Benzydamine N-oxygenation Research Articles

Further survey of genetic variants of flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) in Japanese subjects found in an updated database of genome resources and identified by phenotyping for trimethylaminuria

The number of single-nucleotide substitutions of human flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) recorded in mega-databases is increasing. Moreover, phenotype–gene analyses have revealed impaired FMO3 variants associated with the metabolic disorder trimethylaminuria. In this study, four novel amino-acid substituted FMO3 variants, namely p.(Gly191Asp), p.(Glu414Gln), p.(Phe510Ser), and p.(Val530CysfsTer1), were identified in the whole-genome sequences in the Japanese population reference panel (8.3K JPN) of the Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization. Additionally, four variants, namely p.(Ile369Thr), p.(Phe463Val), p.(Arg500Gln), and p.(Ala526Thr) FMO3, were found in the 8.3K JPN database but were already recorded in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database. Novel FMO3 variants p.[(Met1Leu)] and p.[(Trp231Ter)] were also identified in phenotype–gene analyses of 290 unrelated subjects with self-reported malodor. Among the eight recombinant FMO3 variants tested (except for p.[(Met1Leu)] and p.[(Trp231Ter)]), Arg500Gln and Gly191Asp FMO3, respectively, had lower and much lower capacities for trimethylamine and/or benzydamine N-oxygenation activities than wild-type FMO3. Because another FMO3 mutation p.[(Gly191Cys)] with diminished recombinant protein activity was previously detected in two independent probands, Gly191 would appear to be important for FMO3 catalytic function. Analysis of whole-genome sequence data and trimethylaminuria phenotypes revealed missense FMO3 variants that severely impaired FMO3-mediated N-oxygenations in Japanese subjects that could be susceptible to low drug clearances.

Expression and metabolic activity of flavin-containing monooxygenase 1 in cynomolgus macaque kidney.

Flavin-containing monooxygenase 1 (FMO1) largely remains to be characterized in cynomolgus macaque kidney. Immunoblotting showed expression of cynomolgus FMO1 in kidneys where activities of FMO1 (benzydamine N-oxygenation) were detected. No sex differences were observed in their contents or activities. These results suggest the functional role of cynomolgus FMO1 in kidney.

Non-synonymous genetic variants of flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) in cynomolgus macaques

Polymorphic human flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) 3 is an important drug-metabolizing enzyme for nitrogen- or sulfur-containing compounds. Cynomolgus macaques, a non-human primate species widely used in drug metabolism studies, have corresponding FMO3 molecular and enzymatic similarities to humans; however, genetic polymorphisms have not been investigated in macaques. In this study, re-sequencing of FMO3 in 64 cynomolgus and 32 rhesus macaques found a total of 18 non-synonymous variants. Nine variants were unique to cynomolgus macaques, of which 4 (including Q506K) were found only in Indochinese, 4 (including V299I, E348H, and G530A) only in Indonesian lineages, and one was common. Other five variants (including S504T at >10% allele frequencies) were unique to rhesus macaques. By functional characterization using cynomolgus FMO3 proteins heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, FMO3 R509H variant appeared to suppress methimazole and benzydamine S- or N-oxygenations. Seven variants showed substantially lower benzydamine N-oxygenation as compared with wild-type FMO3 protein. Further analysis indicated that two of these variants, FMO3 G530A and R417H, showed significantly lower benzydamine N-oxygenation in liver microsomes of the homozygotes as compared with wild-type animals. Therefore, inter-animal variability of FMO3-dependent drug metabolism is at least partly accounted for by genetic polymorphisms in cynomolgus and rhesus macaques, similar to humans.

Hepatic Flavin-Containing Monooxygenase 3 Enzyme Suppressed by Type 1 Allergy-Produced Nitric Oxide.

Flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs) are major mammalian non-cytochrome P450 oxidative enzymes. T helper 2 cell-activated allergic diseases produce excess levels of nitric oxide (NO) that modify the functions of proteins. However, it remains unclear whether allergy-induced NO affects the pharmacokinetics of drugs metabolized by FMOs. This study investigated alterations of hepatic microsomal FMO1 and FMO3 activities in type 1 allergic mice and further examined the interaction of FMO1 and FMO3 with allergy-induced NO. Imipramine (IMP; FMO1 substrate) N-oxidation activity was not altered in allergic mice with high serum NO and immunoglobulin E levels. At 7 days after primary sensitization (PS7) or secondary sensitization (SS7), benzydamine (BDZ; FMO1 and FMO3 substrate) N-oxygenation was significantly decreased to 70% of individual controls. The expression levels of FMO1 and FMO3 proteins were not significantly changed in the sensitized mice. Hepatic inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA level increased 5-fold and 15-fold in PS7 and SS7 mice, respectively, and hepatic tumor necrosis factor-α levels were greatly enhanced. When a selective iNOS inhibitor was injected into allergic mice, serum NO levels and BDZ N-oxygenation activity returned to control levels. NO directly suppressed BDZ N-oxygenation, which was probably related to FMO3-dependent metabolism in comparison with IMP N-oxidation. In hepatic microsomes from PS7 and SS7 mice, the suppression of BDZ N-oxygenation was restored by ascorbate. Therefore, type 1 allergic mice had differentially suppressed FMO3-dependent BDZ N-oxygenation. The suppression of FMO3 metabolism related to reversible S-nitrosyl modifications of iNOS-derived NO. NO is expected to alter FMO3-metabolic capacity-limited drug pharmacokinetics in humans.

Marmoset Flavin-Containing Monooxygenase 3 in the Liver Is a Major Benzydamine and Sulindac Sulfide Oxygenase.

Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) are potentially primate models for preclinical drug metabolism studies because there are similarities in the molecular characteristics of cytochrome P450 enzymes between this species and humans. However, characterization of non-cytochrome P450 enzymes has not been clarified in marmosets. Here, we report characterization of flavin-containing monooxygenases FMO1-FMO5 identified in marmoset tissues. Marmoset FMO forms shared high amino acid sequence identities (93%-95%) and phylogenetic closeness with human homologous FMO forms. FMO1 and FMO3 mRNA were abundantly expressed in the liver and kidneys among five marmoset tissues examined, where FMO3 protein was detected by immunoblotting. FMO inhibition assays using preheated tissue microsomes indicated that benzydamine N-oxygenation and sulindac sulfide S-oxygenation in the marmoset liver was mainly catalyzed by FMO3, the major hepatic FMO. Marmoset FMO3 protein heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli effectively catalyzed benzydamine N-oxygenation and sulindac sulfide S-oxygenation comparable to marmoset liver microsomes. These results indicate that the FMO3 enzyme expressed in marmoset livers mainly metabolizes benzydamine and sulindac sulfide (typical human FMO substrates), suggesting its importance for FMO-dependent drug metabolism in marmosets.

Activation and deactivation of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine by cytochrome P450 enzymes and flavin-containing monooxygenases in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus).

The potential proneurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induces Parkinson-like syndromes in common marmosets, other primates, and humans. MPTP is metabolically activated to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-2,3-dihydropyridinium and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ions (MPDP(+) and MPP(+), respectively) by desaturation reactions. MPTP is deactivated to 4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (PTP) by N-demethylation and is also deactivated to MPTP N-oxide. The roles of cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes and flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs) in the oxidative metabolism of MPTP-treated marmosets are not yet fully clarified. This study aimed to elucidate P450- and FMO-dependent MPTP metabolism in marmoset liver and brain. Rates of MPTP N-oxygenation in liver microsomes were similar to those in brain microsomes from 11 individual marmosets (substrate concentration, 50 μM) and were correlated with rates of benzydamine N-oxygenation (r = 0.75, P < 0.05); the reactions were inhibited by methimazole (10 μM). MPTP N-oxygenation was efficiently mediated by recombinantly expressed marmoset FMO3. Rates of PTP formation by MPTP N-demethylation in marmoset liver microsomes were correlated with bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation rates (r = 0.77, P < 0.01) and were suppressed by quinidine (1 μM), thereby indicating the importance of marmoset CYP2D6 in PTP formation. MPTP transformations to MPDP(+) and MPP(+) were efficiently catalyzed by recombinant marmoset CYP2D6 and human CYP1A2. These results indicated the contributions of multiple drug-metabolizing enzymes to MPTP oxidation, especially marmoset FMO3 in deactivation (N-oxygenation) and marmoset CYP2D6 for both MPTP deactivation and MPTP activation to MPDP(+) and MPP(+). These findings provide a foundation for understanding MPTP metabolism and for the successful production of preclinical marmoset models.

Benzydamine N-oxygenation as an index for flavin-containing monooxygenase activity and benzydamine N-demethylation by cytochrome P450 enzymes in liver microsomes from rats, dogs, monkeys, and humans

Benzydamine is an anti-inflammatory drug that undergoes flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO)-dependent metabolism to benzydamine N-oxide; however, benzydamine N-demethylation is also catalyzed by liver microsomes. In this study, benzydamine N-oxygenation and N-demethylation mediated by liver microsomes from rats, dogs, monkeys, and humans were characterized comprehensively. Values of the maximum velocity/Michaelis constant ratio for benzydamine N-oxygenation by liver microsomes from dogs and rats were higher than those from monkeys and humans, despite roughly similar rates of N-demethylation in the four species. Benzydamine N-oxygenation by liver microsomes was extensively suppressed by preheating liver microsomes at 45 °C for 5 min or at 37 °C for 5–10 min without NADPH, and benzydamine N-demethylation was strongly inhibited by 1-aminbobenztriazole. Liver microsomal benzydamine N-oxygenation was inhibited by dimethyl sulfoxide and methimazole, whereas N-demethylation was inhibited by quinidine. High benzydamine N-oxygenation activities of recombinant human FMO1 and FMO3 and human kidney microsomes were observed at pH 8.4, whereas N-demethylation by cytochrome P450 2D6 was faster at pH 7.4. These results suggest that benzydamine N-oxygenation and N-demethylation are mediated by FMO1/3 and P450s, respectively, and that the contribution of FMO to metabolic eliminations of new drug candidates might be underestimated under certain experimental conditions suitable for P450 enzymes.

Potential for drug interactions mediated by polymorphic flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 in human livers

Human flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) in the liver catalyzes a variety of oxygenations of nitrogen- and sulfur-containing medicines and xenobiotic substances. Because of growing interest in drug interactions mediated by polymorphic FMO3, benzydamine N-oxygenation by human FMO3 was investigated as a model reaction. Among the 41 compounds tested, trimethylamine, methimazole, itopride, and tozasertib (50 μM) suppressed benzydamine N-oxygenation at a substrate concentration of 50 μM by approximately 50% after co-incubation. Suppression of N-oxygenation of benzydamine, trimethylamine, itopride, and tozasertib and S-oxygenation of methimazole and sulindac sulfide after co-incubation with the other five of these six substrates was compared using FMO3 proteins recombinantly expressed in bacterial membranes. Apparent competitive inhibition by methimazole (0–50 μM) of sulindac sulfide S-oxygenation was observed with FMO3 proteins. Sulindac sulfide S-oxygenation activity of Arg205Cys variant FMO3 protein was likely to be suppressed more by methimazole than wild-type or Val257Met variant FMO3 protein was. These results suggest that genetic polymorphism in the human FMO3 gene may lead to changes of drug interactions for N- or S-oxygenations of xenobiotics and endogenous substances and that a probe battery system of benzydamine N-oxygenation and sulindac sulfide S-oxygenation activities is recommended to clarify the drug interactions mediated by FMO3.

Molecular and functional characterization of flavin-containing monooxygenases in cynomolgus macaque

Flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs), drug-metabolizing enzymes essential for the metabolism of endogenous biochemicals and foreign compounds, have been characterized in human (including FMO1-5 and FMO6P), but remain to be investigated in cynomolgus macaque. In this study, cDNAs of cynomolgus FMO1-5 and FMO6 were isolated and characterized. Amino acid sequences of cynomolgus FMO1-5, respectively, shared high sequence identities (94–98%) and were closely clustered in a phylogenetic tree, with human FMO1-5. Eight different transcripts, due to alternative splicing, were isolated for cynomolgus FMO6, which is highly identical (~96%) to human FMO6P. Among the 10 tissue types analyzed, cynomolgus FMO1, FMO2, FMO4, and FMO6 were most abundantly expressed in kidney, while cynomolgus FMO3 and FMO5 were most abundantly expressed in liver. In kidney and liver, the most abundantly expressed cynomolgus FMO genes were FMO1 and FMO3, respectively. Cynomolgus FMO1, FMO2, FMO3, and FMO5 metabolized benzydamine, and FMO1/FMO3 and FMO3 also metabolized methimazole and trimethylamine, respectively. Rates of benzydamine N-oxygenation (catalyzed by FMO3) varied (approximately 20-fold) among the 28 cynomolgus livers and were significantly correlated with FMO3 protein expression, indicating that the inter-animal variations in benzydamine N-oxygenation might be partly accounted for by the variable FMO3 expression. Cynomolgus FMO6 metabolized benzydamine only slightly, but minimal expression of FMO6 in all tissue precludes the importance of FMO6 in drug metabolism, unlike cynomolgus FMO1, FMO2, FMO3, and FMO5 which were all functional. Abundant expression of FMO1 and FMO3 in kidney and liver, respectively, suggest their importance in drug metabolism in cynomolgus macaque, similar to human.

Cytochrome P450-depedent Drug Oxidation Activity of Liver Microsomes from Microminipigs, A Possible New Animal Model for Humans in Non-clinical Studies

Small minipigs (Bland name, Micromini Pig; registered as a novel variety of pig in the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) were developed with the aim of non-clinical pharmacological/toxicological use. They were principally mated with<10 kg body weight at 7 months-old resulting in good handling. Cytochrome P450 (P450)-and flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMO)-dependent drug oxidation activity of liver microsomes prepared from male Microminipigs (8 months-old) was compared with that for pooled dogs, monkeys, and humans. High P450 2D-dependent bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation and FMO-dependent benzydamine N-oxygenation activity was observed in liver microsomes from Microminipigs. Typical P450 1A, 2B, 2C, 2E, and 3A-dependent drug oxidation activity was also seen in Microminipigs. However, occasional differences might give undetected low P450 2A-dependent coumarin 7-hydroxylation in Microminipigs at 8-months-old, in contrast to liver microsomes from one 10-days-old Microminipis and commercially available pooled minipigs which had low but detectable coumarin 7-hydroxylation activity. The present results suggest that there is some overlap in Microminipig and human P450 substrate specificity. These findings should provide important information for greater understanding of drug metabolism in Microminipigs, as an experimental animal model for non-clinical use.

Inter-individual Variation in Flavin-containing Monooxygenase 3 in Livers from Japanese: Correlation with Hepatic Transcription Factors

Human flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3)-mediated microsomal oxygenation activity, levels of FMO3 protein and FMO3 mRNA and modifications were investigated in Japanese livers genotyped for the FMO3 gene. Significant correlations were observed for benzydamine N-oxygenation or methyl p-tolyl sulfide S-oxygenation activity (in the range of approximately 20- to approximately 40-fold) and FMO3 levels determined immunochemically in liver microsomes (r(2)=0.73-0.75, p<0.0001, n=16). Preincubation with the reducing agent ascorbate revealed that FMO3 activity in some liver samples is suppressed. Microsomal FMO3 protein content (approximately 40-fold) was correlated with FMO3 mRNA levels (r(2)=0.55, p=0.0010, n=16), but FMO3 haplotypes did not affect FMO3 mRNA expression (approximately 100-fold) under the conditions used. FMO3 mRNA levels were multivariately correlated with trans-acting factors, i.e. hepatic nuclear factor 4 (HNF-4) mRNA and nuclear factor Y box-binding protein (NF-Y) mRNA (r(2)=0.31, p=0.0017, n=37). These results suggest that considerable individual differences in FMO3 levels may exist in Japanese livers. The liver-enriched transcription factor HNF-4 appears to be a determinant of FMO3 expression in livers, as well as the ubiquitous factor NF-Y.

Functional characterization of genetic variants of human FMO3 associated with trimethylaminuria

Impaired conversion of trimethylamine to trimethylamine N-oxide by human flavin containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) is strongly associated with primary trimethylaminuria, also known as ‘fish-odor’ syndrome. Numerous non-synonymous mutations in FMO3 have been identified in patients suffering from this metabolic disorder (e.g., N61S, M66I, P153L, and R492W), but the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the functional deficit attributed to these alleles has not been elucidated. The purpose of the present study was to determine the impact of these disease-associated genetic variants on FMO3 holoenzyme formation and on steady-state kinetic parameters for metabolism of several substrates, including trimethylamine. For comparative purposes, several common allelic variants not associated with primary trimethylaminuria (i.e., E158K, V257M, E308G, and the E158K/E308G haplotype) were also analyzed. When recombinantly expressed in insect cells, only the M66I and R492W mutants failed to incorporate/retain the FAD cofactor. Of the remaining mutant proteins P153L and N61S displayed substantially reduced (<10%) catalytic efficiencies for trimethylamine N-oxygenation relative to the wild-type enzyme. For N61S, reduced catalytic efficiency was solely a consequence of an increased Km, whereas for P153L, both Km and kcat were altered. Similar results were obtained when benzydamine N-oxygenation was monitored. A homology model for FMO3 was constructed based on the crystal structure for yeast FMO which places the N61 residue alone, of the mutants analyzed here, in close proximity to the FAD catalytic center. These data demonstrate that primary trimethylaminuria is multifactorial in origin in that enzyme dysfunction can result from kinetic incompetencies as well as impaired assembly of holoprotein.

Role of human flavin-containing monooxygenases in the sulfoxidation of [ 14C]aldicarb

Biotransformation of the carbamate insecticide aldicarb to aldicarb sulfoxide has been shown to significantly increase its anticholinesterase activity. However, it is unclear what enzymes are responsible for this bioactivation. In this study, 51 human liver microsome samples were prepared and [ 14C]aldicarb S-oxygenation was examined in vitro under saturating substrate incubations ( 200 μM ). NADPH-catalyzed S-oxygenation activities were highly variable and observed in only 12 of 51 samples with a mean value of 0.034±0.17 nmol/min/mg of microsomal protein. Coincubation with 0.1% lubrol to inhibit contributions of cytochrome P450 failed to alter S-oxygenation activities ( 0.036±0.26 pmol/min/mg ). Benzydamine N-oxygenation was also examined and was 2.57±1.66 nmol/min/mg and observed in all samples. Flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO)3 content was determined in all samples and showed a significant correlation with benzydamine N-oxygenation ( r 2=0.41), but FMO3 did not correlate with [ 14C]aldicarb S-oxygenation. Incubations of [ 14C]aldicarb with five human recombinant flavin-monooxygenase isoforms indicated catalysis by FMO1≫FMO3 with no activity detected from FMO2, FMO4, or FMO5. These results indicated limited hepatic biotransformation of [ 14C]aldicarb in human liver microsomes, but suggests other tissues may be more important such as fetal liver, the intestine or kidney that possess significant levels of FMO1.

In vitro evaluation of potential in vivo probes for human flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO): metabolism of benzydamine and caffeine by FMO and P450 isoforms.

AIMS To determine the FMO and P450 isoform selectivity for metabolism of benzydamine and caffeine, two potential in vivo probes for human FMO. METHODS Metabolic incubations were conducted at physiological pH using substrate concentrations of 0.01-10 mM with either recombinant human FMOs, P450s or human liver microsomes serving as the enzyme source. Products of caffeine and benzydamine metabolism were analysed by reversed-phase h.p.l.c. with u.v. and fluorescence detection. RESULTS CYP1A2, but none of the human FMOs, catalysed metabolism of caffeine. In contrast, benzydamine was a substrate for human FMO1, FMO3, FMO4 and FMO5. Apparent Km values for benzydamine N-oxygenation were 60 +/- 8 microM, 80 +/- 8 microM, > 3 mM and > 2 mM, for FMO1, FMO3, FMO4 and FMO5, respectively. The corresponding Vmax values were 46 +/- 2 min-1, 36 +/- 2 min-1, < 75 min-1 and < 1 min-1. Small quantities of benzydamine N-oxide were also formed by CYPs 1A1, 1A2, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A4. FMO1 and FMO3 catalyse benzydamine N-oxygenation with the highest efficiency. However, it is likely that the metabolic capacity of hepatic FMO3 is a much greater contributor to plasma levels of the N-oxide metabolite in vivo than is extrahepatic FMO1. Therefore, benzydamine, but not caffeine, is a potential in vivo probe for human FMO3.

Determination of flavin-containing monooxygenase activity in rat brain microsomes with benzydamine N-oxidation.

The activity of flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) in rat brain microsomes was measured by fluorometrical determination of benzydamine (BZY) N-oxygenation with HPLC. The apparent Km value for the formation of BZY N-oxide from BZY by brain microsomes was similar to that by hepatic microsomal fraction or purified FMO, but the Vmax value for brain microsomes was about one-hundredth of that for hepatic microsomes. BZY N-oxygenation activity by brain microsomes was at a maximum near pH 8.5, slightly more acidic than the optimum pH for liver FMO. BZY N-oxygenation activity was inhibited completely by heat inactivation and markedly in the presence of 1 mM thiourea, but slightly in the presence of 1 mM SKF-525A, and it was only barely activated in the presence of 5 mM n-octylamine, a positive effector of liver FMO. The addition of rabbit antisera raised against rat liver FMO resulted in 30% inhibition of BZY N-oxygenation by solubilized brain microsomes. Compared with microsomes from five different brain regions, the activity was highest in microsomes of olfactory bulbs. These results show that the activity of FMO in rat brain is distinctly determined by BZY N-oxygenation.