Human Cytochrome P450 1B1 Research Articles

Cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of dibenzo[ a,l]pyrene and (±)-dibenzo[ a,l]pyrene-11,12-dihydrodiol in V79MZ cells co-expressing either hCYP1A1 or hCYP1B1 together with human glutathione- S-transferase A1

We have used V79MZ hamster lung fibroblasts stably transfected with human cytochrome P450-1A1 (hCYP1A1; cell line designated V79MZh1A1) or P450-1B1 (hCYP1B1; cell line designated V79MZh1B1) alone, or in combination with human glutathione- S-transferase (GST) alpha-1 (hGSTA1), in order to examine GST protection against cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of dibenzo[ a,l]pyrene (DBP) and the intermediate dihydrodiol metabolite (±)-DBP-11,12-dihydrodiol (DBPD). At comparable expression levels of hCYP1A1 and hCYP1B1, both DBP and DBPD were more cytotoxic in V79MZ1A1 (IC 50 = 2.7 and 0.7 nM, respectively) than in V79MZh1B1 (IC 50 = 6.0 and 4.8 nM, respectively). In contrast, both DBP and DBPD were two- to four-fold more mutagenic in V79MZh1B1 than in V79MZ1A1. Co-expression of hGSTA1 with hCYP1A1 decreased DBP cytotoxicity two-fold compared to V79MZh1A1 with hCYP1A1 alone, and provided a small, yet still statistically significant, 1.3-fold protection against DBPD. Protection against mutagenicity of these compounds was comparable to that for cytotoxicity in cells expressing hCYP1A1. In V79MZh1B1 cells, co-expression of hGSTA1 conferred up to five-fold protection against DBP cytotoxicity, and up to nine-fold protection against the (±)-DBP-dihydrodiol cytotoxicity relative to the cells expressing hCYP1B1 alone. Co-expression of hGSTA1 also reduced mutagenicity of DBP or its dihydrodiol to a lesser extent (1.3–1.8-fold) than the protection against cytotoxicity in cells expressing hCYP1B1. These findings demonstrate that the protective efficacy of hGSTA1 against DBP and DBPD toxicity is variable, depending on the compound or metabolite present, the specific cytochrome P450 isozyme expressed, and the specific cellular damage endpoint examined.

New potent and selective cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) inhibitors based on three‐dimensional quantitative structure‐activity relationship (3D‐QSAR) analysis

The cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) enzyme metabolises a number of clinically important drugs. Drug-drug interactions resulting from inhibition or induction of CYP2B6 activity may cause serious adverse effects. The aims of this study were to construct a three-dimensional structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) model of the CYP2B6 protein and to identify novel potent and selective inhibitors of CYP2B6 for in vitro research purposes. The inhibition potencies (IC(50) values) of structurally diverse chemicals were determined with recombinant human CYP2B6 enzyme. Two successive models were constructed using Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA). Three compounds proved to be very potent and selective competitive inhibitors of CYP2B6 in vitro (IC(50)<1 microM): 4-(4-chlorobenzyl)pyridine (CBP), 4-(4-nitrobenzyl)pyridine (NBP), and 4-benzylpyridine (BP). A complete inhibition of CYP2B6 activity was achieved with 0.1 microM CBP, whereas other CYP-related activities were not affected. Forty-one compounds were selected for further testing and construction of the final CoMFA model. The created CoMFA model was of high quality and predicted accurately the inhibition potency of a test set (n=7) of structurally diverse compounds. Two CoMFA models were created which revealed the key molecular characteristics of inhibitors of the CYP2B6 enzyme. The final model accurately predicted the inhibitory potencies of several structurally unrelated compounds. CBP, BP and NBP were identified as novel potent and selective inhibitors of CYP2B6 and CBP especially is a suitable inhibitor for in vitro screening studies.

Selective Induction of Human Hepatic Cytochromes P450 2B6 and 3A4 by Metamizole

The pyrazolone drug metamizole is a widely used analgesic. Analysis of liver microsomes from patients treated with metamizole revealed selectively higher expression of cytochromes P450, CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 (3.8- and 2.8-fold, respectively), and 2.9-fold higher bupropion hydroxylase activity compared with untreated subjects. Further investigation of metamizole and various derivatives on different potential target genes in human primary hepatocytes demonstrated time- and concentration-dependent induction by metamizole of CYP2B6 (7.8- and 3.1-fold for mRNA and protein, respectively, at 100 muM) and CYP3A4 (2.4- and 2.9-fold, respectively), whereas other genes (CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase, ABCB1, constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), pregnane X receptor (PXR)) were not substantially altered. Using reporter gene assays, we show that metamizole is not acting as a direct ligand to either PXR or CAR, suggesting a phenobarbital-like mechanism of induction. These data warrant further studies to elucidate the drug-interaction potential of metamizole, especially in patients with long-term treatment.

191: The role of human CYP2B6 polymorphism in the bioactivation of cyclophosphamide using cDNA expressed enzymes

Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is used for the treatment of many tumors and as a part of the conditioning regimen prior to stem cell transplantation. CPA is a prodrug that is activated through cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) in the liver. A high degree of inter- and intra-individual variation in CPA pharmacokinetics has been reported. We have investigated the formation of its active metabolite 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide (4-OH-CPA) in vitro using three different mutants of recombinant 2B6. The rate of formation of 4-OH-CPA was correlated to the enzyme activity for different mutations.

Differential Effect of 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene on Human and Mouse CYP1B1 from Livers of Castrated Transgenic Mice

Humanized transgenic mice coexpressing tetracycline-controlled transactivator (tTA) and human cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) (hCYP1B1) have been created by this group. The aims of this study was to determine if 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) functions as testosterone or doxycycline in its ability to induce or reduce expression of hCYP1B1 or endogenous mouse CYP1B1 (mCYP1B1). This was tested in the livers by treating castrated transgenic males and hCYP1B1/luciferase-transfected cells with DMBA. Herein, DMBA-treated group exhibited (i) gradual reduction of hCYP1B1 expression at the transcript, protein, and activity levels but gradually induced its transcript level during DMBA release; (ii) gradual reduction of hCYP1B1 at the transcript and protein levels, as in the case of doxycycline or testosterone; (iii) gradual induction of mCYP1B1 expression at the transcript and protein levels but gradually reduced its transcript level during DMBA release. In parallel, DMBA-treated transfected cells exhibited gradual increase in luciferase activity in a time-and dose-dependent manner. Thus, castrated transgenic males or in vitro system could be useful as models for the detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or environmental toxicants by measuring either hCYP1B1 or mCYP1B1 expressions.

MicroRNA Regulates the Expression of Human Cytochrome P450 1B1

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression through translational repression or mRNA cleavage. Here, we found that cytochrome P450 (CYP), a superfamily of drug-metabolizing enzymes, is a target of miRNA. Human CYP1B1, which is highly expressed in estrogen target tissues, catalyzes the metabolic activation of various procarcinogens and the 4-hydroxylation of 17beta-estradiol. CYP1B1 protein is abundant in cancerous tissues. We identified a near-perfect matching sequence with miR-27b in the 3'-untranslated region of human CYP1B1. Luciferase assays revealed that the reporter activity of the plasmid containing the miR-27b recognition element was decreased in MCF-7 cells (miR-27 positive) but not in Jurkat cells (miR-27b negative). Exogenously expressed miR-27b could decrease the luciferase activity in Jurkat cells. In MCF-7 cells, the antisense oligoribonucleotide for miR-27b restored the luciferase activity and increased the protein level and enzymatic activity of endogenous CYP1B1. These results suggested that human CYP1B1 is post-transcriptionally regulated by miR-27b. The expression levels of miR-27b and CYP1B1 protein in breast cancerous and adjacent noncancerous tissues from 24 patients were evaluated. In most patients, the expression level of miR-27b was decreased in cancerous tissues, accompanied by a high level of CYP1B1 protein. A significant inverse association was observed between the expression levels of miR-27b and CYP1B1 protein. Thus, the decreased expression of miR-27b would be one of causes of the high expression of CYP1B1 protein in cancerous tissues. This is the first study to show that miRNAs regulate not only essential genes for physiologic events but also drug-metabolizing enzymes.

Synthesis of Substituted Phenyl Diaziridines and Characterization as Mechanism-Based Inactivators of Human Cytochrome P450 2B6

The metabolism of arylhydrazines by cytochromes P450 (P450s) has previously been shown to yield aryl-iron complexes that inhibit P450 enzymes as a result of heme modification. These modifications of the heme have been used to probe the topology of the active site of several P450s. Therefore, diaziridines containing one or more substitutions on the phenyl ring were synthesized and evaluated as potential mechanism-based inactivators of P450 2B enzymes that could be used to elucidate the active site topology. Five of the six trifluoroaryldiaziridines tested selectively inactivated P450 2B6 in the reconstituted system in a time-, concentration-, and NADPH-dependent manner as measured using the 7-ethoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)coumarin O-deethylation assay. The kinetic parameters for P450 2B6 inactivation by the five compounds were calculated. Analysis of the P450 heme from P450s inactivated by the five substituted diaziridines suggested that the activity loss was not due to heme destruction as measured by the reduced-CO spectrum or high-performance liquid chromatography of the P450 heme. Dialysis experiments indicated the irreversible nature of the inactivation and the reaction between the diaziridine compounds and the P450 enzyme. Interestingly, a thiomethyl-substituted phenyl diaziridine had no effect on the activity of P450 2B6 in the reconstituted system, but competitively inhibited the O-debenzylation activity of P450 3A4 with 7-benzyloxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)coumarin as substrate. Binding spectra suggest that this compound bound reversibly to P450 2B6, and preliminary results indicate that 3-(4-methylthiophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)diaziridine is metabolized by P450 2B6.

Mechanism of Inactivation of Human Cytochrome P450 2B6 by Phencyclidine

The mechanism behind the observed inactivation of human P450 2B6 by phencyclidine (PCP) has been evaluated over the past 2 decades. The scope of the current investigation was to contribute to the fundamental knowledge of PCP oxidation and perhaps the mechanism behind P450 inactivation. To study the chemistry of PCP oxidation, we subjected PCP to the Fenton reagent. Under Fenton chemistry conditions, oxidation on all three PCP rings was observed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). When PCP was incubated with the Fenton system in the presence of glutathione (GSH), three GSH-PCP conjugates were identified. Subsequent LC-MS/MS analysis of these conjugates revealed two species that had GSH attached to the cyclohexane ring of PCP and a third conjugate in which GSH was adducted to the piperidine ring. When PCP was incubated across a panel of P450 enzymes, several enzymes, including P450s 2D6 and 3A4, were able to catalyze the formation of the PCP iminium ion, whereas P450s 2B6 and 2C19 were exclusively able to hydroxylate secondary carbons on the cyclohexane ring of PCP. Subsequent mechanistic experiments revealed that only P450s 2B6 and 2C19 demonstrated loss of catalytic activity after preincubation with 10 microM PCP. Finally, investigation of P450 2B6 inactivation using structural analogs of PCP revealed that blocking the para-carbon atom on the cyclohexane ring of PCP from oxidation protected the P450 2B6 from inactivation, which suggests that a reactive intermediate generated during the hydroxylation of the cyclohexane ring may be linked to the mechanism of inactivation of P450 2B6 by PCP.

Regioselective 2-hydroxylation of 17β-estradiol by rat cytochrome P4501B1

Previous work demonstrated that human cytochrome P4501B1 (CYP1B1) forms predominantly 4-hydroxyestradiol (4-OHE2), a metabolite which is carcinogenic in animal models. Here, we present results from kinetic studies characterizing the formation of 4-OHE2 and 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE2) by rat CYP1B1 using 17beta-estradiol (E2) as a substrate. Km and Kcat values were estimated using the Michaelis-Menten equation. For rat CYP1B1, the apparent Km values for the formation of 4-OHE2 and 2-OHE2 were 0.61+/-0.23 and 1.84+/-0.73 microM; the turnover numbers (Kcat) were 0.23+/-0.02 and 0.46+/-0.05 pmol/min/pmol P450; and the catalytic efficiencies (Kcat/Km) were 0.37 and 0.25, respectively. For human CYP1B1, the apparent Km values for the formation of 4-OHE2 and 2-OHE2 were 1.22+/-0.25 and 1.10+/-0.26; the turnover numbers were 1.23+/-0.06 and 0.33+/-0.02; and the catalytic efficiencies were 1.0 and 0.30, respectively. The turnover number ratio of 4- to 2-hydroxylation was 3.7 for human CYP1B1 and 0.5 for rat CYP1B1. These results indicate that, although rat CYP1B1 is a low Km E2 hydroxylase, its product ratio, unlike the human enzyme, favors 2-hydroxylation. The Ki values of the inhibitor 2,4,3',5'-tetramethoxystilbene (TMS) for E2 4- and 2-hydroxylation by rat CYP1B1 were 0.69 and 0.78 microM, respectively. The Ki values of 7,8-benzoflavone (alpha-NF) for E2 4- and 2-hydroxylation by rat CYP1B1 were 0.01 and 0.02 microM, respectively. The knowledge gained from this study will support the rational design of CYP1B1 inhibitors and clarify results of CYP1B1 related carcinogenesis studies performed in rats.

Modulation of human cytochrome P450 1B1 expression by 2,4,3',5'-tetramethoxystilbene

We have previously shown that 2,4,3',5'-tetramethoxystilbene (TMS), a synthetic trans-stilbene analog, is one of the most potently selective inhibitors of recombinant human cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) in vitro. In the present studies, the effects of TMS on CYP1B1 expression were investigated in human cancer cells. TMS significantly inhibited CYP1-mediated 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation activity in 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced MCF-7 cells or lung microsomes of Sprague-Dawley rats treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. TCDD-stimulated CYP1B1 protein and mRNA expression was significantly suppressed by TMS in a concentration-dependent manner in MCF-7, MCF-10A, and HL-60 cells. Whereas TMS down-regulated TCDD-induced CYP1B1 gene expression, the levels of aryl hydrocarbon receptor and aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator mRNA expression were not changed by TMS treatment. In human cancer cells, TMS induced apoptotic cell death, and the cytotoxic effects of TMS were significant when the cells were incubated with TCDD. CYP1B1 was able to convert TMS to a metabolite(s) when incubated with NADPH. Metabolic activation of TMS by CYP1B1 induced by TCDD may mediate cellular toxicity of TMS in human cancer cells because the sensitivity to TMS in MCF-7 cells treated with TCDD was more significant than in HL-60 cells treated with TCDD. Taken together, our results indicate that TMS acts as a strong modulator of CYP1B1 gene expression as well as a potent selective inhibitor in vitro. The ability of TMS to induce apoptotic cell death in tumor cells, as well as CYP1B1 inhibition, may contribute to its usefulness for cancer chemoprevention.

THE NATURALLY OCCURRING CYTOCHROME P450 (P450) 2B6 K262R MUTANT OF P450 2B6 EXHIBITS ALTERATIONS IN SUBSTRATE METABOLISM AND INACTIVATION

The polymorphic human cytochrome P450 (P450) 2B6 is primarily responsible for the metabolism of several clinically relevant drugs including bupropion, cyclophosphamide, propofol, and efavirenz. Although a number of single nucleotide polymorphisms have been found in the P450 2B6 gene, the influence of these variants on the metabolism of substrates and on the response to known inactivators of P450 2B6 has not been examined. We have compared the metabolism of different substrates of P450 2B6 (P450 Delta2B6) and the effects of mechanism-based inactivators with that observed with the polymorphic P450 Delta2B6 K262R in a reconstituted monooxygenase system (reconstituted system). Metabolism of bupropion by P450 Delta2B6 K262R resulted in increased production of hydroxybupropion compared with P450 Delta2B6. However, production of formaldehyde from the metabolism of benzphetamine by the P450 Delta2B6 K262R mutant was significantly less than that of the wild-type isozyme. P450 Delta2B6 K262R formed fewer benzphetamine metabolites compared with the wild type. N,N',N''-Triethylenethiophosphoramide (tTEPA) and bergamottin decreased the ability of both enzymes to hydroxylate bupropion and to O-deethylate 7-hydroxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)coumarin (7-EFC). Incubation with 17-alpha-ethynylestradiol decreased bupropion hydroxylation and 7-EFC O-deethylation with the wild-type enzyme but had no effect on the mutant. The kinetics for inactivation of the variant by tTEPA and bergamottin were determined using 7-EFC. The KI values for inactivation of the variant were significantly greater than those determined for the wild-type enzyme. These data demonstrate a functional difference between P450 Delta2B6 and the allelic variant P450 Delta2B6 K262R.

Novel CAR-mediated Mechanism for Synergistic Activation of Two Distinct Elements within the Human Cytochrome P450 2B6 Gene in HepG2 Cells

The constitutive active receptor (CAR) regulates the induction of the cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) gene by phenobarbital-type inducers, such as 1,4 bis[2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy)]benzene (TCPOBOP) via the distal phenobarbital-responsive enhancer module (PBREM, at -1732/-1685 bp). Activation of the PBREM by TCPOBOP generated a 10-fold induction of CYP2B6 mRNA in HepG2 cells stably expressing mouse CAR (Ym17). Co-treatment with the protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid (OA) synergistically increased this induction over 100-fold without directly activating CAR or the PBREM. Although OA synergy required the presence of PBREM, deletion assays delineated the OA-responsive activity to a proximal 24-bp (-256/-233) sequence (OARE) in the CYP2B6 promoter. CAR did not directly bind to the OARE in electrophoretic mobility shift assays. However, both DNA affinity and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed a significant increase in CAR association with the OARE after co-treatment with TCPOBOP and OA, indicating the indirect binding of CAR to the OARE. The two cis-acting elements, the distal PBREM and the proximal OARE, within the chromatin structure are both regulated by CAR in response to TCPOBOP and OA, respectively, to maximally induce the CYP2B6 promoter. This functional interaction between the two sites expands the current understanding of the mechanism of CAR-mediated inducible transcription.

Effect of a Standardized Complex Mixture Derived from Coal Tar on the Metabolic Activation of Carcinogenic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Human Cells in Culture

A complex mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) extracted from coal tar, standard reference material (SRM) 1597, has been shown to initiate tumor formation in mouse initiation-promotion assays in our laboratory [(2001) Carcinogenesis 22 (7), 1077-1086]. To determine the effects of SRM 1597 on PAH activation in human cells, we investigated the PAH-DNA adduct formation in the human mammary carcinoma-derived cell line MCF-7. We examined the effects of SRM 1597 on the metabolic activation to DNA binding derivatives of two carcinogenic PAHs, the bay region containing benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and the more carcinogenic fjord region containing dibenzo[a,l]pyrene (DB[a,l]P). PAH-DNA adduct analysis by 33P-postlabeling and reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography revealed a significant decrease in the levels of both B[a]P and DB[a,l]P DNA adduct formation on cotreatment with SRM 1597 in comparison to cells exposed to B[a]P or DB[a,l]P alone. However, the inhibition of PAH-DNA adduct formation only occurred within the first 48 h of exposure in cells cotreated with SRM 1597 and B[a]P. In contrast, SRM 1597 significantly inhibited the level of DB[a,l]P DNA adducts throughout the 120 h of exposure. Induction of human cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes 1A1 and P4501B1 on treatment with SRM 1597 was observed by immunoblots. These results suggest that the important factors in determining the carcinogenic activity of PAH within a complex mixture would depend on the ability of other components of the mixture to promote or inhibit the activation of carcinogenic PAH by the induction of P450 enzymes followed by the formation of DNA adducts.

Inhibition of human CYP2B6 by N, N′, N″-triethylenethiophosphoramide is irreversible and mechanism-based

The chemotherapeutic agent N, N′, N″-triethylenethiophosphoramide (thioTEPA) is frequently used in high-dose chemotherapy regimens including cyclophosphamide. Previous studies demonstrated partial inhibition by thioTEPA of the cytochrome P4502B6 (CYP2B6)-catalyzed 4-hydroxylation of cyclophosphamide, which is required for its bioactivation. The aim of our study was to investigate the detailed mechanism of CYP2B6 inhibition by thioTEPA. Using human liver microsomes and recombinant P450 enzymes we confirmed potent inhibition of CYP2B6 enzyme activity determined with bupropion as substrate. ThioTEPA was found to inhibit CYP2B6 activity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The loss of CYP2B6 activity was NADPH-dependent and could not be restored by extensive dialysis. The maximal rates of inactivation ( K inact) were 0.16 min −1 in human liver microsomes and 0.17 min −1 in membrane preparations expressing recombinant CYP2B6. The half-maximal inactivator concentrations ( K I) were 3.8 μM in human liver microsomes and 2.2 μM in recombinant CYP2B6. Inhibition was attenuated by the presence of alternative active site ligands but not by nucleophilic trapping agents or reactive oxygen scavengers, further supporting mechanism-based action. Inactivated CYP2B6 did not lose its ability to form a CO-reduced complex suggesting a modification of the apoprotein, which is common for sulfur-containing compounds. Pharmacokinetic consequences of irreversible inactivation are more complicated than those of reversible inactivation, because the drug's own metabolism can be affected and drug interactions will not only depend on dose but also on duration and frequency of application. These findings contribute to better understanding of drug interactions with thioTEPA.

POTENT INHIBITION OF RECOMBINANT HUMAN CYTOCHROME P-450 1A1 BY PENTAMETHOXYSTILBENE

Previously it was reported that various hydroxystilbene compounds strongly inhibit human cytochrome P-450 1 enzymes and were postulated as candidate chemopreventive agents. In this study, the inhibitory potential of P-450 1 enzyme activities by 3,5,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxystilbene (PMS), a synthetic stilbene compound, was evaluated with the Escherichia coli (E. coli) membranes of recombinant human cytochrome P-450 1A1, 1A2, or 1B1 coexpressed with human NADPH-P-450 reductase. PMS produced a significant inhibition of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (EROD) activities with IC50 values of 0.14, 934, and 3.2 µ M for 1A1, 1A2, and 1B1, respectively. PMS did not significantly inhibit EROD activities in human liver microsomes. To elucidate the mechanism of inhibition by PMS, kinetic studies were performed. Analysis of the mode of inhibition indicated a mixed-type inhibition of P-450 1A1. The inhibition of P-450 1A1-mediated EROD activity by PMS was not irreversible-mechanism based. The loss of EROD activity of P-450 1A1 with PMS was blocked by trapping agents such as glutathione, N-acetylcysteine, or dithiothreitol. Moreover, PMS significantly suppressed P-450 1A1-mediated EROD activity and P-450 1A1 gene expression in HepG2 cells induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Taken together, the results suggested that PMS is a potent and selective inhibitor of human P-450 1A1 and may be considered for use as a cancer chemopreventive agent in humans.

Potent inhibition of human cytochrome P450 1 enzymes by dimethoxyphenylvinyl thiophene.

Cytochrome P450 (P450) 1 enzymes such as P450 1A1, 1A2, and 1B1 are known to be involved in the oxidative metabolism of various procarcinogens and are regarded as important target enzymes for cancer chemoprevention. Previously, several hydroxystilbene compounds were reported to inhibit P450 1 enzymes and were rated as candidate chemopreventive agents. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of 2-[2-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)vinyl]-thiophene (DMPVT), produced from the chemical modification of oxyresveratrol, on the activities of P450 1 enzymes. The inhibitory potential by DMPVT on the P450 1 enzyme activity was evaluated with the Escherichia coli membranes of the recombinant human cytochrome P450 1A1, 1A2, or 1B1 coexpressed with human NADPH-P450 reductase. DMPVT significantly inhibited ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (EROD) activities with IC50 values of 61, 11, and 2 nM for 1A1, 1A2, and 1B1, respectively. The EROD activity in DMBA-treated rat lung microsomes was also significantly inhibited by DMPVT in a dose-dependent manner. The modes of inhibition by DMPVT were non-competitive for all three P450 enzymes. The inhibition of P450 1B1-mediated EROD activity by DMPVT did not show the irreversible mechanism-based effect. The loss of EROD activity in P450 1B1 with DMPVT incubation was not blocked by treatment with the trapping agents such as glutathione, N-acetylcysteine, or dithiothreitol. Taken together, the results suggested DMPVT to be a strong noncompetitive inhibitor of human P450 1 enzymes that should be considered as a good candidate for a cancer chemopreventive agent in humans.

Clobazam metabolism by c DNA-expressed human CYP

Objective Clobazam (CLB) is a 1,5 benzodiazepine effective as antiepileptic agent, mainly as add-on therapy in patients with refractory epilepsy. The aim of the study was to determine the main cytochromes P450 (CYP) involved in the metabolism of clobazam. Methods cDNA-expressed human CYP (1A1, 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C18, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4, 3A5 and 3A7) were used in vitro. Kinetic parameters Km and Vm were calculated for the main metabolic pathways. Inhibition studies were conducted in human liver microsomes with specific inhibitors (furafylline, thiotepa, sulfaphenazole, omeprazole, quinidine, chlorzoxazone, and ketoconazole). Results CLB was mainly metabolized into desmethylclobazam (NCLB) by CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 (Km=29.0 and 31.9μM, Vm=6.20 and 1.15 nmol/min/nmolCYP, Vm/Km=214 and 36.1nmol/min respectively). NCLB was subsequently metabolized to hydroxy-desmethylclobazam (OH-NCLB) by CYP2C19 (Km = 5.74 μM, Vm=0.219, Vm/Km=38.2 nmol/min). Hydroxylation of CLB into hydroxyclobazam and demethylation of hydroxyclobazam into hydroxy-desmethylclobazam were minor pathways. The demethylation of CLB was inhibited by ketoconazole (1μM) at 74%, omeprazole (10μM) at 21% and thiotepa (10μM) at 20%. The hydroxylation of NCLB was inhibited by omeprazole (10μM) at 55% and ketoconazole (1μM) at 29%. Conclusion For the first time, the main metabolic pathways of clobazam were characterized: main pathways were demethylation of CLB by CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 and hydroxylation of NCLB by CYP2C19. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P37–P37; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.140

Alpha-hydroxylation of tamoxifen and toremifene by human and rat cytochrome P450 3A subfamily enzymes.

An increased risk of developing endometrial cancer is observed in breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen (TAM) and in healthy women undergoing TAM chemoprevention therapy. TAM-DNA adducts were detected in the endometrium of women taking TAM (Shibutani, S., et al. (2000) Carcinogenesis 21, 1461-1467) and are formed primarily through O-sulfonation of alpha-hydroxytamoxifen (alpha-OHTAM). To explore the genotoxicic mechanisms of TAM, TAM was incubated with one of multiple human cytochrome P450 enzymes, i.e., P450 1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C18, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4, 3A5, 3A7, 4A11, 4F2, 4F3A, or 4F3B, in a NADPH regenerating system, and the metabolites were identified using HPLC/UV analysis with authentic standards. Among the 18 human P450 enzymes, P450 3A4 generated a significant amount of alpha-OHTAM. When some rat P450 enzymes were examined, P450 3A2 also catalyzed alpha-hydroxylation of TAM. Similarly, human P450 3A4 and rat P450 3A1 and 3A2 converted toremifene (TOR, a chlorinated TAM analogue) to alpha-hydroxytoremifene (alpha-OHTOR). The formation of alpha-OHTAM and alpha-OHTOR by these P450 enzymes was confirmed by tandem mass spectroscopy. Only the P450 3A subfamily enzymes are able to alpha-hydroxylate TAM and TOR. Although the formation of alpha-OHTOR by these enzymes was much higher than that of alpha-OHTAM, TOR is known to be much less genotoxic than TAM. The results support our proposed mechanism that the lower genotoxicity of TOR is due to limited O-sulfonation of alpha-OHTOR by hydroxysteroid sulfotransferases, resulting in the poor formation of DNA adducts (Shibutani, S., et al. (2001) Cancer Res. 61, 3925-3931).

Differential expression of the tetracycline-controlled transactivator-driven human CYP1B1 gene in double-transgenic mice is due to androgens: application for detecting androgens and antiandrogens

Differential expression of the tetracycline-controlled transactivator (tTA)-driven human cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1B1 gene was found in the livers of male mice, at high levels in neonates, but at low levels in adults. The goals of this study were to determine whether the differential expression of the tTA-driven human CYP1B1 (hCYP1B1) gene in neonates and adults was testosterone dependent and whether flutamide, a representative potent antiandrogen, led to the induction of hCYP1B1. This was tested by treating castrated transgenic mice with testosterone propionate and musk extracts. It was concluded that: (i) the levels of expression of both tTA and hCYP1B1 gradually declined, with clear changes being apparent between 2 and 4 weeks of age, (ii) castration of adult males resulted in the increased expressions of both tTA and hCYP1B1 to levels similar to those found in adult females, (iii) treatment of castrated male and adult female mice with testosterone propionate and musk extracts led to the restoration of the levels of expression of hCYP1B1 in the adult males, and (iv) treatment of adult males with flutamide caused an increase in the levels of expression of hCYP1B1 in the adult females, as indicated by the antiandrogenic activity. Thus, the differential expression of the tTA-driven hCYP1B1 gene in the transgenic mice was caused by androgen, and it is possible that castrated male and adult female mice expressing the tTA-controlled hCYP1B1 could be used as the basis for a strategy for the detection of androgens and antiandrogens.

Determination of 3-keto-4-ene steroids and their hydroxylated metabolites catalyzed by recombinant human cytochrome P450 1B1 enzyme using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with trimethylsilyl derivatization

A protocol utilizing gas chromatography with selected ion monitoring mass spectrometric detection (GC–SIM-MS) using a simplified trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatization protocol was developed and validated for the determination of hydroxylated metabolites of 3-keto-4-ene steroids such as testosterone, progesterone and androstenedione. Hydroxylated metabolites catalyzed by human CYP1B1 were extracted with methylene chloride and derivatized with BSTFA–10% TMCS. To get an optimal derivatizing condition, the effect of various incubation times and temperatures was evaluated. When the incubation temperature and time in the presence of the TMS derivatizing agent were increased, the 3-keto group became derivatized with TMS to form a 3-TMS derivative. To minimize the formation of the TMS ether on the 3-keto group, a reaction condition of 56 °C for 10 min was used for the routine measurement of the steroids and their hydroxylated metabolite. Performance studies including linearity of calibration curves, extraction efficiency and precision were performed. Linearity of the calibration curves was satisfactory from 0.125 to 5 μ M for most compounds except 21-hydroxyprogesterone and 16α-hydroxyandrostenedione which deviated from linearity at the lower concentrations. Mean percentage extraction recoveries were greater than 80% for all compounds. Most compounds showed good precisions with C.V.s of within-day precision of less than 5% and C.V.s of between-day precision of less than 10%. The selected ion chromatograms from the recombinant human CYP1B1 incubations with testosterone, progesterone and androstenedione showed evidence of 6β-, 16α-, 2α-, and 15α-hydroxytestosterone, 6α- and 16α-hydroxyprogesterone and 6α- and 16α-hydroxyandrostenedione, respectively. There was no significant interference associated with Escherichia coli membrane extracts in detecting hydroxylated metabolites. This procedure provides a rapid and sensitive method for the evaluation of steroid hydroxylation by CYP isoenzymes.