Steviol glucuronidation and its potential interaction with UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B7 substrates

Hydrolysis of stevioside and rebaudioside A in the gastrointestinal tract after oral intake leads to the formation of steviol, the aglycone, which is absorbed into the circulation. Although in vivo studies have shown that steviol is cleared from the body via glucuronidation, the role of liver vs. intestine in steviol glucuronidation has not been well defined and related UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) have not been identified. The present study investigated steviol glucuronidation and obtained kinetic parameters in liver and intestinal microsomes of human and rat, as well as in recombinant human UGT systems. Results suggest that organ specificity exists in the intrinsic clearance of the glucuronidation reaction. Steviol glucuronidation was primarily mediated by UGT2B7 at low concentration and UGT2B7 and UGT1A3 at high concentration. Inhibition studies with selected UGT2B7 substrates indicate that diclofenac displayed a relatively strong inhibition (K_i, 4.2 μM) against steviol glucuronidation in human liver microsomes. Taken together, the identification of the involvement of UGT2B7 in steviol glucuronidation would provide a mechanistic basis for the evaluation of the interaction between steviol and diclofenac. As metabolic clearance of botanical-derived products can be the objects (victims) of botanical–drug interactions, further studies are needed to investigate the in vivo relevance of such interactions.     

Contribution of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases 1A9 and 2B7 to the glucuronidation of indomethacin in the human liver

Objective We characterized the kinetics of indomethacin glucuronidation by recombinant UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isozymes and human liver microsomes (HLM) and identified the human UGT isozymes involved. Methods Indomethacin glucuronidation was investigated using HLM and recombinant human UGT isozymes. Human UGTs involved in indomethacin glucuronidation were assessed in kinetic studies, chemical inhibition studies, and correlation studies. Results Among the UGT isozymes investigated, UGT1A1, 1A3, 1A9, and 2B7 showed glucuronidation activity for indomethacin, with UGT1A9 possessing the highest activity, followed by UGT2B7. Glucuronidation of indomethacin by recombinant UGT1A9 and 2B7 showed substrate inhibition kinetics with K _m values of 35 and 32 μM, respectively. The glucuronidation of indomethacin was significantly correlated with morphine 3OH-glucuronidation (r = 0.69, p < 0.05) and 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine glucuronidation (r = 0.82, p < 0.05), a reaction mainly catalyzed by UGT2B7. Propofol inhibited indomethacin glucuronidation in HLM with an IC₅₀ value of 248 μM, which is between the IC₅₀ value in recombinant UGT1A9 (106 μM) and UGT2B7 (> 400 μM). Conclusions These findings suggest that UGT2B7 plays a predominant role in indomethacin glucuronidation in the human liver and that UGT1A9 is partially involved.     

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.     

S-Naproxen and desmethylnaproxen glucuronidation by human liver microsomes and recombinant human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT): role of UGT2B7 in the elimination of naproxen

AIMS: To characterize the kinetics of S-naproxen ('naproxen') acyl glucuronidation and desmethylnaproxen acyl and phenolic glucuronidation by human liver microsomes and identify the human UGT isoform(s) catalysing these reactions. METHODS: Naproxen and desmethylnaproxen glucuronidation were investigated using microsomes from six and five livers, respectively. Human recombinant UGTs were screened for activity towards naproxen and desmethylnaproxen. Where significant activity was observed, kinetic parameters were determined. Naproxen and desmethylnaproxen glucuronides were measured by separate high-performance liquid chromatography methods. RESULTS: Naproxen acyl glucuronidation by human liver microsomes followed biphasic kinetics. Mean apparent K(m) values (+/-SD, with 95% confidence interval in parentheses) for the high- and low-affinity components were 29 +/- 13 microm (16, 43) and 473 +/- 108 microm (359, 587), respectively. UGT 1A1, 1A3, 1A6, 1A7, 1A8, 1A9, 1A10 and 2B7 glucuronidated naproxen. UGT2B7 exhibited an apparent K(m) (72 microm) of the same order as the high-affinity human liver microsomal activity, which was inhibited by the UGT2B7 selective 'probe' fluconazole. Although data for desmethylnaproxen phenolic glucuronidation by human liver microsomes were generally adequately fitted to either the single- or two-enzyme Michaelis-Menten equation, model fitting was inconclusive for desmethylnaproxen acyl glucuronidation. UGT 1A1, 1A7, 1A9 and 1A10 catalysed both the phenolic and acyl glucuronidation of desmethylnaproxen, while UGT 1A3, 1A6 and 2B7 formed only the acyl glucuronide. Atypical glucuronidation kinetics were variably observed for naproxen and desmethylnaproxen glucuronidation by the recombinant UGTs. CONCLUSION: UGT2B7 is responsible for human hepatic naproxen acyl glucuronidation, which is the primary elimination pathway for this drug.     

Involvement of CYP2C9 and UGT2B7 in the metabolism of zaltoprofen,a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug,and its lack of clinically significant CYP inhibition potential

AIMS: To identify the cytochrome P450 (CYP) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms responsible for the formation of the primary metabolite(s) of zaltoprofen, and to predict possible drug interactions by investigating the inhibition of CYP isoforms in vitro. METHODS: The metabolism of zaltoprofen was studied in vitro using recombinant CYP and UGT isoform cDNA-expression systems. The effects of selective isoform inhibitors on zaltoprofen metabolism were studied using human liver microsomes. The inhibitory effects of zaltoprofen on the metabolism of selective probe substrates for CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 were also determined in human liver microsomes. RESULTS: Zaltoprofen was extensively metabolized by CYP2C9 and UGT2B7. CYP2C9 catalysed sulphoxidation but not hydroxylation of zaltoprofen. In the human liver microsomal metabolism study, zaltoprofen metabolism was markedly inhibited by sulphaphenazole, a selective inhibitor of CYP2C9. In the drug interaction study, negligible inhibition (< 15%) of the activities of CYP1A2, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 was apparent at 5 micro g ml(-1), the maximum plasma concentration observed in humans after oral administration of an 80 mg zaltoprofen tablet. However, zaltoprofen inhibited CYP2C9 by 26% at 5 micro g ml(-1). At higher concentrations, zaltoprofen produced some inhibition of CYP2C9 (IC50 = 19.2 micro g ml(-1); 64.4 micro m) and CYP3A4 (IC50 = 53.9 micro g ml(-1); 181 micro m). The free drug concentrations in plasma (0.02 micro g ml(-1), 67.0 nm) at the Cmax of the clinically effective doses are much lower than the IC50 values corrected for the nonspecific binding ratio of zaltoprofen to microsomal protein (15.5 micro g ml(-1) for CYP3A4, 49.5 micro g ml(-1) for CYP3A4). Furthermore, the maximum free drug concentrations in the hepatic intracellular was calculated to be 0.068 micro g ml(-1) and the increase in the AUC in the presence of zaltoprofen was estimated to be only 0.4% for CYP2C9 substrates and 0.1% for CYP3A4 substrates, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Zaltoprofen is predominantly metabolized by CYP2C9 and UGT2B7, and is considered unlikely to cause significant drug interactions in vivo when coadministered with CYP substrates at clinically effective doses.     

Homodimerization of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B7 (UGT2B7) and identification of a putative dimerization domain by protein homology modeling

Although homodimerization of UGT1A proteins is well established, direct evidence for dimerization of UGT2B7, which is arguably the most important enzyme involved in human drug glucuronidation, is currently lacking. This study characterized UGT2B7 homodimerization by co-immunopreciptation and generated a UGT2B7 homology model that identified the dimerization domain. It was demonstrated that co-expressed, solubilized UGT2B7 proteins differentially tagged with hemagglutinin (UGT2B7-HA) and c-MYC (UGT2B7-cMYC) co-immunoprecipitated as active homodimers that catalyzed 4-methylumbelliferone glucuronidation. Substrate binding affinities (assessed as S₅₀ values) of the tagged and co-expressed tagged proteins were essentially identical to that of native UGT2B7. Co-association was not observed in a ‘mixed’ UGT2B7-HA and UGT2B7-cMYC protein preparation. Generation of a UGT2B7 homology model established from plant and human templates was achieved using SYBYLX1.2 with all residues energy minimized using the Tripos Force Field. The UGT2B7 model allowed elucidation of a putative protein dimerization domain within the B′–C loop of each UGT2B7 monomer. The eighteen amino acid dimerization domain is present in all UGT2B enzymes and comprises a proposed dimerization signature motif (FPPSYVPVVMS). Stabilization of the dimer interface is maintained by the formation of two salt bridges, aromatic π–π stacking interactions, two S-aromatic (face) interactions, and the presence of ‘proline brackets’. The homology model further provides important insights into structure–function relationships of this enzyme and the mechanism responsible for the atypical glucuronidation kinetics for substrates of UGT2B7 and other human UGT enzymes.     

Amino terminal domains of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) 2B7 and 2B15 associated with substrate selectivity and autoactivation

Despite the important role of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) in the metabolism of drugs, environmental chemicals and endogenous compounds, the structural features of these enzymes responsible for substrate binding and selectivity remain poorly understood. Since UGT2B7 and UGT2B15 exhibit distinct, but overlapping, substrate selectivities, UGT2B7-UGT2B15 chimeras were constructed here to identify substrate binding domains. A UGT2B7-15-7 chimera that incorporated amino acids 61-194 of UGT2B15 glucuronidated the UGT2B15 substrates testosterone and phenolphthalein, but not the UGT2B7 substrates zidovudine and 11alpha-hydroxyprogesterone. Derived apparent K(m) values for testosterone and phenolphthalein glucuronidation by UGT2B7-15((61-194))-7 were similar in magnitude to those determined for UGT2B15. Moreover, glucuronidation of the non-selective substrate 4-methylumbelliferone (4MU) by UGT2B7-15((61-194))-7 and UGT2B15 followed Michaelis-Menten and weak substrate inhibition kinetics, respectively, whereas 4MU glucuronidation by UGT2B7 exhibited sigmoidal kinetics characteristic of autoactivation. Six UGT2B7-15-7 chimeras that incorporated smaller domains of UGT2B15 were subsequently generated. Of these, UGT2B7-15((61-157))-7, UGT2B7-15((91-157))-7 and UGT2B7-15((61-91))-7 glucuronidated 4MU, but activity towards the other substrates investigated here was not detected. Like UGT2B7, the UGT2B7-15((61-157))-7, UGT2B7-15((91-157))-7 and UGT2B7-15((61-91))-7 chimeras exhibited sigmoidal 4MU glucuronidation kinetics. The sigmoidal 4MU kinetic data were well modelled using both the Hill equation and the expression for a two-site model that assumes the simultaneous binding of two substrate molecules at equivalent sites. It may be concluded that residues 61-194 of UGT2B15 are responsible for substrate binding and for conferring the unique substrate selectivity of UGT2B15, while residues 158-194 of UGT2B7 appear to facilitate the binding of multiple 4MU molecules within the active site.     

Highly selective N-glucuronidation of four piperazine-containing drugs by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B10

Background: N-glucuronidation is known to be an important metabolic pathway for detoxification and elimination of drugs containing aromatic amines. However, the metabolic pathways for piperazine-containing drugs are not fully established.

Methods: N-glucuronidation potential of four piperazine-containing drugs, namely two antihistamines (i.e. cyclizine and chlorcyclizine) and two tetracyclic antidepressants (i.e. mirtazapine and mianserin), was determined by using expressed UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes and liver microsomes from both human and animals.

Results: Among 13 expressed UGT enzymes, only UGT1A4 and UGT2B10 showed conjugating activities toward these four drugs. Reaction phenotyping, chemical inhibition, and activity correlation analysis revealed that UGT2B10 was a high-affinity enzyme and mainly responsible for hepatic N-glucuronidation of all drugs except mianserin. Both UGT1A4 and UGT2B10 were important contributors to mianserin N-glucuronidation. Moreover, significant species differences were observed in N-glucuronidation of all test drugs. In particular, liver microsomes from four experimental animals (i.e. mouse, rat, dog, and monkey) showed none or negligible activity in catalyzing N-glucuronidation of four drugs.

Conclusions: UGT2B10 plays a critical role in N-glucuronidation of piperazine-containing drugs. Also, conventional experimental animals might be inappropriate models for studying human N-glucuronidation.

Abbreviations: CL_int: intrinsic clearance; CL_max: maximal clearance; HLM: human liver microsomes; K_m: Michaelis–Menten constant; K_i: substrate inhibition constant; MS: mass spectroscopy; NNAL: 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol; QTOF: Quadrupole time-of-flight; S₅₀: the substrate concentration resulting in 50% of V_max; UDP-GlcA: uridine diphosphoglucuronic acid; UGT: UDP-glucuronosyltransferase; UPLC: ultra performance liquid chromatography; V_max: maximal velocity.     

UGT1A9C-2152T和UGT2B7G211T突变在中国汉族人群中的分布

目的建立Touch-down PCR/RFLP的方法检测UGT1A9 C-2152T突变,建立PCR/RFLP的方法检测UGT2B7 G211T突变,确定其在中国汉族人群中的突变频率.方法采用Touch-down PCR/RFLP方法,对100名无亲缘关系的汉族男性志愿者进行UGT1A9 C-2152T的基因分型.采用PCR/RFLP方法,对363名无亲缘关系的汉族志愿者(其中男性263名、女性100名)进行UGT2B7 G211T的基因分型.结果在100名中国汉族男性受试者中,末发现UGT1A9 C-2152T的突变,与亚洲人通过测序报道的结果基本一致.在363名汉族受试者中,UGT2B7 G211T突变发生频率为 0.158,与日本人通过测序报道的结果基本一致.中国男性和女性的等位基因频率分别为 0.128 和 0.110,男性的突变频率比女性高(χ2=6.784, P=0.034).结论用PCR/RFLP的方法对UGT2B7 G211T突变分型的方法简便、快速、重复性好,可用于大样本人群的基因检测.UGT2B7 G211T突变在中国汉族人中发生频率较高.     

In vitro inhibitory effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on 4-methylumbelliferone glucuronidation in recombinant human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A9--potent inhibition by niflumic acid

The inhibitory potencies of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A9 activity were investigated in recombinant human UGT1A9 using 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU) as a substrate for glucuronidation. 4-MU glucuronidation (4-MUG) showed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a Km value of 6.7 microM. The inhibitory effects of the following seven NSAIDs were investigated: acetaminophen, diclofenac, diflunisal, indomethacin, ketoprofen, naproxen and niflumic acid. Niflumic acid had the most potent inhibitory effect on 4-MUG with an IC50 value of 0.0341 microM. The IC50 values of diflunisal, diclofenac and indomethacin were 1.31, 24.2, and 34.1 microM, respectively, while acetaminophen, ketoprofen and naproxen showed less potent inhibition. Niflumic acid, diflunisal, diclofenac and indomethacin inhibited 4-MUG competitively with Ki values of 0.0275, 0.710, 53.3 and 69.9 microM, respectively, being similar to each IC50 value. In conclusion, of the seven NSAIDs investigated, niflumic acid was the most potent inhibitor of recombinant UGT1A9 via 4-MUG in a competitive manner.     

UGT1A9 C-2152T和UGT2B7 G211T突变在中国汉族人群中的分布

目的：建立Touch-down PCR/RFLP的方法检测UGT1A9C-2152T突变,建立PCR/RFLP的方法检测UGT2B7G211T突变,确定其在中国汉族人群中的突变频率。方法：采用Touch-down PCR/RFLP方法,对100名无亲缘关系的汉族男性志愿者进行UGT1A9C-2152T的基因分型。采用PCR/RFLP方法,对363名无亲缘关系的汉族志愿者（其中男性263名、女性100名）进行UGT2B7 G211T的基因分型。结果：在100名中国汉族男性受试者中,末发现UGT1A9C-2152T的突变,与亚洲人通过测序报道的结果基本一致。在363名汉族受试者中,UGT2B7G211T突变发生频率为0.158,与日本人通过测序报道的结果基本一致。中国男性和女性的等位基因频率分别为0.128和0.110,男性的突变频率比女性高（χ^2=6.784,P=0.034）。结论：用PCR/RFLP的方法对UGT2B7 G211T突变分型的方法简便、快速、重复性好,可用于大样本人群的基因检测。UGT2B7G211T突变在中国汉族人中发生频率较高。     

In vitro inhibitory effects of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs on UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1-catalysed estradiol 3beta-glucuronidation in human liver microsomes

The inhibitory potencies of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) on UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1-catalysed estradiol 3beta-glucuronidation (E3G) were investigated in human liver microsomes (HLM). Inhibitory effects of the following seven NSAID were investigated: acetaminophen, diclofenac, diflunisal, indomethacin, ketoprofen, naproxen and niflumic acid. Niflumic acid had the most potent inhibitory effect on E3G with an IC50 value of 22.2 microM in HLM. The IC50 values of diclofenac, diflunisal, indomethacin for E3G were 60.9, 37.8 and 51.5 microM, respectively, while acetaminophen, ketoprofen and naproxen showed less potent inhibition. Diclofenac inhibited E3G non-competitively with a Ki value of 112 microM in HLM. The IC50 value of diclofenac for 4-methylumbelliferone glucuronidation in recombinant human UGT1A1 was 57.5 microM, similar to that obtained for E3G using HLM.In conclusion, niflumic acid had the most potent inhibitory effects on UGT1A1-catalysed E3G in HLM among seven NSAID investigated.     

葡萄糖醛酸转移酶UGT2B7-A268G基因多态性对癫痫儿童丙戊酸血药浓度的影响

目的：在丙戊酸（VPA）单药治疗的癫痫儿童中评估葡萄糖醛酸转移酶UGT2B7-A268G位点的遗传基因多态性对VPA血清浓度的影响。方法：本研究纳入200例癫痫患儿的丙戊酸血药浓度,测定VPA稳态血清浓度。对UGT2B7编码区的A268G采用聚合酶链反应（RPLF）扩增进行基因鉴定分型。根据UGT2B7基因多态性分析VPA血清药物浓度与基因多态性的关系。结果：携带变异UGT2B7-268G一个基因型或纯合基因患儿的VPA血清药物浓度显著高于携带AA基因的患儿。由于儿童个体差异较大,根据年龄、体质量调整VPA浓度后与基因多态性仍然显著关联（P<0.05）。UGT2B7-A268G的基因多态性与Hardy-Weinberg平衡一致（P>0.05）,其中UGT2B7-268A>G等位基因频率分布的是30.00%,而G突变的基因分布频率为70.00%。结论：癫痫患儿UGT2B7基因的A268G突变可能改变丙戊酸的药物代谢动力学过程,并且不受年龄、体质量等因素干扰。UGT2B7的基因多态性对儿童丙戊酸血药浓度产生影响,测定其基因型对于获得适当的丙戊酸稳态浓度和设定起始用药剂量有积极意义     

Influence of UGT1A8 and UGT2B7 genetic polymorphisms on mycophenolic acid pharmacokinetics in Japanese renal transplant recipients

Objective UGT1A8 and UGT2B7 are important uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase isoforms for the glucuronidation of mycophenolic acid (MPA). The aim of this investigation was to elucidate MPA pharmacokinetics in UGT1A8 and UGT2B7 genotypes in Japanese renal transplant recipients. Methods Seventy-two recipients received repeated doses of mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus. On day 28 after renal transplantation, plasma MPA concentrations were measured for the next 24 h using high-performance liquid chromatography. UGT1A8*2 (A¹⁷³G) and UGT2B7*2 (Y²⁶⁸) were detected using a PCR-RFLP-based procedure. Results There were no significant differences in daytime and nighttime pharmacokinetics of MPA between UGT1A8 or UGT2B7 genotypes. The mean daytime dose-adjusted AUC_0–12 of MPA in UGT1A8*1/*1, *1/*2 and *2/*2 were 2.47, 2.33 and 2.57 ng·h/ml/mg/kg (P = 0.7711), and the mean nighttime AUC_0–12 were 2.15, 2.00 and 2.08 ng·h/ml/mg/kg (P = 0.4656). The mean daytime and nighttime dose-adjusted AUC_0–12 of MPA in UGT2B7*1/*1, *1/*2 and *2/*2 were 2.61, 2.24 and 2.03 ng·h/ml/mg/kg and 2.18, 1.94, and 1.45 ng·h/ml/mg/kg, respectively (P = 0.3475 and 0.2575). The mean nighttime C_max, t_max, and AUC_6–12/AUC_0–12 ratio (enterohepatic circulation and recirculation ratio) of MPA in all UGT1A8 and UGT2B7 genotypes were lower, longer, and higher, respectively, than the daytime values. Conclusions Both UGT1A8 and UGT2B7 allelic variants seem not to affect Japanese interindividual variability for plasma MPA concentration. Regardless of UGT1A8 and UGT2B7 genetic polymorphisms, the absorption of MPA through enterohepatic recirculation is higher at night.     

Glucuronidation of 1'-hydroxyestragole (1'-HE) by human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases UGT2B7 and UGT1A9.

Estragole (4-allyl-1-methoxybenzene) is a naturally occurring food flavoring agent found in basil, fennel, bay leaves, and other spices. Estragole and its metabolite, 1'-hydroxyestragole (1'-HE), are hepatocarcinogens in rodent models. Recent studies from our laboratory have shown that glucuronidation of 1'-HE is a major detoxification pathway for estragole and 1'-HE, accounting for as much as 30% of urinary metabolites of estragole in rodents. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the glucuronidation of 1'-HE in human liver microsomes in vitro and identify the specific uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms responsible for 1'-HE glucuronidation. The formation of the glucuronide of 1'-HE (1'-HEG) followed atypical kinetics, and the data best fit to a Hill equation, resulting in apparent kinetic parameters of Km = 1.45 mM, Vmax = 164.5 pmoles/min/mg protein, and n = 1.4. There was a significant intersubject variation in 1'-HE glucuronidation in 27 human liver samples, with a CV of 42%. A screen of cDNA expressed UGT isoforms indicated that UGT2B7 (83.94 +/- 0.188 pmols/min/mg), UGT1A9 (51.36 +/- 0.72 pmoles/min/mg), and UGT2B15 (8.18 +/- 0.037 pmoles/min/mg) were responsible for 1'-HEG formation. Glucuronidation of 1'-HE was not detected in cells expressing UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A4, UGT1A6, UGT1A7, UGT1A8, and UGT1A10. 1'-HE glucuronidation in 27 individual human liver samples significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with the glucuronidation of other UGT2B7 substrates (morphine and ibuprofen). These results imply that concomitant chronic intake of therapeutic drugs and dietary components that are UGT2B7 and/or UGT1A9 substrates may interfere with estragole metabolism. Our results also have toxicogenetic significance, as UGT2B7 is polymorphic and could potentially result in genetic differences in glucuronidation of 1'-HE and, hence, toxicity of estragole.     

Roles of CYP2A6 and CYP2B6 in nicotine C-oxidation by human liver microsomes

Nicotine C-oxidation by recombinant human cytochrome P450 (P450 or CYP) enzymes and by human liver microsomes was investigated using a convenient high-performance liquid chromatographic method. Experiments with recombinant human P450 enzymes in baculovirus systems, which co-express human nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced form) (NADPH)-P450 reductase, revealed that CYP2A6 had the highest nicotine C-oxidation activities followed by CYP2B6 and CYP2D6; the K _m values by these three P450 enzymes were determined to be 11.0, 105, and 132 μM, respectively, and the V _max values to be 11.0, 8.2, and 8.6 nmol/min per nmol P450, respectively. CYP2E1, 2C19, 1A2, 2C8, 3A4, 2C9, and 1A1 catalysed nicotine C-oxidation only at high (500 μM) substrate concentration. CYP1B1, 2C18, 3A5, and 4A11 had no measurable activities even at 500 μM nicotine. In liver microsomes of 16 human samples, nicotine C-oxidation activities were correlated with CYP2A6 contents at 10 μM substrate concentration, whereas such correlation coefficients were decreased when the substrate concentration was increased to 500 μM. Contribution of CYP2B6 (as well as CYP2A6) was demonstrated by experiments with the effects of orphenadrine (and also coumarin and anti-CYP2A6) on the nicotine C-oxidation activities by human liver microsomes at 500 μM nicotine. CYP2D6 was found to have minor roles since quinidine did not inhibit microsomal nicotine C-oxidation at both 10 and 500 μM substrate concentrations. These results support the view that CYP2A6 has major roles for nicotine C-oxidation at lower substrate concentration and both CYP2A6 and 2B6 play roles at higher substrate concentrations in human liver microsomes. Received: 27 October 1998 / Accepted: 11 January 1999     

焦磷酸测序技术检测UGT1A3和UGT2B7在中国汉族人群中的基因多态性

目的建立焦磷酸测序技术(pyrosequencing)研究二相代谢酶UGT1A3和UGT2B7基因多态性在中国汉族人群中的分布。方法应用带生物素标记扩增引物并经PCR扩增和Beads分离,制备UGT1A3和UGT2B7焦磷酸测序单倍摸板。在PYroMarkID焦磷酸测序上进行焦磷酸测序,检测233血样的DNA标本的17个SNP位点,以确定血样DNA标本的的基因型。结果 233例血样的DNA标本中,UGT1A3等位基因有9种表型,分别为UGT1A3*1*1、UGT1A3*1*2、UGT1A3*1*3、UGT1A3*1*4、UGT1A3*1*5、UGT1A3*2*3、UGT1A3*2*4、UGT1A3*3*3和UGT1A3*3*5。UGT2B7-1和UGT2B7-2各有3种基因型,分别为G/G型、G/T型、T/T和C/C型、C/T型、T/T型。结论我国汉族人群中UGT1A3和UGT2B7基因突变较高。     

UGT2B7 C802T和G211T基因多态性对癫痫患者丙戊酸代谢的影响

目的:检测尿苷二磷酸葡糖醛酰转移酶UGT2B7 C802T和G211T等位基因在癫痫患者中的分布和突变频率,探讨UGT2B7 C802T和G211T基因型对癫痫患者丙戊酸代谢的影响。方法:直接化学发光法测定丙戊酸血药浓度,PCR-RFLP技术检测UGT2B7 C802T和G211T基因多态性,PCR扩增产物直接测序验证基因型检测方法的可靠性。结果:102例癫痫患者中UGT2B7 C802T位点野生型CC14例,杂合突变型和纯合突变型CT、TT分别为46例和42例;UGT2B7 G211T位点的野生型GG78例,突变型GT、TT分别为23例和1例;位点802CC野生基因型患者服用单位剂量(mg·kg^-1)后的血药浓度为(3.02±1.32) μg·kg·ml^-1·mg^-1,CT基因型患者为(2.11±1.26) μg·kg·ml^-1·mg^-1,TT基因型患者为(2.31±1.25) μg·kg·ml^-1·mg^-1,CT、TT患者血药浓度较CC患者明显偏低,差异有统计学意义。位点211GG基因型患者服用单位剂量(mg·kg^-1)引起的血药浓度为(2.28±1.32) μg·kg·ml^-1·mg^-1,GT基因型患者为(2.30±1.38) μg·kg·ml^-1·mg^-1,GG型与GT型患者间无统计学差异。结论:UGT2B7 C802T基因多态性与丙戊酸的血药浓度有显著相关性,UGT2B7 G211T位点基因多态性与丙戊酸的血药浓度无显著相关性。临床上个体血药浓度的差异可能与UGT2B7 C802T基因多态性有关。     

Identification of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase enzyme(s) responsible for the glucuronidation of 3-hydroxydesloratadine

Desloratadine is a non-sedating antihistamine recently approved for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. The major metabolite of desloratadine in human plasma and urine is the glucuronide conjugate of 3-hydroxydesloratadine. 3-Hydroxydesloratadine-glucuronide is also the major in vitro metabolite of 3-hydroxydesloratadine formed by incubation of 3-hydroxydesloratadine with human liver microsomes supplemented with uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucuronic acid (UDPGA). The metabolite structure was confirmed by LC-MS and LC-MS/MS. Out of ten recombinant human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A8 and UGT2B15 exhibited catalytic activity with respect to the formation of 3-hydroxydesloratadine-glucuronide. Inhibition studies with known inhibitors of UGT (diclofenac, flunitrazepam and bilirubin) confirmed the involvement of UGT1A1, UGT1A3 and UGT2B15 in the formation of 3-hydroxydesloratadine-glucuronide. The results from this study demonstrated that the in vitro formation of 3-hydroxydesloratadine-glucuronide from 3-hydroxydesloratadine was mediated via UGT1A1, UGT1A3 and UGT2B15 in human liver.