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F J Gonzalez

Publications and source records attributed to F J Gonzalez.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Regio- and stereo-selective metabolism of phenanthrene by twelve cDNA-expressed human, rodent, and rabbit cytochromes P-450.

The regio- and stereoselective metabolism of phenanthrene (PA) by seven cDNA-expressed human and five rodent and rabbit cytochromes P-450 has been examined using reverse-phase and chiral stationary phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Turnover numbers ranged from 0.2 to 55 nmol/min per nmol. Using vaccinia virus expression of P-450 enzymes in Hep G2 cells, m1A1 and m1A2 were found to be the most active P-450s. Of the human P-450s, 1A2 and 2B6 have the highest activity and 2C9 has moderate activity. Using cytochrome P-450s expressed in a lymphoblastoid cell line in presence of epoxide hydrolase (EH), human 1A1 had approximately twice the activity of human 1A2. Regioselectivities for PA metabolism were found to be both isozyme and species-dependent. Stereochemical analysis revealed that the P-450s 1A1, m1A1, m1A2, r2A1, r2B1, PB- and 3MC-treated rat liver microsomes preferentially formed 3R,4R-diol enantiomer (88-97%), whereas rabbit 4B formed the 3S,4S-diol enantiomer (72%). Eleven P-450s, 3MC and PB microsomes preferentially formed 1R,2R-diol enantiomer (80-96%). This is the same stereochemistry as the precursors to some diol epoxides that are potent carcinogens.

Animals↗

Stable expression of human CYP1A2 and N-acetyltransferases in Chinese hamster CHL cells: mutagenic activation of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline.

In order to investigate the metabolic activation pathway of food-derived heterocyclic amines, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), cultured cell lines which stably expressed human cytochrome P4501A2 (CYP1A2) and N-acetyltransferases (NATs) were developed by the method of complementary DNA (cDNA) transfection. First, a cell line expressing CYP1A2, designated A2R-5, was established from the cell line CR-68, which was previously established by introducing NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase cDNA into Chinese hamster CHL cells. The expression of CYP1A2 in the transfected cells was confirmed by determining sensitivity to aflatoxin B1. As the next step, the A2R-5 as well as CR-68 cells were further transfected with human monomorphic NAT (NAT1) or polymorphic NAT (NAT2) cDNAs. The expression of NAT in the transfected cells was confirmed using p-aminobenzoic acid and sulfamethazine as substrates, while no activity was seen in parental CR-68 and A2R-5 cells. The cell line, ANP-25, which expressed both CYP1A2 and NAT2, was approximately 370- and 100-fold more sensitive to IQ and MeIQx, respectively, than parental CR-68 cells in cytotoxicity assays. There were no clear differences in sensitivity to both compounds among CR-68, A2R-5, and the cell lines which expressed NAT1 alone, NAT2 alone, and CYP1A2 plus NAT1. Mutagenicity of IQ and MeIQx at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase locus was also detectable only in ANP-25 cells but not in A2R-5 or the cell line expressing CYP1A2 plus NAT1. From these results, it is proposed that both CYP1A2 and NAT2 (but not NAT1) are required for mutagenic activation of these compounds, implying that acetylator polymorphism may be an important risk factor in the carcinogenicity of these compounds.

Acetyltransferases↗

Human liver carbamazepine metabolism. Role of CYP3A4 and CYP2C8 in 10,11-epoxide formation.

A number of drugs inhibit the metabolism of carbamazepine catalyzed by cytochrome P450, sometimes resulting in carbamazepine intoxication. However, there is little information available concerning the identity of the specific isoforms of P450 responsible for the metabolism of this drug. This study addressed the role of CYP3A4 in the formation of carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide, the major metabolite of carbamazepine. Results of the study showed that: (1) purified CYP3A4 catalyzed 10,11-epoxidation; (2) cDNA-expressed CYP3A4 catalyzed 10,11-epoxidation (Vmax = 1730 pmol/min/nmol P450, Km = 442 microM); (3) the rate of 10,11-epoxidation correlated with CYP3A4 content in microsomes from sixteen human livers (r2 = 0.57, P < 0.001); (4) triacetyloleandomycin and anti-CYP3A4 IgG reduced 10,11-epoxidation to 31 +/- 6% (sixteen livers) and 43 +/- 2% (four livers) of control rates, respectively; and (5) microsomal 10,11-epoxidation but not phenol formation was activated 2- to 3-fold by alpha-naphthoflavone and progesterone and by carbamazepine itself (substrate activation). These findings indicate that CYP3A4 is the principal catalyst of 10,11-epoxide formation in human liver. Experiments utilizing a panel of P450 isoform selective inhibitors also suggested a minor involvement of CYP2C8 in liver microsomal 10,11-epoxidation. Epoxidation by CYP2C8 was confirmed in incubations of carbamazepine with cDNA-expressed CYP2C8. The role of CYP3A4 in the major pathway of carbamazepine elimination is consistent with the number of inhibitory drug interactions associated with its clinical use, interactions that result from a perturbation of CYP3A4 catalytic activity.

Adolescent↗

Activation of CYP3A4: evidence for the simultaneous binding of two substrates in a cytochrome P450 active site.

A unique characteristic of the CYP3A subfamily of cytochrome P450 enzymes is their ability to be activated by certain compounds. It is reported that CYP3A4-catalyzed phenanthrene metabolism is activated by 7,8-benzoflavone and that 7,8-benzoflavone serves as a substrate for CYP3A4. Kinetic analyses of these two substrates show that 7,8-benzoflavone increases the Vmax of phenanthrene metabolism without changing the Km and that phenanthrene decreases the Vmax of 7,8-benzoflavone metabolism without increasing the Km. These results suggest that both substrates (or substrate and activator) are simultaneously present in the active site. Both compounds must have access to the active oxygen, since neither phenanthrene nor 7,8-benzoflavone can competitively inhibit the other substrate. These data provide the first evidence that two different molecules can be simultaneously bound to the same P450 active site. Additionally, structure-activity relationship studies were performed with derivatives of 7,8-benzoflavone structure. The effects of 13 different compounds on the regioselectivity of phenanthrene, chrysene, and benzo[a]pyrene metabolism were determined. Of the 13 compounds studied, 6 were activators, 2 were partial activators, and 5 were inhibitors. Analyses of the data suggest that (1) naphthalene substituted with a ketone in the 2-position can activate 3A4 and (2) the presence of an activator results in a narrower effective substrate binding site. Since the CYP3A enzymes are very important in drug metabolism, the possibility of activation, and autoactivation, must be considered when in vitro-in vivo correlations are made and when possible drug interactions are considered.

Animals↗

Multiple, functional DBP sites on the promoter of the cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase P450 gene, CYP7. Proposed role in diurnal regulation of liver gene expression.

Hepatic cytochrome P450 cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, CYP7, is regulated in vivo at the protein and the mRNA level in response to multiple physiological factors, including liver cholesterol synthesis, bile acid feedback inhibition, and diurnal rhythm. In the present study we investigated whether the liver transcription factor DBP (albumin promoter D-site binding protein), which undergoes a striking diurnal rhythm in rat liver (DBP levels during evening/morning approximately 100:1), contributes to the diurnal regulation of CYP7 gene expression. DNase I footprinting analysis using bacterially expressed DBP and a cloned 5'-flanking DNA segment of the rat CYP7 gene revealed five distinct DBP-binding sites, designated A-E, distributed between nucleotides (nts) -41 and -295 relative to the CYP7 transcription start site. CYP7-directed gene transcription in HepG2 cells transfected with a 5'-CYP7 promoter-chloramphenicol acetyl-transferase reporter was activated up to 12-fold upon cotransfection of a DBP expression vector, whereas an HNF-1 alpha expression vector did not stimulate CYP7 gene activity. 5'-Deletion analyses and site-specific mutagenesis revealed that this stimulating effect of DBP can in part be ascribed to its functional interaction with DBP binding sites B (nts -115/-125), C (nts -172/-195), and D (nts -214/-230). C/EBP beta (LAP), another liver-enriched basic-leucine zipper transcription factor, bound to these same sites but effected a more modest increase in CYP7-directed gene transcription (up to 3-4-fold) when expressed in HepG2 cells. Competition for CYP7 promoter-binding sites between C/EBP, which undergoes < or = 2-fold diurnal change in rat liver, and the diurnally regulated DBP is proposed to determine the relative rates of basal versus diurnally regulated CYP7 gene transcription and thus may be a primary mechanism for setting the 3-6-fold amplitude that characterizes the circadian rhythm of liver CYP7 expression. Moreover, since DBP is first expressed in rat liver 3-4 weeks after birth, these findings may account for both the enhanced expression and the onset of the diurnal pattern of CYP7 enzyme levels at this stage of development.

Animals↗

cDNA cloning and sequence of CYP2C29 encoding P-450 MUT-2, a microsomal aldehyde oxygenase.

A cDNA clone encoding a cytochrome P-450 (P-450) isozyme was isolated from a mouse liver cDNA library. This P-450, designated CYP2C29, the first member of the mouse CYP2C subfamily to be reported, contained the complete coding region of 490 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of CYP2C29 exhibited 83% identity with that of the rat CYP2C7 and had an N-terminal sequence identical to that of P-450 MUT-2, a microsomal aldehyde oxygenase. Two peptides, derived from BrCN cleavage of P-450 MUT-2, were also identical to the cDNA deduced protein of CYP2C29. These results indicate that CYP2C29 cDNA encodes P-450 MUT-2.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Quantification of CYP2B7, CYP4B1, and CYPOR messenger RNAs in normal human lung and lung tumors.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes expressed in human lung can metabolize a variety of xenobiotics, drugs, and endogenous compounds. Metabolism of these substrates may lead to their detoxification or activation and may affect the homeostasis of the lung, its susceptibility to disease, response to therapy, and clinical prognosis. We analyzed the expression of CYP2B7, CYP4B1, and NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (OR) mRNAs in normal lung controls, normal lung from lung cancer patients, and lung tumors using the sensitive technique of RNase protection. The mRNAs of CYP2B7, CYP4B1, and OR were detected in all the normal and a majority of neoplastic tissues. The three mRNAs were quantified and found at an average ratio of 0.89, 4.03, and 0.88% relative to actin mRNA in normal lung, respectively. There was no correlation between the levels of expression of the three mRNAs and the histological diagnosis of tumors. The amounts of each of the three mRNAs varied considerably between patients, but analysis of frequency distribution of the levels of CYP2B7 and CYP4B1 mRNAs did not present evidence for genetic polymorphism as a possible source of the observed interindividual variability. Levels of expression of the two P450 mRNAs were reduced (2.3- and 2.4-fold) in the neoplasms compared to normal lung. The level of OR mRNA expression was uniform with no significant differences between normal and neoplastic tissues, and its interindividual variability was the lowest amongst the three mRNAs studied. All mRNAs had increased interindividual variability in neoplastic tissues. Analysis of the patients' smoking histories and the level of CYP2B7, CYP4B1, and OR mRNAs revealed no evidence for their induction by compounds present in cigarette smoke. This study identifies and characterizes lung and lung tumor mRNAs encoding enzymes that may participate in the metabolism of xenobiotics in humans.

Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System↗

The role of 12 cDNA-expressed human, rodent, and rabbit cytochromes P450 in the metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene trans-7,8-dihydrodiol.

The potent carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and its metabolite B[a]P trans-7,8-dihydrodiol (7,8-diol) require metabolic activation by the microsomal cytochrome P450s (P450s) to exert several adverse biological effects, including binding to DNA, toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity. In the study reported here, we defined the role of each of 12 individual cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450s in the metabolism of B[a]P and 7,8-diol. Human P450s 1A1 and 1A2 were expressed in the absence or presence of epoxide hydrolase (EH) in a human lymphoblastoid cell line, and six human and five rodent and rabbit P450s were expressed from cDNA with vaccinia virus vectors in the hepatoma cell line Hep G2. B[a]P metabolism resulted in nine metabolites (three diols, three quinones, and three phenols), which were separated, identified, and quantitated by high-pressure liquid chromatography. In the human lymphoblastoid cells, human 1A1 metabolized B[a]P at a rate 4.5 times greater than that for 1A2. EH was shown to be directly involved in B[a]P activation, since increasing the amount of EH resulted in less 7-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene and more 7,8-diol formation. Of the human P450s expressed with the vaccinia virus vectors in Hep G2 cells, 1A2 and 2C9 showed the highest activity and 2B6 showed moderate activity for B[a]P metabolism. Mouse 1A1 had activity 40 times higher than any human, rabbit, or rodent P450s, indicating the potential pitfalls of extrapolating P450 activity across species. Metabolism of the 7,8-diol resulted in six metabolites (four tetrols and two triols). In the lymphoblastoid cells, human 1A1 was shown to be 4.2 times more active than 1A2 for 7,8-diol metabolism. Among human P450s expressed from vaccinia virus, 1A2, 2E1, and 2C9 gave the highest activity, and 2C8 and 3A4 showed moderate activity for 7,8-diol metabolism to the diol epoxides. Again, mouse 1A1 was much more active than any other P450. These studies, in which we determined the capacity of individual P450 in the metabolism and activation of B[a]P and 7,8-diol, may thus lead to a better understanding of how P450s control the detoxification and activation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Animals↗

Activation of promutagens in a human bronchial epithelial cell line stably expressing human cytochrome P450 1A2.

Normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells are the putative progenitor cells of all types of lung cancer. NHBE cells immortalized by SV40 T-antigen retain many characteristics of the primary cells and are a useful model for investigating the role of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and certain chemical carcinogens in the molecular pathogenesis of lung cancer. In this study, SV40 T-antigen-positive cells (BEAS-2B) were characterized for their metabolic functions and were shown to continue to express epoxide hydrolase, glutathione S-transferase pi, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. To increase their metabolic activity towards human procarcinogens, human cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) was stably expressed by introducing CYP1A2 cDNA into BEAS-2B cells either by infection with a high-titer recombinant retrovirus (pXT-1A2) or by transfection with a CYP1A2 expression vector (pCMV1A2), which produced the cell lines B-1A2 and B-CMV1A2, respectively. Cell lines established with either expression system expressed enzymatically active CYP1A2 protein and were 50- to 400-fold more sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of the carcinogen aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) than the corresponding control cell lines. The cytotoxic effects of AFB1 were paralleled by increased metabolism of AFB1 and enhanced formation of the AFB1-N7 guanine adduct in B-CMV1A2 cells. Cytotoxicity and adduct formation correlated with a significantly higher protein expression of CYP1A2 by the cytomegalovirus promoter-driven plasmid. Since this human epithelial cell line is the precursor cell type of lung cancer, has normal phase II enzymes, and exhibits highly reproducible expression of phase I enzymes, this in vitro model should aid in the evaluation of putative human carcinogens and anticarcinogens.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Evaluation of triacetyloleandomycin, alpha-naphthoflavone and diethyldithiocarbamate as selective chemical probes for inhibition of human cytochromes P450.

A variety of chemicals, including triacetyloleandomycin (TAO), alpha-naphthoflavone (ANF), and diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), are widely used as inhibitory probes for select individual human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, despite the fact that the selectivity of these inhibitors has not been rigorously evaluated. In the present study we take advantage of recent advances in cDNA-directed human P450 expression to evaluate directly the P450 form selectivity of TAO, ANF, and DDC, using a panel of 10 individual cDNA-expressed human P450s. Under experimental conditions known to yield maximal TAO complexation with P450 hemoproteins, TAO (20 microM) inhibited the catalytic activity of expressed CYPs 3A3, 3A4, and 3A5, whereas it did not affect CYPs 1A1, 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, or 2E1 activity. ANF inhibited not only CYPs 1A1 and 1A2 (IC50 = 0.4-0.5 microM), but it was also similarly effective against CYPs 2C8 and 2C9. Increasing the concentration of ANF to 10 microM led to inhibition of CYP2A6 and CYP2B6. Although a previous study suggested that DDC is a selective inhibitor of CYP2E1, the present investigation shows that at concentrations required to inhibit CYP2E1 (IC50 approximately 125 microM when preincubated with NADPH), DDC also inhibited CYPs 1A1, 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 3A3, and 3A4. Decreasing the concentration of DDC to 10 microM, however, led to inhibition of CYP2A6 (65% inhibition) and CYP2B6 (50% inhibition), but none of the other P450s examined, including CYP2E1. Overall, these results establish that (a) TAO is a selective inhibitor of the human CYP3A subfamily; (b) ANF potently inhibits CYP2C8 and CYP2C9, in addition to CYPs 1A1 and 1A2; and (c) DDC cannot be employed as a diagnostic inhibitory probe for CYP2E1.

Benzoflavones↗

Activation of trans-1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxy-6-aminochrysene to genotoxic metabolites by rat and human cytochromes P450.

In order to address the hypothesis that 6-aminochrysene (6-AC) is converted to genotoxic products by cytochrome P450 enzymes via two activation pathways (N-hydroxylation and epoxidation), the activation of 6-AC and trans-1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxy-6-aminochrysene (6-AC-diol) to genotoxic metabolites was examined in rat and human liver microsomal cytochrome P450 enzymes using Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002 and TA1535/pSK1002/pNM12 (NM2009) as tester strains. The latter bacteria, an O-acetyltransferase-overexpressing strain, was highly sensitive to metabolites derived from activation of 6-AC, but not those from 6-AC-diol, using liver microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rats or a reconstituted monooxygenase system containing P4502B1 or -2B2, thus suggesting the roles of P450 and acetyltransferase systems in the activation process. 6-AC-diol, on the other hand, was activated very efficiently by liver microsomes prepared from beta-naphthoflavone-treated rats or a reconstituted system containing P4501A1 or -1A2; the activation reaction is considered to proceed through diol-epoxide formation. The contribution of rat P4501A enzymes towards activation of 6-AC-diol was confirmed by the inhibitory effects on the activation process of alpha-naphthoflavone, a specific inhibitor of P4501A-related activities, and antibodies raised against purified P4501A1 and -1A2. In humans, P4501A2 was found to be the major enzyme involved in the activation of 6-AC-diol to genotoxic metabolites while the parent compound 6-AC was activated mainly by P4503A4. Experiments using recombinant P450 proteins expressed in human lymphoblastoid cell lines showed that human P4501A1 could also activate 6-AC-diol to reactive metabolites at almost the same rate measured with P4501A2. In addition, P4502B6 was found to efficiently catalyze the activation of 6-AC to genotoxic metabolites, and P4503A4 was active in the activation of 6-AC-diol as well as 6-AC. Addition of purified rat epoxide hydrolase to the incubation mixture containing purified rat P4501A1 or microsomes expressing human P4501A1 caused inhibition of activation of 6-AC-diol. These results suggest the existence of different enzymatic activation pathways for 6-AC and 6-AC-diol. The former carcinogen may be N-hydroxylated principally by P4502B enzymes in rats and P4503A4 and -2B6 in humans and activation to its ultimate metabolites may proceed through esterification of the N-hydroxy metabolites by an N-acetyltransferase. The 6-AC-diol is metabolized to its ultimate diolepoxide product by P4501A enzymes in rat and human liver microsomes. P4503A4 (humans) and P4503A2 (rats) may also contribute to some extent in the activation of 6-AC-diol, albeit at lower rates than those of P4501A enzymes.

Animals↗

Development of a human lymphoblastoid cell line constitutively expressing human CYP1A1 cDNA: substrate specificity with model substrates and promutagens.

AHH-1 TK+/- cell derivatives were developed that stably express human CYP1A1 cDNA, and an AHH-1 TK+/- derivative expressing higher levels of CYP1A2 cDNA in extrachromosomal vectors which confer resistance to 1-histidinol. The CYP1A1-expressing cell lines, designated h1A1 and h1A1v2, differ by containing one and two CYP1A1 cDNA expression units per vector. The CYP1A2-expressing cell line, designated h1A2v2, also has two CYP1A2 cDNA expression units per vector. Microsomes prepared from CYP1A1 cDNA expressing cells exhibit high, constitutive levels of 7-ethoxyresorufin deethylase (EROD), 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylase (ECD), 7-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin deethylase (EFCD), benzo[a]-pyrene hydroxylase (BPH) activities and spectrally quantifiable cytochrome P450. Kinetic comparisons between cDNA-expressed CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 indicate that CYP1A1 is more active than CYP1A2 for EROD, ECD, EFCD and BPH. CYP1A2 was more active than CYP1A1 for acetanilide hydroxylation and activation of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The mutagenicity of selected promutagens were examined in h1A1 cells and control cells. Relative to control cells, the h1A1 cell line exhibits increased sensitivity to the mutagenicity of benzo[a]pyrene, cyclopenta[c,d]pyrene, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone and AFB1.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Species-specific expression of CYP4B1 in rabbit and human gastrointestinal tissues.

CYP4B1 is a P450 enzyme displaying tissue and species specific regulation. The rabbit CYP4B1 enzyme exhibits activity towards procarcinogenic aromatic amines. In the present study, CYP4B1 expression has been characterized in rabbit tissues using histological techniques, Northern blotting and Western blotting. Similar analyses were attempted using available human tissues. CYP4B1 mRNA and protein was demonstrated throughout the rabbit small intestine and colon. A unique 1.8 kb transcript, that is smaller than the transcript found in other tissues, was detected in rabbit stomach with a CYP4B1 specific RNA probe. No CYP4B1 protein was detected in this tissue. In rabbit liver, CYP4B1 was induced by phenobarbital primarily in zone 1 hepatocytes (periportal). In humans, CYP4B1 expression was demonstrated at low levels in human colon using in situ hybridization but not in liver or the small intestine. All rabbit gastrointestinal tissues other than stomach possess a high capacity for the activation of 2-aminofluorene compatible with CYP4B1 expression. In contrast, no activity was observed in human gastrointestinal microsomes. The present study therefore shows that CYP4B1 is an abundant P450 in the rabbit gastrointestinal tract and identifies species-specific differences in CYP4B1 expression and function.

Animals↗

In vitro proguanil activation to cycloguanil by human liver microsomes is mediated by CYP3A isoforms as well as by S-mephenytoin hydroxylase.

1. The activation of proguanil to cycloguanil by human liver microsomes was studied to define the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms involved in this reaction. 2. Apparent Km values for proguanil ranged from 35 microM to 183 microM with microsomes from four human livers. 3. There was a 6.3-fold range of activity with microsomes from seventeen human livers. Rates of proguanil activation correlated significantly with CYP3A activities (benzo[a]pyrene metabolism, caffeine 8-oxidation and omeprazole sulphone formation) and CYP3A immunoreactive content. There was also a highly significant correlation with rates of hydroxyomeprazole formation. Correlations with activities selective for CYP1A2, CYP2C9/10 and CYP2E1, and with immunoreactive CYP1A2 content were not significant. 4. Proguanil activation was inhibited by R,S-mephenytoin, troleandomycin and by inhibitory anti-CYP3A antiserum and anti-CYP2C IgG and was activated by alpha-naphthoflavone. Inhibitors selective for CYP1A2, CYP2E1, CYP2A6 or CYP2C9/10 had little or no effect on proguanil activation. The extents of inhibition by R,S-mephenytoin, troleandomycin and the two antibodies varied with the immunoreactive CYP3A content of the microsomes used. 5. It is concluded that proguanil activation to cycloguanil by human liver microsomes is mediated both by S-mephenytoin hydroxylase and isoforms of the CYP3A subfamily. This has implications for the use of proguanil as an in vivo probe for the S-mephenytoin poor metaboliser phenotype.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases↗

A novel cis-acting element controlling the rat CYP2D5 gene and requiring cooperativity between C/EBP beta and an Sp1 factor.

The rat CYP2D5 gene encodes a cytochrome P450 and is expressed in liver cells. Its expression commences a few days after birth, and maximal mRNA levels are achieved when animals reach puberty. Transfection and DNA binding studies were performed to investigate the mechanism controlling developmentally programmed, liver-specific expression of CYP2D5. Transfection studies using a series of CYP2D5 upstream DNA chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene fusion constructs identified a segment of DNA between nucleotides -55 and -156 that conferred transcriptional activity in HepG2 cells. Activity was markedly increased by cotransfection with a vector expressing C/EBP beta but was unaffected by vectors producing other liver-enriched transcription factors (C/EBP alpha, HNF-1 alpha, and DBP). DNase I footprinting revealed a region protected by both HepG2 and liver cell nuclear extracts between nucleotides -83 and -112. This region displayed some sequence similarity to the Sp1 consensus sequence and was able to bind the Sp1 protein, as assessed by a gel mobility shift assay. The role of Sp1 in CYP2D5 transcription was confirmed by trans activation of the 2D5-CAT construct in Drosophila melanogaster cells by using an Sp1 expression vector. C/EBP beta alone was unable to directly bind the -83 to -112 region of the promoter but was able to produce a ternary complex when combined with HepG2 nuclear extracts or recombinant human Sp1. C/EBP alpha was unable to substitute for C/EBP beta in forming this ternary complex. A poor C/EBP binding site is present adjacent to the Sp1 site, and mutagenesis of this site abolished formation of the ternary complex with the CYP2D5 regulatory region. These result establish that two transcription factors can work in conjunction, possibly by protein-protein interaction, to activate the CYP2D5 gene.

Aging↗

Pharmacogenetic phenotyping and genotyping. Present status and future potential.

Enzymes that metabolise foreign compounds exhibit a large degree of interindividual variability in their levels of expression. In a number of instances this variability can be accounted for by null or variant alleles resulting from mutations in genes encoding these enzymes. Human variability in drug metabolism can be determined by biochemical and pharmacological assays. In cases where a genetic change has been characterised, polymerase chain reaction techniques have been developed to diagnose metabolism deficiencies. Genetic differences in certain foreign compound metabolising enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase M1, N-acetyltransferase 2 and CYP2D6 have been shown to be associated with risk for developing environmentally and occupationally based diseases such as cancer. Drug therapy can also be compromised by the existence of genetic deficiencies in a number of enzymes, including CYP2D6. It is anticipated that determination of an individual's drug metabolism capabilities by use of phenotyping and genotyping tests will allow for more rational and safe drug administration protocols.

Biotransformation↗