence of BSA (10 mg/ml) or CuCl2 (500 microM) stabilized ammonia-dependent O2 uptake activity for 2 to 3 days at 4 degrees C. The stabilizing effect of BSA or CuCl2 was apparently due to an inhibition of lipolysis, because both additives inhibited the increase in concentrations of free palmitoleic acid in aging extracts. Other additives which are known to modify lipase activity were also found to stabilize ammonia-oxidizing activity. These additives included HgCl2, lecithin, and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride.     

Reductive unfolding of serum albumins uncovered by Raman spectroscopy

The reductive unfolding of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) induced by dithiothreitol (DTT) is investigated using Raman spectroscopy. The resolution of the S-S Raman band into both protein and oxidized DTT contributions provides a reliable basis for directly monitoring the S-S bridge exchange reaction. The related changes in the protein secondary structure are identified by analyzing the protein amide I Raman band. For the reduction of one S-S bridge of BSA, a mean Gibbs free energy of -7 kJ mol(-1) is derived by studying the reaction equilibrium. The corresponding value for the HSA S-S bridge reduction is -2 kJ mol(-1). The reaction kinetics observed via the S-S or amide I Raman bands are identical giving a reaction rate constant of (1.02 +/- 0.11) M(-1) s(-1) for BSA. The contribution of the conformational Gibbs free energy to the overall Gibbs free energy of reaction is further estimated by combining experimental data with ab initio calculations.     

Lambing rate using vitrified blastocysts is improved by culture with BSA and hyaluronan

Fatty acid-free bovine serum albumin (BSA(FAF)) can be added to supplement medium used in the culture of sheep embryos. BSA(FAF) was able to support blastocyst and subsequent embryo development at rates equivalent to that of fetal calf serum (FCS)-supplemented medium when fresh embryos were transferred. Furthermore, culture with BSA(FAF) significantly increased development of vitrified blastocysts transferred into synchronized sheep. The addition of the glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronan (HA) to the culture medium in the third and fifth day also increased cryo-tolerance of blastocysts and in turn lambing rate was improved.     

Polysaccharide peptides from Coriolus versicolor competitively inhibit model cytochrome P450 enzyme probe substrates metabolism in human liver microsomes

Polysaccharide peptide (PSP), isolated from COV-1 strain of Coriolus versicolor, is commonly used as an adjunct in cancer chemotherapy or health supplement in China. Previous studies have shown that PSP decreased antipyrine clearance and inhibited rat CYP2C11-mediated tolbutamide 4-hydroxylation and in human CYP2C9. In this study, the effects of the water extractable fraction of PSP on the metabolism of model CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 probe substrates were investigated in pooled human liver microsomes. PSP (1.25-20μM) dose-dependently decreased CYP1A2-mediated metabolism of phenacetin to paracetamol (IC(50) 19.7μM) and CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of testosterone to 6β-hydroxytestosterone (IC(20) 7.06μM). Enzyme kinetics studies showed the inhibition of CYP1A2 activity was competitive and concentration-dependent (K(i)=18.4μM). Inhibition of testosterone to 6β-hydroxytestosterone was also competitive and concentration-dependent (K(i)=31.8μM). Metabolism of dextromethorphan to dextrorphan (CYP2D6-mediated) and chlorzoxazone to 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone (CYP2E1-mediated) was only minimally inhibited by PSP, with IC(20) values at 15.6μM and 11.9μM, respectively. This study demonstrated that PSP competitively inhibited the CYP1A2- and CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of model probe substrates in human liver microsomes in vitro. The relatively high K(i) values for CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 would suggest a low potential for PSP to cause herb-drug interaction related to these CYP isoforms.