Metabolism and distribution of benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dione (B[a]P-7,8-dione) in human lung cells by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry: detection of an adenine B[a]P-7,8-dione adduct

Benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dione (B[a]P-7,8-dione) is produced in human lung cells by the oxidation of (±)-B[a]P-7,8-trans-dihydrodiol, which is catalyzed by aldo-keto reductases (AKRs). However, information relevant to the cell-based metabolism of B[a]P-7,8-dione is lacking. We studied the metabolic fate of 2 μM 1,3-[(3)H(2)]-B[a]P-7,8-dione in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, human bronchoalveolar H358 cells, and immortalized human bronchial epithelial HBEC-KT cells. In these three cell lines, 1,3-[(3)H(2)]-B[a]P-7,8-dione was rapidly consumed, and radioactivity was distributed between the organic and aqueous phase of ethyl acetate-extracted media, as well as in the cell lysate pellets. After acidification of the media, several metabolites of 1,3-[(3)H(2)]-B[a]P-7,8-dione were detected in the organic phase of the media by high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet-radioactivity monitoring (HPLC-UV-RAM). The structures of B[a]P-7,8-dione metabolites varied in the cell lines and were identified as B[a]P-7,8-dione conjugates with glutathione (GSH) and N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), 8-O-monomethylated-catechol, catechol monosulfate, and monoglucuronide, and monohydroxylated-B[a]P-7,8-dione by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We also obtained evidence for the first time for the formation of an adenine adduct of B[a]P-7,8-dione. Among these metabolites, the identity of the GSH-B[a]P-7,8-dione and the NAC-B[a]P-7,8-dione was further validated by comparison to authentic synthesized standards. The pathways of B[a]P-7,8-dione metabolism in the three human lung cell lines are formation of GSH and NAC conjugates, reduction to the catechol followed by phase II conjugation reactions leading to its detoxification, monohydroxylation, as well as formation of the adenine adduct.     

Identification of benzo[a]pyrene 7,8-diol 9,10-epoxide N2-deoxyguanosine in human lung adenocarcinoma cells exposed to cooking oil fumes from frying fish under domestic conditions

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death among women in Taiwan. Epidemiological studies of lung cancer in Chinese women indicate that factors other than cigarette smoking are related to lung cancer risk. One such factor may be exposure to carcinogens formed during the cooking of food. The carcinogenic compounds in oil smoke particulates from Chinese cooking practice have not yet been characterized. To reveal the relationship between the high mortality rate of lung cancer in Chinese women and exposure to cooking oil fumes (COF), DNA adduct formation, induced by COF collected from frying fish under domestic conditions, was assessed in human lung adenocarcinoma CL-3 cell lines using the (32)P-postlabeling assay. DNA adduct levels were induced by COF in CL-3 cells in a dose-dependent manner. DNA adducts with a diagonal radioactive zone (DRZ) were observed when CL-3 cells were treated with COF. Surprisingly, only one spot of the DNA adduct profile was in the DRZ. The DNA adduct was analyzed by HPLC coupled with an on-line radioactive detector. The retention time of the major DNA adduct corresponded to that of authentic benzo[a]pyrene 7,8-diol 9, 10-epoxide N2-deoxyguanonsine (BPDE-N2-dG). Moreover, the mass spectrum of the major DNA adduct in CL-3 cells was confirmed to be BPDE-N2-dG by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. In conclusion, BPDE-N2-dG adduct formation in human lung cells supports epidemiological findings of an association between cooking fume exposure and lung cancer in Chinese women.     

Studies on covalent binding of (-)trans-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene metabolites to cytochromes P-450 LM2 and LM4 and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase

1. Metabolism of 14C-labelled benzo[a]pyrene (-)trans-7,8-dihydrodiol to protein- and DNA-binding products in a reconstituted enzyme system proceeds 5 to 10 times faster with rabbit cytochrome P-450 LM4 than with LM2. 2. Either cytochrome converts the substrate to ethyl acetate- and water-soluble metabolites, identified by h.p.l.c. Water-soluble metabolites comprise 78% of the total products with cytochrome P-450 LM2, but only 50% of those formed by LM4. The relative proportion of the two types of metabolites is differentially affected by certain modifiers such as 7,8-benzoflavone. 3. Half of the radioactivity in the aqueous phase of reaction mixtures containing cytochrome P-450 LM4 represents (-)trans-7,8-diol metabolites in complex primarily with NADPH and phosphate. The remaining water-soluble products are bound covalently to proteins in the reconstituted system. 4. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, autoradiography, and measurement of the radioactivity in individual bands indicate that a larger fraction of metabolites is bound to cytochrome P-450 LM4 than to NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, and only marginal binding to cytochrome P-450 LM2 is seen. Metabolite binding to added DNA is likewise substantially greater in magnitude when cytochrome P-450 LM4, as opposed to LM2, catalyses (-)trans-7,8-diol oxygenation. Thus, the degree of metabolite binding to monoxygenase proteins and to DNA correlates well with the catalytic activity of cytochrome P-450 LM4 and LM2 towards (-)trans-7,8-diol. 5. DNA causes a dramatic enhancement in the activity of cytochrome P-450 LM4 with (-)trans-7,8-diol, indicating that the cytochrome and/or the reductase may be functionally impaired by metabolites of this substrate. Such an effect may alter the balance between detoxication and activation of the carcinogenic benzo[a]pyrene.     

Aldo-keto reductase- and cytochrome P450-dependent formation of benzo[a]pyrene-derived DNA adducts in human bronchoalveolar cells

There is substantial evidence to suggest that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) induce lung cancer through metabolic activation. As part of a program to delineate the routes of PAH activation, we have examined DNA adducts that are formed in human lung cells. A stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography/multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry method was used to quantify eight anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-B[a]P (B[a]PDE)-derived DNA adducts in four H358 human bronchoalveolar cell lines with different phenotypes. In P450 1A1/P450 1B1-induced H358 cells exposed to (+/-)-B[a]P-7,8-dihydro-7,8-diol (B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol), (+)-anti-trans-B[a]PDE-N2-2'-deoxyguanosine [(+)-anti-trans-B[a]PDE-N2-dGuo] was the major DNA adduct, and it formed with no lag phase. In AKR1A1-transfected H358 cells, (+)-anti-trans-B[a]PDE-N2-dGuo was also the major adduct with a 3 h lag phase before significant adduct formation was detected. In AKR1A1-transfected H358 cells with induced P450 1A1/P450 1B1, (+)-anti-trans-B[a]PDE-N2-dGuo was formed with no lag phase in amounts similar to those in the H358 cells with up-regulated P450 1A1/P450 1B1. Surprisingly, the greatest amount of (+)-anti-trans-B[a]PDE-N2-dGuo was formed in the control H358 cells. Furthermore, (+)-anti-trans-B[a]PDE-N2-dGuo formation was 2-fold higher in (-)-B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol-exposed H358 cells when compared with (+/-)-B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol-exposed cells. The P450 1A1/1B1 inhibitor 2,4,3',5'-tetramethoxystilbene did not attenuate DNA adduct formation in the control H358 cells, suggesting that another P450 was responsible. These data raise the intriguing possibility that P450 1A1/P450 1B1 and AKR1A1 may be protective against (+)-B[a]PDE-mediated DNA damage.     

Reduction of androgen receptor expression by benzo[alpha]pyrene and 7,8-dihydro-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[alpha]pyrene in human lung cells

5Alpha-dihydrotestosterone significantly increased cell growth of lung adenocarcinoma cell line H1355. Benzo[alpha]pyrene (BaP) was a pulmonary carcinogen found in cigarette smoke. Treatment with 1microM BaP tremendously reduced constitutive androgen receptor (AR) expression, as determined with Western immunoblotting and the real-time RT-PCR assay, as well as testosterone-induced AR protein levels in H1355 cells. Similarly, 1microM BaP significantly reduced AR mRNA levels in human bronchial epithelial cells BEAS-2B. Although BaP, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dixin and polychlorinated biphenyl 126 activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which subsequently induced cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) and P4501B1 (CYP1B1) expression in H1355 cells, unexpectedly, neither TCDD nor PCB126 reduced AR expression. Antagonizing AhR activation and cytochrome P4501 activity with alpha-naphthoflavone, or inhibiting CYP1B1 activity with 2,4,3',5'-tetramethoxystilbene, however, prevented BaP-induced AR reduction. Furthermore, 7,8-dihydro-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[alpha]pyrene, a BaP carcinogenic metabolite catalyzed by CYP1A1 and CYP1B1, significantly reduced AR expression in H1355 cells and human lung fibroblasts WI-38. This was the first study that reports that BaP and BPDE reduced endogenous AR expression. These data suggest that metabolically activated BaP may disrupt androgen function by reducing AR levels in androgen-responsive organs.     

A search for the plant ingredients that protect cells from air pollutants and benz[a]pyrene phototoxicity

A diversity of antioxidants and plant ingredients were examined for their protective effect in cultured Balb/c 3T3 cells against ultraviolet A (UVA)-induced cytotoxicities of extracted air pollutants and benz[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in an effort to find effective protectors against the phototoxicity of air pollutants and B[a]P. As has been observed for B[a]P phototoxicity, air pollutants themselves and those previously exposed to UVA light in the absence of cells exhibited faintly weak cytotoxicity, but the toxicity was markedly elevated when they were exposed to UVA light concomitantly with cells. The B[a]P phototoxicity was not eliminated by well-known antioxidants but was markedly diminished by diversity of plant ingredients. Among the plant ingredients tested in the current study, morin, naringin, and quercetin were found to be desirable protectors against B[a]P phototoxicity.     

Protective efficacy of hGSTM1-1 against B[a]P and (+)- or (-)-B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, and macromolecular adducts in V79 cells coexpressing hCYP1A1.

Transgenic cell lines were constructed to study the dynamics of competition between activation versus detoxification of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) or B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol metabolites. Stably transfected V79MZ cells expressing human cytochrome P4501A1 (hCYP1A1) alone or in combination with human glutathione-S-transferase M1 (hGSTM1) were used to determine how effectively this GST isozyme protects against cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic effects of B[a]P or the enantiomeric dihydrodiol metabolites (+)-benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol ((+)-B[a]P-7,8-diol) and (-)-benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol ((-)-B[a]P-7,8-diol). Expression of hGSTM1 in the presence of hCYP1A1 conferred significant 8.5-fold protection against B[a]P-induced cytotoxicity, but protection against cytotoxicity of either B[a]P-7,8-diol enantiomer was not significant. Mutagenicity of B[a]P at the hprt locus was dose and time dependent in cells that expressed hCYP1A1. Mutagenicity of B[a]P was reduced by 21-32% and mutagenicity induced by the B[a]P-7,8-diols was reduced 20-58% in cells further modified to coexpress hGSTM1-1 compared to cells expressing hCYP1A1 alone. Expression of hGSTM1-1 reduced adducts in total cellular macromolecules by twofold, in good correlation with the reduction in B[a]P mutagenicity. These results indicate that while hGSTM1-1 effectively protects against hCYP1A1-mediated cytotoxicity of B[a]P, a significant fraction of the mutagenicity that results from activation of B[a]P and its 7,8-dihydrodiol metabolites by hCYP1A1 is derived from B[a]P metabolites that are not detoxified by hGSTM1.     

Hydroxylation of benzo[a]pyrene and binding of (−)trans 5-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene metabolites to deoxyribonucleic acid catalyzed by purified forms of rabbit liver microsomal cytochrome P-450: Effect of 7,8-benzoflavone,butylated hydroxytoluene and ascorbic acid

The catalytic activities of hepatic microsornes from untreated, phenobarbital-treated and 3-methylcholanthrene-treated adult rabbits with respect to benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylation and the activation of (?)(rflw-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene[(?)trans-7,8-diol] to DNA-binding metabolites were determined in the absence and presence of mixed-function oxidase inhibitors and compared to the corresponding activities of the individual enzyme systems. Treatment of rabbits with phnobarbital led to induction of P-450LM₂ and a concomitant 3-fold enhancement in microsomal benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activity, whereas the conversion of (?)trans-7,8-diol to DNA-binding products was unaffected. Homogeneous phenobarbital-inducible P-450LM₂ exhibited the highest activity and specificity toward benzo[a]pyrene and the lowest activity toward (?)trans-7,8-diol. Conversely, P-450LM₄ was the major form of cytochrome P-450 induced in rabbit liver by 3-methylcholanthrene or β-naphthoflavone, and this was associated in microsomes with an increase in the metabolism of (?)trans-7, 8-diol but not of benzo[a]pyrene. Homogeneous P-450LM₄ preferentially Catalyzed the oxygénation of (?)trans-7,8-diol, but was largely ineffective with benzo[a]pyrene. Partially purified P-450LM₇ lacked substrate specificity, for it metabolized both benzo[a]pyrene and (?)trans-7, S-diol at comparable rates. Additionally, 7,8-benzoflavone strongly inhibited benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylation by P-450LM₄ and phenobarbital-induced microsomes, as well as (?)trans-7,8-diol metabolism by P-450LM₄ and 3-methyl-cholanthrene-induced microsomes; in contrast, the activity of control microsomes with either substrate, and the activities of P-450LM₄ and LM₂ with benzo[a]pyrene and (?)trans-7 ,8-diol, respectively, were only partially or slightly decreased by 7,8-benzoflavone. Unlike 7,8-benzoflavone, butylated hydroxytoluene inhibited benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylation only. Thus, different forms of rabbit liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 were involved in the metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene and its 7,8-dihydrodiol. The results also demonstrate that the changes in substrate specificity and inhibitor sensitivity seen in phenobarbital- and 3-methylcholanthrene-induced microsomes relative to control rabbit liver microsomes can be accounted for by the catalytic properties of a specific form of cytochrome P-450 that prevails in these preparations, P-450LM₂ and LM₄, respectively.     

In vitro toxicity of serum protein-adsorbed citrate-reduced gold nanoparticles in human lung adenocarcinoma cells

We examined the cytotoxicity effect of the serum protein coated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the A549 cells. Negatively charged AuNPs were prepared by chemical reduction using citrate. The dimension and surface charge of AuNPs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential measurements. The AuNPs modified by the citrate anion were presumed to adsorb the serum proteins as indicated from the visible absorption spectroscopy, DLS, and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) data. The QCM results indicated that among the constituents, fetal bovine serum (FBS) should be the major adsorbate species on the AuNPs incubated in the RPMI medium. The internalization of AuNPs into the A549 cells was also monitored using TEM and dark-field microscopy (DFM). Both methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays revealed that AuNPs were toxic as determined by their half-maximal inhibitory concentration. A flow cytometric and real-time PCR analysis of apoptotic genes along with the ATP depletion measurements suggested that AuNPs induce cell damages through extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways.     

Benzo[a]pyrene metabolism by purified cytochrome P-450 from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats

The metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene in reconstituted pulmonary mono-oxygenase systems has been studied. Metabolites formed by pulmonary cytochrome P450MC, a major form of pulmonary cytochrome P-450 isolated from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats, were analysed by h.p.l.c. The profiles of benzo[a]pyrene metabolites formed by the reconstituted P-450MC systems were different from that obtained with rat-lung microsomes, indicating the presence of several unknown metabolites in the reconstituted systems containing NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and epoxide hydrolase. 3-Hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene was a major product formed by pulmonary cytochrome P-450MC, in the absence or presence of epoxide hydrolase. The addition of purified epoxide hydrolase to the reconstituted systems increased the formation of dihydrodihydroxy-benzo[a]pyrenes, particularly 7,8-dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo[a]pyrene. The 9,10-dihydro-9,10-dihydroxybenzo[a]pyrene was the major dihydrodiol formed by pulmonary cytochrome P-450MC. By the addition of epoxide hydrolase the total amount of phenols decreased in parallel with an increased production of dihydrodiol, but the amount of quinones was not changed. Similar results concerning the related production of phenols and dihydrodiols, in the absence and presence of epoxide hydrolase, were obtained in reconstituted systems of hepatic cytochrome P-450MC, the major form of hepatic cytochrome P-450 from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats.     

TPX2 in malignantly transformed human bronchial epithelial cells by anti-benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide

In order to elucidate the function of the targeting protein for Xenopus kinesin-like protein 2 (Xklp2) (TPX2) in the malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells induced by anti-benzo[a]pyrene-trans-7, 8-dihydrodiol-9, 10-epoxide (anti-BPDE), TPX2 was characterized in cells at both the gene and the protein levels. TPX2 was present at higher levels in 16HBE-C cells than in 16HBE cells as demonstrated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, immunocytochemistry, Western blot analysis and RT-PCR. TPX2 was also detected in lung squamous-cell carcinoma tissues by immunohistochemistry, but not in normal lung tissues. Depression of TPX2 by RNA interference in 16HBE-C cells led to a decrease in cell proliferation, S-phase cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. Abnormal TPX2 tyrosine phosphorylation was detected in 16HBE-C cells, and this could be inhibited, to different degrees, by tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Inhibiting tyrosine phosphorylation in 16HBE-C cells by three selected tyrosine protein kinase inhibitors, tyrphostin 47, AG112 and AG555, caused G(0)/G(1)-phase cell cycle arrest. Our results suggest that anti-BPDE can cause the over-expression of TPX2 and its aberrant tyrosine phosphorylation. Misregulation of TPX2 affects the cell cycle state, proliferation rates and apoptosis.     

Chromatographic Characterization of Hemoglobin Benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide Adducts

The formation of hemoglobin-carcinogen adducts has been detectedin carcinogen-treated animals and in human populations. Althoughpolynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons are ubiquitous in the humanenvironment and DNA-aromatic hydrocarbon adducts have been detectedin human tissue, the occurrence of hemoglobin-polynuclear aromatichydrocarbon adducts in humans has not been thoroughly described.In this study we examined the effects of reaction conditionson the extent of in vitro reaction of human hemoglobin and (+)[³H]benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dol-9,10-epoxide (anti)(BPDE), a metabolitethought to be largely responsible for the carcinogenic effectof benzo[a]pyrene. The chromatographic properties of the resultinghemoglobin-BPDE adducts were examined by conventional DEAE-celluloseion exchange liquid chromatography and by reversed phase highperformance liquid chromatography. Several adducts were formedwhich were chromatographically resolved from hemoglobin andfrom the individual globins. Some adducts were basic and someacidic relative to unaltered hemoglobin, suggesting adduct formationby reaction at carboxyl and basic nitrogen groups, respectively.Alteration of the ion - chromatographic properties of the adductsby an ionic sulfhydryl reagent, together with only a moderateeffect of pH on the extent of adduct formation, indicated thatthe adducts were not formed via reaction with the ß₉₃cysteine sulfhydryl group. The chromatographic techniques employedmay be applicable for the characterization and analysis of otherhemoglobin-carcinogen adducts.     

Cytochrome P450-dependent binding of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in murine heart, lung, and liver endothelial cells

Autoradiography was used to investigate the cellular sites of irreversible binding of 3H-labelled 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in mice. Autoradiograms obtained from solvent-extracted tape-sections revealed an even distribution of DMBA- and B[a]P-derived radioactivity in control mice lacking sites of selective binding in the tissues. In mice pretreated with a cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) inducer, beta-naphthoflavone (BNF) or 3,3',4,4', 5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 126), a noticeable accumulation of bound radioactivity was observed in the pulmonary alveolar region. Increased labelling was also observed in heart tissue of induced mice. As demonstrated by microautoradiography of tissues from CYP1A-induced mice treated with 3H-DMBA or 3H-B[a]P in vivo, irreversible binding in lung tissue was present in endothelial cells of arteries and veins, in the alveolar septal walls, and in type 2 pneumocytes. In heart tissue, binding was confined to endothelial cells of arteries, capillaries and veins. In liver, binding was found in the hepatocytes as well as in endothelial cells of the portal veins, whereas no binding was seen in endothelial cells of the sinusoids, central veins, or arteries. These findings were confirmed in vitro using 3H-DMBA-exposed precision-cut slices, indicating that reactive intermediates of DMBA and B(a)P were formed in situ. The addition of the CYP1A inhibitor ellipticine abolished binding in the target endothelial cells. Increased endothelial binding in the lungs and liver of CYP1A-induced mice was concomitant with increased 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and DMBA hydroxylase activity. In heart, endothelial binding was positively correlated with EROD, but not with DMBA hydroxylase. The results suggest that endothelial cells may be targets for CYP-dependent activation of such toxicants as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Consequently, the possibility that chemically induced endothelial dysfunction is a risk factor in the aetiology of cardiovascular disease demands consideration.     

Aldo-keto reductases (AKR) from the AKR1C subfamily catalyze the carbonyl reduction of the novel anticancer drug oracin in man

In many cases, cancer chemotherapy still obtains unsatisfactory response rates, rare complete remissions and responses of relatively short duration. Therefore, more effective drugs with new structures against cancer are continuously sought. Oracin, 6-[2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-aminoethyl]-5,11-dioxo-5,6-dihydro-11H-indeno[1,2-c]isoquinoline, is a new anticancer drug which is presently in phase II clinical trials. Pharmacokinetic studies have revealed that oracin undergoes metabolic inactivation by carbonyl reduction. Since metabolic inactivation contributes to chemotherapy resistance, detailed knowledge about the participating enzymes is necessary. In the present study, we identified three members of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily to mediate oracin carbonyl reduction in man. For AKR1C1, 1C2 and 1C4, purified from human liver cytosol, we could determine the kinetics and catalytic efficiencies. In addition, we investigated the stereospecificity of formation of reduced oracin (DHO). Whereas AKR1C2 and 1C4 are exclusively (100%) stereospecific for (+)-DHO formation, some 3% of (-)-DHO formation was found for AKR1C1. On the other hand, the activity of AKR1C1 in overall oracin reduction was one order of magnitude higher compared to AKR1C2 and 1C4. Detailed knowledge about all enzymes involved in oracin detoxification may help to improve an anticancer regimen by co-application of respective inhibitors.     

Gene expression profile changes induced by acute toxicity of benzo[a]pyrene in marine medaka

Differential gene expression profiling was carried out using cDNA microarray hybridization on hepatic tissue from marine medaka (Oryzias javanicus) after exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a representative polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon classified as a persistent organic pollutant. Forty-one differentially expressed candidate genes were identified; 18 were induced and 23 were repressed (P/0.05). The genes were assembled into 18 groups based mainly on the Eukaryotic Orthologous Groups classification. These differentially expressed gene candidates could have great potential as molecular biomarkers for identifying environmental stressors and prognosis for the biological effects of BaP. The candidate genes isolated in this study were grouped into endocrine disruption, cardiovascular disease, tumorigenesis, immune response, detoxification, energy production and conversion, and other biological responses. Our results could allow future studies to assess the molecular mechanisms of BaP toxicity and to develop a systems biology approach to environmental stress biology.     

Benzo[a]pyrene-hydroxylase catalyzed by purified isozymes of cytochrome P-450 from beta-naphthoflavone-fed rainbow trout

We have purified five isozymes of liver microsomal (LM) P-450 from beta-naphthoflavone-fed rainbow trout. Four forms (LM3, LM1, LM4a and LMx) were resolved on DEAE-Sepharose. Chromatography on hydroxylapatite further resolved LMx into two components, LM2 and LM4b. This latter form, obtained in highest yield (5%), had an apparent minimum molecular weight (Mr), as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), of 58,000, a specific content of 11.9 nmoles/mg, a lambda max in the carbon monoxide-ligated, reduced difference spectrum of 447.0 nm, and was active towards benzo[a]pyrene in a reconstituted system. A second form, LM4a, obtained in a final yield of 2%, had a specific content of 10.3 and was indistinguishable from Lm4b by Mr, lambda max, or activity towards benzo[a]pyrene. Form LM2 (2% yield) had a specific content of 10.8, a Mr of 54,000, a lambda max of 449.5 nm, and was not effective in reconstitution of benzo[a]pyrene-hydroxylase. In addition, two other forms with lower specific contents were obtained, LM1 and LM3. Neither LM1 nor LM3 was active towards benzo[a]pyrene. The properties of LM2, LM4a and LM4b were further examined with the aid of antibodies prepared from rabbits. Antibodies to LM4a and LM4b each cross-reacted with the other antigen and formed lines of identity on Ouchterlony plates, and both IgGs exhibited some cross-reaction to P-448 from rat. Neither antibody cross-reacted with trout LM2, and LM2-IgG did not cross-react with any other purified P-450. Benzo[a]pyrene-hydroxylase, catalyzed by either LM4a or LM4b, was inhibited by LM4b-IgG but not by LM4a-IgG, suggesting that these antibodies recognize different antigenic sites. Further comparison of LM4a and LM4b by amino acid composition, peptide mapping, kinetic properties, sensitivity to alpha-naphthoflavone, and regioselectivity towards benzo[a]pyrene-dihydrodiol formation indicates that these forms are highly similar in structure and function.