Interactions between the components of the cytochrome P-450-monoxygenase system from liver microsomes. III. N-demethylase activity of cytochrome P-450 relative to the degree of its integration

Preceding experiments on the immobilization of the multi-component P-450 (LM) system, in which hte order of the first-immobilized component had been varied, gave evidence that the enzymatic activity depends on the degree of association. The present paper deals with the relationship between the degree of association and the demethylase activity. With rising concentrations of the detergent (Triton N-101) up to 0.2%, ultracentrifugation experiments have shown a steady decrease of the sedimentation coefficient from 20-22 down to 4.5 [S]. The demethylase activity (substrate benzphetamine) of the immobilized P-450 declines on reconstitution with solubilized reductase with raising degree of monomerization: 61% (0.02% Triton N-101) and 23% (0.2% Triton N-101) as compared with untreated fixed P-450 equals 100%. The demethylase activity can be increased by raising the reductase concentration in the test preparation.     

Dissociation of hexamers of cytochrome P-450 LM2 in the presence of the non-ionic detergent emulgin 913

It was shown that the maximal degree of dissociation of cytochrome P-450 LM2 hexamers in the presence of the nonionic detergent Emulgene 913 (20 degrees C) is observed at the detergent concentration of about 0.2%. Using equilibrium centrifugation in solutions of different density, the molecular mass of the dissociation product minus that of the bound detergent was found to be equal to 50 +/- 8 kDa, thus corresponding to the molecular mass of the monomer. One cytochrome P-450 LM 2 molecule binds 80 +/- 20 molecules of Emulgene 913.     

Zwitterionic detergent mediated interaction of purified cytochrome P-450LM4 from 5,6-benzoflavone-treated rabbits with MADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase

Hydroxylation of acetanilide catalyzed by purified cytochrome P-450LM4 and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase was reconstituted with the zwitterionic detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS). The optimum rate of production of 4-hydroxyacetanilide was observed between 3 and 7 mM CHAPS and was about half that with 0.05 mM dilauroylglyceryl-3-phosphocholine (di-12-GPC). At higher detergent concentrations, hydroxylase activity decreased until at 15-20 mM CHAPS the system was inactive. The effect of CHAPS on the state of aggregation of P-450LM4 and on interaction between the cytochrome and P-450 reductase alone and under turnover conditions was investigated by ultracentrifugation. At 4 mM CHAPS, P-450LM4 was hexameric to heptameric (Mr 369,000). Neither reductase nor reductase plus acetanilide and NADPH altered the state of P-450LM4 aggregation, suggesting that a stable 1:1 P-450/reductase complex did not form under turnover conditions. Replacing CHAPS with 0.05 mM di-12-GPC resulted in formation of heterogeneous P-450 oligomers (Mr greater than 480,000). At CHAPS concentrations where substrate hydroxylation did not occur (15 and 22 mM), P-450LM4 was shown by sedimentation equilibrium measurements to be dimeric and monomeric, respectively. P-450 reductase was shown to reduce monomeric P-450LM4 in the presence of NADPH. Thus, the dependence of hydroxylase activity on [CHAPS] may be related to the state of aggregation of the cytochrome. An apparent correlation between P-450 aggregation state and NADPH-supported hydroxylation was also observed with phenobarbital-inducible P-450LM2 in the presence of detergents [Dean, W.L., & Gray, R.D. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 14679-14685; Wagner, S.L., Dean, W.L., & Gray, R.D. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 2390-2395].     

Structural characterization of insulin receptors. I. Hydrodynamic properties of receptors from turkey erythrocytes

Insulin receptors from turkey erythrocyte plasma membranes were solubilized in nondenaturing detergents (Triton X-100 and sodium deoxycholate). Their hydrodynamic properties were determined by sedimentation analyses in H2O and D2O, and gel filtration on Sepharose 4B. Two specific insulin-binding species are observed after velocity sedimentation in linear sucrose density gradients: peaks I and II. In Triton X-100, the sedimentation coefficient (s20,w), partial specific volume (Vc), and Stokes radius (a) for peaks I and II are, respectively, 10.2 +/- 0.5 S and 6.6 +/- 0.5 S, 0.75 +/- 0.02 ml/g, and 0.76 +/- 0.02 ml/g, and 89 +/- 3 A and 76 +/- 3 A, to yield Mr = 410,000 +/- 75,000 and 235,000 +/- 55,000, respectively, for the protein-Triton X-100 complex. The corresponding values in deoxycholate solution are: 10.7 +/- 0.5 S and 6.9 +/- 0.5 S, 0.71 +/- 0.03 ml/g and 0.70 +/- 0.04 ml/g, and 86 +/- 3 A and 69 +/- 3 A for peaks I and II, respectively, to yield 360,000 +/- 65,000 and 180,000 +/- 45,000, respectively, for the molecular weight of the protein-deoxycholate complex. These data are consistent with a model whereby each receptor species binds to one micelle of the appropriate detergent. In agreement with this model, it was also found that, in both Triton X-100 and deoxycholate, concentrations higher than the critical micellar concentration are required in order to maintain discrete receptor species in solution. At concentrations below the critical micellar concentration, the receptors aggregate to a broad band that sediments faster than 11.3 S. This is typical of membrane proteins that are stabilized in solution by insertion into detergent micelles. Based on these results, the protein molecular weights of peaks I and II are estimated to be 355,000 +/- 65,000 and 180,000 +/- 45,000, respectively. When membranes are treated with the reducing agent dithiothreitol, peak I is converted to peak II. This fact, together with the estimates obtained for the protein molecular weights of the two receptor species, suggests that peak I is a disulfide-linked dimer of peak II. The sedimentation characteristics of insulin receptors in many different cell types appear to be similar. As with turkey erythrocytes, detergent extracts of membranes from rat liver contained two native receptor species whose sedimentation coefficients were similar to peaks I and II. However, in all the other cell types examined, including rat adipocytes, rat heart muscle, 3T3-L1 adipocytes, 3T3-C2 fibroblasts, and FAO hepatoma cells, peak I (the native dimer) was the predominant species observed.     

Kinetics of elementary steps in the cytochrome P-450 reaction sequence. IV. Mechanism of the NADPH reduction reaction of cytochrome P-450LM.

The aerobic NADPH reduction of the Triton N-101 disintegrated cytochrome P-450LM system has been studied. At this organization level--the components being dispersed in solution--a first-order monophasic reaction is exhibited. Neither the complex formation of cytochrome and reductase, respectively, nor preceding diffusion is rate limiting. The initial rate follows the ratio reductase/P-450 (mole/mole) thus indicating a Michaelis-Menten type enzyme mechanism. A model treatment of the reaction fits the systems behaviour as a whole. A multiparameter equilibrium state and different specified time function equations were developed for the determination of individual step rate constants and other system parameters as well.     

Structural characterization of the ATP-hydrolyzing portion of the coated vesicle proton pump

The ATP-hydrolyzing portion of the proton pump from clathrin-coated vesicles (isolated from calf brain) was solubilized with three nondenaturing detergents (cholate, octyl glucoside, and Triton X-100). The hydrodynamic properties of the solubilized (Mg2+)-ATPase were then determined by sedimentation analysis in H2O and D2O and gel filtration on Sepharose 4B. The coated vesicle (Mg2+)-ATPase migrated under all conditions as a single peak of activity. In cholate, the sedimentation coefficient (S20,w), Stokes radius (a), and partial specific volume (vc) were 8.25 (+/- 0.20) S, 68 (+/- 2) A, and 0.71 (+/- 0.03) cm3/g, respectively. In octyl glucoside and Triton X-100 these values were respectively 7.90 (+/- 0.20) and 7.45 (+/- 0.20) S, 68 (+/- 3) and 101 (+/- 5) A, and 0.74 (+/- 0.03) and 0.75 (+/- 0.03) cm3/g. Application of the Svedberg equation to these data gave a molecular weight for the protein-detergent complex of 217,000 +/- 21,000 (cholate), 234,000 +/- 26,000 (octyl glucoside), and 337,000 +/- 40,000 (Triton X-100). Assuming the protein binds one micelle of detergent, these values correspond to a protein molecular weight of 215,000 +/- 21,000 (cholate), 226,000 +/- 26,000 (octyl glucoside), and 247,000 +/- 40,000 (Triton X-100). The cholate-solubilized, gradient-purified (Mg2+)-ATPase, when combined with a 100,000 g pellet fraction, could be reconstituted by dialysis into phospholipid vesicles which displayed ATP-dependent proton uptake.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

NADPH reduction of cytochrome P-450 at different integrational levels of the enzyme system.

The complex monooxygenatic enzyme exhibits different functional behaviour at different integrational levels, thus indicating distinct organizational states. The aerobic NADPH reduction of microsomes, solubilized and reconstituted systems follows a biphasic kinetics, the two phases are attributed to associated state (cluster) and random cytochrome P-450 reduction. States of different cytochrome P-450/reductase ratio (associates) could not be differentiated in rate. Detergents (Triton N-101, cholate) are capable of disintegrating the system, at last only monophasic slow reduction is observed. The hydroxylation activity follows the respective reduction behaviour. Sedimentation analysis proves the distinct structural states. Reconstitution of the system can be achieved by means of detergent dilution as well as by combining the constituents. The activity of the reconstituted system depends on the composition of the phospholipids as well as on its organizational state. The reassociation of the solubilized enzyme system at nearly microsomal components stoichiometry (Triton N-101 dilution) proves to be thermodynamically governed leading to self-organization of the system without matrix prerequisite. Individual step rate constants of the reduction reaction and other system parameters are accessible by means of a model treatment of the disintegrated system. Further application to mixed kinetics systems is in progress.     

Purification by affinity chromatography of the glycine receptor of rat spinal cord

The glycine receptor of rat spinal cord was solubilized with the nonionic detergent Triton X-100 and subsequently purified by affinity chromatography on aminostrychnine-agarose and wheat germ agglutinin-Sepharose. An overall purification of 1950-fold was achieved. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and mercaptoethanol revealed three glycine receptor-associated polypeptides of Mr = 48,000, 58,000, and 93,000. [3H]Strychnine was incorporated irreversibly into the Mr = 48,000 polypeptide upon UV-illumination. The dissociation constant (KD) of [3H]strychnine binding to the purified glycine receptor was 9.3 +/- 0.6 nM. The glycine receptor agonists glycine, beta-alanine, and taurine inhibited the binding of [3H]strychnine to the purified receptor. Gel filtration and sedimentation in sucrose/H2O and sucrose/D2O gradients gave a Stokes radius of 7.7 nm, a partial specific volume of 0.780 +/- 0.005 ml/g and a sedimentation coefficient s20,w of 8.2 +/- 0.2 S for the purified glycine receptor. From these data, a molecular weight of 246,000 +/- 6,000 was calculated for the glycine receptor protein.     

The active form of cytochrome P-45011beta from adrenal cortex mitochondria.

Cytochrome P-45011beta has been solubilized and partially purified from bovine adrenal cortex mitochondria by means of chromatography on Octyl-Sepharose CL-4B or DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B. The partially purified P-450 preparations were about 90% pure as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, but had a low specific content of P-450 (between 1 and 2 nmol of P-450 per mg of protein). In the presence of purified preparations of adrenodoxin reductase and adrenodoxin, the partially purified P-450 preparations catalyzed NADPH-supported 11beta-hydroxylation of unconjugated and sulfoconjugated deoxycorticosterone. In the reconstituted system the hydroxylation of deoxycorticosterone sulfate proceeded at a much higher rate than in intact mitochondria, indicating that in the former case interactions between the hydrophilic substrate and P-450 were facilitated. In the presence of Triton X-100 the partially purified cytochrome P-45011beta had a Stokes radius of 4.5 nm, a sedimentation coefficient of 3.1 S, and a partial specific volume of about 0.85 cm3/g. These results indicate that the cytochrome P-45011beta . Triton X-100 complex had a molecular weight of about 100,000 and that P-45011beta bound about 1.1 g of Triton X-100 per g of protein. The P-45011beta . Triton X-100 complex was catalytically active in hydroxylation reactions supported by NADPH or the hydroxylating agent ortho-nitroiodosobenzene, suggesting that the monomer of cytochrome P-45011beta is the active form of the protein.     

Presence and characterization of acetylcholinesterase in brush-border and basolateral membranes of rabbit enterocytes

Acetylcholinesterase is found in the brush-border and basolateral membranes purified from rabbit enterocytes. The sedimentation coefficients of the enzymes solubilized from two types of membrane are identical (5.5 +/- 0.2 S) and the apparent molecular weights are not significantly different (154 000 +/- 8000 for the brush-border and 145 000 +/- 8000 for the basolateral membrane enzyme). These results suggest a unique G2 molecular form for acetylcholinesterase from brush-border as well as from basolateral membranes.     

Kinetics of elementary steps in the cytochrome P-450 reaction sequence. III. NADPH reduction of cytochrome P-450LM at different integrational levels.

The aerobic NADPH reduction of cytochrome P-450LM has been investigated on microsomes, as well as on the solubilized enzyme system in the associated, disintegrated, and reconstituted state, respectively. P-450 exhibits biphasic reduction kinetics of about 70/30% phase distribution and rate constants differing 10-fold. The partial reactions are due to organizational asymmetries, the cytochrome being either incorporated into P-450/reductase associates (cluster) or localized outside (randomly distributed, homoassociated, weakly cluster-associated). Triton N-101 disintegrates the different associate structures, consequently followed by the disappearance of the rapid reaction phase. The enzyme system can be reconstituted; at microsomal stoichiometry the respective standard parameters are approached, depending on the composition and structural organization of the phospholipid. The reorganization without any membrane matrix is obviously thermodynamically determined.     

Binding of Triton X-100 to purified cytochrome P-450scc and enhancement of the cholesterol side chain cleavage activity.

The cholesterol side chain cleavage activity of highly purified adrenal cytochrome P-450scc was enhanced 6-fold by the addition of Triton X-100 in the assay solution in final concentrations of 0.03 to 0.05%, while the same detergent was much less effective in the higher concentrations and Tween 80 was not stimulative to the enzyme in various concentrations. It was shown by gel-filtration chromatography of the P-450 with 0.05% Triton X-100 that the detergent was bound to the P-450 in an amount greater than 0.5 mg per mg of protein. By the addition of the detergent, 415-nm light absorption of the P-450 was intensified and the isoelectric point was shifted to the alkaline side. Furthermore, the P-450 showed a sedimentation coefficient of 5.1 S in the presence of 0.05% Triton X-100, whereas it showed a sedimentation coefficient of 8.2S in the absence of the detergent. These results suggest that the observed enhancement of the enzyme activity is largely due to the direct effect of the detergent to the P-450 molecule itself. During these experiments, it was also noted that the P-450 was not resolved into more than one species.     

Solubilization of frog brain and retina cholinesterase and studies of different molecular forms.

1. The cholinesterase (ChE) of frog brain and retina could be easily solubilized. About 10% of the brain and 20% of the retina ChE were found to be soluble in 0.05 M phosphate buffer. After treatment with 0.5% (v/v) Triton X-100, about 30% of the total ChE activity of the brain and only 10% for retina was left particle bound. NaCl by itself did not solubilize ChE. Use of higher NaCl concentrations in combination with Triton X-100 as well as higher detergent concentrations alone seemed to cause an inhibiting effect of the solubilized ChE from retina. 2. The solubilized ChE from brain as well as retina were electrofocused as one main activity peak, corresponding to isoelectric points of pH 6.1 and 6.0, respectively. A second molecular form at pH 5.9 was distinguishable for the brain, but not for retina ChE. 3. Sucrose gradient centrifugation indicated that the ChE solubilized from the brain and retina consists of two molecular forms exhibiting S values of 5.1 +/- 0.24, 10.9 +/- 0.33 and 6.1 +/- 0.30, 10.9 +/- 0.43, respectively. After solubilization by higher Triton X-100 concentrations the soluble extracts from brain and retina seemed to contain the activity of these forms in different proportions. 4. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis separated three molecular forms of the brain ChE. One of these forms was found to have a molecular weight of 394,000 +/- 20,000. The others were found to have an identical molecular weight of 550,000 +/- 10,000. Two molecular forms exhibiting molecular weights of 292,000 +/- 10,000 and 470,000 +/- 10,000, could be separated for retina.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Molecular properties of cytochrome P-45011 beta from adrenal cortex mitochondria.

Cytochrome P-45011 beta has been solubilized and partially purified from bovine adrenal cortex mitochondria using chromatography on Octyl-Sepharose CL-4B or DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B. The partially purified P-450 preparations were about 90% pure as judged by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In the presence of purified preparations of adrenodoxin reductase and adrenodoxin, the partially purified P-450 preparations catalyzed NADPH-supported 11 beta-hydroxylation of unconjugated and sulphoconjugated deoxycorticosterone. In presence of Triton X-100 the partially purified cytochrome P-45011 beta had a Stoke's radius of 4.5 nm, a sedimentation coefficient of 3.1 S and a partial specific volume of about 0.85 cm3/g. These results indicate that the cytochrome P-45011 beta-Triton X-100 complex has a molecular weight of about 100 000 and that P-45011 beta bound about 1.1 g of Triton X-100 per g of protein. The P-45011 beta-Triton X-100 complex was catalytically active in hydroxylation reactions supported by NADPH or the hydroxylating agent ortho-nitroiodosobenzene, suggesting that the monomer of cytochrome P-45011 beta is an active form of the protein.     

High pressure induced inactivation of ferrous cytochrome P-450 LM2 (IIB4) CO complex: evidence for the presence of two conformers in the oligomer.

The effect of high pressure on the spectral properties of cytochrome P-450 LM2(Fe2+)-CO complex was studied. The application of high pressure was shown to induce the conversion of cytochrome P-450 to P-420. In the solution when P-450 was oligomeric only about 65% of the total converted to P-420. The remaining portion of cytochrome P-450 was stable at pressures up to 6 kbar. When P-450 was incorporated into membranes or when it was succinylated, the proportion of the pressure sensitive fraction was slightly higher (about 75%). Dissociation of P-450 oligomers into monomers was made by addition of 0.2% Triton N-101. Monomers were the most sensitive to pressure; they could be completely converted to P-420. These results have been interpreted as evidence for the existence of two different conformers of P-450 LM2, which differ in pressure stability. Splitting between these two states appears to be a result of the oligomeric organization of cytochrome P-450 in solution and in the membrane.     

Solubilization of the nitrendipine receptor from skeletal muscle transverse tubule membranes. Interactions with specific inhibitors of the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel

The nitrendipine receptor associated with the voltage-dependent calcium channel from rabbit skeletal muscle transverse tubule membranes has been solubilized by detergent extraction. A highly stable solubilized receptor preparation was obtained using 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethyl-ammonio]-1-propanesulfonate as detergent with phospholipids or glycerol present as stabilizing agents. Binding of [3H]nitrendipine to the solubilized receptor was reversible and saturable. At 4 degrees C the equilibrium dissociation constant of the [3H]nitrendipine X receptor complex was 7 +/- 3 nM and was close to that determined from the rate constants of association (k1 = 1.3 10(5) M-1 s-1) and dissociation (k-1 = 1.10 X 10(-3) s-1) of 8.4nM. The nitrendipine concentration that gave a half-maximal inhibition of [3H]nitrendipine binding to the solubilized receptor was 10 nM, which was similar to the values for the dissociation constant determined for the radiolabelled ligand. [3H]Nitrendipine binding to its solubilized receptor was also inhibited by other antiarrythmic drugs, such as bepridil and verapamil, and enhanced by d-cis-diltiazem. Since these drugs are apparent non-competitive inhibitors of [3H]nitrendipine binding it was concluded that these different binding sites are tightly coupled. Sucrose density sedimentation of solubilized nitrendipine receptor resulted in the separation of three [3H]nitrendipine binding activities with apparent sedimentation coefficients of 11.4 S, 14.4 S and 21 S.     

Hydrodynamic properties of monomeric cytochromes P-450LM2 and P-450LM4 in n-octylglucoside solution

Sedimentation equilibrium and sedimentation velocity measurements were carried out on cytochrome P-450_LM2 from phenobarbital-treated rabbit liver and on cytochrome P-450_LM4 from 5,6-benzoflavone-treated rabbit liver in the presence of the nonionic detergent $\text{1-O-}\text{n}\text{-}\text{octyl}\text{-β-}\text{D}\text{-}\text{glucopyranoside}$. P-450_LM2 was monomeric with a molecular weight of 48,800 and a Stokes radius of 3.1 nm in 7 g/l detergent and P-450_LM4 was monomeric with a molecular weight of 49,800 and a Stokes radius of 2.6 nm at 5 g/l detergent. Both particles were spherical in shape under these conditions. Neither cytochrome was irreversibly denatured at these detergent concentrations as indicated by the ability to form substantial amounts (>60%) of the CO adduct with an absorption maximum at 451 nm (P-450_LM2) or 448 nm (P-450_LM4) when diluted into detergent-free buffer containing CO and sodium dithionite.     

Molecular and complex-chemical studies on methemoglobin from Chironomus thummi thummi and various isolated fractions]

1. Six different hemoglobin (Hb) fractions were isolated and characterized from the larvae of Chironomus thummi thummi using column chromatographic procedures. 2. Chromatographic and sedimentation-analytic studies (sedimentation coefficients of 2.0 +/- 0.2 (S)) have shown three Hb fractions to exist basically in a monomeric form. The molecular weight of component M-2 was determined by sedimentation equilibrium technique to be 15,470 +/- 400. The dimeric Hb was found to have sedimentation coefficients of 3.0 +/- 0.1 (S) in the weakly acidic pH region. In alkaline milieu, the reversible dissociation proceeds into the monomeric molecules (S20, W = 1.9 +/- 0.1 (S)). Molecular weights vary between pH 5.7 and 9.8 not only with hydrogen ion concentration, but also with protein concentration in correspondence with a dissociation-association equilibrium consisting of monomers and dimers. 3. For the Hb fraction M-2, a friction ratio of f/fo = 1.03 was calculated, suggesting an almost spherical shape of this protein. In contrast, the dimeric component appears to have a much more asymmetric structure (f/fo = 1.19). 4. The indivdual MetHb fractions bind the ligands: fluoride, imidazole and azide with different affinities.     

Specificity in the activation and inhibition by flavonoids of benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylation by cytochrome P-450 isozymes from rabbit liver microsomes

The effect of flavone and 7,8-benzoflavone on the metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene to fluorescent phenols by five cytochrome P-450 isozymes obtained from rabbit liver microsomes was determined. Benzo[a]pyrene metabolism was stimulated more than 5-fold by the addition of 600 microM flavone to a reconstituted monooxygenase system consisting of NADPH, cytochrome P-450 reductase, dilauroylphosphatidylcholine, and cytochrome P-450LM3c or cytochrome P-450LM4. In contrast, an inhibitory effect of flavone on benzo[a]pyrene metabolism was observed when cytochrome P-450LM2, cytochrome P-450LM3b, or cytochrome P-450LM6 was used in the reconstituted system. 7,8-Benzoflavone (50-100 microM) stimulated benzo[a]pyrene metabolism by the reconstituted monooxygenase system about 10-fold when cytochrome P-450LM3c was used, but benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylation was strongly inhibited when 7,8-benzoflavone was added to the cytochrome P-450LM6-dependent system. Smaller effects of 7,8-benzoflavone were observed on the metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene by the cytochrome P-450LM2-, cytochrome P-450LM3b-, and cytochrome P-450LM4-dependent monooxygenase systems. These results demonstrate that the activating and inhibiting effects of flavone and 7,8-benzoflavone on benzo[a]pyrene metabolism depend on the type of cytochrome P-450 used in the reconstituted monooxygenase system.     

Effects of detergent on substrate binding and spin state of purified liver microsomal cytochrome P-450LM2 from phenobarbital-treated rabbits

Spectral changes accompanying the binding of the nonionic detergent n-octyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (n-octyl glucoside) to cytochrome P-450LM2 purified from liver microsomes of phenobarbital-treated rabbits have been compared to changes in catalytic activity obtained in a reconstituted system consisting of various levels of detergent, P-450LM2, and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. In the absence of substrate and reductase, addition of n-octyl glucoside to 2-3 mM resulted in a difference spectrum (detergent-bound minus detergent-free cytochrome) characterized by a small maximum at 390 nm and a minimum at 410 nm, suggestive of a slight stabilization of the high-spin (S = 5/2) state of the cytochrome. As the detergent concentration was increased to 4-8 mM (corresponding to maximal activity and pentameric or hexameric P-450), a new peak appeared at 427 nm while the minimum remained at 410 nm. Between 10 and 30 mM n-octyl glucoside (conditions which produced catalytically inactive and monomeric P-450) the minimum in the difference spectrum shifted to 390 nm and the maximum to 425 nm, characteristic of a shift in spin equilibrium toward low-spin (S = 1/2) cytochrome. At low and high detergent concentrations, substrate [d-benzphetamine with n-octyl glucoside or cyclohexane with the zwitterionic detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS)] was bound to P-450LM2 with formation of high-spin P-450, although the increase in high-spin cytochrome was less at high detergent levels than at low. The affinity of P-450 for substrate decreased by 2-3-fold at high detergent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)