Molecular cloning and expression of CYP6B8: a xanthotoxin-inducible cytochrome P450 cDNA from Helicoverpa zea

Xanthotoxin, a plant allelochemical, induces alpha-cypermethrin insecticide tolerance in Helicoverpa zea (corn earworm); inhibition of tolerance by piperonyl butoxide implicates cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) in the detoxification of this insecticide. To characterize the xanthotoxin-inducible P450 that might mediate alpha-cypermethrin tolerance in this species, a cDNA library prepared from xanthotoxin-induced H. zea fifth instar larvae was screened with cDNAs encoding furanocoumarin-metabolizing P450s from Papilio polyxenes (CYP6B1v2) and P. glaucus (CYP6B4v2) as well as a sequence-related P450 from Helicoverpa armigera (CYP6B2). One full-length cDNA isolated in this screening shares 51-99% amino acid identity with the CYP6B subfamily of P450s isolated from Papilio and Helicoverpa species and, thus, has been designated CYP6B8. All of these CYP6B subfamily members share a number of highly conserved domains, including substrate recognition site 1 (SRS 1) that is critical for xanthotoxin metabolism by CYP6B1v2 from Papilio polyxenes and coumarin metabolism by CYP2a5 from Mus musculus. Northern and RT-PCR analyses indicate that CYP6B8 expression is strongly induced by xanthotoxin and phenobarbital and negligibly induced by alpha-cypermethrin.     

Metabolism of linear and angular furanocoumarins by Papilio polyxenes CYP6B1 co-expressed with NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase

One challenge in the heterologous expression of microsomal cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) is fulfilling their obligatory requirement for electrons transferred from NADPH P450 reductase. We have established co-expression parameters for Papilio polyxenes CYP6B1 and house fly P450 reductase in baculovirus-infected Sf9 cells that allow for efficient expression of both components and significantly enhance metabolic turnover of this insect P450's substrates. These expression conditions have allowed us to reexamine the turnover capacities of CYP6B1 toward linear and angular furanocoumarins present in the host plants for the specialist caterpillar P. polyxenes. Coexpression of CYP6B1 and P450 reductase at equivalent viral concentrations [MOI (multiplicity of infection) ratio of 1] results in turnover rates for the linear furanocoumarins xanthotoxin and psoralen, which are increased 32-33 fold over the turnover rates obtained with CYP6B1 expressed alone. The turnover rate for the angular furanocoumarin angelicin is also significantly increased to 4.76 nmol/min/nmol P450 compared to its barely detectable level obtained with CYP6B1 expressed alone. Substrate binding analyses indicate that all three of these compounds elicit typical type I binding spectra but with varying magnitudes and affinities that are indicative of each substrate's effectiveness at coordinating with the heme iron. The relative proportions of high spin state generated with these substrates are consistent with CYP6B1 metabolizing these furanocoumarins in the rank order xanthotoxin>psoralen>angelicin. These differential activities for CYP6B1 suggest that it may have been an ancient participant in the coevolutionary arms race between papilionid butterflies and their apiaceous host plants. Due to its ability to handle a range of furanocoumarin structures, CYP6B1 may have contributed to P. polyxenes' early colonization of linear furanocoumarin-containing plants and to its subsequent colonization of angular furanocoumarin-containing plants.     

Molecular analysis of CYP321A1, a novel cytochrome P450 involved in metabolism of plant allelochemicals (furanocoumarins) and insecticides (cypermethrin) in Helicoverpa zea

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases play a significant role in the detoxification of hostplant allelochemicals and synthetic insecticides in Lepidoptera. In the corn earworm Helicoverpa zea, a noctuid of considerable economic importance, metabolisms of xanthotoxin, a toxic furanocoumarin, and alpha-cypermethrin, an insecticide, are mediated by at least one P450 with a catalytic site capable of accepting both substrates. To further the characterization of P450s in this species, we have cloned three full-length cDNAs encoding two CYP4M subfamily members and a novel CYP321A subfamily member. RNA analyses have demonstrated that the CYP321A1 gene is highly induced (51-fold) in larval midguts in response to xanthotoxin but not cypermethrin. Both CYP4M genes are expressed at negligible levels that are not increased by xanthotoxin or cypermethrin. Baculovirus-mediated expression of the full-length CYP321A1 cDNA has demonstrated that the CYP321A1 protein metabolizes xanthotoxin and angelicin, like the CYP6B1 protein in the furanocoumarin specialist Papilio polyxenes, and alpha-cypermethrin, like the CYP6B8 protein previously characterized in H. zea. In contrast, the CYP4M7 protein does not metabolize xanthotoxin at any detectable level. We conclude that at least two xanthotoxin-inducible P450s from highly divergent subfamilies (CYP6B and CYP321A) contribute to the resistance of H. zea larvae to toxic furanocoumarins and insecticides. Genomic PCR analysis indicates that the CYP321A1 gene has evolved independently from the CYP6B genes known to be present in this insect.     

Molecular docking of substrates and inhibitors in the catalytic site of CYP6B1, an insect cytochrome p450 monooxygenase

Furanocoumarins represent plant toxins that are used in the treatment of a variety of skin diseases and are metabolized by cytochrome p450 monooxygenases (p450s) existing in insects such as Papilio polyxenes (the black swallowtail). To elucidate the active site in the CYP6B1 protein that is the principal p450 existing in this species, we have constructed a homology model of it based on sequence and structure alignments with the bacterial CYP102 protein whose crystal structure has been defined and with the insect CYP6B4 protein that also metabolizes furanocoumarins. In the derived CYP6B1 model, Phe116 and His117 in SRS1, Phe371 in SRS5 and Phe484 in SRS6 contribute to the formation of a resonant network that stabilizes the p450's catalytic site and allows for interactions with its furanocoumarin substrates. The first two of these residues are absolutely conserved in all members of the insect CYP6B subfamily and the last two are variable in different members of the CYP6B subfamily. A combination of theoretical and experimental docking analyses of two substrates (xanthotoxin and bergapten) and two inhibitors (coumarin and pilocarpine) of this p450 provide significant information on the positioning of furanocoumarins within this catalytic pocket. Molecular replacement models based on the results of variations at two of these critical amino acids provide support for our furanocoumarin-docked model and begin to rationalize the altered substrate reactivities observed in experimental analyses.     

CYP6B1 and CYP6B3 of the black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes): adaptive evolution through subfunctionalization

Gene duplication provides essential material for functional divergence of proteins and hence allows organisms to adapt to changing environments. Following duplication events, redundant paralogs may undergo different evolutionary paths via processes known as nonfunctionalization, neofunctionalization, or subfunctionalization. Studies of adaptive evolution at the molecular level have progressed rapidly by computationally analyzing nucleotide substitution patterns but such studies are limited by the absence of information relating to alterations of function of the encoded enzymes. In this respect, evolution of the Papilio polyxenes cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) responsible for the adaptation of this insect to furanocoumarin-containing host plants provides an excellent model for elucidating the evolutionary fate of duplicated genes. Evidence from sequence and functional analysis in combination with molecular modeling indicates that the paralogous CYP6B1 and CYP6B3 genes in P. polyxenes have probably evolved via subfunctionalization after the duplication event by which they arose. Both enzymes have been under independent purifying selection as evidenced by the low dN/dS ratio in both the coding region and substrate recognition sites. Both enzymes have maintained their ability to metabolize linear and angular furanocoumarins albeit at different efficiencies. Comparisons of molecular models developed for the CYP6B3 and CYP6B1 proteins highlight differences in their binding modes that account for their different activities toward linear and angular furanocoumarins. That P. polyxenes maintains these 2 furanocoumarin-metabolizing loci with somewhat different activities and expression patterns provides this species with the potential to acquire P450s with novel functions while maintaining those most critical to its exclusive feeding on its current range of host plants.     

Induction of the mRNA for CYP6B2, a pyrethroid inducible cytochrome p450, in Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) by dietary monoterpenes

A cDNA clone encoding a cytochrome P450 from H. armigera was used to examine the expression of two homologous cytochrome P450 mRNAs, one of which, CYP6B2, is probably involved in pyrethroid metabolism. The mRNA for CYP6B2 in particular can be induced up to tenfold by peppermint oil and the monoterpene α-pinene as well as to a smaller extent by menthol, butylated hydroxyanisole, and piperonyl butoxide. Both mRNAs are present in the major larval tissues, midgut, fat body, and cuticle, although only the mRNAs in the midgut and fat body are inducible by peppermint oil. The induction is a rapid process occurring within a period of 4 h with a similarly rapid rate of decrease in the absence of the inducing compounds. During normal development both mRNAs are absent from eggs and increase during the larval stage, reaching a maximum during mid fifth instar. Both mRNAs then decrease to undetectable levels during pupation and remain undetectable in the adult stage. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Inducible P450s of the CYP9 family from larval Manduca sexta midgut

Several related cytochrome P450 cDNAs belonging to the CYP9 family have been cloned from the midgut of larval tobacco hornworms, Manduca sexta. The first P450, CYP9A2, was obtained by RT-PCR using degenerate primers. Northern blot analysis of expression in the midgut using the CYP9A2 probe revealed a significant induction by a variety of chemicals. Diets supplemented with the wild tomato compound 2-undecanone caused a dose-dependent induction which peaked after 48 h. Induction was also observed after addition to the diet of indole-3-carbinol, phenobarbital, 2-tridecanone and xanthotoxin. Neither alpha-pinene, clofibrate nor nicotine were effective inducers. The CYP9A2 probe hybridized to two mRNA species, one of 2. 0 kb and another of 4.2 kb, suggesting cross-hybridization to other P450 mRNAs. Additional P450 clones of the CYP9 family were then obtained and sequenced. Northern hybridization revealed that the 4.2 kb band also hybridized to CYP9A4 whereas the 2.0 kb hybridized to CYP9A5. Despite being 91% identical, CYP9A4 and CYP9A5 were induced differentially by clofibrate and xanthotoxin. Multiple P450 genes from various families are therefore induced in Lepidoptera in response to plant allelochemicals or xenobiotics.     

Molecular cloning and recombinant expression of cytochrome P450 CYP6B6 from Helicoverpa armigera in Escherichia coli

The cytochrome P450 s play a significant role in the detoxification of plant allelochemicals and synthetic insecticides in Lepidoptera. In the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera, 2-tridecanone and quercetin can induce P450-dependent monooxygenase activity increased, to further the characterization of P450, the CYP6B6 of cotton bollworm (H. armigera) was cloned, sequenced and expressed in pMAL-p2x vector and expressed in Escherichia coli. The deduced amino acid sequences of cytochrome P450 in the midgut and fat body of H. armigera showed 98.23 and 97.84 % similarity with CYP6B6, respectively. According to nomenclature of P450 s, the P450 genes we got belong to CYP6B. Purification of recombinant protein based on the affinity of MBP for maltose was achieved by Mal-Tag magnetic beads. The purified protein was used to raise polyclonal antibody according to classical procedure. SDS–PAGE and Western blot results indicated that MBP-CYP6B6 had been successfully expressed. The ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase activity of the purified recombinant protein was 36.5 ± 8.12 pmol of 7-hydroxycoumarin/min/mg protein, which showed the fusion MBP-CYP6B6 had the ability to o-deethylase of 7-ethoxycoumarin.     

Identification and characterization of six cytochrome P450 genes belonging to CYP4 and CYP6 gene families in the silkworm,Bombyx mori

It was predicted that the genome of silkworm, Bombyx mori, has at least 79 P450 genes; however, P450 genes that are related to the catabolism of exogenous compounds were not reported. In this study we cloned two CYP4 (named CPY4M5 and CYP4M9) and four CYP6 (named CYP6AB5, CYP6AE9, CYP6AE22 and CYP6AU1) genes by using both bioinformatics and RT-PCR approaches. Sequence analysis showed that these genes contained conserved P450 gene sequence regions and one conserved intron. CYP4M5 and CYP4M9 genes were clustered together in a mode of “head-to-tail” possibly due to gene duplication. Blast analysis showed that these P450 genes shared significant similarity with CYP4 and CYP6 genes that are involved in the catabolism and detoxification of exogenous compounds in other insect species. RT-PCR results showed that these P450 genes were highly expressed in the midgut and fat body of B. mori. As the instar age increased, these P450 genes exhibit different expression patterns. When B. mori was exposed to 1.75 × 10^?5 % of cypermethrin, 3.5 × 10^?6 % of cypermethrin and 0.1 % of rutin, expression of CYP6AB5 was increased by 2.3-fold, 2.2-fold and 1.9-fold, respectively. Exposure of B. mori to 0.1 % quercetin does not change the expression of CYP6AB5. In contrast, expression of the other five P450 genes was inhibited after exposed to these compounds.     

MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATIONS OF TWO CYTOCHROME P450 GENES ENCODING CYP6A41 AND CYP6EK1 FROM THE ORIENTAL FRUIT FLY,Bactrocera dorsalis (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE)

Two P450 genes encoding CYP6A41 and CYP6EK1 were cloned from the oriental fruit fly using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) techniques. CYP6A41 and CYP6EK1 contained open reading frames of 1,530 and 1,524 nucleotides that encode 510 and 508 amino acid residues, respectively. The putative proteins shared 44% identity with each other. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CYP6A41 and CYP6EK1 were most closely related to Ceratitis capitata CYP6A10 and CYP6A subfamily. Expression patterns of the two genes in different geographical populations (Yunnan, Hainan, Dongguang, and Guangzhou), developmental stages (eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults), and tissues (midguts, fat bodies, and Malpighian tubules) were analyzed by real‐time quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) methods. The results showed that the expression levels of CYP6EK1 were significantly different among the four populations, but were not different for CYP6A41. Both the expressions of CYP6A41 and CYP6EK1 were development specific and had significantly higher levels in the larval stage. The expression of CYP6A41 did not vary among the midgut, fat body, or Malpighian tubules; however, CYP6EK1 expression was higher in the Malpighian tubules. The results suggest that CYP6A41 and CYP6EK1 might be involved in detoxification of xenobiotic compounds that were harmful to larval flies or development. Moreover, high expression of CYP6EK1 in the Malpighian tubules also implied participation in detoxification.