Detection of the enzymatic activity of cytochrome P-450 enzymes by high-performance liquid chromatography.

The reactions catalysed by the various cytochrome P-450 enzymes are reviewed with respect to the analysis of products by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Especially biotransformation reactions of purified cytochrome P-450 enzymes in a reconstituted system and in microsomes mainly of rat liver origin are considered. Emphasis is put on the specificity of product formation due to the individual isozymes of cytochrome P-450. It is shown that the presence of eight cytochrome P-450 isozymes can be monitored and determined by specific product formation after HPLC analysis, which is an important parameter in toxicological studies.     

Immobilization of Cytochrome P-450 and its Application in Ehzikb Electrodes

Abstract

For application in enzyme electrodes liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 was immobilized in a membraneous form. The immobilization yielded 60% of activity and did not impair the functional stability of the enzyme. By coimmobilization of glucose oxidase with P-450 the cofactor NADPH could be replaced by H₂O₂ formed from the enzymatic glucose oxidation. Fixed to a graphite electrode the obtained preparations were employed for quantitative substrate analysis. The P-450 substrate aniline was measured by anodic oxidation of its hydroqlation product at +250mV. A linear dependence of: the current on aniline concentration up to 0.5mM was obtained.     

Inhibitory effect and interaction of stanozolol with pig testicular cytochrome P-450 (17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase)

The inhibitory effect of an anabolic steroid, stanozolol, on testicular microsomal cytochrome P-450 (17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase) (P-450(17 alpha/lyase] and the nature of the interaction were compared with those of other anabolic steroids, furazabol and mestanolone. Stanozolol markedly inhibited delta 16-C19-steroid synthesizing activity, 17 alpha-hydroxylase and C17,20-lyase activities, which were mediated by oxygenase activities of testicular microsomal cytochrome P-450(17 alpha/lyase). In addition, stanozolol was a competitive inhibitor of 17 alpha-hydroxylase (Ki = 6.31 microM) and C17,20-lyase (Ki = 1.30 microM) activities in the reconstituted enzyme system. The interaction of cytochrome P-450&17 alpha/lyase) with stanozolol induced a type I difference spectrum (peak at 387 nm and trough at 418 nm) with a dissociation constant (Ks) of 1.47 microM.     

Substrate specificity of camphor-induced cytochrome P-450 Immobilized on an electrode

The substrate specificity of a camphor-induced cytochrome P-450 (P-450_cam) was measured by using a new assay system: electrochemical control of P-450_cam activity by protein immobilization on an electrode. Immobilized P-450_cam showed the obvious substrate specificity for hydroxylation of the substrate, suggesting that the simple assay system is applicable for the study of the effect of the other components of the electron transfer system on activity. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The sequence homologies of cytochromes P-450 and active-site geometries

Summary The amino acid sequence alignment of 16 cytochrome P-450 proteins representative of the major families is reported. The sequence matching process has been carried out on the basis of maximum homology by residue type, retention of secondary structure and minimization of deletions/insertions except where additional loop regions exist. From the starting point of known reported sequence homology matching from the literature, a realignment on the basis of conserved residues involved in both structure and function gives rise to a self-consistent set of sequences which correlates with known mechanistic and structural data. Once fitted, these archetypal sequences form a straightforward template for the alignment of all P-450 subfamilies. Computer modelling of the active-site regions constructed from homology with the bacterial form of the enzyme (P-450_CAM) evinces the correct substrate specificity. Furthermore, the construction of the macromolecular assembly of components of the cytochrome P-450 system on the microsomal endoplasmic reticular membrane is presented from the evidence of site-directed mutagenesis, analysis by molecular probes, X-ray crystallography and molecular modelling.     

Synthetic Models of the Active Site of Cytochrome P-450. 1st Communication. The Synthesis of a Doubly-Bridged Iron(II)-Porphyrin Carrying a Tightly Bound Thiolate Ligand

The doubly-bridged iron(II)-tetraphenylporphyrin derivative 6 , carrying a sterically fixed S^? ligand in the ‘proximal’ position and the substrate at the ‘distal’ site, was synthesised as an enzyme model for cytochrome P-450. Compound 36 , the CO complex of 6 , displays a split Soret band (403 and 457 nm) similar to the native cytochrome P-450.     

Cyclization of a cellular dipentaenone by Streptomyces coelicolor cytochrome P450 154A1 without oxidation/reduction

We report a comprehensive genetic, metabolomic, and biochemical study on the catalytic properties of Streptomyces coelicolor cytochrome P450 (P450) 154A1, known to have a unique heme orientation in its crystal structure. Deletion of the P450 154A1 gene compromised the long-term stability of the bacterial spores. A novel dipentaenone (1) with a high degree of conjugation was identified as an endogenous substrate of P450 154A1 using a metabolomics approach. The biotransformation of 1 by P450 154A1 was shown to be an unexpected intramolecular cyclization to a Paterno?-Bu?chi-like product, without oxidation/reduction.     

Multiquantum processes in the enzyme molecules immobilized on biological membranes

A physical model of an oxidation–reduction reaction for immobilized enzyme is considered. The influence of the electric-field intensity of a biological membrane on the enzyme reaction rate is analyzed. It is shown that the low-frequency dipole-active vibration of the oppostite charge groups of the substrate and enzyme relative to each other leads to multiquantum excitation of the system over the conformational degree of freedom. This excitation provides an abrupt increasing of the tunnel decay rate of the substrate–enzyme complex on a free product and a free enzyme. This way of the reaction is more probable in comparison with the usual overbarrier process. Some consequences for the immobilized cytochrome P-450 are discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 66 : 255–260, 1998     

Determination of the cytochrome P-450 IV marker, omega-hydroxylauric acid, by high-performance liquid chromatography and fluorimetric detection

The formation of omega-hydroxylauric acid from lauric acid is an indicator of the activity of cytochrome P-450 IV family proteins. The two main metabolites of lauric acid, (omega-1)-and omega-hydroxylauric acid, have been completely separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Measurement of lauric acid hydroxylase activity in microsomal liver samples, based on derivatization of the substrate and metabolites with the fluorescent agent 4-bromomethyl-6,7-dimethoxycoumarin, is a precise method (coefficient of variation = 7.6 and 10% for omega and (omega-1) metabolites, respectively) with good sensitivity (signal-to-noise ratio in microsomal samples of untreated rats greater than 20). In microsomal fractions from livers of rats treated with di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate the extent of omega-hydroxylation of lauric acid increased dose-dependently (ca. ten-fold). The (omega-1)-hydroxylase activity was not altered. A strong correlation between immunochemically determined cytochrome P-450 IVA1 and lauric acid omega-hydroxylase activity was found (r = 0.94, n = 30).     

Immobilization of cytochrome P-450 and electrochemical control of its activity

P-450_cam (camphor-induced cytochrome P-450) was immobilized on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode by polypyrrole and its activity was controlled electrochemically. The results showed that P-450_cam was immobilized on the ITO electrode without denaturing and the amount of P-450_cam could be easily controlled. When, the electric potential was swept repeatedly between 0.4 and 0 V, the remarkable decrease of oxygen in the reaction mixture solution was observed only in the presence of camphor. In addition, hydroxycamphor was detected only in the same system by means of gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. These results suggested that immobilized P-450_cam catalyzed the hydroxylation of camphor by the supply of electron from the electrode. The effect of pH and ionic strength on the activity was examined, and it was found that the high activity expressed at the pH of 6.0 – 7.0 and KCl concentration of 0.1 – 0.2 M . The paper is the first report that P-450 enzyme activity could be controlled artificially. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Metabolism of 32-oxo-24,25-dihydrolanosterols by partially purified cytochrome P-450(14DM) from rat liver microsomes

Metabolism of 32-oxo-24,25-dihydrolanosterols (3 beta-hydroxylanost-8-en-32- al (4,delta 8-CHO) and 3 beta-hydroxylanost-7-en-32-al (5,delta 7-CHO)) was studied in a reconstituted system consisting of rat liver partially purified cytochrome P-450, which catalyzes lanosterol 14-demethylation (P-450(14DM)), and reduced nicotineamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-cytochrome P-450 reductase. The reconstituted system converted delta 8-CHO to 4,4-dimethyl-5 alpha-cholesta-8,14-dien-3 beta-ol (2, 8, 14-Diene), which corresponds to the 14-deformylated product. delta 7-CHO, the isomer of delta 8-CHO, was not converted to the corresponding 14-deformylated product. The apparent Km value of cytochrome P-450(14DM) for delta 8-CHO was about 1/20 of that for 24,25-dihydrolanosterol (1, DHL). The metabolism of delta 8-CHO was inhibited by 7-oxo-24,25-dihydrolanosterol (6, 7-oxo-DHL), which is a potent inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis from lanosterol or DHL. However, the metabolism of delta 8-CHO was less inhibited by 7-oxo-DHL than that of DHL.     

气相色谱法测定大鼠肝微粒体中丁醇的生物转化产物丁醛的含量

丁醇在分离提取的大鼠肝微粒体中,与微粒体中的细胞色素Ｐ４５０ⅡＥ１酶及加入的还原性辅酶Ⅱ（ＮＡＤＰＨ）在特定的温度下作用一定时间后,转化为丁醛。丁醇转化为丁醛的速率可作为评价细胞色素Ｐ４５０ⅡＥ１酶活性的指标。采用顶空气相色谱法可测定丁醇在微粒体中转化产生丁醛的含量。方法的检测限为０．７μｍｏｌ／Ｌ,变异系数８．１％～９．３％,回收率８５．３％。其干扰少、灵敏、快速、准确。方法的建立为间接测定细胞色素Ｐ４５０ⅡＥ１酶活性提供了可靠的测试手段。     

Engineering cytochrome P-450s

Cytochrome P-450 isozymes represent a critical component of nature’s spectrum of detoxification catalysts that could be exploited for bioremediation. The ethanol-inducible human cytochrome P-450 2E1 serves as a model eukaryotic P-450 that complements the bacterial P-450 cam in dehalogenation and detoxification of environmental pollutants. We explored the construction of novel chimeric P-450s using cytochrome P-450 camC and 2E1 genes. For construction of chimera 1 (478 amino acids, 55.14 kDa), 145 amino acids from the N-terminus of P-450 2E1 protein (493 amino acids, 56.84 kDa) were replaced with 130 amino acids from the N-terminus of P-450 camC protein (415 amino acids, 46.66 kDa). In chimera 2 (525 amino acids, 60.24 kDa) the strategy involves replacement of 28 amino acids in the C-terminus of chimera 1 with 75 amino acids from the C-terminus of P-450 camC gene. Homology models of both the chimeric proteins were developed using SWISS-MODEL based on the known crystal structure of cytochrome P-450 camC, BM-3, 1DT6A, and 2C17A. The models indicated that the proposed heme-binding site was intact, which is inevitable for catalytic activity of cytochrome P-450s. The expression of chimera 1 and 2 genes in Escherichia coli DH5α was evident from light-pink cell pellets, protein band in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and diagnostic carbon monoxide-difference spectra. Our studies show that strategies can be developed to exploit the natural diversity of the P-450 superfamily to generate chimeric biocatalysts that would provide new templates amenable to directed evolution.     

Two-step purification of cytochrome P-450 from rat liver microsomes using high-performance liquid chromatography

Cytochrome P-450 from rat liver microsomes treated with phenobarbital (PB) was separated into six fractions, as was cytochrome P-450 treated with 3-methylcholanthrene (MC), by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an anion-exchange column. PB and MC induced three forms and one form of cytochrome P-450, respectively. The major forms induced by PB and by MC were further purified to apparent homogeneity based on sodium dodecyl(lauryl)sulphate--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis by HPLC using a hydroxyapatite column. These new HPLC techniques are simple, rapid and useful for the purification of major forms of cytochrome P-450 from solubilized microsomes.     

Autocatalytic inactivation of cytochrome p-450 and chloroperoxidase by 1-aminobenzotriazole and other aryne precursors

Cytochrome P-450, as reported previously is inactivated during catalytic turnover of 1-aminobenzotriazole due to alkylation of its prosthetic heme group. NMR analysis of the heme adduct after removal of the iron atom identifies it unequivocally as a derivative of protoporphyrin IX in which two of the nitrogens are bridged by a benzene ring. Cytochrome P-450 destructive activity is retained by analogues with Me or Ac substituents on the exocyclic N but is lost when the N itself is removed or is replaced by a hydroxyl or nitro function. Prosthetic heme alkylation also occurs with 1-amino-1H-naphtho (2,3-d)triazole, the analogue with one additional benzene ring. In vivo studies suggest that 1-aminobenzotriazole is relatively nontoxic. Catalytic turnover of 1-aminobenzotriazole by chloro-peroxidase results in the formation of phenol and in inactivation of the enzyme. The phenol obtained in deuterated water incorporates one deuterium into the aromatic ring. The data indicate that benzyne, formed by enzymatic oxidation of 1-aminobenzotriazole, is responsible for inactivation of cytochrome P-450 and chloroperoxidase.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric characterisation of some novel hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids formed on incubation of arachidonic acid with microsomes from induced rat livers

The biotransformation of arachidonic acid by rat liver microsomes from both control animals and animals pretreated with known inducers of cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes has been studied using a combination of reversed- and normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and combined gas chromatography-electron-impact mass spectrometry. The metabolite profiles observed were found to be dependent upon the inducing agent. Five metabolites were identified, namely 16-, 17-, 18-, 19- and 20-hydroxylated arachidonic acids. Of these the 16- and 17-isomers have not been reported as products of arachidonic acid metabolism by any biological system and the 18-isomer has not been reported as a product of liver metabolism.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of FCE 24304 (6-methylenandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione) and FCE 24928 (4-aminoandrosta-1,4,6-triene-3,17-dione), two new aromatase inhibitors.

The cytochrome P-450-dependent aromatase enzyme plays an important role in hormone-dependent diseases. Many products that inhibit this type of enzyme were obtained: FCE 24304 (I) and FCE 24928 (II) proved to possess remarkable activity and are presently under development. Compounds I and II and their synthetic intermediates are analyzed by means of a high-performance liquid chromatographic method, affording rapid and efficient separation, good resolution and identification of all the examined compounds. The linearity, specificity, sensitivity, precision and accuracy for the method are also provided.     

Convenient Gram-Scale Metabolite Synthesis by Engineered Fission Yeast Strains Expressing Functional Human P450 Systems

The growing need for the characterization of cytochrome P450 (P450) metabolites often necessitates their synthesis up to Gram-scale. This task may in principle be achieved by using various techniques including chemical synthesis, the use of laboratory animals, in vitro P450 systems or microbial biotransformation. However, these approaches are in many instances unfavorable due to low yields, laborious purification, costs of cofactors, or the formation of non-physiologic metabolites. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has previously been shown by others and us to be very well suited for the heterologous expression of human P450s. In this study, we demonstrate whole-cell biotransformation reactions carried out with fission yeast strains that coexpress human cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) and one of the following P450 isoforms: CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, or CYP3A4, respectively. These strains could successfully convert their respective standard substrates but showed different responses with respect to incubation pH, the presence of glucose, and temperature, respectively. In addition, the preparative of synthesis of 2.8?g of 4'-hydroxydiclofenac was achieved by whole-cell biotransformation of diclofenac using a CPR-CYP2C9 coexpressing fission yeast strain.     

METABOLISM OF 5-METHOXYPSORALEN BY Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Incubation of methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) in the presence of diploid yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) before UV-A exposure leads to an incubation-time dependent decrease of photoinduced genotoxic effects. The reduction in photoinduced genotoxicity is stronger in cells grown in the presence of 20% glucose and containing high levels of cytochrome P-450 than in cells grown in the presence of 0.5% glucose and containing undetectable levels of cytochrome P-450. Inhibition of P-450 activity by specific inhibitors, such as tetrahydrofuran and metyrapone, strongly affects the observed decrease in 5-MOP genotoxicity, indicating the involvement of P-450 in 5-MOP metabolism. As demonstrated by spectrophotometric and chromatographic (HPLC) analysis during incubation of 5-MOP with P-450 containing yeast cells, 5-MOP gradually disappears from the cell supernatant of the incubation mixture. The reduction in the chromatographic peak corresponding to 5-MOP is accompanied by the appearance of a new peak that probably corresponds to a metabolite. As shown by the use of P-450 specific inhibitors, the metabolite appears to be due to P-450 mediated 5-MOP metabolisation. Its UV absorption spectrum suggests an alteration of the pyrone moiety of the 5-MOP molecule.     

Chemiluminescence detection of haem-containing microsomal proteins

In the purification and characterization of cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes from rat liver microsomes, a luminol-mediated chemiluminescence in microsomes after addition of peroxides was discovered. The pH dependence of the kinetics of the chemiluminescence reaction was investigated and the reactions conditions were optimized with respect to the peroxide and luminol concentrations. The detection limits appear to be a factor of 10³ lower than those obtained with other techniques. The speed of detection was also improved substantially. The nature of the strong chemiluminescence was further investigated by (partial) purification of the cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes. It appeared that the chemiluminescence activity was closed related to the presence of cytochrome P-450.