Hydroxylation Of Bufuralol Research Articles

Assessment of Inhibition of Bovine Hepatic Cytochrome P450 by 43 Commercial Bovine Medicines Using a Combination of In Vitro Assays and Pharmacokinetic Data from the Literature.

There has been a lack of information about the inhibition of bovine medicines on bovine hepatic CYP450 at their commercial doses and dosing routes. The aim of this work was to assess the inhibition of 43 bovine medicines on bovine hepatic CYP450 using a combination of in vitro assay and Cmax values from pharmacokinetic studies with their commercial doses and dosing routes in the literature. Those drugs were first evaluated through a single point inhibitory assay at 3 μM in bovine liver microsomes for six specific CYP450 metabolisms, phenacetin o-deethylation, coumarin 7- hydroxylation, tolbutamide 4-hydroxylation, bufuralol 1-hydroxylation, chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation and midazolam 1'-hydroxylation. When the inhibition was greater than 20% in the assay, IC50 values were then determined. The potential in vivo bovine hepatic CYP450 inhibition by those drugs was assessed using a combination of the IC50 values and in vivo Cmax values from pharmacokinetic studies at their commercial doses and administration routes in the literature. Fifteen bovine medicines or metabolites showed in vitro inhibition on one or more bovine hepatic CYP450 metabolisms with different IC50 values. Desfuroylceftiour (active metabolite of ceftiofur), nitroxinil and flunixin have the potential to inhibit one of the bovine hepatic CYP450 isoforms in vivo at their commercial doses and administration routes. The rest of the bovine medicines had low risks of in vivo bovine hepatic CYP450 inhibition. This combination of in vitro assay and in vivo Cmax data provides a good approach to assess the inhibition of bovine medicines on bovine hepatic CYP450.

P.1.e.008 - The effect of serotonergic receptor activation in the paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus on the expression of liver cytochrome P450

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of the brain noradrenergic system on the expression of cytochrome P450 in the liver. The experiment was carried out on male Wistar rats. Intracerebroventricular injection of the noradrenergic neurotoxin DSP-4 diminished noradrenaline level in the brain. Simultaneously, significant decreases in the serum concentration of the growth hormone, testosterone and the thyroid hormone thyroxine, as well as an increase in corticosterone level were observed. The concentrations of triiodothyronine and the cytokines interleukine 2 (IL-2) and 6 (IL-6) were not changed by DSP-4. The neurotoxin produced complex changes in the functioning of cytochrome P450. Significant decreases in the activity of liver CYP2C11 (measured as a rate of the 2α- and 16α-hydroxylation of testosterone) and CYP3A (measured as a rate of the 2β- and 6β-hydroxylation of testosterone) were found. In contrast, the activity of CYP1A (measured as a rate of caffeine metabolism) rose, while that of CYP2A (measured as a rate of the 7α-hydroxylation of testosterone), CYP2C6 (measured as a rate of the 7-hydroxylation of warfarin) and CYP2D (the 1′-hydroxylation of bufuralol) remained unchanged. The changes in the activity of CYP1A, CYP2C11 and CYP3A correlated positively with those in CYP protein levels and with the CYP mRNA levels of CYP1A1, CYP2C11 and CYP3A1/2 genes, respectively. The obtained results indicate an important role of the brain noradrenergic system in the neuroendocrine regulation of liver cytochrome P450 expression, which may be of significance in pathological states involving this system, or during pharmacotherapy with drugs affecting noradrenergic transmission.

Assessment of inhibition of porcine hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes by 48 commercial drugs

Drug interactions due to inhibition of hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes are not well understood in veterinary medicine. Forty-eight commercial porcine medicines were selected to evaluate their potential inhibition on porcine hepatic CYP450 enzymes at their commercial doses and administration routes. Those drugs were first assessed through a single point inhibitory assay at 3 µM in porcine liver microsomes for six specific CYP450 metabolisms (phenacetin o-deethylation, coumarin 7-hydroxylation, tolbutamide 4-hydroxylation, bufuralol 1-hydroxylation, chlorozoxazone 6-hydroxylation and midazolam 1'-hydroxylation). When the inhibition was > 10% in the single point inhibitory assay, IC50 values (inhibitory concentrations that decrease biotransformation of selected substrate by 50%) were determined. Overall, 17 drugs showed in vitro inhibition on one or more porcine hepatic CYP450 metabolisms with different IC50 values. The potential in vivo porcine hepatic CYP450 inhibition by those drugs was assessed by combining the in vitro data and in vivo Cmax (maximum plasma concentrations from pharmacokinetic studies of the porcine medicines at their commercial doses and administration routes). Three drugs showed high potential inhibition to one or two porcine hepatic CYP450 isoforms at their commercial doses and administration routes, while seven drugs had medium risk and seven had low risk of such in vivo inhibition. These data are useful to prevent potential drug interactions in veterinary medical practice.

EFFECTS OF THE NONSTEROIDAL ECDYSONE AGONIST, TEBUFENOZIDE, ON LIVER CYP ACTIVITIES

The non-steroidal ecdysone agonist tebufenozide was orally administered to Wistar rats for 5 days to examine their effects on the liver cytochrome P450 (CYP) activities. Also Michaelis-Menten kinetics of the metabolic reactions catalyzed by liver CYPs were studied after adding tebufenozide to the assay system to investigate its possible inhibitory effects on liver CYPs activities. These reactions included ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation, tolbutamide hydroxylation, bufuralol 1-hydroxylation, and midazolam 1,4-hydroxylation, for CYP1A, 2C, 2D, and 3A activities, respectively. Results revealed no any significant alteration in the activities of the tested microsomal enzymes after oral administration of tebufenozide. none of the examined CYPs was inhibited by tebufenozide as the Ki values were very high (more than 9000 M). We can conclude that tebufenozide is considered safe and can be a good alternate for the traditional insecticides.

The role of brain noradrenergic system in the regulation of liver cytochrome P450 expression

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of the brain noradrenergic system on the expression of cytochrome P450 in the liver. The experiment was carried out on male Wistar rats. Intracerebroventricular injection of the noradrenergic neurotoxin DSP-4 diminished noradrenaline level in the brain. Simultaneously, significant decreases in the serum concentration of the growth hormone, testosterone and the thyroid hormone thyroxine, as well as an increase in corticosterone level were observed. The concentrations of triiodothyronine and the cytokines interleukine 2 (IL-2) and 6 (IL-6) were not changed by DSP-4. The neurotoxin produced complex changes in the functioning of cytochrome P450. Significant decreases in the activity of liver CYP2C11 (measured as a rate of the 2α- and 16α-hydroxylation of testosterone) and CYP3A (measured as a rate of the 2β- and 6β-hydroxylation of testosterone) were found. In contrast, the activity of CYP1A (measured as a rate of caffeine metabolism) rose, while that of CYP2A (measured as a rate of the 7α-hydroxylation of testosterone), CYP2C6 (measured as a rate of the 7-hydroxylation of warfarin) and CYP2D (the 1′-hydroxylation of bufuralol) remained unchanged. The changes in the activity of CYP1A, CYP2C11 and CYP3A correlated positively with those in CYP protein levels and with the CYP mRNA levels of CYP1A1, CYP2C11 and CYP3A1/2 genes, respectively. The obtained results indicate an important role of the brain noradrenergic system in the neuroendocrine regulation of liver cytochrome P450 expression, which may be of significance in pathological states involving this system, or during pharmacotherapy with drugs affecting noradrenergic transmission.

Effect of the Procyanidin A2 on Activity of Cytochromes P450 in Human Hepatocytes

Proanthocyanidins are among the phenolics associated with the prevention of urinary tract infections by cranberries. Procyanidin A2 is recognized as the main A-type dimer in American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.). This in vitro study focuses on the effect of procyanidin A2 on the expression and activity of the main drug metabolizing enzymes, namely cytochromes P450 (CYP). The enzymatic activity of six CYP forms with specific substrates (CYP1A2, phenacetin; CYP3A4, testosterone; CYP2E1, chlorzoxazon; CYP2C9, warfarin; CYP2D6, bufuralol; CYP2A6, coumarin) was measured after 24 hrs incubation of primary cultures of human hepatocytes in the absence/presence of procyanidin A2. Levels of metabolites of individual CYPs substrates and metabolites of procyanidin A2 were determined by HPLC/UV/MS detection. The results showed that the activity of all CYP enzymes (except for CYP2A6) was increased as much as twofold (bufuralol hydroxylation) in the presence of procyanidin A2. In the case of CYP2A6 60% inhibition was observed. Interestingly, incubation of procyanidin A2 with the microsomal fraction prepared from the same liver samples did not confirm the CYP2A6 inhibition. Therefore, our results suggest that the inhibition of CYP2A6 activity observed in hepatocytes requires additional cellular components beyond microsomes. Processes involved in the observed inhibition of this enzyme in hepatocytes are the subject for ongoing study. Acknowledgment: Financial support from the GACR P303/12/G163 is acknowledged.

Effects of Etodolac on P450 Isoform-specific Activities in Human Hepatic Microsomes

The effects of etodolac (CAS 41340-25-4) on P450 isoform-specific activities in human hepatic microsomes were examined. Etodolac had little effect on 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (CYP1A2), coumarin hydroxylation (CYP2A6), 7-benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylation (CYP2B6), S-mephenytoin hydroxylation (CYP2C19), bufuralol hydroxylation (CYP2D6), chlorzoxazone hydroxylation (CYP2E1) and nifedipine oxidation (CYP3A4) at concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 micromol/L. Etodolac inhibited tolbutamide hydroxylation (CYP2C9) with the Ki value of 64 micromol/L, suggesting that it is a weak inhibitor of CYP2C9. The in vivo drug interaction was predicted from the in vitro data using the [I]/([I] + Ki) value. Because the value was calculated to be almost 1, it is not likely that etodolac causes the drug interactions with the CYP2C9 substrates.

Effects of Irsogladine on P450-isoform Specific Activities in Human Hepatic Microsomes

The effects of irsogladine (CAS 84504-69-8) on P450-isoform specific activities in human hepatic microsomes were examined. Irsogladine had little effects on coumarin hydroxylation (CYP2A6), 7-benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylation (CYP2B6), S-mephenytoin hydroxylation (CYP2C19), bufuralol hydroxylation (CYP2D6), chlorzoxazone hydroxylation (CYP2E1) and nifedipine oxidation (CYP3A4) at concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 pmol/L. However, it inhibited 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (CYP1A2) and tolbutamide hydroxylation (CYP2C9) with the Ki values of 276 and 156 micromol/L, respectively. This suggests that it is a weak inhibitor of these isoforms. Because the plasma concentrations of irsogladine in humans are much lower than these Ki values, it is unlikely that irsogladine causes drug interactions with other drugs.

Human Liver Enzymes Responsible for Metabolic Elimination of Tyramine, a Vasopressor Agent from Daily Food

Dietary tyramine is associated with hypertensive crises because of its ability to induce the release of catecholamines. The roles of monoamine oxidase (MAO); flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO); and cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) were studied in terms of the enzymatic elimination of tyramine in vitro at a substrate concentration of 1.0 µM; which is relevant to in vivo serum concentrations. Tyramine elimination by human liver supernatant fractions was decreased by ˜70% in the absence of NADPH. Pargyline; an MAO inhibitor; decreased tyramine elimination rates by ˜30%. Among recombinant P450 and FMO enzymes; CYP2D6 had a high activity in terms of tyramine elimination. Tyramine elimination rates were inhibited by quinidine and significantly correlated with bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation activities (a CYP2D6 marker). Liver microsomes genotyped for CYP2D6*10/*10 and CYP2D6*4/*4 showed low and undetectable activities; respectively; compared with the wild-type CYP2D6*1/*1. The present results suggest that tyramine is eliminated mainly by polymorphic CYP2D6. Tyramine toxicity resulting from differences in individual metabolic elimination is thus genetically determined.

Rapid and sensitive drug metabolism studies by SU-8 microchip capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Monolithically integrated, polymer (SU-8) microchips comprising an electrophoretic separation unit, a sheath flow interface, and an electrospray ionization (ESI) emitter were developed to improve the speed and throughput of metabolism research. Validation of the microchip method was performed using bufuralol 1-hydroxylation via CYP450 enzymes as the model reaction. The metabolite, 1-hydroxybufuralol, was easily separated from the substrate ( R s = 0.5) with very good detection sensitivity (LOD = 9.3 nM), linearity (range: 50–500 nM, r 2 = 0.9997), and repeatability (RSD Area = 10.3%, RSD Migration time = 2.5% at 80 nM concentration without internal standard). The kinetic parameters of bufuralol 1-hydroxylation determined by the microchip capillary electrophoresis (CE)-ESI/mass spectrometry (MS) method, were comparable to the values presented in literature as well as to the values determined by in-house liquid chromatography (LC)-UV. In addition to enzyme kinetics, metabolic profiling was demonstrated using authentic urine samples from healthy volunteers after intake of either tramadol or paracetamol. As a result, six metabolites of tramadol and four metabolites of paracetamol, including both phase I oxidation products and phase II conjugation products, were detected and separated from each other within 30–35 s. Before analysis, the urine samples were pre-treated with on-chip, on-line liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) and the results were compared to those obtained from urine samples pre-treated with conventional C18 solid-phase extraction (SPE, off-chip cartridges). On the basis of our results, the SU-8 CE-ESI/MS microchips incorporating on-chip sample pre-treatment, injection, separation, and ESI/MS detection were proven as efficient and versatile tools for drug metabolism research.

Characterization of cytochrome P450‐mediated drug metabolism in cats

In this study we examined activities of cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A, 2C, 2D and 3A using hepatic microsomes from five male and five female cats. CYP1A, 2C, 2D and 3A activities were referred by ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (EROD), tolbutamide hydroxylation (TBH), bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation (BLH) and midazolam 1'- and 4-hydroxylation respectively. The anti-rat CYP1A2 and CYP3A2 serum significantly inhibited EROD and midazolam 1'- and 4-hydroxylation, suggesting that EROD and midazolam 1'- and 4-hydroxylation were catalysed by CYP1A and 3A in cats respectively. Quinidine inhibited BLH in cats microsomes at quite low concentrations, suggesting that BLH was catalysed by CYP2D in cats. Tolbutamide hydroxylation activities were negligible in hepatic microsomes from both male and female cats, suggesting CYP2C activities of cats are extremely low. This suggests that CYP2C substrates should be carefully administered to cats. Although there is no sexual difference in CYP1A activities, there are differences in CYP2D and 3A activities of cats. CYP2D activities were higher (3-fold), but CYP3A activities were lower (one-fifth) in female cats. These results might suggest that CYP2D and 3A substrates should be prescribed for male and female cats using different dosage regimen.

The role of phenylalanine 483 in cytochrome P450 2D6 is strongly substrate dependent

The polymorphic cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is involved in the metabolism of 30% of the drugs currently prescribed, and is thus clinically relevant. Typical CYP2D6 substrates generally contain a basic nitrogen atom and an aromatic moiety adjacent to the site of metabolism. Recently, we demonstrated the importance of active site residue F120 in substrate binding and catalysis in CYP2D6. On the basis of protein homology models, it is claimed that another active site phenylalanine, F483, may also play an important role in the interaction with the aromatic moiety of CYP2D6 substrates. Experimental data to support this hypothesis, however, is not yet available. In fact, in the only study performed, mutation of F483 to isoleucine or tryptophan did not affect the 1′-hydroxylation of bufuralol at all [Smith G, Modi S, Pillai I, Lian LY, Sutcliffe MJ, Pritchard MP, et al., Determinants of the substrate specificity of human cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6: design and construction of a mutant with testosterone hydroxylase activity. Biochem J 1998;331:783–92]. In the present study, the role of F483 in ligand binding and metabolism by CYP2D6 was examined experimentally using site-directed mutagenesis. Replacement of F483 by alanine resulted in a 30-fold lower V max for bufuralol 1′-hydroxylation, while the K m was hardly affected. The V max for 3,4-methylenedioxy-methylamphetamine O-demethylenation on the other hand decreased only two-fold, whereas the effect on the K m was much larger. For dextromethorphan, in addition to dextrorphan ( O-demethylation) and 3-methoxymorphinan ( N-demethylation), two other metabolites were formed that could not be detected for the wild-type. The substrate 7-methoxy-4-(aminomethyl)-coumarin was not metabolised at all by CYP2D6[F483A], a phenomenon that was reported also for CYP2D6[F120A]. The presented data show that next to F120, residue F483 plays a very important role in the metabolism of typical CYP2D6 substrates. The influence of F483 on metabolism was found to be strongly substrate-dependent.

Identification of metabolic pathways involved in the biotransformation of tolperisone by human microsomal enzymes.

The in vitro metabolism of tolperisone, 1-(4-methyl-phenyl)-2-methyl-3-(1-piperidino)-1-propanone-hydrochloride, a centrally acting muscle relaxant, was examined in human liver microsomes (HLM) and recombinant enzymes. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry measurements revealed methyl-hydroxylation (metabolite at m/z 261; M1) as the main metabolic route in HLM, however, metabolites of two mass units greater than the parent compound and the hydroxy-metabolite were also detected (m/z 247 and m/z 263, respectively). The latter was identified as carbonyl-reduced M1, the former was assumed to be the carbonyl-reduced parent compound. Isoform-specific cytochrome P450 (P450) inhibitors, inhibitory antibodies, and experiments with recombinant P450s pointed to CYP2D6 as the prominent enzyme in tolperisone metabolism. CYP2C19, CYP2B6, and CYP1A2 are also involved to a smaller extent. Hydroxymethyl-tolperisone formation was mediated by CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP1A2, but not by CYP2B6. Tolperisone competitively inhibited dextromethorphan O-demethylation and bufuralol hydroxylation (K(i) = 17 and 30 microM, respectively). Tolperisone inhibited methyl p-tolyl sulfide oxidation (K(i) = 1200 microM) in recombinant flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) and resulted in a 3-fold (p < 0.01) higher turnover number using rFMO3 than that of control microsomes. Experiments using nonspecific P450 inhibitors-SKF-525A, 1-aminobenzotriazole, 1-benzylimidazole, and anti-NADPH-P450-reductase antibodies-resulted in 61, 47, 49, and 43% inhibition of intrinsic clearance in HLM, respectively, whereas hydroxymethyl-metabolite formation was inhibited completely by nonspecific chemical inhibitors and by 80% with antibodies. Therefore, it was concluded that tolperisone undergoes P450-dependent and P450-independent microsomal biotransformations to the same extent. On the basis of metabolites formed and indirect evidences of inhibition studies, a considerable involvement of a microsomal reductase is assumed.

Stereoselective metabolism of bufuralol racemate and enantiomers in human liver microsomes.

A new HPLC method was developed using a chiral column to efficiently separate four 1"-hydroxybufuralol (1"-OH-BF) diastereomers that are major metabolites of bufuralol (BF). Employing this method, we examined diastereomer selectivity in the formation of 1"-OH-BF from BF racemate or enantiomers in four individual samples of human liver microsomes. Three different human liver microsomes showed a selectivity of 1"R-OH < 1"S-OH for BF enantiomers, which was similar to that of recombinant CYP2D6 expressed in insect cell microsomes, whereas one human liver microsomal fraction yielded a selectivity of 1"R-OH > 1"S-OH for BF enantiomers, which was similar to those of recombinant CYP2C19 expressed in insect cell microsomes. Recombinant CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 showed a selectivity similar to that of CYP2D6, but their BF 1"-hydroxylase activities were much lower than those of CYP2D6. In inhibition studies, quinidine, a known CYP2D6 inhibitor, markedly inhibited BF 1"-hydroxylation in the fractions of human liver microsomes that showed the CYP2D6-type selectivity. Furthermore, omeprazole, a known CYP2C19 inhibitor, efficiently suppressed the formation of 1"-OH-BF diastereomers from BF in the microsomal fraction that showed the CYP2C19-type selectivity. From these results, we concluded that the diastereomer selectivity in the formation of 1"-OH-BF from BF differs between CYP2D6 and CYP2C19, both of which can be determinant enzymes in the diastereoselective 1"-hydroxylation of BF in human liver microsomes.

Catalytic specificity of CYP2D isoforms in rat and human.

In rats, six cytochrome P450 (P450) 2D isoforms have been genetically identified. Nonetheless, there is little evidence of catalytic properties of each CYP2D isoform. In this study, using recombinant CYP2D isoforms (rat CYP2D1, CYP2D2, CYP2D3, and CYP2D4 and human CYP2D6) or hepatic microsomes, we investigated the catalytic specificity toward bufuralol, debrisoquine, and propranolol, which are frequently used as CYP2D substrates. Bufuralol was oxidized to three metabolites by rat and human hepatic microsomes. 1'-Hydroxybufuralol was the major metabolite. 1'2'-Ethenylbufuralol, one of the others, was identified as a novel metabolite. The formation of 1'-hydroxybufuralol and 1'2'-ethenylbufuralol in hepatic microsomes was inhibited by anti-CYP2D antibody, suggesting that these metabolites were formed by CYP2D isoforms. All rat and human recombinant CYP2D isoforms possessed activity for the 1'-hydroxylation of bufuralol, indicating that this catalytic property was common to all CYP2D isoforms. However, the 1'2'-ethenylation of bufuralol was catalyzed only by rat CYP2D4 and human CYP2D6. Debrisoquine was oxidized to two metabolites, 3-hydroxydebrisoquine, and 4-hydroxydebrisoquine, by hepatic microsomes. Recombinant CYP2D2 and CYP2D6 had very high levels of activity for the 4-hydroxylation of debrisoquine with low K(m) values. Only CYP2D1 had a higher level of 3-hydroxylation than 4-hydroxylation activity. Propranolol 4-hydroxylation was catalyzed by CYP2D2, CYP2D4, and CYP2D6. The 7-hydroxylation of propranolol was catalyzed only by CYP2D2. In conclusion, in rats, bufuralol 1'2'-ethenylation activity was specific to CYP2D4 and debrisoquine 4-hydroxylation and propranolol 7-hydroxylation activities were specific to CYP2D2. These catalytic activities are useful as a probe for rat CYP2D isoforms.

Complementary DNA cloning and characterization of cytochrome P450 2D29 from Japanese monkey liver

A cDNA was cloned from Japanese monkey liver mRNA by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) using oligonucleotide primers based on the marmoset cytochrome P450 2D19 (CYP2D19) nucleotide sequence. The full-length cDNA encoded a 497 amino acid protein (designated CYP2D29) that is 96, 91, and 88% homologous to human CYP2D6, cynomolgus monkey CYP2D17, and marmoset monkey CYP2D19, respectively. Yeast cells ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae AH-22 strain) transfected with pGYR1 vectors containing the CYP2D29 cDNA were cultured, and microsomal fractions were obtained. Reduced carbon monoxide-difference spectra and western blot analysis using polyclonal antibodies raised against rat CYP2D2 demonstrated that in yeast cell microsomal fractions, the level of CYP2D29 holoenzyme was similar to that of CYP2D6 holoenzyme. However, western blot analysis indicated that the level of CYP2D29 in Japanese monkey liver microsomes might be much higher than that of CYP2D6 in human liver microsomes. Japanese monkey liver microsomes exhibited much higher activities than did human liver microsomes, expressed as nmol/min/mg protein, for debrisoquine (DB) 4-hydroxylation and bufuralol (BF) 1″-hydroxylation (typical reactions catalyzed by CYP2D6), whereas recombinant CYP2D29 activity, expressed as nmol/min/nmol CYP, was similar to that of CYP2D6 for DB and BF hydroxylation. In kinetic analyses, the K m value of CYP2D29 for DB 4-hydroxylation was much lower than that of Japanese monkey liver microsomes, whereas the K m value of CYP2D6 for DB 4-hydroxylation was similar to that of human liver microsomes. In contrast, K m values for BF 1″-hydroxylation were similar for Japanese monkey and human liver microsomes and yeast cell microsomal fractions expressing recombinant CYP2D29 or CYP2D6. These results suggest that the properties of Japanese monkey CYP2D29 are similar to those of human CYP2D6, but their populations and/or some other factors in liver microsomes may cause the difference in microsomal DB 4-hydroxylase activities between Japanese monkeys and humans.

Heterologous Expression of Cytochrome P450 2D6 Mutants, Electron Transfer, and Catalysis of Bufuralol Hydroxylation: The Role of Aspartate 301 in Structural Integrity

Cytochrome P450 (P450) 2D6 is a polymorphic human enzyme involved in the oxidation of >50 drugs, most of which contain a basic nitrogen. In confirmation of previous work by others, substitutions at Asp301 decreased rates of substrate oxidation by P450 2D6. An anionic residue (Asp, Glu) at this position was found to be important in proper protein folding and heme incorporation, and positively charged residues were particularly disruptive in bacterial and also in baculovirus expression systems. Truncation of 20 N-terminal amino acids had no significant effect on catalytic activity except to attenuate P450 2D6 interaction with membranes and NADPH-P450 reductase. The truncation of the N-terminus increased the level of bacterial expression of wild-type P450 2D6 (Asp301) but markedly reduced expression of all codon 301 mutants, including Glu301. Reduction of ferric P450 2D6 by NADPH-P450 reductase was enhanced in the presence of the prototypic substrate bufuralol. Bacterial flavodoxin, an NADPH-P450 reductase homolog, binds tightly to P450 2D6 but is inefficient in electron transfer to the heme. These results collectively indicate that the acidic residue at position 301 in P450 2D6 has a structural role in addition to any in substrate binding and that the N-terminus of P450 2D6 is relatively unimportant to catalytic activity beyond a role in facilitating binding to NADPH-P450 reductase.

Characterization of the CYP2D6*29 allele commonly present in a black Tanzanian population causing reduced catalytic activity.

Debrisoquine metabolism among Tanzanians has been found to be slower than expected from the CYP2D6 genotype. In order to evaluate any genetic explanation, the coding sequence and intron-exon boundaries of the CYP2D6 gene from three Black Tanzanian volunteers with a CYP2D6*1/*1 or CYP2D6*2/*2 genotype and debrisoquine metabolic ratios (MRs) > 1 were fully sequenced to screen for new mutations. Two functional mutations, G1747 to A (causing V136I) and G3271 to A (causing V338M), were identified in the CYP2D6*2/*2 sample. Thirty-six subjects (34%) out of a total 106 subjects were heterozygous and three subjects (3%) were homozygous for the allele, yielding an allele frequency of 20%. The CYP2D6*29 allele, having also the mutations of the CYP2D6*2 allele, was subsequently expressed in yeast and mammalian COS-1 cells. No differences were seen with respect to the affinity (Km) or maximal velocity (Vmax) of the CYP2D6 substrate bufuralol between the wild-type and mutant when expression was carried out in yeast cells. By contrast, the 1'-hydroxybufuralol catalytic activity of the mutant expressed in COS-1 cells was only 26% of the wild-type (P < 0.01; Mann-Whitney U-test) and its debrisoquine hydroxylation activity was 63% of that of CYP2D6.1. The single mutants V136I and V338M had reduced capacity for bufuralol hydroxylation, but the effect was even stronger when both mutations were present together as in CYP2D6.29. Analysis of the distribution of CYP2D6*29 in subjects phenotyped for debrisoquine revealed that this allele significantly causes a reduction in the rate of debrisoquine hydroxylation in vivo. The results indicate the common existence in Tanzanians of a variant CYP2D6 form with different substrate specificity as compared to the wild-type form of the enzyme causing reduced capacity for debrisoquine metabolism.

Inhibition by ticlopidine and its derivatives of human liver cytochrome p450. Mechanism-based inactivation of CYP 2C19 by ticlopidine.

Ticlopidine (TCP)1has a wide spectrum of platelet anti-aggregating activity in man(1).This compound is known to inhibit the metabolism of several drugs (2). Recent case reports have shown that ticlopidine inhibits phenytoin clearance, which results in acute toxicity (3–6). Phenytoin is metabolized by CYP 2C9 and 2C19 (7) but ticlopidine does not affect CYP 2C9 activity (8) and decreased the in vivo activity of CYP 2C19 as measured by omeprazole metabolism (9) an indication of inhibition in vivo of CYP 2C19 activity by ticlopidine. In vitro such inhibitory effects on bufuralol hydroxylation(10)and on S-mephenytoin 4-hydroxylation (11) have been shown on recombinant CYP 2C19.

Polymorphisms in P450 CYP1B1 affect the conversion of estradiol to the potentially carcinogenic metabolite 4-hydroxyestradiol.

Most drug metabolizing cytochrome P450s (P450) are predominantly expressed in the liver. In contrast, human CYP1B1 is an extrahepatic P450 which is overexpressed in many tumours and has been strongly implicated in the activation of carcinogens. Rare allelic variants of the CYP1B1 gene which encode an inactive protein have been identified. However, four polymorphisms which most likely do not abolish functionality have been described. In this report, we have characterized the functional consequences of these. A CYP1B1 cDNA, identical to a cDNA published previously, served as a template to introduce allelic changes either separately or in combination. The resulting effects on CYP1B1 activity were determined in membranes isolated from Escherichia coli which coexpressed CYP1B1 together with P450 reductase. None of the allelic changes affected the CYP1B1 expression level. The allelic changes Arg48 to Gly, Ala19 to Ser and Asn453 to Ser had little influence on the Vmax and the Km of the CYP1B1 mediated 2- and 4-hydroxylation of estradiol. In contrast, the Km of these metabolic pathways was increased at least three-fold by the allelic change Va432 to Leu or by simultaneously changing Val432 to Leu and Asn453 to Ser. However, these alterations had little effect on the kinetic parameters of other CYP1B1 mediated reactions such as the epoxidation of (-)-trans-(7R,8R)-benzo[a]pyrene 7,8-dihydrodiol as determined by (r-7,t-8,t-9,c-10)-benzo[a]pyrene tetraol formation, or such as the O-dealkylation of ethoxyresorufin and the 1'-hydroxylation of bufuralol. Molecular modelling suggests that amino acid residue 432 of CYP1B1 may be involved in the interaction between CYP1B1 and P450 reductase. Since 4-hydroxyestradiol has been implicated in hormonal carcinogenesis and CYP1B1 is expressed in target tissues, the data presented demonstrate that polymorphisms in CYP1B1 have the potential to affect disease susceptibility.