Substrate-dependent modulation of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) by propofol in recombinant human UGT1A1 and human liver microsomes

Our previous study has shown that propofol, a probe substrate for human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A9, activated the glucuronidation of 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU) by recombinant UGT1A1 in a concentration-dependent manner. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of activation, and whether the stimulatory effect occurs when another substrate is used with human liver microsomes. The glucuronidation of 4-MU followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a K(m) value of 101 microM in the absence of propofol. In the presence of 200 microM propofol, a concentration that causes heterotopic activation of 4-MU glucuronidation (4-MUG), the V(max) value increased to 1.5-fold, while the K(m) value decreased to 0.53-fold. In order to assess whether propofol activates UGT1A1 activity for a substrate other than 4-MU, the effect of propofol on oestradiol 3beta-glucuronidation by recombinant UGT1A1 and in human liver microsomes was evaluated. In contrast to 4-MUG activity, propofol inhibited UGT1A1-catalysed oestradiol 3beta-glucuronidation in recombinant UGT1A1 as well as in human liver microsomes with IC(50) values of 59 and 228 microM, respectively. In addition, a known UGT1A1 modulator, 17alpha-ethynyloestradiol, stimulated oestradiol 3beta-glucuronidation slightly at a concentration of 5 microM, while it inhibited 4-MUG in recombinant UGT1A1 at all concentrations tested (5-100 microM). These findings indicate that the modulation of UGT1A1 by propofol is substrate-dependent, and thus care should be taken when extrapolating the stimulatory effects of drugs for one glucuronidation substrate.     

Glucuronidation of etoposide in human liver microsomes is specifically catalyzed by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1.

A metabolite formed by incubation of human liver microsomes, etoposide, and UDP-glucuronic acid was identified as etoposide glucuronide by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. According to the derivatization with trimethylsilylimidazole (Tri-Sil-Z), it was confirmed that the glucuronic acid is linked to an alcoholic hydroxyl group of etoposide and not to a phenolic group. Among nine recombinant human UGT isoforms (UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A4, UGT1A6, UGT1A8, UGT1A9. UGT1A10, UGT2B7, and UGT2B15), only UGT1A1 exhibited the catalytic activity of etoposide glucuronidation. The enzyme kinetics in pooled human liver microsomes and recombinant UGT1A1 microsomes showed a typical Michaelis-Menten plot. The kinetic parameters of etoposide glucuronidation were K(m) = 439.6 +/- 70.7 microM and V(max) = 255.6 +/- 19.2 pmol/min/mg of protein in human liver microsomes and K(m) = 503.2 +/- 110.2 microM and V(max) = was 266.5 +/- 28.6 pmol/min/mg of protein in recombinant UGT1A1. The etoposide glucuronidation in pooled human liver microsomes was inhibited by bilirubin (IC(50) = 31.7 microM) and estradiol (IC(50) = 34 microM) as typical substrates for UGT1A1. The inhibitory effects of 4-nitrophenol (IC(50) = 121.0 microM) as a typical substrate for UGT1A6 and UGT1A9, imipramine (IC(50) = 393.8 microM) as a typical substrate for UGT1A3 and UGT1A4, and morphine (IC(50) = 109.3 microM) as a typical substrate for UGT2B7 were relatively weak. The interindividual difference in etoposide glucuronidation in 13 human liver microsomes was 78.5-fold (1.4-109.9 pmol/min/mg of protein). The etoposide glucuronidation in 10 to 13 human liver microsomes was significantly correlated with beta-estradiol-3-glucuronidation (r = 0.841, p < 0.01), bilirubin glucuronidation (r = 0.935, p < 0.01), and the immunoquantified UGT1A1 protein content (r = 0.800, p < 0.01). These results demonstrate that etoposide glucuronidation in human liver microsomes is specifically catalyzed by UGT1A1.     

Glucuronidation of antiallergic drug, Tranilast: identification of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isoforms and effect of its phase I metabolite.

Tranilast is an oral antiallergic agent widely used in Japan. Recently, in Western populations, hyperbilirubinemia induced by tranilast was suspected during clinical trials. Tranilast has been reported to be mainly metabolized to a glucuronide and a phase I metabolite, 4-demethyltranilast (N-3). In the present study, we investigated the in vitro metabolism of tranilast in human liver and jejunum microsomes and recombinant UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs). The glucuronidation of tranilast was clarified to be mainly catalyzed by UGT1A1 in human liver and intestine. The K(m) values of tranilast glucuronosyltransferase activity were 51.5, 50.6, and 38.0 microM in human liver microsomes, human jejunum microsomes, and recombinant UGT1A1, respectively. The V(max) values were 10.4, 42.9, and 19.7 pmol/min/mg protein in human liver microsomes, human jejunum microsomes, and recombinant UGT1A1, respectively. When the intrinsic clearance was calculated using the in vitro kinetic parameters, microsomal protein content, and weight of tissues, tranilast glucuronosyltransferase activity was 2.5-fold higher in liver than in intestine. Tranilast glucuronosyltransferase activity was strongly inhibited by bilirubin, a typical UGT1A1 substrate, and N-3, indicating that the phase I metabolite could affect the tranilast glucuronosyltransferase activity. In the case of N-3 formation, the K(m) and V(max) values were 37.1 microM and 27.6 pmol/min/mg protein in human liver microsomes. The bilirubin glucuronosyltransferase activity was strongly inhibited by both tranilast and N-3, suggesting that tranilast-induced hyperbilirubinemia would be responsible for the inhibition by tranilast and N-3 of the bilirubin glucuronosyltransferase activity, as would the UGT1A1 genotype.     

Assessment of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase catalyzed formation of Picroside II glucuronide in microsomes of different species and recombinant UGTs

This study compared the hepatic glucuronidation of Picroside II in different species and characterized the glucuronidation activities of human intestinal microsomes (HIMs) and recombinant human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) for Picroside II. The rank order of hepatic microsomal glucuronidation activity of Picroside II was rat > mouse > human > dog. The intrinsic clearance of Picroside II hepatic glucuronidation in rat, mouse and dog was about 10.6-, 6.0- and 2.3-fold of that in human, respectively. Among the 12 recombinant human UGTs, UGT1A7, UGT1A8, UGT1A9 and UGT1A10 catalyzed the glucuronidation. UGT1A10, which are expressed in extrahepatic tissues, showed the highest activity of Picroside II glucuronidation (K(m)?=?45.1 μM, V(max)?=?831.9 pmol/min/mg protein). UGT1A9 played a primary role in glucuronidation in human liver microsomes (HLM; K(m)?=?81.3 μM, V(max)?=?242.2 pmol/min/mg protein). In addition, both mycophenolic acid (substrate of UGT1A9) and emodin (substrate of UGT1A8 and UGT1A10) could inhibit the glucuronidation of Picroside II with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) values of 173.6 and 76.2 μM, respectively. Enzyme kinetics was also performed in HIMs. The K(m) value of Picroside II glucuronidation was close to that in recombinant human UGT1A10 (K(m)?=?58.6 μM, V(max)?=?721.4 pmol/min/mg protein). The intrinsic clearance was 5.4-fold of HLMs. Intestinal UGT enzymes play an important role in Picroside II glucuronidation in human.     

Involvement of human hepatic UGT1A1, UGT2B4, and UGT2B7 in the glucuronidation of carvedilol.

Carvedilol ((+/-)-1-carbazol-4-yloxy)-3-[[2-(o-methoxyphenoxy)ethyl]amino]-2-propanol) is metabolized primarily into glucuronide conjugates. In the present study, we identified the human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms involved in the glucuronidation of carvedilol by thin-layer chromatography using microsomes from human liver or insect cells expressing recombinant UGT isoforms. We observed two forms of carvedilol glucuronides, namely G1 and G2, in hepatic microsomes. The glucuronidation of carvedilol was catalyzed by at least three recombinant UGT isoforms: UGT1A1, UGT2B4, and UGT2B7. UGT2B4 formed both G1 and G2, whereas UGT1A1 and UGT2B7 were responsible for the formation of glucuronide G2 and G1, respectively. The enzyme kinetics for carvedilol glucuronidation by UGT1A1, UGT2B4, and UGT2B7 in addition to human liver microsomes were examined by Lineweaver-Burk analysis. The values of Km and Vmax for human liver microsomes were 26.6 microM and 106 pmol/min/mg protein for G1, and 46.0 microM and 44.5 pmol/min/mg protein for G2, respectively. The Km values for UGT1A1, UGT2B4, and UGT2B7 for G1 and G2 (22.1-55.1 microM) were comparable to those of the liver microsomes, whereas the Vmax values were in the range of 3.33 to 7.88 pmol/min/mg protein. The Km and Vmax/Km values for UGT2B4 and UGT2B7 for G1 were similar, whereas UGT2B4 had lower Km and higher Vmax/Km values for G2 compared with those of UGT1A1. These results suggest that G1 formation is catalyzed by UGT2B4 and UGT2B7, whereas G2 is formed by UGT2B4 and UGT1A1. These three hepatic UGT isoforms may have important roles in carvedilol metabolism.     

Glucuronidation of thyroxine in human liver, jejunum, and kidney microsomes.

Glucuronidation of thyroxine is a major metabolic pathway facilitating its excretion. In this study, we characterized the glucuronidation of thyroxine in human liver, jejunum, and kidney microsomes, and identified human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms involved in the activity. Human jejunum microsomes showed a lower K(m) value (24.2 microM) than human liver (85.9 microM) and kidney (53.3 microM) microsomes did. Human kidney microsomes showed a lower V(max) value (22.6 pmol/min/mg) than human liver (133.4 pmol/min/mg) and jejunum (184.6 pmol/min/mg) microsomes did. By scaling-up, the in vivo clearances in liver, intestine, and kidney were estimated to be 1440, 702, and 79 microl/min/kg body weight, respectively. Recombinant human UGT1A8 (108.7 pmol/min/unit), UGT1A3 (91.6 pmol/min/unit), and UGT1A10 (47.3 pmol/min/unit) showed high, and UGT1A1 (26.0 pmol/min/unit) showed moderate thyroxine glucuronosyltransferase activity. The thyroxine glucuronosyltransferase activity in microsomes from 12 human livers was significantly correlated with bilirubin O-glucuronosyltransferase (r = 0.855, p < 0.001) and estradiol 3-O-glucuronosyltransferase (r = 0.827, p < 0.0001) activities catalyzed by UGT1A1, indicating that the activity in human liver is mainly catalyzed by UGT1A1. Kinetic and inhibition analyses suggested that the thyroxine glucuronidation in human jejunum microsomes was mainly catalyzed by UGT1A8 and UGT1A10 and to a lesser extent by UGT1A1, and the activity in human kidney microsomes was mainly catalyzed by UGT1A7, UGT1A9, and UGT1A10. The changes of activities of these UGT1A isoforms via inhibition and induction by administered drugs as well as genetic polymorphisms may be a causal factor of interindividual differences in the plasma thyroxine concentration.     

Glucuronidation of DRF-6574, hydroxy metabolite of DRF-4367 (a novel COX-2 inhibitor) by pooled human liver, intestinal microsomes and recombinant human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT): role of UGT1A1, 1A3 and 1A8.

DRF-4367 is a novel COX-2 inhibitor, which showed good efficacy in several animal models of inflammation. In a comparative in vitro metabolism in various liver microsomes, DRF-4367 forms a hydroxy metabolite (DRF-6574) mediated by CYP2D6 and 2C19 isoenzymes. DRF-6574 readily undergoes Phase-II metabolism and forms glucuronide and sulfate conjugates both in vitro and in vivo. The objective of the present study was two folds: to study the glucuronidation of DRF-6574 in human liver and intestinal microsomes and to identify the recombinant human liver and intestinal UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes responsible for glucuronidation of DRF-6574. Of twelve recombinant UGTs tested, two hepatic UGTs viz., UGT1A1 and 1A3 and an extra hepatic UGT i.e., UGT1A8 showed the catalytic activity. The enzyme kinetics in pooled human liver, intestinal and recombinant UGT microsomes showed a typical Michaelis-Menten plot. The apparent Km and Vmax value for DRF-6574 was found to be 116 +/- 24 microM and 2.07 +/- 0.12 microg/min/mg protein and 142 +/- 17 microM and 3.83 +/- 0.15 microg/min/mg protein in pooled human liver and intestinal microsomes, respectively. The intrinsic clearance (Vmax/Km) value for DRF-6574 was estimated to be 0.043 and 0.065 ml/min/mg protein, respectively in pooled human liver and intestinal microsomes. Moreover we have determined the Km and Vmax and intrinsic clearance values for specific UGTs viz., UGT 1A1, 1A3 and 1A8. The apparent Km and Vmax values are 23 +/- 7.2 microM, 3.44 +/- 0.17 microg/min/mg protein for UGT1A1, 60 +/- 7.9 microM, 3.67 +/- 0.11 microg/min/mg protein for UGT1A3, 96 +/- 8.0 microM, 2.95 +/- 0.06 microg/min/mg protein for UGT1A8. The intrinsic clearance values (Vmax/Km) estimated were 0.367, 0.148, 0.074 ml/min/mg protein for UGT1A1, 1A3 and 1A8, respectively. The intrinsic clearance value in UGT1A8 was very close to that in human intestinal and liver microsomes. The formation of DRF-6574 glucuronide by human liver, intestinal and UGT1A1, 1A3 and 1A8 microsomes was effectively inhibited by phenylbutazone.     

Validation of serotonin (5-hydroxtryptamine) as an in vitro substrate probe for human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A6.

Investigation of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms has been limited by a lack of specific substrate probes. In this study serotonin was evaluated for use as a probe substrate for human UGT1A6 using recombinant human UGTs and tissue microsomes. Of the 10 commercially available recombinant UGT isoforms, only UGT1A6 catalyzed serotonin glucuronidation. Serotonin-UGT activity at 40 mM serotonin concentration varied more than 40-fold among human livers (n = 54), ranging from 0.77 to 32.9 nmol/min/mg of protein with a median activity of 7.1 nmol/min/mg of protein. Serotonin-UGT activity kinetics of representative human liver microsomes (n = 7) and pooled human kidney, intestinal and lung microsomes and recombinant human UGT1A6 typically followed one enzyme Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Serotonin glucuronidation activity in these human liver microsomes had widely varying V(max) values ranging from 0.62 to 51.3 nmol/min/mg of protein but very similar apparent K(m) values ranging from 5.2 to 8.8 mM. Pooled human kidney, intestine, and lung microsomes had V(max) values (mean +/- standard error of the estimates) of 8.8 +/- 0.4, 0.22 +/- 0.00, and 0.03 +/- 0.00 nmol/min/mg of protein (respectively) and apparent K(m) values of 6.5 +/- 0.9, 12.4 +/- 2.0, and 4.9 +/- 3.3 mM (respectively). In comparison, recombinant UGT1A6 had a V(max) of 4.5 +/- 0.1 nmol/min/mg of protein and an apparent K(m) of 5.0 +/- 0.4 mM. A highly significant correlation was found between immunoreactive UGT1A6 protein content and serotonin-UGT activity measured at 4 mM serotonin concentration in human liver microsomes (R(s) = 0.769; P < 0.001) (n = 52). In conclusion, these results indicate that serotonin is a highly selective in vitro probe substrate for human UGT1A6.     

Regioselective glucuronidation of denopamine: marked species differences and identification of human udp-glucuronosyltransferase isoform.

Denopamine is one of the oral beta(1)-adrenoceptor-selective partial agonists. Denopamine glucuronide is the most abundant metabolite in human, rat, and dog urine when administered orally. Species differences in denopamine glucuronidation were investigated with liver microsomes obtained from humans and experimental animals. In rat and rabbit, only the phenolic glucuronide was detected, whereas in dog and monkey, not only the phenolic glucuronide but also the alcoholic glucuronide was found. In contrast, in humans, the alcoholic glucuronide was detected exclusively. The kinetics of denopamine glucuronidation in human liver microsomes showed a typical Michaelis-Menten plot. The K(m) and V(max) values accounted for 2.87 +/- 0.17 mM and 7.29 +/- 0.23 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively. With the assessment of denopamine glucuronide formation across a panel of recombinant UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms (UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A4, UGT1A6, UGT1A7, UGT1A8, UGT1A9, UGT1A10, UGT2B4, UGT2B7, UGT2B15, and UGT2B17), only UGT2B7 exhibited high denopamine glucuronosyltransferase activity. The K(m) value of denopamine glucuronidation in recombinant UGT2B7 microsomes was close to those in human liver and jejunum microsomes. The formation of denopamine glucuronidation by human liver, jejunum, and recombinant UGT2B7 microsomes was effectively inhibited by diclofenac, a known substrate for UGT2B7. The denopamine glucuronidation activities in seven human liver microsomes were significantly correlated with diclofenac glucuronidation activities (r(2) = 0.685, p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that the denopamine glucuronidation in human liver and intestine is mainly catalyzed by UGT2B7 and that glucuronidation of the alcoholic hydroxyl group, but not the phenolic hydroxyl group, occurs regioselectively in humans.     

Characterization of nicotine and cotinine N-glucuronidations in human liver microsomes.

The nicotine and cotinine N-glucuronidations in human liver microsomes were characterized. The Eadie-Hofstee plots of nicotine N-glucuronidation in human liver microsomes were clearly biphasic, indicating the involvement of multiple enzymes. The apparent K(m) and V(max) values were 33.1 +/- 28.1 micro M and 60.0 +/- 21.0 pmol/min/mg and 284.7 +/- 122.0 micro M and 124.0 +/- 44.0 pmol/min/mg for the high- and low-affinity components, respectively, in human liver microsomes (n = 4). However, the Eadie-Hofstee plots of cotinine N-glucuronidation in human liver microsomes were monophasic (apparent K(m) = 1.9 +/- 0.3 mM, V(max) = 655.6 +/- 312.3 pmol/min/mg). The nicotine and cotinine N-glucuronidations in the recombinant human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) (UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A4, UGT1A6, UGT1A7, UGT1A8, UGT1A9, UGT1A10, UGT2B7, and UGT2B15) expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells or human B-lymphoblastoid cells that are commercially available were determined. However, no recombinant UGT isoforms showed detectable nicotine and cotinine N-glucuronides (the concentrations of nicotine and cotinine were 0.5 and 2 mM, respectively). Nicotine and cotinine N-glucuronidations in pooled human liver microsomes were competitively inhibited by bilirubin as a substrate for UGT1A1 (K(i) = 3.9 and 3.3 micro M), imipramine as a substrate for UGT1A4 (K(i) = 6.1 and 2.7 micro M), and propofol as a substrate for UGT1A9 (K(i) = 6.0 and 12.0 micro M). The nicotine N-glucuronidation (50 micro M nicotine) in 14 human liver microsomes was significantly (r = 0.950, P < 0.0001) correlated with the cotinine N-glucuronidation (0.2 mM cotinine), indicating that the same isoform(s) is involved in both glucuronidations. Furthermore, weak correlations between imipramine N-glucuronidation and nicotine N-glucuronidation (r = 0.425) or cotinine N-glucuronidation (r = 0.517) were observed. In conclusion, the involvement of UGT1A1 and UGT1A9 as well as UGT1A4 in nicotine and cotinine N-glucuronidations in human liver microsomes was suggested, although the contributions of each UGT isoform could not be determined conclusively.     

Glucuronidation of piceatannol by human liver microsomes: major role of UGT1A1, UGT1A8 and UGT1A10

Objectives Piceatannol, a dietary polyphenol present in grapes and wine, is known for its promising anticancer and anti‐inflammatory activity. The aim of this study was to analyse the concentration‐dependent glucuronidation of piceatannol in vitro. Methods To determine the glucuronidation of piceatannol, experiments were conducted with human liver microsomes as well as using a panel of 12 recombinant UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase isoforms. Furthermore, the chemical structures of novel glucuronides were identified by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). Key findings Along with piceatannol it was possible to identify three metabolites whose structures were identified by LC‐MS/MS as piceatannol monoglucuronides (M1–M3). Formation of M1 and M3 exhibited a pattern of substrate inhibition, with apparent K_i and V_max/K_m values of 103 ± 26.6 µm and 3.8 ± 1.3 µl/mg protein per min, respectively, for M1 and 233 ± 61.4 µm and 19.8 ± 9.5 µl/mg protein per min, respectively, for M3. In contrast, formation of metabolite M2 followed classical Michaelis–Menten kinetics, with a K_m of 18.9 ± 8.1 µm and a V_max of 0.21 ± 0.02 nmol/mg protein per min. Incubation in the presence of human recombinant UDP‐glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) demonstrated that M1 was formed nearly equally by UGT1A1 and UGT1A8. M2 was preferentially catalysed by UGT1A10 and to a lesser extent by UGT1A1 and UGT1A8. The formation of M3, however, was mainly catalysed by UGT1A1 and UGT1A8. Conclusions Our results elucidate the importance of piceatannol glucuronidation in the human liver, which must be taken into account in humans after dietary intake of piceatannol.     

Identification of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isoform(s) responsible for the glucuronidation of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)- 5-(2-furyl)-4-oxazoleacetic acid (TA-1801A)

We characterized the hepatic and intestinal UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoform(s) responsible for the glucuronidation of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-furyl)-4-oxazoleacetic acid (TA-1801A) in humans through several in vitro mechanistic studies. Assessment of a panel of recombinant UGT isoforms revealed the TA-1801A glucuronosyltransferase activity of UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A7, UGT1A9, and UGT2B7. Kinetic analyses of the TA-1801A glucuronidation by recombinant UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A9, and UGT2B7 showed that the K(m) value for UGT2B7 was apparently consistent with those in human liver and jejunum microsomes. The TA-1801A glucuronosyltransferase activity in human liver microsomes was inhibited by bilirubin (typical substrate for UGT1A1), propofol (typical substrate for UGT1A9), diclofenac (substrate for UGT1A9 and UGT2B7), and genistein (substrate for UGT1A1, UGT1A3, and UGT1A9). The inhibition by bilirubin, propofol, and diclofenac of the TA-1801A glucuronidation was less pronounced in jejunum microsomes than liver microsomes, suggesting that the contribution of UGT1A1, UGT1A9, and UGT2B7 to the TA-1801A glucuronidation is smaller in the intestine than the liver. In contrast, genistein strongly inhibited the TA-1801A glucuronosyltransferase activity in both human liver and jejunum microsomes. These results suggest that the glucuronidation of TA-1801A is mainly catalyzed by UGT1A1, UGT1A9, and UGT2B7 in the liver, and by UGT1A1, UGT1A3, and UGT2B7 in the intestine in humans.     

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.     

Trans-3'-hydroxycotinine O- and N-glucuronidations in human liver microsomes.

Trans-3'-hydroxycotinine is a major metabolite of nicotine in humans and is mainly excreted as O-glucuronide in smoker's urine. Incubation of human liver microsomes with UDP-glucuronic acid produces not only trans-3'-hydroxycotinine O-glucuronide but also N-glucuronide. The formation of N-glucuronide exceeds the formation of O-glucuronide in most human liver microsomes, although N-glucuronide has never been detected in human urine. Trans-3'-hydroxycotinine N-glucuronidation in human liver microsomes was significantly correlated with nicotine and cotinine N-glucuronidations, which are catalyzed mainly by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)1A4 and was inhibited by imipramine and nicotine, which are substrates of UGT1A4. Recombinant UGT1A4 exhibited substantial trans-3'-hydroxycotinine N-glucuronosyltransferase activity. These results suggest that trans-3'-hydroxycotinine N-glucuronidation in human liver microsomes would be mainly catalyzed by UGT1A4. In the present study, trans-3'-hydroxycotinine O-glucuronidation in human liver microsomes was thoroughly characterized, since trans-3'-hydroxycotinine O-glucuronide is one of the major metabolites of nicotine. The kinetics were fitted to the Michaelis-Menten equation with a K(m) of 10.0 +/- 0.8 mM and a V(max) of 85.8 +/- 3.8 pmol/min/mg. Among 11 recombinant human UGT isoforms expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells, UGT2B7 exhibited the highest trans-3'-hydroxycotinine O-glucuronosyltransferase activity (1.1 pmol/min/mg) followed by UGT1A9 (0.3 pmol/min/mg), UGT2B15 (0.2 pmol/min/mg), and UGT2B4 (0.2 pmol/min/mg) at a substrate concentration of 1 mM. Trans-3'-hydroxycotinine O-glucuronosyltransferase activity by recombinant UGT2B7 increased with an increase in the substrate concentration up to 16 mM (10.5 pmol/min/mg). The kinetics by recombinant UGT1A9 were fitted to the Michaelis-Menten equation with K(m) = 1.6 +/- 0.1 mM and V(max) = 0.69 +/- 0.02 pmol/min/mg of protein. Trans-3'-hydroxycotinine O-glucuronosyltransferase activities in 13 human liver microsomes ranged from 2.4 to 12.6 pmol/min/mg and were significantly correlated with valproic acid glucuronidation (r = 0.716, p < 0.01), which is catalyzed by UGT2B7, UGT1A6, and UGT1A9. Trans-3'-hydroxycotinine O-glucuronosyltransferase activity in human liver microsomes was inhibited by imipramine (a substrate of UGT1A4, IC(50) = 55 microM), androstanediol (a substrate of UGT2B15, IC(50) = 169 microM), and propofol (a substrate of UGT1A9, IC(50) = 296 microM). Interestingly, imipramine (IC(50) = 45 microM), androstanediol (IC(50) = 21 microM), and propofol (IC(50) = 41 microM) also inhibited trans-3'-hydroxycotinine O-glucuronosyltransferase activity by recombinant UGT2B7. These findings suggested that trans-3'-hydroxycotinine O-glucuronidation in human liver microsomes is catalyzed by mainly UGT2B7 and, to a minor extent, by UGT1A9.     

Involvement of human UGT2B7 and 2B15 in rofecoxib metabolism.

O-Glucuronidation of 5-hydroxyrofecoxib is the major biotransformation pathway of rofecoxib in human, rat, and dog. The glucuronide conjugate is also involved in the reversible metabolism of rofecoxib in rat and human. Atypical bimodal phenomena were observed in their plasma concentration-time curves with a large variability among different human subjects. It is unclear which family members of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) are involved in the formation of the glucuronide. O-Glucuronidation of 5-hydroxyrofecoxib by human liver microsomes and eight cDNA-expressed human UGT isoforms were investigated. Human liver microsomes formed 5-hydroxyrofecoxib glucuronide with apparent V(max) value of 1736 pmol/min/mg of protein and K(m) value of 44.2 microM. Eight individual cDNA-expressed human UGT isozymes (1A1, 1A3, 1A4, 1A6, 1A8, 1A9, 2B7, and 2B15) were evaluated for glucuronidation of 5-hydroxyrofecoxib. Among them UGT2B15 exhibited the highest metabolism rate with apparent V(max) value of 286 pmol/min/mg of protein and K(m) value of 16.1 microM, whereas UGT2B7 showed apparent V(max) value of 47.1 pmol/min/mg of protein and K(m) value of 41.6 microM. These results indicated that human UGT2B15 has the highest level of activity for catalyzing the glucuronidation of 5-hydroxyrofecoxib. Because polymorphisms have been identified in human UGT2B7, 2B15 genes and O-glucuronidation of 5-hydroxyrofecoxib plays a major role in biotransformation of rofecoxib, it is possible that human UGT2B7 and 2B15 polymorphisms for O-glucuronidation of 5-hydroxyrofecoxib are responsible for the high variability in bimodal patterns in human plasma concentration-time curves.     

Stereoselective glucuronidation of propranolol in human and cynomolgus monkey liver microsomes: role of human hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isoforms, UGT1A9, UGT2B4 and UGT2B7

The stereoselective glucuronidation of propranolol (PL) in human and cynomolgus monkey liver microsomes, and the roles of human hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms involved in the enantiomeric glucuronidation of PL using recombinant UGT enzymes were investigated. In Michaelis-Menten plots, R- and S-PL glucuronidation by human liver microsomes showed sigmoidal kinetics whereas the kinetics of enantiomeric PL glucuronidation by cynomolgus monkey liver microsomes was monophasic. The Km, Vmax and CLint values of cynomolgus monkey liver microsomes were generally higher than the S50, Vmax and CLmax values of human liver microsomes in R- and S-PL glucuronidation. The glucuronidation of R- and S-PL was catalyzed by at least 3 UGT isoforms: UGT1A9, UGT2B4 and UGT2B7. Michaelis-Menten plots for R- and S-PL glucuronidation by UGT1A9 were monophasic, whereas the kinetics of UGT2B7 showed sigmoidal curves. Enantiomeric R-PL glucuronidation by UGT2B4 showed sigmoidal kinetics, whereas S-PL glucuronidation displayed monophasic kinetics. UGT1A9 showed remarkable stereoselectivity in Vmax and CLint values of R-PL < S-PL. These findings demonstrate that the profiles of enantiomeric PL glucuronidation in human and cynomolgus monkey liver microsomes are largely different and suggest that the human hepatic UGT isoforms UGT1A9, UGT2B4 and UGT2B7 play distinctive roles in enantiomeric PL 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.     

Carboxyl-glucuronidation of mitiglinide by human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases

Mitiglinide (MGN) is a new potassium channel antagonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In the present study, a potential metabolic pathway of MGN, via carboxyl-linked glucuronic acid conjugation, was found. MGN carboxyl-glucuronide was isolated from a reaction mixture consisting of MGN and human liver microsomes fortified with UDP-glucuronic acid (UDPGA) and identified by a hydrolysis reaction with beta-glucuronidase and HPLC-MS/MS. Kinetic analysis indicated that MGN from four species had the highest affinity for the rabbit liver microsomal enzyme (K(m)=0.202 mM) and the lowest affinity for the dog liver microsomal enzyme (K(m)=1.164 mM). The metabolic activity (V(max)/K(m)) of MGN to the carboxyl-glucuronidation was in the following order: rabbit>dog>rat>human. With the assessment of MGN glucuronide formation across a panel of recombinant UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms (UGT1A3, UGT1A4, UGT1A6, UGT1A9, and UGT2B7), only UGT1A3 and UGT2B7 exhibited high MGN glucuronosyltransferase activity. The K(m) values of MGN glucuronidation in recombinant UGT1A3 and UGT2B7 microsomes were close to those in human liver microsomes. The formation of MGN glucuronidation by human liver microsomes was effectively inhibited by quercetin (substrate for UGT1A3) and diclofenac (substrate for UGT2B7), respectively. The MGN glucuronidation activities in 15 human liver microsomes were significantly correlated with quercetin (r(2)=0.806) and diclofenac glucuronidation activities (r(2)=0.704), respectively. These results demonstrate that UGT1A3 and UGT2B7 are catalytic enzymes in MGN carboxyl-glucuronidation in human liver.     

Almokalant glucuronidation in human liver and kidney microsomes: evidence for the involvement of UGT1A9 and 2B7

1. Almokalant, a class III antiarrythmic drug, is metabolized to form isomeric glucuronides identified in human urine. Synthesis of the total glucuronide was studied in human liver and kidney microsomes. Recombinant UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) were screened for activity and kinetic analysis was performed to identify the isoform(s) responsible for the formation of almokalant glucuronide in man. 2. From a panel of recombinant isoforms used, both UGT1A9 and 2B7 catalysed the glucuronidation of almokalant. The Km values in both instances were similar with 1.06 mM for the 1A9 and 0.97 mM for the 2B7. Vmax for 1A9 was fourfold higher than that measured for UGT2B7, 92 compared with 21 pmol min(-1) mg(-1), respectively, but UGT1A9 was expressed at approximately twofold higher level than the UGT2B7 in the recombinant cell lines. Therefore, the contribution of UGT2B7 to almokalant glucuronidation could be as significant as that of UGT1A9 in man. 3. Liver and kidney microsomes displayed similar Km values to the cloned expressed UGTs, with the liver and kidney microsomes at 1.68 and 1.06 mM almost identical to the 1A9. 4. The results suggest a significant role for UGT1A9 and 2B7 in the catalysis of almokalant glucuronidation.     

Biosynthesis of imipramine glucuronide and characterization of imipramine glucuronidation catalyzed by recombinant UGT1A4

AIM: To study the profile of imipramine N+-glucuronidation using homogenates of recombinant uridine-5'-diphosphoglucuronosyltransferase 1A4 (UGT1A4) from baculovirus-infected sf9 cells. METHODS: Recombinant UGT1A4 was obtained from sf9 cells infected with recombinant baculovirus. Imipramine N(+)-glucuronide was biosynthesized by incubating imipramine with recombinant UGT1A4 and then purified with solid-phase cartridges. A reversed phase-high pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) assay method was used to directly measure the concentration of imipramine and its metabolite, imipramine N(+)-glucuronide, with p-nitrophenol as the internal standard. The validated method was used to characterize the activity of recombinant UGT1A4 and carry out kinetic studies on imipramine glucuronidation in vitro. RESULTS: The high concentration of imipramine inhibited glucuronide conjugation, so the formula V=V(max).S/(Km+S+S(2)/K(i)) was used to calculate the parameters, using MATLAB software. The values of apparent K(m), K(i), and V(max) for imipramine glucuronidation via UGT1A4 were 1.39+/-0.09 mmol/L, 6.24+/-0.45 mmol/L and 453.81+/-32.12 pmol/min per mg cell homogenate (n=3), respectively. CONCLUSION: As a specific substrate of UGT1A4, imipramine was used as a convenient method to characterize the activity of recombinant UGT1A4 by using HPLC. Furthermore, the profile of imipramine glucuronidation was evaluated by using recombinant UGT1A4 in vitro.