Enzymatic mechanisms in the metabolic activation of N-nitrosodialkylamines

The metabolism of several N-nitrosodialkylamines was studied using rat liver microsomes and purified cytochrome P450 isozymes in a reconstituted monooxygenase system. With purified acetone/ethanol-inducible cytochrome P450 (P450ac), high N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) demethylase activity was observed. Cytochrome b5 was also involved in NDMA metabolism by decreasing the Km of NDMA demethylase. A close relationship between the demethylation and denitrosation of this substrate was observed. P450ac was also active in the metabolism of N-nitrosoethylmethylamine (NEMA), but was less active than phenobarbital-inducible cytochrome P450 (P450b) in the metabolism of N-nitrosobutylmethylamine (NBMA), especially in catalysing the debutylation reaction. Similar substrate specificity was demonstrated with liver microsomes from rats treated with other inducers. With different P450 isozymes and microsomes, a close relationship between metabolism and activation of nitrosamines to mutagens to V79 cells was demonstrated. DNA alkylation by NDMA in vitro was correlated with the rate of metabolism of these compounds, whereas DNA alkylation in vivo was more complex and was dose-dependent. The work demonstrates the importance of knowledge of the substrate specificity of cytochrome P450 isozymes in understanding the mechanisms of the metabolic activation of nitrosamines.     

Different effects of chemicals on metabolism of N-nitrosamines in rat liver

The effects of phenobarbital (PB), 3-methylcholanthrene (MC), pyrazole (PY) and ethanol (EtOH) pretreatment on N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosobutylmethylamine (NBMA) and N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBzA) metabolism were examined in rats. In isolated hepatocytes, PB increased the metabolic decomposition of NBMA and NMBzA, and MC increased that of NBMA; PY and EtOH increased only that of NDMA. In studies of hepatic microsomal dealkylation, PB increased NBMA debutylation and NMBzA debenzylation, and MC increased NBMA debutylation; PY and EtOH increased NDMA demethylation selectively. Several cytochrome P450 (P450) species were active in dealkylating nitrosamines, indicating that the organ-specific carcinogenicity of nitrosamines might be changed by various P450 inducers.     

Positional specificity for methyl-n-amylnitrosamine hydroxylation by cytochrome P-450 isozymes determined with monoclonal antibodies

Inhibitory monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were used to determine the contribution of epitope-specific cytochrome P-450 isozymes in rat liver microsomes to hydroxylation of the esophageal carcinogen methyl-n-amylnitrosamine. These P-450-catalyzed reactions form 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-hydroxymethyl-n-amylnitrosamine, formaldehyde (demethylation), and pentaldehyde (depentylation). With uninduced microsomes from male rats, MAb 1-68-11 inhibited 4-hydroxylation by 73% and demethylation by 46%. This indicated the major contribution of constitutive male-specific P-450 IIC11 to the metabolism. Inhibition studies with MAbs 2-66-3 and 1-91-3 indicated that P-450 IIB1 contributed 19% and IIE1 35% to demethylation. With uninduced microsomes from females, MAb 1-68-11 produced similar inhibitions to those in male rats, indicating that female-specific P-450 IIC12 (which is closely related to IIC11) also catalyzed 4-hydroxylation and demethylation. With microsomes from 3-methylcholanthrene-induced male rats, P-450 IA1 and/or IA2 were responsible for 60% of 3-hydroxylation and 40% of depentylation. With microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rats, P-450 IIB1 and IIB2 catalyzed all 6 reactions but especially 4-hydroxylation and depentylation, which were 50-75% inhibited by MAb 2-66-3. Microsomes from Aroclor-induced males behaved as if they were induced by both 3-methylcholanthrene and phenobarbital. After treatment with isoniazid (a P-450 IIE1 inducer), inhibition by MAb 1-91-3 indicated a 45% contribution of P-450 IIE1 to demethylation, and both P-450 IIE1 and IIB1 (or IIB2) appear to have been induced. A major finding with uninduced microsomes was the high specificity of MAb 1-68-11 for inhibiting 4-hydroxylation, indicating that P-450 IIC11 and IIC12 catalyzed most of this omega-1-hydroxylation. In microsomes from induced rats, the MAb inhibitions showed the role of the induced P-450 IA1 (or IA2), IIB1 (or IIB2), and IIE1 in methyl-n-amylnitrosamine hydroxylation at different positions, as well as the presence of P-450 IIC11. This study illustrates the usefulness of inhibitory MAbs for defining the contribution of individual P-450s to position-specific metabolism.     

Enzyme mechanisms in the metabolism of nitrosamines.

Many nitrosamines are metabolized by cytochromes P450, one of which (P450IIE1) has received much attention because of its role in the metabolic activation of N-nitrosodimethylamine. This enzyme exists in man, rat, mouse, hamster and other animal species. It is inducible by fasting, diabetes and exposure to ethanol, acetone, isoniazid, benzene and other chemicals. P450IIE1 is responsible for the low Km form of N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase and is the major enzyme catalysing the metabolic activation of this carcinogen. In addition, P450IIE1 is the most active P450 species known in the metabolism of N-nitrosoethylmethylamine and N-nitrosopyrrolidine. In the metabolism of N-nitrosobutylmethylamine, P450IIE1 preferentially oxidizes the methyl group over the butyl group, whereas P450IIB1 efficiently oxidizes both the methyl and butyl groups. P450IIB1 also catalyses the alpha-oxygenation of both the pentyl and methyl groups of N-nitrosopentylmethylamine, forming pentaldehyde and formaldehyde at a rate ratio of 2:1, as well as oxygenation at other carbons of the pentyl group. Many nitrosamines are effectively activated in nonhepatic target tissues. The metabolism of 4-(N-nitroso-methylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone in lung and nasal microsomes is discussed.     

Metabolism of nitrosamines by purified rabbit liver cytochrome P-450 isozymes

The metabolism of nitrosamines by microsomal cytochrome P-450 (P-450) isozymes was studied in a reconstituted monooxygenase system. P-450 LM2, LM3a, LM3b and LM3c, LM4, and LM6 were purified, respectively, from the livers of phenobarbital-treated, ethanol-treated, untreated, isosafrole-treated, and imidazole-treated rabbits. Of these isozymes, LM3a had the highest N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase (NDMAd) activity with a Km of 2.9 mM and Vmax of 9.3 nmol/min/nmol. LM2, LM4, and LM6 exhibited NDMAd activity only at high N-nitrosodimethylamine concentrations, and isozymes LM3b and LM3c had poor activity even at the highest substrate concentrations examined. LM2, however, was more active than LM3a in the metabolism of N-nitrosomethylaniline. With each isozyme (LM3a or LM4), only one Km for NDMAd was observed, whereas with rabbit liver microsomes, multiple Km of 0.07, 0.27, and 36.8 mM were obtained. P-450 isozymes also catalyzed the denitrosation of nitrosamines at rates comparable to or lower than the demethylation, and the ratio of these two reactions was different with different nitrosamines. 2-Phenylethylamine and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, which were believed previously to affect NDMAd by mechanisms independent of P-450, were shown to be potent inhibitors of P-450-dependent NDMAd. These results further establish the role of P-450 isozymes in the metabolism of nitrosamines and indicate that LM3a is apparently responsible for the increased N-nitrosodimethylamine metabolism associated with ethanol treatment.     

Effects of ethanol on the DNA-damage induced by 2 carcinogenic nitrosamines

We studied the DNA single-strand breaks (DNA SSBs) induced by two nitrosamines using rat hepatocytelin situ nick translation assay. In the hepatocytes treated with 20 mu M of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), 100 mM ethanol enhanced DNA SSBs 3 times higher than those of control. However, there was no significant difference between the DNA SSBs with and without ethanol in 300 mu M of N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) treated groups. Pretreatment of 100 mM ethanol increased P450IIE1 levels determined by Western blotting, whereas the amount of total P450 was not affected. Although NDMA is possibly activated by P450IIE1, there could be other isozymes responsible for the activation of NDEA. Phenobarbital inducible isozymes such as P450IIB1 and IIB2, or P450IIA3 may be primarily responsible.     

Use of monoclonal antibodies to identify cytochrome P450 isozymes in rat liver microsomes that hydroxylate N-nitrosomethylamylamine at each of six positions

Inhibition of enzyme activity by monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) was used to indicate which cytochrome P450 isozymes in Sprague-Dawley rat liver microsomes catalyse hydroxylation of the oesophageal carcinogen N-nitrosomethyl-n-amylamine (NMAA) to give 2- to 5-hydroxy-NMAA (HO-NMAA), formaldehyde and pentaldehyde. Liver microsomes (0.3-0.6 mg protein) were incubated (15 min, 23 degrees C) with 0.4 mg MAb and, after adding NMAA to 6 mM, incubated for 20 min at 37 degrees C. Mixtures were analysed for HO-NMAAs by gas chromatography-thermal energy analysis and for aldehydes by high-performance liquid chromatography of their 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones. The percentage inhibition by each MAb indicates the percentage metabolism by the corresponding P450 isozyme(s). These results indicate that the MAb to P450 IIB1 cross-reacts with P450 IIE1 and that the MAb to male-specific constitutive IIC11 cross-reacts with female-specific IIC12. Taking this into account, the main results were as follows. With uninduced male microsomes, 4-hydroxylation was catalysed mainly by IIC11 and demethylation by IIC11 and IIE1. With uninduced female microsomes, P450s reacting with the MAb to IIC11 (probably mainly IIC12) were responsible for most of the 4-hydroxylation and demethylation. With 3-methylcholanthrene-induced male microsomes, most 3-hydroxylation and some depentylation were due to IA1 or IA2. With phenobarbital-induced microsomes, all six reactions, but especially 4-hydroxylation and depentylation, were largely due to IIB1. With Aroclor-induced microsomes, all six reactions were catalysed by IIB1 and IA1 or IA2. The role of P450 IIC11 in 4-(omega-1)-hydroxylation was striking.     

Biotransformation of N,N',N'-triethylenethiophosphoramide: oxidative desulfuration to yield N,N',N'-triethylenephosphoramide associated with suicide inactivation of a phenobarbital-inducible hepatic P-450 monooxygenase

Oxidative metabolism of the polyfunctional alkylating agent N,N',N'-triethylenethiophosphoramide (thio-TEPA) was studied in isolated rat liver microsomes and purified, reconstituted cytochrome P-450 (P-450) enzyme systems in order to elucidate the pathways of drug oxidation and to identify the possible contributions of individual P-450 enzymes to the bioactivation of this chemotherapeutic agent. Rat liver microsomes were found to catalyze conversion of thio-TEPA to its oxo metabolite, N,N',N'-triethylenephosphoramide (TEPA), in a P-450-dependent reaction that was markedly stimulated by prior in vivo treatment with drug inducers of hepatic P-450 subfamily IIB (phenobarbital), but not by pretreatment with inducers of P-450 subfamilies IA (beta-naphthoflavone) or IIE (isoniazid). Thio-TEPA depletion and TEPA formation catalyzed by phenobarbital-induced liver microsomes were both inhibited by greater than 90% by antibodies selectively reactive with P-450 PB-4 (gene product IIB1), the major phenobarbital-inducible rat liver microsomal P-450 form, but not by antibodies inhibitory toward 7 other rat hepatic P-450s. Oxidation of thio-TEPA to TEPA was also catalyzed by purified P-450 PB-4 (Km (app) 19 microM; Vmax (app) = 11 mol thio-TEPA metabolized/min/mol P-450 PB-4) following reconstitution of the cytochrome with NADPH P-450 reductase in a lipid environment. Metabolism of thio-TEPA by P-450 PB-4 was associated with a suicide inactivation of the cytochrome characterized by kinactivation = 0.096 min-1, KI = 24 microM, and a partition ratio of 136 +/- 28 (SD) mol thio-TEPA metabolized/mol P-450 inactivated. The thio-TEPA metabolite TEPA, however, did not inactivate the cytochrome, nor was it subject to further detectable metabolism. In microsomal incubations, metabolism of thio-TEPA led to the inactivation of P-450 PB-4 (steroid 16 beta-hydroxylase) as well as P-450 IIIA-related enzymes (steroid 6 beta-hydroxylase) and the P-450-independent enzyme steroid 17 beta-hydroxysteroid:NADP+ 17-oxidoreductase, as demonstrated by use of the P-450 form-selective steroidal substrate androst-4-ene-3,17-dione. In contrast, little or no inactivation of microsomal P-450 IIA-related enzymes (steroid 7 alpha-hydroxylase) or microsomal NADPH P-450 reductase was observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Metabolism of azoxymethane, methylazoxymethanol and N-nitrosodimethylamine by cytochrome P450IIE1

The metabolism of azoxymethane (AOM), methylazoxymethanol (MAM) and N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) by liver microsomes from acetone-induced rats as well as by a reconstituted system containing purified cytochrome P450IIE1 was examined. The products consisted of MAM from AOM; methanol and formic acid from MAM; and methylamine, formaldehyde, methanol, methylphosphate and formic acid from NDMA. Compared to liver microsomes from untreated rats, the metabolic activity of acetone-induced microsomes was approximately 4 times higher for all three carcinogens. Using the reconstituted system, the enzyme activities (nmol substrate metabolized/nmol P450/min) for AOM, MAM and NDMA were 2.88 +/- 1.14, 2.87 +/- 0.59 and 9.47 +/- 2.24 respectively. Incubations carried out in the presence of a monoclonal antibody to cytochrome P450IIE1 resulted in a 85-90% inhibition of all three reactions in this system. These results provide conclusive evidence that AOM, MAM and NDMA are metabolized by the same form of rat liver cytochrome P450. In addition, the stoichiometry of NDMA products formed in these reactions indicates that denitrosation, a presumed detoxication process, and alpha-hydroxylation, an activation reaction, are also catalyzed by the same cytochrome P450 isozyme.     

Metabolism of N-nitrosomethyl-n-amylamine by microsomes from human and rat esophagus.

Asymmetric dialkylnitrosamines induce esophageal cancer in rats and hence might be involved in the etiology of this cancer in humans. As a test of this hypothesis, we examined whether nitrosamines can be activated by segments of human esophagus and by microsomes of human and rat esophagus and liver. Specimens of 8 human esophagi were removed less than 6 h after death, and segments were incubated for 6 h with 23 and 300 microM N-nitrosomethyl-n-amylamine (NMAA). Hydroxy-NMAA yields were determined by gas chromatography-thermal energy analysis and were insignificant except for those of 5-hydroxy-NMAA, which were low. Microsomes were prepared from 4 batches of human esophagi and samples with 0.6 mg protein were incubated for 20 min with NMAA and cytochrome P-450 cofactors. We determined hydroxy-NMAAs as before and aldehydes by high-performance liquid chromatography of their 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones. Incubation of these microsomes with 12 mM NMAA yielded mean values of 0.64 nmol formaldehyde ("demethylation"), 0.21 nmol pentaldehyde ("depentylation"), and 0.56 nmol total hydroxy-NMAAs/min/mg protein. Metabolite yields under various conditions were determined, including a demonstration that carbon monoxide inhibited 81% of NMAA demethylation, indicating that cytochrome P-450 enzymes were involved. We also examined N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) demethylation by the same microsomes. Rat esophageal microsomes dealkylated NMAA and NDMA similarly to human esophageal microsomes, but with 2-6 times and twice the activity, respectively. Human and rat esophageal microsomes demethylated 6 mM NMAA 18-20 times as rapidly as they demethylated 5 mM NDMA, in contrast to liver microsomes of these species, which demethylated 6 mM NMAA only 0.9-1.4 times as rapidly as they demethylated 5 mM NDMA. However, liver microsomes of both species were more active than esophageal microsomes for NMAA depentylation. The occurrence of NMAA demethylation and (to a lesser extent) depentylation with both human and rat esophageal microsomes is important because these are the activating reactions, and suggests that both human and rat esophagus contain P-450 isozymes that specifically dealkylate asymmetric dialkylnitrosamines.     

Metabolism of carcinogenic nitrosamines by rat nasal mucosa and the effect of diallyl sulfide

Rat nasal cavity is one of the target organs for carcinogenesis induced by N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK). The present work investigated the metabolism of these nitrosamines by rat nasal microsomes, as well as the possible modulating factors. Microsomes prepared from rat nasal mucosa were efficient in metabolizing these nitrosamines. In general, the metabolism of the nitrosamines was slightly higher in 9-week-old rats than in 4-week-old animals, and there was no sex-related difference. Fasting of rats for 48 h, which is known to induce hepatic cytochrome P450IIE1 and NDMA metabolism, did not increase the nasal metabolism of NDMA, NDEA, or NNK. Pretreatment of rats with acetone, another inducer of hepatic P450IIE1, did not increase the metabolism of NDMA. Furthermore, it decreased the nasal metabolism of NDEA and NNK. Immunoinhibition studies suggest that, in the nasal mucosa, P450IIE1 is only partially responsible for the oxidation of NDMA and other P450 isozymes are responsible for the metabolism of NDEA. A single p.o. pretreatment of male rats with diallyl sulfide (DAS), a component of garlic oil, caused a significant decrease in the oxidative metabolism of NDEA and NNK in rat nasal mucosa. Whereas the nasal metabolism of NDMA was reduced by DAS pretreatment, there was no change in the amount of the nasal microsomal proteins immunoreactive with the antibodies against P450IIE1. The inhibitory effect of DAS on the nasal oxidative metabolism of NDMA, NDEA, and NNK was also observed in experiments in vitro. The results demonstrate the ability of nasal mucosa to metabolically activate these nitrosamines and the inhibition of this process by DAS, suggesting that DAS may be effective in inhibiting the related nasal tumorigenesis.     

Metabolism of N-nitrosodialkylamines by human liver microsomes

The metabolism of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosodiethylamine, N-nitrosobenzylmethylamine, and N-nitrosobutylmethylamine was investigated in incubations with human liver microsomes. All of the 16 microsomal samples studied were able to oxidize NDMA to both formaldehyde and nitrite at NDMA concentrations as low as 0.2 mM; the rates of product formation of the samples ranged from 0.18 to 2.99 nmol formaldehyde/min/mg microsomal protein (median, 0.53 nmol). At a concentration of 0.2 mM NDMA, the rates of denitrosation (nitrite formation) were 5 to 10% (median, 6.3%) those of demethylation (formaldehyde formation); the ratio of denitrosation to demethylation increased with increases in NDMA concentration, in a similar manner to rat liver microsomes. Immunoblot analysis with antibodies prepared against rat P-450ac (an acetone-inducible form of cytochrome P-450) indicated that the P-450ac [P-450j (isoniazid-inducible form)] orthologue in human liver microsomes had a slightly higher molecular weight than rat P-450ac and the amounts of P-450ac orthologue in human liver microsomes were highly correlated with NDMA demethylase activities (r = 0.971; P less than 0.001). Analysis of four selected microsomal samples showed that human liver microsomes exhibited at least three apparent Km and corresponding Vmax values for NDMA demethylase. This result, suggesting the metabolism of NDMA by different P-450 enzymes, is similar to that obtained with rat liver microsomes, even though most of the human samples had lower activities than did the rat liver microsomes. The high affinity Km values of the four human samples ranged from 27 to 48 microM (median, 35 microM), which were similar to or slightly lower than those observed in rat liver microsomes, indicating that human liver microsomes are as efficient as rat liver microsomes in the metabolism of NDMA. The human liver microsomes also catalyzed the dealkylation and denitrosation of other nitrosamines examined. The rates of product formation and the ratios of denitrosation to dealkylation varied with the structures and concentrations of the substrates as well as with the microsomal samples tested. The results indicate that human liver microsomes are capable of metabolizing N-nitrosodialkylamines via the pathways that have been established with rat liver microsomes.     

Effect of diallyl sulfide on rat liver microsomal nitrosamine metabolism and other monooxygenase activities

It has been reported that p.o. administration of diallyl sulfide (DAS), a naturally occurring component of garlic (Allium sativum), inhibits 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon and liver cancer in rodents. A possible mechanism for this protective effect is inhibition of hepatic activation of the procarcinogen. The effect of DAS on P450IIE1, an isozyme of cytochrome P-450 which is active in the oxidative metabolism of dimethylhydrazine, was conveniently assayed in the present study by determination of N-dimethylnitrosamine demethylase (NDMAd) activity at 1 mM N-dimethylnitrosamine in Sprague-Dawley rat liver microsomal incubations. DAS was found to be a competitive inhibitor of NDMAd, in contrast to the irreversible inactivation of NDMAd produced by carbon tetrachloride incubated under similar conditions. The inhibition by DAS of the demethylation of several substrates was selective. The thioether was most potent against N-dimethylnitrosamine, less effective against N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine, and essentially ineffective against benzphetamine and ethylmorphine. Microsomes prepared at 3 h after DAS administration (200 mg/kg in corn oil intragastrically) showed moderate inhibition (less than 30% inhibition compared to control microsomes) of several demethylase activities; however, microsomes prepared 18 h posttreatment showed a marked decrease (about 80% inhibition compared to controls) in NDMAd activity, minor effects on other demethylase activities, and a 6-fold increase in pentoxyresorufin dealkylation. These trends at 18 h agreed with immunoblot analyses which showed suppression in the level of P450IIE1 and an elevation in P450IIB1. The selective inhibition of P450IIE1 activity and suppression of its level in microsomes may contribute to the reported chemoprotective effects of DAS.     

Induction of cytochrome P-450 and 5-aminolevulinate synthase activities in cultured rat hepatocytes

Cytochromes P-450IIB1 and P-450IIB2 were recently shown to be inducible in rat hepatocyte cultures maintained on a reconstituted extracellular tumor matrix (Matrigel) as indicated by increases in P-450IIB1 and -IIB2 mRNAs and immunoreactive proteins (J. Cell. Physiol., 134: 309-323, 1988). Here we show that treatment of cultured rat hepatocytes with phenobarbital and other compounds known to induce P-450IIB1/2 in vivo increased spectral cytochrome P-450, immunoreactive proteins, and benzyloxy- and pentoxy-resorufin dealkylases, activities known to be specific for cytochrome P-450IIB1/2. These increases were observed when cells were cultured on either Matrigel or collagen matrix in Williams E medium. Cytochrome P-450III was also increased by phenobarbital and dexamethasone on either matrix. Propoxycoumarin depropylase activity, which has been proposed as a specific activity catalyzed by cytochrome P-450III, was increased 3-4-fold more by treatment with 3-methylcholanthrene than by phenobarbital or dexamethasone. The activity catalyzed by P-450III could be distinguished from that catalyzed by other P-450 forms using the specific inhibitor triacetyloleandomycin. Benzoyloxyresorufin dealkylase was also increased in these cells by treatment with 2,4,5,2',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl, glutethimide, or mephenytoin. Treatment with phenobarbital or 2-allyl-2-isopropylacetamide slightly induced 5-aminolevulinate synthase activity. 5-Aminolevulinate synthase activity was slightly increased in cells treated with phenobarbital or 2-allyl-2-isopropylacetamide. Succinyl acetone also induced 5-aminolevulinate synthase activity and, in combination with either of the other two drugs, synergistically increased the enzyme activity regardless of whether cells were cultured on collagen or Matrigel. These results indicate that with simple and economical enzyme assays for holocytochrome P-450 and 5-aminolevulinate synthase, the rat hepatocyte culture system can be used for studies of the interrelationships between phenobarbital induction of cytochrome P-450 and heme metabolism.     

Molecular basis for the sex-related difference in renal N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase in C3H/HeJ mice

Previous work with rat and rabbit liver enzymes has demonstrated that cytochrome P450IIE1 is responsible for the metabolism of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a widely occurring carcinogen. The present study demonstrated that a similar enzyme also exists in the mouse kidney and is regulated by testosterone. These results can account for the reported sex-related difference in the renal metabolism of NDMA in mouse strains such as C3H/HeJ. NDMA demethylase activities (expressed as pmol/min/mg protein) in kidney microsomes of female and male C3H/HeJ mice were 3.0 +/- 0.7 and 51.9 +/- 11.2, respectively. After testosterone treatment (500 mg/kg b.w. in olive oil, s.c.) for 2 days, the renal NDMA demethylase activity of the female mice was elevated 17-fold. The difference and change in NDMA demethylase activity were accompanied by corresponding differences and changes in P450IIE1 as quantified by immunoblot analysis (using antibodies prepared against rat P450IIE1) as well as in the mRNA level for P450IIE1 as determined by Northern and slot blot analyses (using a cDNA probe containing the coding sequence of rat P450IIE1 gene). Based on gel electrophoresis, the molecular weight of mouse renal P450IIE1 was 52,000 and the size of mouse renal P450IIE1 mRNA was approximately 1.8 kilobases; both were similar to those found in rat liver and kidney. Renal P450IIE1 mRNA levels in female, male, and testosterone-treated female mice were at a ratio of 1:22:20. On the other hand, this testosterone-related difference was not observed in hepatic P450IIE1. In liver microsomes, there were no significant differences in NDMA demethylase activity, P450IIE1 content, and P450IIE1 mRNA level between male and female mice or between untreated and testosterone-treated female mice. The apparent Km value of NDMA demethylase in mouse kidney microsomes (22 to 27 microM NDMA) were similar to that in rat liver microsomes. Renal NDMA demethylase activity was inhibited by a monoclonal antibody prepared against rat P450IIE1. These results suggest that mouse renal P450IIE1 is similar to rat P450IIE1 and is responsible for the low Km form of NDMA demethylase activity. Nevertheless, only the mouse renal enzyme is regulated by testosterone.     

The effect of ellagic acid on xenobiotic metabolism by cytochrome P-450IIE1 and nitrosodimethylamine mutagenicity.

Ellagic acid (EA) is an inhibitor of the in vitro mutagenicity of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100 using pyrazole-induced rat liver 9000 x g supernatant (S-9). In order to understand this activity, the effect of EA on the metabolic hydroxylation of 4-nitrophenol, a substrate, as is NDMA, for cytochrome P-450IIE1 was studied using pyrazole induced rat S-9 and microsomal protein. It is shown that EA has an inhibitory effect on 4-nitrophenol hydroxylase with both enzyme preparations. This effect on cytochrome P-450IIE1 may be responsible, at least in part, for the inhibition of NDMA mutagenicity by EA.     

Differential rates of metabolic activation and detoxication of the food mutagen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine by different cytochrome P450 enzymes

Rat liver microsomes metabolized the food mutagen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) to the genotoxic metabolite 2-hydroxamino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (2-hydroxamino-PhIP) and to the detoxified product 2-amino-4'-hydroxy-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (4'-hydroxy-PhIP). A 25-fold higher rate of metabolism was measured in microsomes from polychlorinated-biphenyl-treated rats (94 nmol/mg proteins/30 min) in comparison with those from untreated rats. Other effective inducers of PhIP metabolism were beta-naphthoflavone and isosafrole (ISF), whereas phenobarbital was ineffective. About twice as much 2-hydroxamino-PhIP as 4'-hydroxy-PhIP was formed in microsomes irrespective of the inducer the rats had been treated with. The metabolism was dependent on NADPH and was abolished by the cytochrome P450 inhibitor alpha-naphthoflavone. In a reconstituted enzyme system purified rat cytochrome P450 IA2 (P450ISF-G) had the highest N-hydroxylation rate (30 nmol/nmol P450/30 min) closely followed by the rat cytochrome P450 IA1 (P450BNF-B). Less activity was seen with rat P450 IIC11 (P450UT-A) and rabbit P450 IA2 (P450 LM4). Rat P450 IIE1 (P450j), P450 IIB1 (P450PB-B) and rabbit P450 IIB4 (P450 LM-2) and P450 IIE1 (P450 LM3a) were essentially inactive. Rat P450 IA1 (P450BNF-B) produced five times more 4'-hydroxy-PhIP (32 +/- 2 nmol/nmol P450/30 min) than did P450 IA2 (P450ISF-G). Hence, the measured ratio of activation to detoxication for rat P450 IA2 (P450ISF-G) enzyme was 7-fold higher than that of the other active P450 enzymes.     

Participation of cytochrome P-450 in reductive metabolism of 1-nitropyrene by rat liver microsomes

Reductive metabolism of carcinogenic 1-nitropyrene by rat liver microsomes and reconstituted cytochrome P-450 systems was investigated. Under the nitrogen atmosphere, 1-aminopyrene was the only detected metabolite of 1-nitropyrene. The reductase activity in liver 105,000 X g supernatant fraction was ascribed to DT-diaphorase, aldehyde oxidase, and other unknown enzyme(s) from the results of cofactor requirements and inhibition experiments. The microsomal reductase activity was inhibited by oxygen, carbon monoxide, 2,4-dichloro-6-phenylphenoxyethylamine, and n-octylamine. Flavin mononucleotide markedly enhanced the activity, and 2-diethylaminoethyl-2,2-diphenylvalerate hydrochloride also enhanced it, but slightly. The microsomal activity was induced by the pretreatment of rats with 3-methylcholanthrene, sodium phenobarbital, or polychlorinated biphenyl, and the increments of the activity correlated well with those of the specific contents of cytochrome P-450 in microsomes. The reductase activity could be reconstituted by NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and forms of cytochrome P-450 purified from liver microsomes of polychlorinated biphenyl-induced rats. Among four forms of cytochrome P-450 examined, an isozyme P-448-IId which showed high activity in hydroxylation of benzo(a)pyrene catalyzed most efficiently the reduction of 1-nitropyrene. The results of this study indicate the central role of cytochrome P-450 in the reductive metabolism of 1-nitropyrene in liver microsomes.     

Metabolic activation of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone as measured by DNA alkylation in vitro and its inhibition by isothiocyanates

The bioactivation of the tobacco-specific nitrosamine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), by microsomes from target organs was studied with an in vitro microsome-mediated DNA alkylation system. Mouse lung, rat lung, and rat nasal microsomes catalyzed a time- and protein-dependent DNA methylation by [methyl-3H]NNK with activities of 4.11, 0.95, and 137.4 pmol/mg DNA/mg protein/h, respectively. The DNA methylation of NNK catalyzed by all three microsomal systems was inhibited by cytochrome P-450 inhibitors, such as carbon monoxide and metyrapone, but not by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, aspirin, or by prolonged preincubation in the absence of NADPH. The possible involvement of specific P450 isozymes was assessed by specific inhibitory antibodies. An anti-P450IIB1&2 antibody significantly inhibited the DNA methylation by 45 and 32% in mouse lung and rat lung, respectively, whereas anti-P450IA1 and anti-P450IIE1 antibodies failed to show significant inhibition. All antibodies showed no inhibition in rat nasal microsomes. Glutathione inhibited the DNA methylation in a concentration-dependent manner in all three microsomal systems. Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), at doses of 0.25 and 1.00 mmol/kg body weight, was given intragastrically 2 h before sacrifice to mice and 24 h before sacrifice to rats, respectively; both mouse and rat lung microsomal activities were inhibited by about 40 and 90% by the low- and high-dose PEITC treatments, respectively. The rat nasal microsomes were only inhibited by the high-dose PEITC treatment by about 40%. PEITC, 4-phenylbutyl isothiocyanate, and 6-phenylhexyl isothiocyanate all inhibited the microsome-mediated DNA methylation of NNK in vitro, with 4-phenylbutyl isothiocyanate and 6-phenylhexyl isothiocyanate being more potent than PEITC and the mouse lung microsomes more sensitive than the rat lung and nasal microsomes. All three microsomal systems were shown to catalyze the in vitro DNA pyridyloxobutylation by [5-3H]NNK. On an equal protein basis, the rat nasal microsomes were much more active in catalyzing the DNA pyridyloxobutylation.     

Purification and characterization of cytochrome P-450 induced by benz(a)anthracene in mouse skin microsomes

Topical application of benz(a)anthracene to mouse skin elicited a 2-fold increase in cytochrome P-450 content, with accompanying increases in monooxygenase activities such as benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylation, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation, and acetanilide 4-hydroxylation, in the microsomes. A major form of cytochrome P-450 was purified from skin microsomes of mice treated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. A specific content of 1.95 nmol/mg of protein, which corresponded to 48-fold purification from the microsomes, was observed. The purified protein produced a single major band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis having a molecular weight of 55,000. Using Western blotting, the band immunochemically cross-reacted with antibody which had been raised against rat liver cytochrome P-450MC-1. The purified preparation efficiently catalyzed benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylation and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation when reconstituted with NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. These activities were inhibited by 7,8-benzoflavone as well as anti-cytochrome P-450MC-1 antibody, but not by P-450PB-1 antibody. The results indicate that, in mouse skin microsomes, a cytochrome P-450 induced by benz(a)anthracene is enzymatically and immunochemically similar to rat liver cytochrome P-450MC-1. It is suggested that this enzyme plays an important role in the activation of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.