nitrophenols and 7-ethoxycoumarin

Human cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes metabolize a variety of endogenous and xenobiotic compounds, including steroids, drugs, and environmental chemicals. In this study, we examine the possibility that bacterial P450 BM3 (CYP102A1) mutants with indole oxidation activity have the catalytic activities of human P450 enzymes. Error-prone polymerase chain reaction was carried out on the heme domain-coding region of the wild-type gene to generate a CYP102A1 DNA library. The library was transformed into Escherichia coli for expression of the P450 mutants. A colorimetric colony-based method was adopted for primary screening of the mutants. When the P450 activities were measured at the whole-cell level, some of the blue colonies, but not the white colonies, possessed apparent oxidation activity toward coumarin and 7-ethoxycoumarin, which are typical human P450 substrates that produce fluorescent products. Coumarin is oxidized by the CYP102A1 mutants to produce two metabolites, 7-hydroxycoumarin and 3-hydroxycoumarin. In addition, 7-ethoxycoumarin is simultaneously oxidized to 7-hydroxycoumarin by O-deethylation reaction and to 3-hydroxy,7-ethoxycoumarin by 3-hydroxylation reactions. Highly active mutants are also able to metabolize several other human P450 substrates, including phenacetin, ethoxyresorufin, and chlorzoxazone. These results indicate that indigo formation provides a simple assay for identifying CYP102A1 mutants with a greater potential for human P450 activity. Furthermore, our computational findings suggest a correlation between the stabilization of the binding site and the catalytic efficiency of CYP102A1 mutants toward coumarin: the more stable the structure in the binding site, the lower the energy barrier and the higher the catalytic efficiency.

Topics: Amino Acid Substitution; Bacterial Proteins; Biocatalysis; Carbon; Chlorzoxazone; Coumarins; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Enzyme Stability; Escherichia coli; Heme; Humans; Indigo Carmine; Indoles; Kinetics; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; NADPH-Ferrihemoprotein Reductase; Nitrophenols; Oxazines; Oxidation-Reduction; Phenacetin; Protein Engineering; Recombinant Proteins; Transformation, Genetic; Umbelliferones

1: The metabolism by HepG2 cell from two sources (M1, M2) of 12 substrates is reported: ethoxyresorufin, ethoxycoumarin, testosterone, tolbutamide, chlorzoxazone, dextromethorphan, phenacetin, midazolam, acetaminophen, hydroxycoumarin, p-nitrophenol and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), and a pharmaceutical compound, EMD68843. 2: Activities varied markedly. Some were present in M1 (CYP1A, CYP2C9, CYP2E1) but absent in M2. M1 had a more complete set of Phase I enzymes than M2. CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A activities were present at levels similar to human hepatocytes. Phase II metabolism differed between M1 and M2. M1 conjugated hydroxycoumarin and p-nitrophenol to glucuronides only, whereas M2 produced sulfates. Glutathione conjugation of CDNB metabolism was 10-fold higher in M1 than in M2, but was still much lower than in human hepatocytes. CYP2E, CYP2C, CYP2B6 and CYP3A (but not CYP1A, glucuronyl S-transferase or S-transferase) were inducible in M1. Metabolites of EMD68843, produced by induced (but not uninduced) M1 were the same as those produced in human hepatocytes. 3: In conclusion, HepG2 cells have both Phase I and II enzymes, which activities and at what levels depend on the source and culture conditions. Therefore, HepG2 cells routinely used in in vitro assays should be characterized for their drug-metabolizing capabilities before any results can be fully interpreted.

Topics: Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases; Benzofurans; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Cell Culture Techniques; Cell Line, Tumor; Coumarins; Dinitrochlorobenzene; Enzyme Activation; Humans; Indoles; Kinetics; Liver Neoplasms; Nitrophenols; Oxazines; Piperazines; Substrate Specificity; Umbelliferones; Vilazodone Hydrochloride

Xenobiotic metabolism in the tongue has received little attention in the literature. In the present study, we report a comparative analysis of constitutive cytochrome P450 (CYP) expression and activities in the tongue. First we compared catalytic activities of rabbit, rat and bovine tongue samples using the probe substrates 4-nitrophenol, 1-phenylethanol, caffeine and 7-ethoxycoumarin. Rabbit tongue samples showed the highest activities for all substrates. We then compared the activities in rat and rabbit tongue with those in the rabbit liver, along with the effects of P450 inhibitors on specific activities. Combined, the activity studies indicate that CYP1A1 is active in rabbit tongue cells, but CYP1A2, CYP3A6 and CYP2E1 are below limits of detection. RT-PCR was also used to compare mRNA levels of 11 different rabbit and six different rat P450 isoforms in the tongue to those in the liver of these two species. Only CYP2E1, CYP1A1 and CYP4A4 were detected at significant levels in the rabbit tongue. None of the six rat isoforms probed were observed in the tongue. Although 4-nitrophenol activity was observed in the rabbit tongue samples, the kinetic parameter K(m) was inconsistent with the involvement of CYP2E1. We suggest that although CYP2E1 is expressed in the tongue, it is rapidly degraded in this organ, and the nitrophenol hydroxylation and caffeine hydroxylation we observe is the result of activity of CYP1A1.

Topics: Animals; Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases; Benzyl Alcohols; Caffeine; Catalysis; Cattle; Coumarins; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Cytochrome P450 Family 4; Mixed Function Oxygenases; Nitrophenols; Protein Isoforms; Rabbits; Rats; RNA, Messenger; Substrate Specificity; Tongue

GM0637, a human fibroblast cell line, was transfected with pCMV2E1, an expression vector containing the full length cDNA for rat cytochrome P450 2E1 (P450 2E1), and with pCMVneo, which contained vector alone, and the selected clones were designated GM2E1 and GMneo, respectively. Western blot analysis showed that GM2E1, but not GMneo, expressed a protein that reacted with anti-human P450 2E1 antibody. The 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase,p-nitrophenol hydroxylase, and N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) demethylase activities of the P450 in these cells were measured in monolayer cell cultures without preparing microsomes. Exposure of the GM2E1 cells to NDMA for 4 days caused severe decreases in cell viability, as determined by crystal violet uptake, and showed a sigmoidal dose-response curve with a median lethal dose of 17 microM. In contrast, the viability of GMneo cells was not altered by NDMA even at concentrations up to 10 mM. Time- and concentration-dependent methylation of DNA, RNA and protein by [14C]NDMA was only observed in cells expressing P450 2E1. Inhibitors of P450 2E1 activity such as ethanol, 4-methylpyrazole, and isoniazid caused a 90% decrease in the methylation of cellular macromolecules and also completely protected the cells against NDMA-mediated toxicity. The cytotoxicity due to exposure to NDMA was partially inhibited by antioxidants such as N-acetylcysteine, ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxyanisole and N-t-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone but was not potentiated upon glutathione depletion. These results document the ability of rat P450 2E1 to metabolize NDMA to toxic reactive intermediates and demonstrate that this cell line provides a useful model for studying the mechanisms of metabolism-mediated toxicity and carcinogenesis.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Blotting, Western; Buthionine Sulfoximine; Cell Line; Cell Survival; Coumarins; Cyclic N-Oxides; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1; Dinitrochlorobenzene; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Enzyme Inhibitors; Ethanol; Fibroblasts; Fomepizole; Glutathione Transferase; Humans; Indicators and Reagents; Isoniazid; Nitrogen Oxides; Nitrophenols; Nitroso Compounds; Pyrazoles; Rats; Spin Labels; Time Factors; Transfection

The present study was designed to compare phase I and phase II biotransformation reactions in immobilized perfused hepatocytes as a cellular system obtained from inbred rat strains which represent models for some cardiovascular diseases, namely, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), rats sensitive and resistant to isoprenaline-induced myocardial lesions (IS and IR, respectively) as compared to Wistar rats (W). The biotransformation kinetics for hexobarbital (HX), 7-ethoxycoumarin (7-EC), 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) were followed up in the hepatocyte perfusate. W and SHR rat hepatocytes have metabolized HX at a higher rate than those of the IR and IS strains. Hepatocytes from the W strain exhibited a higher rate of 7-EC deethylation activity compared to hepatocytes obtained from the IR or IS strains. Hepatocytes obtained from SHR and IR rats showed the highest glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity towards CDNB compared to the IS or W strain. 4-NP disappearance was higher in the perfusion medium of hepatocytes obtained from the W and IS strains compared to the IR strain. These significant differences in drug biotransformation between various studied strains, which may be genetically determined, can be well demonstrated by using an efficient drug metabolizing model of the immobilized perfused hepatocytes. The importance of these differences should be considered during the study of the experimental therapy of the relevant disease as obtained from the specific experimental strain, where it may be expected that the pharmacokinetic profile of a drug in vivo and consequently its pharmacodynamic or toxic effects will be strain dependent.

Topics: Animals; Biotransformation; Cells, Immobilized; Coumarins; Dinitrochlorobenzene; Drug Resistance; Hexobarbital; In Vitro Techniques; Isoproterenol; Liver; Male; Nitrophenols; Perfusion; Rats; Rats, Inbred SHR; Rats, Inbred Strains; Rats, Wistar; Species Specificity; Xenobiotics

Not only phase I reactions but also phase II reactions can be detected using embryonated chicken eggs as an alternative method for biotransformation studies. Previously reported investigations which enabled the detection of the phase II products of 7-ethoxycoumarin in the allantois after enzymatic conjugate cleavage have since been supplemented by the development of a direct method. The glucuronidation and sulfation of p-nitrophenol were chosen as model reactions for this direct detection of conjugation reactions. The utility of the previously developed method for application to biotransformation investigations involving the detection of metabolites in the allantois in fertile chicken eggs has now been substantiated for the model substance p-nitrophenol. p-Nitrophenyl sulfate and p-nitrophenyl glucuronide were directly identified as phase II metabolites after incubation and work-up by HPLC analysis as well as comparison of their spectra with those of authentic substances. The conversion rates obtained are very high and well comparable with those of in vivo investigations in chickens. It would seem that the metabolism of hydrophilic substances can be advantageously studied in chicken eggs.

Topics: Animals; Biotransformation; Chick Embryo; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Coumarins; Glucuronates; Nitrophenols; Sulfates

Chemical activation of Kupffer cells in vivo by vitamin A or latex beads is associated with a worsening of hepatic injury induced by the P450-dependent hepatotoxins acetaminophen (ACET) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and by the P450-independent toxin galactosamine (GLN). Immunostimulants such as Corynebacterium parvum (CP) also activate Kupffer cells, but do so while prompting release of soluble mediators which depress microsomal oxidative activities in cultured hepatocytes. Therefore, we sought to characterize the effects of CP on hepatic injury in vivo due to ACET and CCl4 while employing GLN as a control. Hepatic microsomal oxidative activity and glutathione (GSH) disposition were examined since each influences susceptibility to injury from ACET or CCl4. Rats were given CP 28 mg/kg i.v. 5 days before challenge with hepatotoxicant. Hepatic injury was assessed 24 hr after hepatotoxicant administration by measurement of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and review of histological sections. Livers from parallel groups of rats were used to prepare microsomal and cytosolic fractions, to measure tissue GSH, or for perfusion to assess GSH efflux. Significant reductions in injury due to ACET or CCl4 were observed while injury due to GLN was potentiated. Serum ALT levels after ACET were 3000 +/- 620 in controls vs 170 +/- 45 IU/liter in the CP-treated group and ALT levels after CCl4 were 3100 +/- 500 in controls vs 1700 + 450 IU/liter in the CP-treated group. In contrast, serum ALT levels after GLN were 920 +/- 230 in controls vs 1700 +/- 370 in the CP-treated group. Patterns of hepatic injury observed on histological sections were those characteristic for each toxin and the severity of injury correlated well with alterations in serum ALT levels for each agent. Hepatic microsomal fractions from rats pretreated with CP showed significantly diminished total cytochrome P450 content as well as reduced activity for two P450IIE1 substrates, p-nitrophenol and 7-ethoxycoumarin. While sinusoidal efflux of GSH increased by 40% in rats pretreated with CP and cytosolic glutathione-S-transferase activity fell slightly, tissue GSH levels were unaffected. These data demonstrate that CP decreases microsomal cytochrome P450 content, reduces biotransformation of two P450IIE1 substrates, and diminishes ACET- and CCl4-induced hepatic injury. In contrast, hepatic injury due to the P450-independent toxin GLN was enhanced. Thus, chemical and immune stimulation of Kupffer

Topics: Acetaminophen; Alanine Transaminase; Animals; Biotransformation; Carbon Tetrachloride; Cells, Cultured; Coumarins; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Galactosamine; Glutathione; Immunization; Kupffer Cells; Liver; Male; Microsomes, Liver; Nitrophenols; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating; Propionibacterium acnes; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Spectrometry, Fluorescence

1. Cytochrome P-450, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, benzo(a)-pyrene hydroxylase (AHH), 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase (7-ECOD), epoxide hydrolase (EH), UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UDPGT) and glutathione S-transferase (GSHST) activities in sturgeon (Acipenser baeri) have been measured and partially characterized. 2. Cytochrome P-450-dependent monoxygenase (MO), EH, and conjugation reactions were detected in liver and to a lesser extent in kidney and gills. 3. Hepatic enzyme activities in the sturgeon were equally high or higher than in rainbow trout liver, with the exception of UDPGT whose activity was 14% of that in trout liver. 4. The MO and EH activities displayed the expected pH maxima of 7.5, whereas transferases were relatively independent of the pH in the 6.5-7.5 range. 5. The temperature optima for MO and EH were close to those reported in other fish species, whereas for conjugation reactions the temperature optima were 45 and 60 degrees C for GSHST and UDPGT respectively.

Topics: 7-Alkoxycoumarin O-Dealkylase; Animals; Benzo(a)pyrene; Benzopyrene Hydroxylase; Coumarins; Dinitrochlorobenzene; Epoxide Hydrolases; Epoxy Compounds; Fishes; Gills; Kidney; Liver; Microsomes, Liver; NADPH-Ferrihemoprotein Reductase; Nitrophenols; Xenobiotics

Rainbow trout kidney was subfractionated by differential centrifugation to obtain preparations suitable for the study of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes and to ascertain the distribution of these activities in the cell. The cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, and UDP glucuronosyltransferase, which are enzymes important in the biotransformation of xenobiotics, were enriched in the microsomal fraction. Another xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme, epoxide hydrolase, was enriched in the mitochondrial and microsomal fractions almost to the same extent. Cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase and UDP glucuronosyltransferase activities were characterized in the trout kidney microsomes. The cytochrome P-450 deethylation of 7-ethoxycoumarin and 7-ethoxyresorufin as well as the glucuronidation of p-nitrophenol in the kidney were found to proceed at rates comparable to those occurring in the liver. The difference spectrum of the complex between carbon monoxide and reduced trout kidney microsomes showed a peak at 448.5 nm. Addition of 7-ethoxycoumarin to kidney microsomes produced an absorbance change in difference spectrum similar to the substrate binding spectrum found in rainbow trout liver and rat liver microsomes.

Topics: Animals; Cell Fractionation; Coumarins; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Glucuronosyltransferase; Kidney; Microsomes; Microsomes, Liver; Mitochondria; NADPH-Ferrihemoprotein Reductase; Nitrophenols; Oxazines; Salmonidae; Trout

The rates of metabolism of 7-ethoxycoumarin and subsequent conjugation of 7-hydroxycoumarin were studied in perfused livers from hypophysectomized or sham-operated control rats. Rates of 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation were higher both in perfused livers and microsomes from hypophysectomized compared to sham-operated controls. However, conjugation of 7-hydroxycoumarin formed from 7-ethoxycoumarin was markedly decreased by hypophysectomy. p-Nitrophenol conjugation was also impaired in perfused livers from hypophysectomized rats. During infusion of 59-65 microM of p-nitrophenol into hypophysectomized livers, rates of glucuronidation were diminished by 45% (6.83 +/- 0.49 to 3.78 +/- 0.31 mumol/g/h) and rates of sulfation were decreased by 50% (1.25 +/- 0.12 to 0.62 +/- 0.07 mumol/g/h). Phenol sulfotransferase activity was decreased 57% by hypophysectomy, which is the likely explanation for the decrease in sulfate conjugation. However, hypophysectomy did not affect glucuronyltransferase activity. Perfused livers from hypophysectomized rats released glucose, pyruvate and lactate at lower rates than livers from sham-operated rats. Furthermore, infusion of glucose into perfused livers from hypophysectomized rats, but not sham-operated controls, increased the rate of conjugation. The results demonstrate that hypophysectomy decreased rates of conjugation in perfused livers, and that the decreased glucuronidation rates are probably the result of diminished carbohydrate reserves.

Topics: 7-Alkoxycoumarin O-Dealkylase; Animals; Arylsulfotransferase; Coumarins; Glucose; Glucuronidase; Glucuronosyltransferase; Hypophysectomy; Lactates; Liver; Male; Microsomes, Liver; Mixed Function Oxygenases; Nitrophenols; Oxidoreductases; Oxygenases; Perfusion; Pyruvates; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Sulfurtransferases; Umbelliferones