Common human UGT1A polymorphisms and the altered metabolism of irinotecan active metabolite 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38)

7-Ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) is the pharmacologically active metabolite of irinotecan, in addition to being responsible for severe toxicity. Glucuronidation is the main metabolic pathway of SN-38 and has been shown to protect against irinotecan-induced gastrointestinal toxicity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether common polymorphic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) affects SN-38 glucuronidation. First, kinetic characterization of SN-38-glucuronide (SN-38-G) formation was assessed for all known human UGT1A and UGT2B overexpressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. To assess the relative activity of UGT isoenzymes for SN-38, rates of formation of SN-38-G were monitored by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis and normalized by level of UGT cellular expression. Determination of intrinsic clearances predicts that hepatic UGT1A1 and UGT1A9 and the extrahepatic UGT1A7 are major components in SN-38-G formation, whereas a minor role is suggested for UGT1A6, UGT1A8, and UGT1A10. In support of the involvement of UGT1A9, a strong coefficient of correlation was observed in the glucuronidation of SN-38 and a substrate, mainly glucuronidate, by UGT1A9 (flavopiridol) by human liver microsomes (coefficient of correlation, 0.905; p = 0.002). In vitro functional experiments revealed a negative impact of the UGT1A1 allelic variants. Residual activities of 49, 7, 8, and 11% were observed for UGT1A1*6 (G(71)R), UGT1A1*27 (P(229)Q), UGT1A1*35 (L(233)R), and UGT1A1*7 (Y(486)D), respectively. Common variants of UGT1A7, UGT1A7*3 (N(129)K;R(131)K;W(208)R), and UGT1A7*4 (W(208)R), displayed residual activities of 41 and 28% compared with the UGT1A7*1 allele. Taken together, these data provide the evidence that molecular determinants of irinotecan response may include the UGT1A polymorphisms studied herein and common genetic variants of the hepatic UGT1A9 isoenzyme yet to be described.     

Kinetic modeling of the interactions between 4-methylumbelliferone, 1-naphthol, and zidovudine glucuronidation by udp-glucuronosyltransferase 2B7 (UGT2B7) provides evidence for multiple substrate binding and effector sites

Interactions between the UGT2B7-catalyzed glucuronidation of zidovudine (AZT), 4-methylumbelliferone (4MU), and 1-naphthol (1NP) were analyzed using multisite and empirical kinetic models to explore the existence of multiple substrate and effector binding sites within this important drug metabolizing enzyme. 4MU and 1NP glucuronidation by UGT2B7 exhibit sigmoidal kinetics characteristic of homotropic cooperativity (autoactivation), which may be modeled assuming the existence of two equivalent, interacting substrate binding sites. In contrast, UGT2B7-catalyzed AZT glucuronidation follows hyperbolic (Michaelis-Menten) kinetics. Although 4MU and 1NP decreased the binding affinity of AZT, the kinetics of AZT glucuronidation changed from hyperbolic to sigmoidal in the presence of both modifiers. Data were well described by a generic two-substrate binding site model in which there is no interaction between the sites in the absence of 4MU or 1NP, but heterotropic cooperativity results from the binding of modifier. Inhibition of 4MU and 1NP glucuronidation by AZT and interactions between 4MU and 1NP required more complex three-site models, where the modifier acts via a distinct effector site to alter either substrate binding affinity or Vmax without affecting the homotropic cooperativity characteristic of 4MU and 1NP glucuronidation. It is noteworthy that 1NP inhibited 4MU glucuronidation, whereas 4MU activated 1NP glucuronidation. The results are consistent with the existence of two "catalytic" sites for each substrate within the UGT2B7 active site, along with multiple effector sites. The multiplicity of binding and effector sites results in complex kinetic interactions between UGT2B7 substrates, which potentially complicates inhibition screening studies.     

Human udp-glucuronosyltransferases: isoform selectivity and kinetics of 4-methylumbelliferone and 1-naphthol glucuronidation, effects of organic solvents, and inhibition by diclofenac and probenecid.

The glucuronidation kinetics of the prototypic substrates 4-methylumbelliferone (4MU) and 1-naphthol (1NP) by human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) 1A1, 1A3, 1A4, 1A6, 1A7, 1A8, 1A9, 1A10, 2B7, 2B15, and 2B17 were investigated. Where activity was demonstrated, inhibitory effects of diclofenac, probenecid, and the solvents acetone, acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethanol, and methanol were characterized. All isoforms except UGT1A4 glucuronidated 4MU, whereas all but UGT 1A4, 2B15, and 2B17 metabolized 1NP. However, kinetic models varied with substrate (for the same isoform) and from isoform to isoform (with the same substrate). Hyperbolic (Michaelis-Menten), substrate inhibition, and sigmoidal kinetics were variably observed for both 4MU and 1NP glucuronidation by the various UGTs. K(m) or S(50) (sigmoidal kinetics) and V(max) values varied 525- (8-4204 microM) and 1386-fold, respectively, for 4MU glucuronidation, and 1360- (1.3-1768 microM) and 37-fold, respectively, for 1NP glucuronidation. The use of a two-site model proved useful for those reactions exhibiting non-Michaelis-Menten glucuronidation kinetics. The organic solvents generally had a relatively minor effect on UGT isoform activity. UGT 2B15 and 2B17 were most susceptible to the presence of solvent, although solvent-selective inhibition was occasionally observed with other isoforms. Diclofenac and probenecid inhibited all isoforms, precluding the use of these compounds for the reaction phenotyping of xenobiotic glucuronidation pathways in human tissues. Diclofenac and probenecid K(i) values, determined for selected isoforms, ranged from 11 to 52 microM and 96 to 2452 microM, respectively. Overall, the results emphasize the need for the careful design and interpretation of kinetic and inhibition studies with human UGTs.     

Effect of a conserved mutation in uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 and 1A6 on glucuronidation of a metabolite of flutamide

OBJECTIVE: We investigated how the conserved mutation (Y486D) changed the kinetic parameters of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 and 1A6 (UGT1A1 and 1A6) for 2-amino-5-nitro-4-trifluoromethylphenol, which is a major metabolite of flutamide, a nonsteroidal antiandrogenic agent. METHODS: The wild-type or mutant cDNA-expressed UGT was co-incubated with 2-amino-5-nitro-4-trifluoromethylphenol (aglycone) and uridine diphosphate-glucuronic acid (UDP-GA, donor substrate). The glucuronidation of the aglycone was determined. RESULTS: The maximum velocities of the mutant UGT1A1 and UGT1A6 were about 12% and less than 1% of the corresponding wild-type, respectively. The Michaelis constant (K(M)) for the aglycone of the wild-type UGT1A1 was double that of the mutant, but the K(M) for UDP-GA of the wild-type UGT1A1 was not significantly different from that of the mutant. CONCLUSION: Patients with Y486D may accumulate excessive 2-amino-5-nitro-4-trifluoromethylphenol, which might lead to unexpected toxicity.     

Glucuronidation of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38), an active metabolite of irinotecan (CPT-11), by human UGT1A1 variants, G71R, P229Q, and Y486D.

7-Ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38), an active metabolite of antitumor agent irinotecan (CPT-11), is conjugated and detoxified to SN-38-glucuronide by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1. Genetic polymorphisms in UGT1A1 are thought to contribute to severe diarrhea and/or leukopenia caused by CPT-11. In this regard, it has been reported that polymorphisms in the promoter region could affect the CPT-11 pharmacokinetics and interindividual variation of toxicity. However, little information is available on the influence of UGT1A1 polymorphisms in the coding region on the SN-38 glucuronidation activity. In the present study, wild-type (WT) and three variant (G71R, P229Q, and Y486D) cDNAs of human UGT1A1s were transiently expressed in COS-1 cells, and the kinetic parameters of these UGT1A1s were determined for SN-38 glucuronidation. A partially reduced UGT1A1 protein expression was observed in COS-1 cells for G71R and Y486D. WT UGT1A1 catalyzed SN-38 glucuronidation with an apparent K(m) value of 11.5 microM, whereas those of G71R, P229Q, and Y486D were 14.0, 18.0, and 63.5 microM, respectively. The SN-38 glucuronidation efficiency ratio (V(max)/K(m)) normalized for the level of expression was 1.4, 0.66 (47% of WT), 0.73 (52%), and 0.07 (5%) microl/min/mg of protein for WT, G71R, P229Q, and Y486D, respectively. Thus, the SN-38 glucuronidation activity of Y486D was drastically reduced, whereas the reduction in the G71R and P229Q activities was fractional. The decreased SN-38 glucuronidation efficiency ratio of G71R and P229Q could be critical in combination with other polymorphisms in the UGT1A1 gene.     

Kinetic and inhibitor studies of 4-methylumbelliferone and 1-naphthol glucuronidation in human liver microsomes

The glucuronidation kinetics of 4-methylumbelliferone (4MU) and 1-naphthol (1NP) have been investigated in human liver microsomes to determine the validity of using these compounds as probes for specific UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (GT) activities in human liver. 4MU glucuronidation followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, whereas 1NP glucuronidation kinetics were biphasic. Cross inhibition studies were performed with 4MU and 1NP to determine the relationship between 4MU glucuronidation and the two phases of 1NP glucuronidation. 4MU glucuronidation was competitively inhibited by 1NP but 4MU inhibited only the high affinity component of 1NP glucuronidation. There was good agreement between the apparent Km values for 4MU and the high affinity component of 1NP glucuronidation and their respective apparent K1 values determined in the cross inhibition studies. These data suggest that the same form(s) of human liver GT is involved in 4MU glucuronidation and the high affinity component of 1NP glucuronidation. A number of compounds known to be specific substrates for purified rat liver GTs were screened for inhibitory effects on 4MU glucuronidation in human liver microsomes. 4-Nitrophenol, 2-aminophenol and androsterone inhibited 4MU glucuronidation whereas bilirubin, chloramphenicol, digitoxigenin monodigitoxoside, morphine, oestrone and testosterone had no effect. 4-Nitrophenol and 2-aminophenol were competitive inhibitors of 4MU glucuronidation but the inhibition of 4MU glucuronidation by androsterone followed atypical kinetics. Overall, the substrate specificity of the human liver 4MU/high affinity 1NP-GT activity appears to be broadly similar to that of the 3-methylcholanthrene inducible rat hepatic microsomal GT.     

UGT1A polymorphisms in a Swedish cohort and a human diversity panel, and the relation to bilirubin plasma levels in males and females

Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of different polymorphisms and haplotypes associated with individual variations in pharmacokinetics and drug toxicity in the uridine-diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) 1A gene in a Swedish cohort (248 healthy volunteers) and in 14 different ethnic groups. We also estimated UGT1A genotype-dependent glucuronidation efficiency using the endogenous substrate bilirubin as an indicator.Methods Pyrosequencing-based genotyping assays were used to determine the different polymorphisms and haplotypes.Results Haplotype analysis of the UGT1A1 (*1*28), UGT1A6 (*1*2), and UGT1A7(*1*2*3*4) allelic variants showed that three major haplotypes constituted 84% of the allelic variants in the cohort. We identified 15 haplotypes altogether from all groups, including previously undescribed haplotypes.Testing for the association of genotype and total bilirubin levels (nonfasting) in plasma disclosed that homozygous carriers of the TA allele, irrespective of haplotype combinations, had increased levels of bilirubin compared with noncarriers, but a gender-associated difference was observed.Conclusions In a Swedish cohort, several genetic variants in the UGT1A gene are common, but prevalence in a population may differ because of ethnicity. A phenotype based on bilirubin levels has limitations in serving as an indicator of pharmacogenetic differences in glucuronidation due to the influence of gender. Because of possible substrate overlap regarding different UGT1A isoforms, determination of haplotypes of potential cis-acting polymorphisms in the UGT1A gene should be considered in pharmacogenetic association studies regarding drugs that undergo glucuronidation.     

The interactions between the N-terminal and C-terminal domains of the human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases are partly isoform-specific, and may involve both monomers

The pathological mutation Y486D was previously shown to reduce the activities of the UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) 1A1 and 1A6 by about 88% and 99%, respectively. Surprisingly, the corresponding mutation in UGT1A9 (Y483D) doubled the Vmax of scopoletin glucuronidation, whereas the entacapone glucuronidation rate was decreased by about 50%. Due to the primary structure identity of the C-terminal half of all the human UGTs of the 1A subfamily, the sharp differences between them in the effect of a mutation deep inside the C-terminal half suggested that there are isoform-specific interactions between the variable N- and the conserved C-terminal halves. In dimeric enzymes, like the UGTs, such interactions might either occur within the same polypeptide, or between opposite monomers. The latter implies functional monomer-monomer interactions, and this was investigated using hetero-dimeric UGTs. Insect cells were co-infected with mixtures containing different combinations of recombinant baculoviruses encoding either UGT1A4 or 1A9Sol. The UGT1A4 was selected because it glucuronidates neither entacapone nor scopoletin at significant rates. The active enzyme in these hetero-dimers was 1A9Sol, a truncation mutant of UGT1A9 that exhibited a very low ratio of entacapone to scopoletin glucuronidation rates. Interestingly, the ratio of entacapone to scopoletin glucuronidation rates in the co-infected cells was dependent on, and markedly increased with, the probability that 1A9Sol forms hetero-dimers with UGT1A4. In addition, the apparent Km for entacapone in the hetero-dimers was much lower than in 1A9Sol, and resembled the corresponding value in full-length UGT1A9. The results, thus, revealed important monomer-monomer interactions within the UGTs.     

Raloxifene glucuronidation in human intestine, kidney, and liver microsomes and in human liver microsomes genotyped for the UGT1A1*28 polymorphism

Raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, exhibits quite large interindividual variability in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. In women, raloxifene is metabolized extensively by different isoforms of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) to its glucuronides. To gain an insight into intestine, kidney, liver, and lung glucuronidation of raloxifene, human microsomes of all tested organs were used. Raloxifene-6-β-glucuronide (M1) formation followed the Michaelis-Menten kinetics in intestinal, kidney, and liver microsomes; meanwhile, raloxifene-4'-β-glucuronide (M2) formation followed the substrate inhibition kinetics. Human lung microsomes did not show any glucuronidation activity. The tissue intrinsic clearances for kidney, intestine, and liver were 3.4, 28.1, and 39.6 ml · min(-1) · kg(-1), respectively. The aim of our in vitro study was to explain the mechanism behind the observed influence of UGT1A1*28 polymorphism on raloxifene pharmacokinetics in a small-sized in vivo study (Br J Clin Pharmacol 67:437-444, 2009). Incubation of raloxifene with human liver microsomes genotyped for UGT1A1*28 showed a significantly reduced metabolic clearance toward M1 in microsomes from donors with *28 allele. On the contrary, no significant genotype influence was observed on the formation of M2 because of the high variability in estimated apparent kinetic parameters, although a clear trend toward lower glucuronidation activities was observed when UGT1A1*28 polymorphism was present. The liver intrinsic clearances of both homozygotes differed significantly, whereas the clearance of heterozygotes did not differ from the wild-type and the mutated homozygotes. In conclusion, our results show the high importance of the liver and intestine in raloxifene glucuronidation. Moreover, the significant influence of UGT1A1*28 polymorphism on metabolism of raloxifene was confirmed.     

Human UGT1A6 pharmacogenetics: identification of a novel SNP, characterization of allele frequencies and functional analysis of recombinant allozymes in human liver tissue and in cultured cells

BACKGROUND: UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes catalyze the glucuronidation and typically inactivation of endogenous and exogenous molecules including steroid hormones, bilirubin and many drugs. The UGT1A6 protein is expressed predominantly in liver and metabolizes small phenolic drugs including acetaminophen, salicylates and many beta-blockers. Interindividual variation in the capacity of humans to glucuronidate drugs has been observed. RESULTS: We have identified a novel common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the human UGT1A6 gene resulting in a Ser7Ala change in encoded amino acid. We have further functionally characterized that polymorphism in the context of two previously reported polymorphisms, Thr181Ala and Arg184Ser. These non-synonymous cSNPs define four common haplotypes. Alleles appear with similar frequencies in Caucasian and African-American populations with distributions adhering to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. UGT1A6 genotype, rate of substrate glucuronidation and level of immunoreactive UGT1A6 protein was determined. A 25-fold variation in the rate of substrate glucuronidation and an 85-fold variation in level of immunoreactive protein were measured. Liver tissue samples that were homozygous for UGT1A6*2 exhibited a high rate of glucuronidation relative to tissues with other genotypes. Biochemical kinetic studies of recombinant UGT1A6 expressed in HEK293 cells indicated that the UGT1A6*2 allozyme, expressed homozygously, had almost two-fold greater activity toward p-nitrophenol than UGT1A6*1 and when expressed heterozygously (UGT1A6*1/*2) it was associated with low enzyme activity. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that common genetic variation in human UGT1A6 confers functionally significant differences in biochemical phenotype as assessed in human tissue and cultured cells expressing recombinant allozymes. This genetic variation might impact clinical efficacy or toxicity of drugs metabolized by UGT1A6.     

Limited influence of UGT1A1*28 and no effect of UGT2B7*2 polymorphisms on UGT1A1 or UGT2B7 activities and protein expression in human liver microsomes

AIMS: UGT1A1 and UGT2B7 are enzymes that commonly contribute to drug glucuronidation. Since genetic factors have been suggested to contribute to variability in activities and expression levels of these enzymes, a quantitative assessment of the influence of the major genotypes (UGT1A1*28 or UGT2B7*2) on enzyme activities was conducted. METHODS: Using a bank of microsomal samples from 59 human livers, the effect of UGT1A1*28 or UGT2B7*2 polymorphisms were investigated on rates of estradiol 3-glucuronidation (a marker of UGT1A1 enzyme activity) or zidovudine glucuronidation (a marker of UGT2B7 enzyme activity) and levels of immunoreactive protein for each enzyme. Glucuronidation rates for both enzymes were measured at K(m)/S(50) and 10 times K(m)/S(50) concentrations. RESULTS: UGT1A1 and UGT2B7 enzyme activities varied up to 16-fold and sixfold, respectively. Rates at K(m)/S(50) concentration closely correlated with rates at 10 times K(m)/S(50) concentration for both enzymes (but not at 1/10th K(m) for UGT2B7). Enzyme activities correlated with relative levels of immunoreactive protein for UGT1A1 and UGT2B7. Furthermore, rates of zidovudine glucuronidation correlated well with rates of glucuronidation of the UGT2B7 substrate gemcabene, but did not correlate with UGT1A1 enzyme activities. For the UGT1A1*28 polymorphism, consistent with levels of UGT1A1 immunoreactive protein, mean UGT1A1 activity was 2.5- and 3.2-fold lower for TA(6)/TA(7) (P < 0.05) and TA(7)/TA(7) (P < 0.001) genotypes in comparison with the TA(6)/TA(6) genotype. CONCLUSIONS: Relative to the observed 16-fold variability in UGT1A1 activity, these data indicate only a partial (approximately 40%) contribution of the UGT1A1*28 polymorphism to variability of interindividual differences in UGT1A1 enzyme activity. For the UGT2B7*2 polymorphism, genotype had no influence on immunoreactive UGT2B7 protein or the rate of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine glucuronidation.     

Effects of beta-estradiol and propofol on the 4-methylumbelliferone glucuronidation in recombinant human UGT isozymes 1A1, 1A8 and 1A9

The effects of beta-estradiol and propofol on human UGT1A1, 1A8 and 1A9 activities were investigated using 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU) as a substrate for glucuronidation. The formation of 4-MU glucuronide (4-MUG) from 4-MU, in recombinant human UGT 1A1, 1A8 and 1A9 was determined using HPLC with fluorescence detection. The glucuronidation activity of 4-MU was the highest in UGT1A9 with an apparent K(m) value of 8.3 microM, while that in UGT1A1 and 1A8 was linear to at least 100 microM. beta-estradiol had potent inhibitory effects on UGT1A9 as well as on UGT1A1 with IC(50) values of 2.1 and 7.2 microM, respectively. Propofol inhibited UGT1A9 activity with an IC(50) of 55 microM, while the IC(50) value was much higher for UGT1A8. In contrast, beta-estradiol and propofol activated 4-MU glucuronidation in UGT1A1 and 1A8, respectively. This study therefore indicates that the use of beta-estradiol as a specific inhibitor for UGT1A1 should be used with care in the identification of UGT isozymes responsible for glucuronidation in human liver microsomes.     

Troglitazone glucuronidation in human liver and intestine microsomes: high catalytic activity of UGT1A8 and UGT1A10.

Troglitazone glucuronidation in human liver and intestine microsomes and recombinant UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) were thoroughly characterized. All recombinant UGT isoforms in baculovirus-infected insect cells (UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A4, UGT1A6, UGT1A7, UGT1A8, UGT1A9, UGT1A10, UGT2B7, and UGT2B15) exhibited troglitazone glucuronosyltransferase activity. Especially UGT1A8 and UGT1A10, which are expressed in extrahepatic tissues such as stomach, intestine, and colon, showed high catalytic activity, followed by UGT1A1 and UGT1A9. The kinetics of the troglitazone glucuronidation in the recombinant UGT1A10 and UGT1A1 exhibited an atypical pattern of substrate inhibition when the substrate concentration was over 200 micro M. With a Michaelis-Menten equation at 6 to 200 micro M troglitazone, the K(m) value was 11.1 +/- 5.8 micro M and the V(max) value was 33.6 +/- 3.7 pmol/min/mg protein in recombinant UGT1A10. In recombinant UGT1A1, the K(m) value was 58.3 +/- 29.2 micro M and the V(max) value was 12.3 +/- 2.5 pmol/min/mg protein. The kinetics of the troglitazone glucuronidation in human liver and jejunum microsomes also exhibited an atypical pattern. The K(m) value was 13.5 +/- 2.0 micro M and the V(max) value was 34.8 +/- 1.2 pmol/min/mg for troglitazone glucuronidation in human liver microsomes, and the K(m) value was 8.1 +/- 0.3 micro M and the V(max) was 700.9 +/- 4.3 pmol/min/mg protein in human jejunum microsomes. When the intrinsic clearance was estimated with the in vitro kinetic parameter, microsomal protein content, and weight of tissue, troglitazone glucuronidation in human intestine was 3-fold higher than that in human livers. Interindividual differences in the troglitazone glucuronosyltransferase activity in liver microsomes from 13 humans were at most 2.2-fold. The troglitazone glucuronosyltransferase activity was significantly (r = 0.579, p < 0.05) correlated with the beta-estradiol 3-glucuronosyltransferase activity, which is mainly catalyzed by UGT1A1. The troglitazone glucuronosyltransferase activity in pooled human liver microsomes was strongly inhibited by bilirubin (IC(50) = 1.9 micro M), a typical substrate of UGT1A1. These results suggested that the troglitazone glucuronidation in human liver would be mainly catalyzed by UGT1A1. Interindividual differences in the troglitazone glucuronosyltransferase activity in S-9 samples from five human intestines was 8.2-fold. The troglitazone glucuronosyltransferase activity in human jejunum microsomes was strongly inhibited by emodin (IC(50) = 15.6 micro M), a typical substrate of UGT1A8 and UGT1A10, rather than by bilirubin (IC(50) = 154.0 micro M). Therefore, it is suggested that the troglitazone glucuronidation in human intestine might be mainly catalyzed by UGT1A8 and UGT1A10.     

Inhibition and active sites of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases 2B7 and 1A1.

Two human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), UGT2B7 and UGT1A1, catalyze the glucuronidation of many endo- and xenobiotics. Although UGT1A1 uniquely catalyzes the glucuronidation of the endobiotic, bilirubin, and UGT2B7 uniquely catalyzes the glucuronidation of morphine to both the 3-0 glucuronide and the 6-0 glucuronide, both catalyze the glucuronidation of the mixed opioid agonist/antagonist buprenorphine with high efficiency. Etonitazenyl, a mu opioid receptor antagonist, was found to inhibit competitively opioid, steroid, and other substrate glucuronidation reactions catalyzed by UGT2B7. Data showing several benzodiazepines and alternative substrates interacting competitively support previous work, which indicates a single binding domain within UGT2B7. Etonitazenyl also competitively inhibited the glucuronidation of buprenorphine catalyzed by UGT1A1. However, neither etonitazenyl nor buprenorphine inhibited bilirubin glucuronidation except at very high concentrations. Therefore, it is unlikely that buprenorphine therapy for opioid or other drug addiction would influence bilirubin glucuronidation and lead to hyperbilirubenmia. Anthraflavic acid and catechol estrogen glucuronidation, catalyzed by UGT1A1, was also not inhibited by etonitazenyl or buprenorphine. Reactions catalyzed by UGT1A6 were not affected by etonitazenyl. These studies indicate that UGT2B7 has one binding site and that UGT1A1 has two or more binding sites for xenobiotics and endobiotics.     

Evaluation of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine, morphine, and codeine as probe substrates for UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B7 (UGT2B7) in human liver microsomes: specificity and influence of the UGT2B7*2 polymorphism.

UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B7 (UGT2B7) is involved in the glucuronidation of a wide array of clinically important drugs and endogenous compounds in humans. The aim of this study was to identify an isoform-selective probe substrate that could be used to investigate genetic and environmental influences on glucuronidation mediated by UGT2B7. Three potential probe substrates [3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT), morphine, and codeine], were evaluated using recombinant UGTs and human liver microsomes (HLMs; n = 54). Of 11 different UGTs screened, UGT2B7 was the principal isoform mediating AZT glucuronidation, morphine-3-glucuronidation, and morphine-6-glucuronidation. Codeine was glucuronidated equally well by UGT2B4 and UGT2B7. Enzyme kinetic analysis of these activities typically showed higher apparent Km values for HLMs (pooled and individual) compared with UGT2B7. This difference was least (less than 2-fold higher Km) for AZT glucuronidation and greatest (3- to 6-fold higher Km) for codeine glucuronidation. Microsomal UGT2B7 protein content correlated well with AZT glucuronidation (rs = 0.77), to a lesser extent with morphine-3-glucuronidation (rs = 0.50) and morphine-6-glucuronidation (rs = 0.51), but very weakly with codeine glucuronidation (rs = 0.33). Livers were also genotyped for the UGT2B7*2 (H268Y) polymorphism. No effect of genotype on microsomal glucuronidation or UGT2B7 protein content was observed. In conclusion, although both AZT and morphine can serve as in vitro probe substrates for UGT2B7, AZT appears to be more selective than morphine. Codeine is not a useful UGT2B7 probe substrate because of significant glucuronidation by UGT2B4. The UGT2B7*2 polymorphism is not a determinant of glucuronidation of AZT, morphine, or codeine in HLMs.     

Acyl glucuronidation of fluoroquinolone antibiotics by the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A subfamily in human liver microsomes.

Acyl glucuronidation is an important metabolic pathway for fluoroquinolone antibiotics. However, it is unclear which human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes are involved in the glucuronidation of the fluoroquinolones. The in vitro formation of levofloxacin (LVFX), grepafloxacin (GPFX), moxifloxacin (MFLX), and sitafloxacin (STFX) glucuronides was investigated in human liver microsomes and cDNA-expressed recombinant human UGT enzymes. The apparent Km values for human liver microsomes ranged from 1.9 to 10.0 mM, and the intrinsic clearance values (calculated as Vmax/Km) had a rank order of MFLX > GPFX > STFX > > LVFX. In a bank of human liver microsomes (n = 14), the glucuronidation activities of LVFX, MFLX, and STFX correlated highly with UGT1A1-selective beta-estradiol 3-glucuronidation activity, whereas the glucuronidation activity of GPFX correlated highly with UGT1A9-selective propofol glucuronidation activity. Among 12 recombinant UGT enzymes, UGT1A1, 1A3, 1A7, and 1A9 catalyzed the glucuronidation of these fluoroquinolones. Results of enzyme kinetics studies using the recombinant UGT enzymes indicated that UGT1A1 most efficiently glucuronidates MFLX, and UGT1A9 most efficiently glucuronidates GPFX. In addition, the glucuronidation activities of MFLX and STFX in human liver microsomes were potently inhibited by bilirubin with IC50 values of 4.9 microM and 4.7 microM, respectively; in contrast, the glucuronidation activity of GPFX was inhibited by mefenamic acid with an IC50 value of 9.8 microM. These results demonstrate that UGT1A1, 1A3, and 1A9 enzymes are involved in the glucuronidation of LVFX, GPFX, MFLX, and STFX in human liver microsomes, and that MFLX and STFX are predominantly glucuronidated by UGT1A1, whereas GPFX is mainly glucuronidated by UGT1A9.     

Glucuronidation of acetaminophen is independent of UGT1A1 promotor genotype

The metabolism of acetaminophen (paracetamol) is thought to be altered in patients with Gilbert's syndrome (GS), a chronic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. The underlying cause of GS is a polymorphism in the promotor region of the uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase isoform 1A1 gene (UGT1A1*28), its encoded enzyme being responsible for the glucuronidation of bilirubin and presumably acetaminophen. Decreased enzyme activity results in elevated bilirubin levels and may activate various metabolic pathways leading to higher amounts of potentially hepatotoxic acetaminophen metabolites. Patients with GS might be more susceptible to unexpected side effects while taking acetaminophen and other drugs which are substrates of UGT1A1. The possibility of a correlation between glucuronidation capacity with respect to acetaminophen, UGT1A1 promotor polymorphism and the bilirubin serum level were investigated in 23 healthy male volunteers selected for UGT1A1 genotype (6 wildtypes, 9 mutants and 8 heterozygotes). One gram acetaminophen was administered p.o. and urine was collected over 2 4-hour periods. Unchanged acetaminophen and its glucuronide metabolite were determined using HPLC. The metabolic ratios unchanged acetaminophen/acetaminophen glucuronide in UGT1A1-wildtypes, heterozygotes and mutants showed no statistically significant differences. An association between metabolic ratio and serum bilirubin level could not be detected in any of the urine collection periods. These data confirm that there is no correlation between the capacity to glucuronidate acetaminophen, the UGT1A1 genotype and the bilirubin serum level. Acetaminophen is likely to be substrate of a UGT isoform other than the UGT1A1.     

Evaluation of bisphenol A glucuronidation according to UGT1A1*28 polymorphism by a new LC-MS/MS assay

The endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA) is a frequently used chemical in the manufacture of consumer products. In humans, BPA is extensively metabolized to BPA glucuronide (BPAG) by different UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms. The study has been performed with the intention to improve the accuracy of published physiologically based pharmacokinetic models and to improve regulatory risk assessments of BPA. In order to gain insight into intestine, kidney, liver, and lung glucuronidation of BPA, human microsomes of all tested organs were used. BPAG formation followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics in the intestine and kidney, but followed substrate inhibition kinetics in the liver. Human lung microsomes did not show glucuronidation activity towards BPA. While the liver intrinsic clearance was very high (857 mL min(-1)kg body weight(-1)), the tissue intrinsic clearances for the kidney and intestine were less than 1% of liver intrinsic clearance. Since BPA is a UGT1A1 substrate, we postulated that the common UGT1A1*28 polymorphism influences BPA glucuronidation, and consequently, BPA detoxification. Hepatic tissue intrinsic clearances for UGT1A1*1/*1, UGT1A1*1/*28, and UGT1A1*28/*28 microsomes were 1113, 1075, and 284 mL min(-1)kg body weight(-1), respectively. Prior to microsomal experiments, the bioproduction of BPAG and stable isotope-labeled BPAG (BPAG(d16)) was performed for the purpose of the reliable and accurate quantification of BPAG. In addition, a sensitive LC-MS/MS analytical method for the simultaneous determination of BPA and BPAG based on two stable isotope-labeled internal standards was developed and validated. In conclusion, our in vitro results show that the liver is the main site of BPA glucuronidation (K(m) 8.9 μM, V(max) 8.5 nmol min(-1) mg(-1)) and BPA metabolism may be significantly influenced by a person's genotype (K(m) 10.0-13.1 μM, V(max) 3.4-16.2 nmol min(-1) mg(-1)). This discovery may be an important fact for the currently on-going worldwide BPA risk assessments and for the improvement of physiologically based pharmacokinetic models.     

Human liver UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isoforms involved in the glucuronidation of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin.

1. The human liver UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms involved in the glucuronidation of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38), the active metabolite of irinotecan (CPT-11), have been studied using microsomes from human liver and insect cells expressing human UGTs (1A1, 1A3, 1A4, 1A6, 1A9, 2B7, 2B15). 2. The glucuronidation of SN-38 was catalysed by UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A6 and UGT1A9 as well as by liver microsomes. Among these UGT isoforms, UGT1A1 showed the highest activity of SN-38 glucuronidation at both low (1 microM) and high (200 microM) substrate concentrations. The ranking in order of activity at low and high substrate concentrations was UGT1A1 > UGT1A9 > UGT1A6 > UGT1A3 and UGT1A1 > UGT1A3 > UGT1A6 > or = UGT1A9, respectively. 3. The enzyme kinetics of SN-38 glucuronidation were examined by means of Lineweaver-Burk analysis. The activity of the glucuronidation in liver microsomes exhibits a monophasic kinetic pattern, with an apparent Km and Vmax of 35.9 microM and 134 pmol min(-1) mg(-1) protein, respectively. The UGT isoforms involved in SN-38 glucuronidation could be classified into two types: low-Km types such as UGT1A1 and UGT1A9, and high-Km types such as UGT1A3 and UGT1A6, in terms of affinity toward substrate. UGT1A1 had the highest Vmax followed by UGT1A3. Vmax of UGT1A6 and UGT1A9 were approximately 1/9 to 1/12 of that of UGT1A1. 4. The activity of SN-38 glucuronidation by liver microsomes and UGT1A1 was effectively inhibited by bilirubin. Planar and bulky phenols substantially inhibited the SN-38 glucuronidation activity of liver microsomes and UMT1A9, and/or UGT1A6. Although cholic acid derivatives strongly inhibited the activity of SN-38 glucuronidation by UGT1A3, the inhibition profile did not parallel that in liver microsomes. 5. These results demonstrate that at least four UGT1A isoforms are responsible for SN-38 glucuronidation in human livers, and suggest that the role and contribution of each differ substantially.     

Human liver UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isoforms involved in the glucuronidation of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin

1. The human liver UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms involved in the glucuronidation of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38), the active metabolite of irinotecan (CPT-11), have been studied using microsomes from human liver and insect cells expressing human UGTs (1A1, 1A3, 1A4, 1A6, 1A9, 2B7, 2B15). 2. The glucuronidation of SN-38 was catalysed by UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A6 and UGT1A9 as well as by liver microsomes. Among these UGT isoforms, UGT1A1 showed the highest activity of SN-38 glucuronidation at both low (1 µM) and high (200 µM) substrate concentrations. The ranking in order of activity at low and high substrate concentrations was UGT1A1 > UGT1A9 > UGT1A6> UGT1A3 and UGT1A1 > UGT1A3 > UGT1A6 ≥ UGT1A9, respectively. 3. The enzyme kinetics of SN-38 glucuronidation were examined by means of Lineweaver-Burk analysis. The activity of the glucuronidation in liver microsomes exhibits a monophasic kinetic pattern, with an apparent K m and V max of 35.9 µM and 134pmol?min -1?mg -1 protein, respectively. The UGT isoforms involved in SN-38 glucuronidation could be classified into two types: low- K m types such as UGT1A1 and UGT1A9, and high- K m types such as UGT1A3 and UGT1A6, in terms of affinity toward substrate. UGT1A1 had the highest V max followed by UGT1A3. V max of UGT1A6 and UGT1A9 were approximately 1/9 to 1/12 of that of UGT1A1. 4. The activity of SN-38 glucuronidation by liver microsomes and UGT1A1 was effectively inhibited by bilirubin. Planar and bulky phenols substantially inhibited the SN-38 glucuronidation activity of liver microsomes and UGT1A9, and/or UGT1A6. Although cholic acid derivatives strongly inhibited the activity of SN-38 glucuronidation by UGT1A3, the inhibition profile did not parallel that in liver microsomes. 5. These results demonstrate that at least four UGT1A isoforms are responsible for SN-38 glucuronidation in human livers, and suggest that the role and contribution of each differ substantially.