Enhanced expression, purification, and characterization of a novel class alpha glutathione S-transferase isozyme appearing in rabbit hepatic cytosol following treatment with 4-picoline.

A novel class alpha glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozyme is expressed in the hepatic cytosol of rabbits treated with 4-picoline. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed the presence of a new 28-kDa band which cross-reacted with class alpha GST-specific IgG. This new GST isozyme was isolated from the hepatic cytosol of 4-picoline-treated rabbits and purified to homogeneity using S-hexylglutathione-agarose, CM-Sepharose, and PBE118 chromatofocusing chromatography. The isozyme was determined by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration analyses to be a homodimer of approximately 28 kDa with blocked N-terminus. A heterodimer consisting of 25 and 28 kDa subunits with activity toward the substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene was also purified. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the 25, 26.5, and 28 kDa bands cross-reacted with class alpha GST-specific IgG and failed to react with either class mu or class pi GST-specific antibodies. The 28 kDa enzyme had a pI of 8.2 as determined by nonequilibrium pH gel electrophoresis. The purified 28 kDa enzyme exhibited activity toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (Km = 1.60 mM and Vmax = 73.5 mumol/min/mg) and cumene hydroperoxide (Km = 1.02 mM and Vmax = 6.92 mumol/min/mg). Amino acid sequence analysis of several fragments resulting from cyanogen bromide cleavage of the 28 kDa GST isozyme revealed a class alpha GST consensus sequence. In addition, proteolytic digestion with alpha-chymotrypsin yielded peptide maps which showed distinct differences between the purified 28 kDa GST and another purified class alpha GST isozyme present in rabbit liver. These results provide evidence that class alpha GST isozymes containing a novel 28 kDa subunit are expressed following treatment with 4-picoline.     

Effects of altered calcium homeostasis on the expression of glutathione S-transferase isozymes in primary cultured rat hepatocytes.

The effects of altered Ca2+ homeostasis on glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozyme expression in cultured primary rat hepatocytes were examined. Isolated hepatocytes were cultured on Vitrogen substratum in serum-free modified Chee's essential medium and treated with Ca2+ ionophore A23187 at 120 hr post-plating. GST activity increased slightly, albeit significantly, in a concentration-dependent manner in A23187-treated hepatocytes relative to untreated controls. Western blot analysis using GST class alpha and mu specific antibodies showed an approximately 1.6- and 1.5-fold increase in the class alpha, Ya and Yc subunits, respectively, whereas no significant increase (approximately 1.2-fold) in class mu GST expression was observed following A23187 treatment. Northern blot analysis revealed an approximately 5-fold increase in GST class alpha and an approximately 7-fold increase in class mu GST mRNA levels in ionophore-treated hepatocytes compared to untreated cells. Results of the Western and Northern blot analyses of the ionophore-treated hepatocytes were compared with those obtained for tert-butyl hydroperoxide-treated cells. Immunoblot analysis showed a significant increase in the expression of GST class alpha, Ya and Yc subunits, approximately 1.8- and 1.7-fold, respectively, for tert-butyl hydroperoxide-treated hepatocytes as compared to controls, with little or no increase in class mu GSTs. Northern blot analysis showed approximately 3- and 2-fold increases, respectively, in class alpha and mu GST mRNA levels, following the tert-butyl hydroperoxide treatment. The results of the present investigation show that alterations in Ca2+ homeostasis produced by either Ca2+ ionophore A23187 or tert-butyl hydroperoxide treatment of hepatocytes enhanced the expression of GST isozymes in primary cultured rat hepatocytes.     

Purification and characterization of hepatic glutathione transferases from an insectivorous marsupial,the brown antechinus (Antechinus stuartii)

1. Five unique glutathione transferase isoenzymes were purified from the hepatic cytosol of an insectivorous marsupial, the brown antechinus. The purified GSTs were characterized by structural and catalytic properties including apparent molecular weight andisoelectricpoint,specificity towards modelsubstrates,kineticparameters,sensitivityto inhibitors and cross-reactivity with antisera raised against human GSTs. 2. An alpha class GST, Antechinus GST 1-1, predominated in the hepatic cytosol, representing 71% of the total GST purified. The substrate specificity of Antechinus GST 1-1 was similar to that of other alpha class GSTs, particularly with respect to its high activity with cumene hydroperoxide. The mu class was represented by three GST isoenzymes, Antechinus GST 3-3, GST 3-4 and GST 4-4. These isoenzymes represented 8, 2 and 10% of the total GST purified respectively. A single GST, Antechinus GST 22, belonged to the pi class of GSTs and represented 12% of the total GST purified. The hepatic GST isoenzyme ratio (by class) observed in the brown antechinus was more similar to that observed in the human than in rat. 3. A previous study investigating a herbivorous marsupial, the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) also identified a predominant hepatic GST belonging to the alpha class and displaying peroxidase activity. The evolutionary conservation of a similar predominant GST isoenzyme in these marsupials suggests that they play an important role in the detoxication metabolism of these unique mammals.     

Sex-related differences in rat hepatic cytochromes P450 expression following treatment with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene

The induction of hepatic cytochromes P450 and metabolic effects have been examined in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats following treatment with either phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene. Hepatic cytochrome P450 levels were higher in males than in females by ≈40%. Treatment of male and female rats with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene resulted in an ≈1.6- and 2-fold increase, respectively, in heptic microsomal cytochrome P450 levels in both sexes, relative to untreated animals. Immunoblot analyses were performed to compare sex-related changes in P450 levels. Hepatic P450IIB1 levels in males were greater than those in females following phenobarbital treatment. 3-Methylcholanthrene-induced male hepatic microsomes exhibited greater levels of P450 IA1 and IA2 than female microsomes, whereas uninduced microsomes from males or females failed to exhibit a band. Mab PCN 2-13-1 against P450IIIA recognized an intense band in uninduced hepatic microsomes from males whereas no band was recognized in uninduced microsomes from female rats. The levels of P450IIIA in males were increased 2 to 3-fold following treatment with phenobarbital. while the increase of IIIA levels in females by phenobarbital was minimal, as monitored by immunoblot analysis. Solid phase radioimmunoassay using monoclonal antibodies supported the results of immunoblot analysis. Phenobarbital treatment caused a 6.5-fold increase in the monoclonal antibody binding to IIB1 in males, whereas treatment of females with phenobarbital resulted in a 12-fold increase of IIB1 binding, relative to respective controls. The relative increase of IA levels by 3-methylcholanthrene was also greater in females than in males (10-vs. 8-fold) although the levels of induced IA were comparable in both sexes, as assessed by radioimmunoassay. Radioimmunoassay also showed that hepatic IIE1 level was 1.5-fold higher in males than in females and that either phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene treatment caused 80% to 40% decrease in IIE1 levels, relative to control, in both sexes. Sex-related metabolic activities were examined in hepatic microsomes. Hexobarbital hydroxylase activity was 2- to 3-fold higher in uninduced microsomes from males than that from females. This hydroxylase activity was increased 2- and 3-fold in males and females, respectively, following phenobarbital treatment, as compared to controls. Addition of anti-P450IIB1 antibody to phenobarbital-induced hepatic microsomes from males and females produced 64% and 84% inhibition of hexobarbital oxidation, respectively. Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity was increased ≈12- and 26-fold in males and females. respectively, following 3-methylcholanthrene treatment relative to controls. The anti-P450IA antibody inhibitable rate of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity was comparable in both sexes following 3-methylcholanthrene treatment (≈70%). These results demonstrate that levels of hepatic P450IIB1 or P450IA are greater in male than in female for untreated, phenobarbital- or 3-methylcholanthrene treated rats. In addition, the relative increase of P450IIB1 or IA by phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene is more significant in females.     

Species variations in the metabolism of acetophenone oxime by hepatic enzymes.

The metabolism of acetophenone oxime was investigated in liver homogenates obtained from rats, rabbits, mice and hamsters. Significant species variations were observed in anaerobic metabolism studies both in qualitative and quantitative respects. In all cases, the oxime was initially reduced to the corresponding hydroxylamine. Whereas, the hydroxylamine was resistant to further transformation in rat, subsequent reduction to amine was observed in rabbit, mouse and hamster. Hydroxylamine reduction in rat was however observed in animals pretreated with phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene or carbon tetrachloride. Enzymes catalyzing oxime and hydroxylamine reduction were present in both microsomal and cytosol fractions of liver. Highest reductase activity was observed in rat and mouse. Oxime reductase was not stimulated by either phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene, but was inhibited by carbon tetrachloride.     

Differential induction of rat hepatic glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes by hexachlorobenzene and benzyl isothiocyanate. Comparison with induction by phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene

Male Wistar rats were treated with hexachlorobenzene, benzyl isothiocyanate, phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene. Hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was determined with the substrates 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene, ethacrynic acid and trans-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one. Cytosolic glutathione peroxidase activity was measured with cumene hydroperoxide. GST activity toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene and ethacrynic acid was enhanced by all compounds, hexachlorobenzene and 3-methylcholanthrene causing the largest and the smallest increase respectively. Trans-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one-conjugating activity exhibited only small changes, while peroxidase activity with cumeme hydroperoxide was not changed by any of the inducing agents. GST isoenzymes were purified on S-hexylglutathione Sepharose 6B and separated by means of FPLC-chromatofocusing, to evaluate effects on the GST isoenzyme pattern. Hexachlorobenzene and phenobarbital both caused an increase in the relative amounts of subunits 1 and 3 when compared with subunits 2 and 4 respectively. For 3-methylcholanthrene only induction of subunit 1 was observed, possibly due to the relatively low induction levels of total GST activity. In benzyl isothiocyanate-treated animals, an induction of subunit 3 was found as well as an increase in the relative amount of subunit 2. Thus, benzyl isothiocyanate behaves differently from hexachlorobenzene, phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene as an inducing agent of rat hepatic glutathione S-transferases.     

Induction of glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes in mouse liver by 5-(2-pyrazynl)-4-methyl-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (oltipraz).

Treatment of mice with a single dose of oltipraz (OPZ) at 200 mg/kg led to a significant (P less than 0.05) increase in hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity and content. GST activity monitored with 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene was increased 3.8-fold 3 days after treatment, suggesting the induction of mu class isoenzymes. Ethacrynic acid, a marker for pi class isoforms, showed only a slight increase in GST activity while no induction was observed with cumene hydroperoxide, an indicator for the alpha class. The increase in mu class isoenzymes was further confirmed by separation of the mouse liver affinity purified GST by chromatofocusing and also by resolving the GST subunits by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatographic procedures. Therefore, OPZ induces mainly the mu class isoenzymes in mouse hepatic tissues.     

Distribution of Glutathione S-Transferase Isoforms in Rat Liver after Induction by β-Naphthoflavone or 3-Methylcholanthrene

Abstract: Regional differences in vulnerability to xenobiotic liver damage may relate to the distribution of the detoxication capacity of the glutathione S-transferases (GST). HPLC analysis of cell lysates obtained by digitonin infusion from either the periportal or the perivenous region revealed that the content of all the GST subunits investigated (1, 2, 3, 4 and 8) was higher in the perivenous region. The strongest perivenous dominance was observed for subunit 1 (Ya) and the α class appeared to be more zonated that the μ class. A similar perivenous dominance was observed by analysis of GST activity with either 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), 1,2-dichloronitrobenzene (DCNB) or trans-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one (PBO) as substrate. In contrast, with cumene hydroperoxide (CuOOH) or tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBOOH) as substarate a reciprocal twofold periportal dominance was observed. Induction by pretreatment with β-naphthoflavone reduced or abolished the perivenous dominance of the α subunits 1, 2 and 8. In contrast, after pretreatment with 3-methylcholan-threne, only the acinar gradient of subunits 2 (Yc) was abolished, while the strong perivenous gradient subunit 1 (Ya) was maintained and that of subunit 8 (Yk) increased. CDNB based assays demonstrated that β-naphtoflavone treatment reduced (from 2.1 to 1.4) while 3-methyl cholanthrene enhanced (to 2.6) the perivenous/periportal GST activity ratio. Assays based on CuOOH or tBOOH indicated that neither the Se-dependent nor the Se-independent glutathione peroxidase activity nor its acinar distribution was affected by the inducers. These results demonstrated that although the expression of all investigated members of the alpha and mu classes is higher in the perivenous region, there are marked isozyme differences, the acinar gradient being particularly prominent for subunit 1 (Ya). The distinct difference in the acinar induction pattern of GST Ya between β-naphthoflavone and 3-methylcholanthrene resembles that reported for cytochrome P450 (CYP1A1 and CYP1A2), also members of the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor genes, suggesting common regionally acting regulatory elements in the expression of these genes in the liver.     

Piperine effects on the expression of P4502E1, P4502B and P4501A in rat

Treatment of rat with piperine (PIP) (1·4 mmol/kg, 3 days ip injections) resulted in an approximate two-fold increase in total liver microsomal P450 content relative to that in uninduced animals.

2. 4-Nitrophenol and aniline hyroxylase activities in the hepatic microsomes prepared from rat treated with PIP decreased by 30 and 28% respectively as compared with control. Immunoblot analyses also revealed decreased P4502E1 levels in hepatic microsomes from PIP-treated animals.

3. In contrast with P4502E1 suppression, hepatic 2B1 and 2B2 levels were significantly increased in PIP-induced animals, as evidenced by both metabolic activity and immunoblot analysis of the liver microsomal fractions. The rate of hexobarbital hydroxylase activity in microsomes from PIP-treated animals was markedly elevated and was inhibited by approximately 62% in the presence of monoclonal anti-P4502B IgG. Immunoblot analyses demonstrated that P4502B1 ana 2B2 levels in hepatic microsomes from PIP-treated animals were comparable with those from phenobarbital-treated animals.

4. 7-Ethoxycoumarin deethylase activity was elevated approximately two-fold in PIP-induced animals and was 17% of that derived from 3-methylcholanthrene-induced animals. 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylase activity in PIP-induced hepatic microsomes was inhibited 63% in the presence of monoclonal anti-P4501 A antibody. Immunoblot analysis confirmed the increase in P4501A levels by PIP, which was 15% of that in hepatic microsomes from 3-methylcholanthrene-induced animals.

5. PIP treatment failed to affect microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) and glutathione S-transferases (GST) expression, as indicated by immunoblot analyses using polyclonal antibodies toward mEH and GST subunits Ya, Yb1, Yb2 and Yc.

6. These results demonstrate that PIP treatment suppressed P4502E1 expression and enhanced 2B and 1A expression, whereas this agent failed to affect hepatic mEH and GST expression.     

Omega- and (omega-1)-hydroxylation of 4-chloropropionanilide in liver microsomes of rabbits treated with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene

Hydroxylation of 4-chloropropionanilide to 4-chlorohydracrylanilide, ω-hydroxylation, and to 4-chlorolactanilide, (ω-1)-hydroxylation, by rabbit liver microsomes were found to be stimulated differently by treatment of rabbits with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene. ω-Hydroxylation was not stimulated by 3-methylcholanthrene, but increased to nineteen times the normal rate by treatment with phenobarbital. (ω)-1)-Hydroxylation increased in rate by only 70 per cent after treatment with phenobarbital and by 200 per cent after treatment with 3-methylcholanthrene. On storage of microsomes for 18 days ω-hydroxylation decreased by 40 per cent and (ω-1)-hydroxylation remained unchanged. ω-Hydroxylation showed lower affinity for oxygen and higher sensitivity to the inhibiting effect of carbon monoxide than (ω-1)-hydroxylation. Hydroxylation of the acetic acid residue in 4-chloroacetanilide and acetophenone did not uniformly follow ω- or (ω-1)-hydroxylation of 4-chloropropionanilide. Treatment of rabbits with phenobarbital stimulated ω-hydroxylation of acetophenone and did not affect ω-hydroxylation of 4-chloroacetanilide.     

Purification and characterization of glutathione-S-transferase from liver cytosol of phenobarbital-treated rabbits

Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) from the liver cytosol of phenobarbital (PB)-treated rabbits was purified by DEAE-cellulose, CM-cellulose and hydroxylapatite column chromatography. Four species of GST were obtained by eluting the CM-cellulose column with a linear KCl gradient, and the major protein investigated. The purified enzyme from PB-treated and untreated rabbit had specific activities of 125.16 units/mg and 72.8 units/mg of protein, respectively, and the apparent Km was 0.6 X 10(-3) M for GSH and 1.6 X 10(-3) M for 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. The optimum pH value was 8.7 and the enzyme was able to conjugate with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene, 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)propane and p-nitrobenzyl chloride.     

Glutathione conjugation of styrene 7,8-oxide enantiomers by major glutathione transferase isoenzymes isolated from rat livers

Male Sprague-Dawley rat liver cytosol mediated regioselective conjugation of styrene 7,8-oxide (STO) enantiomers with glutathione in completely trans-ring-opening manner to afford (1S)-S-(1-phenyl-2-hydroxyethyl)glutathione and (2R)-S-(2-phenyl-2-hydroxyethyl)glutathione in the ratio 22:1 for (R)-STO and also to afford (1R)-S-(1-phenyl-2-hydroxyethyl)glutathione and (2S)-S-(2-phenyl-2-hydroxyethyl)glutathione in the ratio 12:1 for (S)-STO. In the above cytosolic reactions, (R)-STO was conjugated 1.8 times faster than (S)-STO, while the (R)- to (S)-ratio in rate of the conjugation was 2.7 when racemic STO was used as a substrate. A kinetic study, carried out by using six major glutathione transferase (GST) isoenzymes isolated from the cytosol, indicated that GSTs 3-3, 3-4 and 4-4 (class mu enzymes) had much higher Kcat/Km values towards both STO enantiomers than the other three major isoenzymes, GSTs 1-1, 1-2 and 2-2 (class alpha enzymes). All the class mu enzymes mediated preferential glutathione conjugation of (R)-STO to (S)-STO. On the contrary, the class alpha enzymes catalysed the conjugation of (S)-STO preferentially to (R)-STO. The kinetic study strongly suggested that GSTs determining the higher enantioselectivity towards (R)-STO in the rat liver cytosol were the class mu enzymes, especially GST 3-3, which had the highest Kcat/Km value towards (R)-STO as well as the highest (R) to (S) ratio in the enantioselectivity among the six isoenzymes examined. GST 7-7, isolated as a major enzyme from the liver cytosol of the animals bearing hepatic hyperplastic nodules which were induced by chemical carcinogens, catalysed preferential GSH conjugation of (S)-STO to (R)-STO.     

Regulation of glutathione S-transferase enzymes in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes maintained under various matrix configurations.

Primary rat hepatocytes were cultured under various matrix and media conditions and examined after 1 week for the expression and regulation of cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes. Striking effects on cell morphology were observed in relation to the different matrix conditions, whereas media effects were less prominent. Hepatocytes cultured in serum-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) or modified Chee's medium (MCM) maintained similar levels of total GST protein regardless of the matrix configuration or corresponding cell integrity. However, HPLC analysis showed a differential expression pattern of individual GST subunits in both a time- and medium-dependent fashion. A variable, but pronounced, matrix and medium effect was observed on the induction of total GST expression by various prototypical inducers. Dexamethasone (10 microM) induced subunits A2, M1 and M2 in a medium- and matrix-dependent fashion, whereas phenobarbital (100 microM) induced significantly only subunit A2. beta-Naphthoflavone (50 microM) suppressed all GST subunit expression except subunit P1, which was induced in a matrix- and medium-dependent fashion. These studies show that total basal level expression of GSTs in vitro is reflective of a concomitant increase in mu and pi class subunits and a decrease in alpha class subunits. Moreover, the matrix and medium conditions influence both the basal and inducible expression of GST subunits in cultured rat hepatocytes.     

Difference in the effects of phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene treatment on subunit composition of hepatic glutathione S-transferase in male and female rats

Male rats more than seven weeks old showed significantly higher activity of hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) than females. This sex-related difference in GST activities might be explained by the difference in subunit composition of the enzymes between males and females. The relative proportion of subunit composition of GST between adult male and female rats was as follows: Ya, female greater than male; Yb(Yb'), male much greater than female; Yc, female greater than male. Since phenobarbital (60 mg/kg, i.p. for seven days) induced the Yb subunit as well as Ya subunit, the enzyme activity was more increased in males than in females and the sex difference became more marked. 3-Methylcholanthrene (20 mg/kg, i.p. three times) caused an increase of Ya subunit alone, and then the increased extent was greater in females than in males, and resulted in the disappearance of sex difference.     

Thioacetamide differentially affects the expression and activity of glutathione-S-transferase in the liver of Wistar rats

Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) is a family of enzymes involved in the detoxification of toxic and carcinogenic compounds. In the present study, the effect of thioacetamide (TA), a hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic compound, on the activity and expression of GST of Wistar female rats was tested. Animals were treated with a single dose of TA (250 mg/kg) for 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. GST activity toward the broad substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene was enhanced by TA. The protein level of the GST classes alpha and mu as well as the mRNA level of several GST subunits were also positively affected by the TA treatment. Female Wistar rats of the same age but from two other different colonies had their GST activity either inhibited or not affected by TA. The basal mRNA level of class alpha and class mu GST was also tested in female Wistar rats obtained from five different sources. Differences in the basal level of class alpha mRNA were observed in rats from at least three different sources, while class mu mRNA level was distinct in two groups of animals.     

Differential expression and induction of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isoforms in hepatic and extrahepatic tissues of a fish, Pleuronectes platessa: immunochemical and functional characterization.

Glucuronidation of three substrates prototypical for different UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) isoforms in hepatic, renal, intestinal, and branchial microsomes of corn oil, 3-methylcholanthrene, Aroclor 1254, and clofibrate-pretreated plaice was investigated. The differential expression of UDPGT in the four tissues clearly demonstrated for the first time that multiple isoforms with differing substrate specificities were present in fish. The liver was quantitatively the most important site for the glucuronidation of all three compounds studied. Phenol UDPGT activity was ubiquitous to all tissues and was induced by 3-methylcholanthrene and Aroclor 1254 in hepatic tissue and by Aroclor 1254 in renal tissue. The glucuronidation of testosterone was restricted to liver and intestinal tissue, while conjugation of bilirubin was expressed solely in hepatic tissue. The biotransformation of the endogenous compounds was not induced in the xenobiotic-treated animals. The presence of immunoreactive UDPGTs in the four tissues was demonstrated by immunoblot analysis using sheep anti-plaice UDPGT antibodies. Hepatic tissue displayed a range of immunoreactive polypeptides of 52 to 57 kDa, while a 55-kDa polypeptide was detected in extrahepatic tissues. An increased intensity of the latter polypeptide species was demonstrated in liver and kidney microsomes in which there was a concomitant induction of phenol UDPGT activity in xenobiotic-treated fish. The results indicate that the 55-kDa polypeptide was the major polyaromatic hydrocarbon-inducible UDPGT isoenzyme in hepatic and renal microsomes.     

Immunological evidence for N-acetyltransferase isozymes in the rabbit

An immunological evaluation of N-acetyltransferase (NAT) (EC 2.3.1.5) in liver, duodenum, lung, and kidney of the rabbit is described. Polyclonal antibodies to hepatic NAT isolated from rapid acetylator rabbits were raised in a goat and utilized for immunoblot analyses and enzyme inhibition studies. Immunoblot analyses demonstrated that hepatic and duodenal cytosols from rapid but not slow acetylator rabbits contained an immunoreactive 33-kDa protein. No immunoreactivity was observed for lung or kidney cytosols from either rapid or slow acetylators. The inhibition of sulfamethazine and p-aminobenzoic acid acetylation by polyclonal antibodies was investigated using cytosols from rapid and slow acetylator rabbits. With rapid acetylator cytosols, maximal inhibition of hepatic, duodenal, and lung NAT activities was 94.4 +/- 9.0%, 92.5 +/- 8.5%, and 28.3 +/- 2.4%, respectively, for sulfamethazine (500 mM) acetylation and 90.1 +/- 8.0%, 80.2 +/- 6.4%, and 26.7 +/- 3.1%, respectively, for p-aminobenzoic acid (500 microM) acetylation. Using 25 microM p-aminobenzoic acid as substrate, maximal inhibition of NAT activity was 32.0 +/- 2.1% with liver cytosol and 5.8 +/- 0.16% with duodenal cytosol, whereas no inhibition of lung NAT activity was observed. Kidney NAT activity was not inhibited by the polyclonal antibodies. With slow acetylator cytosols, no inhibition of NAT activities was observed. It is concluded that at least two NATs are present in liver, duodenum, and lung of rapid acetylator rabbits. Furthermore, the principal NAT in liver and duodenum is immunologically related to the minor form of lung NAT and is antigenically distinct from kidney NAT of rapid acetylators. Hepatic, duodenal, lung, and kidney NAT(s) of slow acetylator rabbits is (are) immunologically distinct from the major hepatic NAT in rapid acetylators. The data support the model in which the hepatic polymorphism in rabbits is caused by the total lack of the major rapid acetylator hepatic NAT in the phenotypic slow acetylator animal. These observations may have significant implications in the organ-specific toxicities of carcinogens that undergo metabolic activation via N-acetylation.     

A Comparative Study on Drug Hydroxylation and Glucuronidation in Liver Microsomes of Phenobarbital and 3-Methylcholanthrene Treated Rats

The treatment of hepatic microsomes with phospholipase A or phospholipase C decreased the drug hydroxylase activity. The exception was the aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase in hepatic microsomes from 3-methylcholanthrene pre-treated rats. Its specific activity remained unchanged after phospholipase A digestion. In hepatic microsomes from phenobarbital pretreated rats the aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase was not significantly increased and after phospholipase A or phospholipase C digestion, it decreased in both treated and control rats. The phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene induced p-nitroanisole 0-demethylase activity in liver microsomes decreased in a manner corresponding to the decrease in cytochrome P-450 (P-448) concentrations. The treatment of hepatic microsomes with phospholipase A or phospholipase C activated the membrane-bound UDP glucuronosyltransferase both in control and drug-treated rats. Phospholipase A increased the measurable UDP glucuronosyltransferase activity particularly in hepatic microsomes from 3-methylcholanthrene pretreated rats. However, digestion with trypsin was necessary in order to detect the induction in UDP glucuronosyltransferase after phenobarbital pretreatment of rats. Other agents studied, such as phospholipase A or C, digitonin, cetylpyridinium chloride, or NaSCN, were unable to do this. Digestion with trypsin released considerable amounts of UDP glucuronosyltransferase activity into 27,000 g supernatant, especially from phenobarbital microsomes, whereas phospholipase A was more active in releasing UDP glucuronosyltransferase into 27,000 g supernatant from hepatic microsomes of 3-methylcholanthrene pretreated rats. Membrane perturbating agents seem to differ in their action towards the hepatic microsomal membranes obtained from rats treated with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene.