Progesterone-binding site of adult male rat liver microsomes

We investigated in greater detail the relationship between steroid structures and their binding affinities to the microsomal progesterone-binding site of the adult male rat liver. Only six steroids of the 100 compounds tested, namely, progesterone, 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one, 3 alpha,11 beta-dihydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one, 5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione, pregnenolone, and pregnenolone-3-sulfate, had high binding affinities to this site. Thus, we were able to draw a conclusion on the steroid structure which should be required for the best interaction with this site. That is, regardless of the whole molecule's lipophilicity, such a steroid should possess not only a planar A-B ring configuration but also the same side chains as progesterone with C-17 beta-acetyl and non-hydroxyl groups. The exception to this are hydrophilic C-3 groups, which may somewhat increase binding affinities in some cases. We compared the steroid specificity of this binding site with those of various other progesterone-binding components. As a result, this site appears to be a novel type of progesterone binder. We, furthermore, examined the relationship between this microsomal progesterone-binding site and the microsomal progesterone-metabolizing activity. The results, although preliminary, suggest that this binding site does not participate universally in the progesterone-metabolizing processes.     

NADPH-dependent inhibition of lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes.

Microsomal NADPH-driven electron transport is known to initiate lipid peroxidation by activating oxygen in the presence of iron. This pro-oxidant effect can mask an antioxidant function of NADPH-driven electron transport in microsomes via vitamin E recycling from its phenoxyl radicals formed in the course of peroxidation. To test this hypothesis we studied the effects of NADPH on the endogenous vitamin E content and lipid peroxidation induced in liver microsomes by an oxidation system independent of iron: an azo-initiator of peroxyl radicals, 2,2'-azobis (2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), (AMVN), in the presence of an iron chelator deferoxamine. We found that under conditions NADPH: (i) inhibited lipid peroxidation; (ii) this inhibitory effect was less pronounced in microsomes from vitamin E-deficient rats than in microsomes from normal rats; (iii) protected vitamin E from oxidative destruction; (iv) reduced chromanoxyl radicals of vitamin E homologue with a 6-carbon side-chain, chromanol-alpha-C-6. Thus NADPH-driven electron transport may function both to initiate and/or inhibit lipid peroxidation in microsomes depending on the availability of transition metal catalysts.     

Studies on spice principles as antioxidants in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation of rat liver microsomes

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are vulnerable to peroxidative attack. Protecting PUFA from peroxidation is essential to utilize their beneficial effects in health and in preventing disease. The antioxidants vitamin E, t-butylhydroxy toluene (BHT) and t-butylhydroxy anisole (BHA) inhibited ascorbate/Fe²⁺-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes. In addition, a number of spice principles, for example, curcumin (5–50 µM) from turmeric, eugenol (25–150 µM) from cloves and capsaicin (25–150 µM) from red chillies inhibited lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. Zingerone from ginger inhibited lipid peroxidation at high concentrations (> 150 µM) whereas linalool (coriander), piperine (black pepper) and cuminaldehyde (cumin) had only marginal inhibitory effects even at high concentrations (600 µM). The inhibition of lipid peroxidation by curcumin and eugenol was reversed by adding high concentrations of Fe²⁺.     

Mannosyltransfer reactions in rabbit liver microsomes

Rabbit liver microsomes catalyzed mannosyltransfer from GDP-[14C]mannose to free $\text{D}$-mannose resulting in the synthesis of α-1,2-, α-1,3-, and α-1,6-mannosyl-mannose. Whereas formation of α-1,2-mannosyl-mannose was stimulated by the addition of manganese chloride or nickel chloride and was inhibited by EDTA, synthesis of α-1,3-mannosyl-mannose was unaffected by manganese or EDTA and was inhibited by nickel. Formation of α-1,6-mannosyl-mannose appeared to be stimulated by manganese and inhibited by nickel. These results suggest that three different mannosyltransferases were involved in the synthesis of mannosyl-mannose glycosidic linkages in rabbit liver.     

Alpha reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent reductase reactions of rat liver microsomes.

The kinetics of alpha-NADH-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCPIP) and alpha-NADH-cytochrome c reductase reactions of rat liver microsomes showed that the reactio ns proceeded by a ping-pong mechanism, and that the oxidation of alpha-NADH was the rate-determining reaction. The DCPIP-reducing activity with alpha-NADH in the presence of ADP was about 1% of that with beta-NADH. ADP inhibited the alpha-NADH-DCPIP reductase reaction in a competitive manner with respect to alpha-NADH and a value of 1.2 mM for the inhibition constant was obtained. ADP also inhibited cytochrome b5 reduction with alpha-NADH. More than 90% of cytochrome b5 was reduced under conditions where 90% of the alpha-NADH-DCPIP reductase activity was suppressed with ADP. The reduction of DCPIP with alpha-NADH preceded that of cytochrome b5, but the reductions partly overlapped. From these results, a diversed electron flow from alpha-NADH to cytochrome b5 and electron sharing between cytochrome b5 and DCPIP were indicated. alpha-NAD+ also inhibited the alpha-NADH-DCPIP reductase reaction. Analyses of the inhibition indicated that two types of alpha-NADH-DCPIP reductase reaction existed, one of which was resistant to alpha-NAD+ inhibition. In contrast to the reoxidation of beta-NADH-reduced cytochrome b5, the process was largely monophasic when cytochrome b5 was reduced with alpha-NADH.     

Cobalt-protoporphyrin causes prolonged inhibition of catechol estrogen synthesis by rat liver microsomes

A single injection of cobalt-protoporphyrin (CoPP), which produces a marked and sustained decline in hepatic cytochrome P450 content, reduced the ability of male rat liver microsomes to form catechol estrogens to about 30% of control values within 1 day, as measured by the release of 3H2O from [2-3H]estradiol. Two days after treatment, the apparent Km of estrogen 2-hydroxylase for estradiol was increased, but other inhibitors of cytochrome P450 function (SKF-525A or piperonyl butoxide) failed to affect the enzyme. Inhibition by CoPP was also demonstrated by measuring the conversion of [4-14C]estradiol to its 2-hydroxylated derivative visualized by autoradiography after chromatographic separation. These findings point to yet another site in the multifaceted action of cobalt protoporphyrin.     

The composition of rat liver microsomes. The structural proteins of rat liver microsomes

1. The structural-protein component of microsomal membranes was isolated by three separate methods. Analysis by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis indicated that the microsomal structural component is made up of a heterogeneous group of proteins. These proteins were further characterized by their phospholipid-binding capacity. The electrophoretic patterns of microsomal structural proteins were found to differ significantly from those of mitochondrial structural proteins. 2. The reticulosomal fraction was also characterized by electrophoresis with reference to total microsomal proteins, microsomal structural proteins and ribosomal proteins. The reticulosomes gave an electrophoretic pattern significantly different from those of the other three preparations examined. It is suggested that reticulosomes consist largely of enzymic proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum.     

Glutathione disulfide enhances the reduced glutathione inhibition of lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes

Experiments were undertaken to examine the effects of reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione on lipid peroxidation of rat liver microsomes. Dependence on microsomal alpha-tocopherol was shown for the GSH inhibition of lipid peroxidation. However, when GSH (5 mM) and GSSG (2.5 mM) were combined in the assay system, inhibition of lipid peroxidation was enhanced markedly over that with GSH alone in microsomes containing alpha-tocopherol. Surprisingly, the synergistic inhibitory effect of GSH and GSSG was also observed for microsomes that were deficient in alpha-tocopherol. These data suggest that there may be more than one factor responsible for the glutathione-dependent inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The first is dependent upon microsomal alpha-tocopherol and likely requires GSH for alpha-tocopherol regeneration from the alpha-tocopheroxyl radical during lipid peroxidation. The second factor appears to be independent of alpha-tocopherol and may involve the reduction of lipid hydroperoxides to their corresponding alcohols. One, or possibly both, of these factors may be activated by GSSG through thiol/disulfide exchange with a protein sulfhydryl moiety.     

A diphenylmethane derivative specific for the antiestrogen binding site found in rat liver microsomes

A new para-diphenylmethyl derivative, N,N-diethyl-2-[(4-phenylmethyl)-phenoxy]-ethanamine·HCl (N,N-DPPE) has been synthesized which binds with high affinity to the anti-estrogen binding site found in male rat liver microsomes. However, no evidence of significant interaction with the estrogen receptor can be observed at or below 10 μM in rat uterine cytosols; 10 nM N,N-DPPE fails to significantly induce progesterone receptor in MCF-7 cells. Tamoxifen also binds to anti-estrogen binding site but, unlike N,N-DPPE, binds significantly to estrogen receptor at much loeer concentrations and induces MCF-7 progesterone receptor. This property of high affinity for anti-estrogen binding site but not for estrogen receptor may make N,N-DPPE an important probe for the study of anti-estrogen binding site and its biological relevance.     

Asymmetry of the site of choline incorporation into phosphatidylcholine of rat liver microsomes.

[14C]Choline was incorporated into microsomal membranes in vivo, and from CDP-[14C]choline in vitro, and the site of incorporation determined by hydrolysis of the outer leaflet of the membrane bilayer using phospholipase C from Clostridium welchii. Labelled phosphatidylcholine was found to be concentrated in the outer leaflet of the membrane bilayer with a specific activity approximately three times that of the inner leaflet. During incorporation of CDP-choline and treatment with phospholipase C the vesicles retained labelled-protein contents indicating that they remained intact. When the microsomes were opened with taurocholate after incorporation of [14C]choline in vivo, the labelled phosphatidylcholine behaved as a single pool. Selective hydrolysis of labelled phosphatidylcholine in intact vesicles is not, therefore, a consequence of specificity of phospholipase C. These results indicate that the phosphatidylcholine of the outer leaflet of the microsomal membrane bilayer is preferentially labelled by the choline-phosphotransferase pathway and that this pool of phospholipid does not equilibrate with that of the inner leaflet.     

Lysolecithin as regulator of de novo lecithin synthesis in rat liver microsomes.

1-Acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (lysolecithin) was found to affect 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol:CDPcholine cholinephosphotransferase (CPT; EC 2.7.8.2) activity of rat liver microsomes in a concentration dependent, characteristic manner. Cholinephosphate transfer was activated at lysolecithin concentrations below 0.5 mM with a maximum stimulation occurring at 75–100 μM lysolecithin levels. At concentrations above 0.5 mM, CPT activity was inhibited by lysolecithin. It was shown that CPT inhibition by lysolecithin is competitive (Ki ≈ 0.6 mM) with respect to CDPcholine. The possible role of lysolecithin as regulator of de novo lecithin synthesis in vivo is outlined.     

Degradation of 4,9-dichlorodibenzodioxin in rat liver microsomes

The rat liver microsomal cytochrome P 450 was established to dechlorinate 4,9-dichlorodibenzodioxin into 4,9-dihydroxydibenzodioxin. Two isoforms of this cytochrome P 450 were electrophoreticaly identified and quantified. 4,9-dihydroxidibenzodioxin transforms into resorcin with the help of ascorbic acid.     

Electroimmunochemical quantification of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase in rat liver microsomes

Microsomal UDPglucuronosyltransferase(1-naphthol), an enzyme form previously shown to be selectively inducible in rat liver by 3-methylcholanthrene-type inducers, was purified to apparent homogeneity. Rabbit antibodies against this enzyme form precipitated UDPglucuronosyltransferase activities towards 1-naphthol and 4-methylumbelliferone faster and to greater extents than enzyme activities towards bilirubin, oestrone and 4-hydroxybiphenyl. Ouchterlony double-diffusion analysis showed immunochemical similarity of the rat liver enzyme with the enzymes from other organs of the rat (kidney, testes) and the mouse liver but not with the enzyme from cat and human liver. Electroimmunochemical quantification of the enzyme indicated that its level was enhanced 1.3-fold and 2.5-fold in liver microsomes from phenobarbital-treated and 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats, respectively. The results indicate that 3-methylcholanthrene treatment increases the enzyme level of rat liver microsomal UDPglucuronosyltransferase(1-naphthol). Despite phospholipid-dependence of its catalytic activity microsomal enzyme activity appears to be a good index of the enzyme level.     

Topology of glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase in rat liver microsomes

Glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase (EC 1.8.4.2) catalyzes the inactivation of insulin through scission of the disulfide bonds to form insulin A and B chains. In the liver, the transhydrogenase occurs primarily in the microsomal fraction where most of the enzyme is present in a latent (‘inactive’) state. We have isolated rat hepatic microsomes with latent transhydrogenase activity being an integral part of the vesicles. We have used these vesicles to study the topological location of glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase by investigating the effects of detergents (Triton X-100 and sodium deoxycholate), phospholipase A₂ and proteinases (trypsin and thermolysin) on the latent enzyme activity. Treatment of intact vesicles with variable concentrations of detergents and phospholipase A₂ resulted in the unmasking of latent transhydrogenase activity. The extent of unmasking of transhydrogenase activity is dependent upon the concentration of detergent or phospholipase used and is accompanied by a parallel release of the enzyme into the soluble fraction. Activation of the transhydrogenase by phospholipase A₂ is partially inhibited by bovine serum albumin and the extent of inhibition is inversely proportional to the phospholipase concentration. In intact vesicles, latent transhydrogenase activity is resistant to proteolytic inactivation by both trypsin and thermolysin, while in semipermeable and permeable vesicles these proteases inactivate 60 and 25% of the total transhydrogenase activity, respectively. Together these results indicate that in microsomes transhydrogenase is probably weakly bound to membrane phospholipid components and that most of the enzyme is present on the cisternal surface (i.e., the luminal surface of endoplasmic reticulum) of microsomes. Each detergent and phospholipase apparently unmasks glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase activity through disruption of the phospholipid-enzyme interaction followed by translocation of the enzyme to the soluble (cytoplasmic) fraction and not through increases in substrate availability.     

Stereoselective degradation of tebuconazole in rat liver microsomes

The aim of this study was to assess the stereoselectivity of two tebuconazole [(RS)-1-p-chlorophenyl-4,4-dimethyl-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)pentan-3-ol] enantiomers in in vitro system (rat liver microsomes). The analytes were extracted with acetic ether and concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate)-based chiral stationary phase. The degradation of rac-tebuconazole (15 μM) followed first-order kinetics, and the degradation of the S-tebuconazole (t(1/2) = 22.31 min) was faster than that of the R-tebuconazole (t(1/2) = 48.76 min), but no significant difference between the enantiomers was found in the respective incubation (7.5 μM for each). Kinetic assays showed that the K(m) was different between the two enantiomers (K(mR) = 14.83 ± 2.19, K(mS) = 12.23 ± 2.72). The interaction results revealed that there was competitive inhibition between S- and R-form, and there was a significant difference between the IC(50) of R- to S-tebuconazole and S- to R-tebuconazole (IC(50R/S)/IC(50S/R) = 4.98).     

Selective N-heterylazimine inhibition of reactions catalyzed by rat liver glutathione transferase]

Three reactions (nucleophile substitution, thiolysis and N-deoxygenation) catalyzed by rat liver glutathione transferase have been studied using several N-heterylazimine inhibitors. The inhibitors are sharply different in their effectiveness in the transferase reactions. Their efficiency depends on their structure. The mechanism which underlies the found regularities is suggested.