P450 2C18 catalyzes the metabolic bioactivation of phenytoin

The safe clinical use of phenytoin (PHT) is compromised by a drug hypersensitivity reaction, hypothesized to be due to bioactivation of the drug to a protein-reactive metabolite. Previous studies have shown PHT is metabolized to the primary phenol metabolite, HPPH, then converted to a catechol which then autoxidizes to produce reactive quinone. PHT is known to be metabolized to HPPH by cytochromes P450 (P450s) 2C9 and 2C19 and then to the catechol by P450s 2C9, 2C19, 3A4, 3A5, and 3A7. However, the role of many poorly expressed or extrahepatic P450s in the metabolism and/or bioactivation of PHT is not known. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of other human P450s to catalyze PHT metabolism. P450 2C18 catalyzed the primary hydroxylation of PHT with a kcat (2.46 +/- 0.09 min-1) more than an order of magnitude higher than that of P450 2C9 (0.051 +/- 0.004 min-1) and P450 2C19 (0.054 +/- 0.002 min-1) and Km (45 +/- 5 microM) slightly greater than those of P450 2C9 (12 +/- 4 microM) and P450 2C19 (29 +/- 4 microM). P450 2C18 also efficiently catalyzed the secondary hydroxylation of PHT as well as covalent drug-protein adduct formation from both PHT and HPPH in vitro. While P450 2C18 is expressed poorly in the liver, significant expression has been reported in the skin. Thus, P450 2C18 may be important for the extrahepatic tissue-specific bioactivation of PHT in vivo.     

Bioactivation of tamoxifen by recombinant human cytochrome p450 enzymes

Tamoxifen is a major drug used for adjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer; however, its use has been associated with a small but significant increase in risk of endometrial cancer. In rats, tamoxifen is a hepatocarcinogen, and DNA adducts have been observed in both rat and human tissues. Tamoxifen has been shown previously to be metabolized to reactive products that have the potential to form protein and DNA adducts. Previous studies have suggested a role for P450 3A4 in protein adduct formation in human liver microsomes, via a catechol intermediate; however, no clear correlation was seen between P450 3A4 content of human liver microsomes and adduct formation. In the present study, we investigated the P450 forms responsible for covalent drug-protein adduct formation and the possibility that covalent adduct formation might occur via alternative pathways to catechol formation. Recombinant P450 3A4 catalyzed adduct formation, and this correlated with the level of uncoupling in the P450 incubation, consistent with a role of reactive oxygen species in potentiating adduct formation after enzymatic formation of the catechol metabolite. Whereas P450s 1A1, 2D6, and 3A5 generated catechol metabolite, no covalent adduct formation was observed with these forms. By contrast, P450 2B6, 2C19, and rat liver microsomes catalyzed drug-protein adduct formation but not catechol formation. Drug protein adducts formed specifically with P450 3A4 in incubations using membranes isolated from bacteria expressing P450 3A4 and reductase, as well as in reconstitutions of purified 3A4, suggesting that the electrophilic species reacted preferentially with the P450 enzymes concerned.     

药物代谢酶细胞色素P450 2C9研究进展

P450 2C9是人体中重要的药物代谢酶。P450 2C9基因编码区的多态性造成氨基酸序列的变化。主要包括P450 2C9*2和P450 2C9*3两种突变体，变异纯合子对P450 2C9底物的代谢能力明显降低。P450 2C9的底物包括甲苯磺丁脲、苯妥英、S-法华令、氟西汀、洛沙坦等。P450 2C9可被利福平诱导，被胺碘酮和氟康唑等多种药物抑制。     

Metabolic activation of diclofenac by human cytochrome P450 3A4: role of 5-hydroxydiclofenac

Cytochrome P450 2C11 in rats was recently found to metabolize diclofenac into a highly reactive product that covalently bound to this enzyme before it could diffuse away and react with other proteins. To determine whether cytochromes P450 in human liver could catalyze a similar reaction, we have studied the covalent binding of diclofenac in vitro to liver microsomes of 16 individuals. Only three of 16 samples were found by immunoblot analysis to activate diclofenac appreciably to form protein adducts in a NADPH-dependent pathway. Cytochrome P450 2C9, which catalyzes the major route of oxidative metabolism of diclofenac to produce 4'-hydroxydiclofenac, did not appear to be responsible for the formation of the protein adducts, because sulfaphenazole, an inhibitor of this enzyme, did not affect protein adduct formation. In contrast, troleandomycin, an inhibitor of P450 3A4, inhibited both protein adduct formation and 5-hydroxylation of diclofenac. These findings were confirmed with the use of baculovirus-expressed human P450 2C9 and P450 3A4. One possible reactive intermediate that would be expected to bind covalently to liver proteins was the p-benzoquinone imine derivative of 5-hydroxydiclofenac. This product was formed by an apparent metal-catalyzed oxidation of 5-hydroxydiclofenac that was inhibited by EDTA, glutathione, and NADPH. The p-benzoquinone imine decomposition product bound covalently to human liver microsomes in vitro in a reaction that was inhibited by GSH. In contrast, GSH did not prevent the covalent binding of diclofenac to human liver microsomes. These results suggest that for appreciable P450-mediated bioactivation of diclofenac to occur in vivo, an individual may have to have both high activities of P450 3A4 and perhaps low activities of other enzymes that catalyze competing pathways of metabolism of diclofenac. Moreover, the p-benzoquinone imine derivative of 5-hydroxydiclofenac probably has a role in covalent binding in the liver only under the conditions where levels of NADPH, GSH, and other reducing agents would be expected to be low.     

Mechanism-based inactivation of human recombinant P450 2C9 by the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug suprofen.

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent (+ or -)-suprofen [alpha-methyl-4-(2-thienylcarbonyl)benzeneacetic acid] was evaluated as a P450 2C9 inactivator. (+ or -)-Suprofen inactivated the diclofenac-4-hydroxylase activity of baculovirus-expressed P450 2C9 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, which was consistent with mechanism-based inactivation. The loss of activity followed pseudo-first-order kinetics and was suprofen- and NADPH-dependent. The kinetic parameters for inactivation kinact and KI were 0.091 min-1 and 3.7 microM, respectively, and the partition ratio was 101. Although P450 2C9 substrate S-warfarin partially protected against inactivation, reactive oxygen scavengers such as superoxide dismutase and catalase did not prevent inactivation. Extensive dialysis did not regenerate enzyme activity, suggesting that inactivation proceeded via covalent modification. Inactivated P450 2C9 lost <10% of its ability to form a CO-reduced complex, suggesting that inactivation may have resulted from covalent modification of apoprotein. Addition of exogenous nucleophiles such as glutathione and semicarbazide partially protected against inactivation. Apart from the metabolism of suprofen to 5-hydroxysuprofen, the formation of a suprofen-glutathione conjugate was also discernible in microsomal mixtures containing glutathione. Time of flight mass spectrometry revealed a protonated monoisotopic mass of 566.1304 for this conjugate, consistent with an elemental composition of C24H28N3O9S2. The mass spectrum indicated that conjugation had occurred on the intact thiophene ring, presumably via a thioether linkage. Further evidence for the formation of an electrophilic intermediate in suprofen-P450 2C9 incubations was obtained via the characterization of a novel pyridazine adduct upon addition of semicarbazide to the microsomal mixtures. The pyridazine derivative had a protonated monoisotopic mass of 257.0895 that was consistent with an elemental composition of C14H13O3N2. The formation of the stable pyridazine adduct suggested the generation of an electrophilic gamma-thioketo-alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehyde, analogous to that observed during the cytochrome P450-mediated bioactivation of furan. This electrophilic alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehyde represents a possible reactive intermediate that bioalkylates P450 2C9.     

评价HPPH对细胞色素P450酶体外代谢活性的影响

目的:评价HPPH在体外对大鼠及人肝微粒CYP450酶的6种亚型酶活性的影响,预测使用HPPH可能出现的药物相互作用。方法:将注射用HPPH与CYP450酶的6种亚型的特异性探针底物非那西汀(CYP1A2)、甲苯磺丁脲(CYP2C9)、S-美芬妥因(CYP2C19)、右美沙芬(CYP2D6)、氯唑沙宗(CYP2E1)、咪达唑仑(CYP3A4)和睾酮(CYP3A4)与大鼠及人肝微粒进行孵育反应,采用HPLC-MS/MS法测定对应的7种代谢产物(对乙酰氨基酚、羟基甲苯磺丁脲、4-羟基美芬妥因、O-去甲基右美沙芬、6-羟基氯唑沙宗、1′-羟基咪达唑仑、6β-羟基睾酮)的浓度。结果:在本实验条件下,HPPH浓度为1.00~50.00μmol·L-1时,未发现其对大鼠的CYP1A2、CYP2C9、CYP2D6、CYP2E1、CYP3A4产生抑制作用。在本实验条件下,HPPH浓度为0.50~10.00μmol·L-1时,未发现其对人CYP1A2产生抑制作用;但对人CYP2C9、CYP2C19、CYP2D6、CYP2E1均存在抑制作用;对人CYP3A4,对底物咪达唑仑存在抑制作用,对底物睾酮未发现抑制作用。结论:HPPH对CYP450酶的抑制作用存在种属差异,在人体内HPPH与CYP450酶作用有待体内实验进一步证明。     

Characterization of the human cytochrome P450 forms involved in metabolism of tamoxifen to its alpha-hydroxy and alpha,4-dihydroxy derivatives

Tamoxifen is a known hepatocarcinogen in rats and is associated with an increased incidence of endometrial cancer in patients. One mechanism for these actions is via bioactivation, where reactive metabolites are generated that are capable of binding to DNA or protein. Several metabolites of tamoxifen have been identified that appear to predispose to adduct formation. These include alpha-hydroxytamoxifen, alpha,4-dihydroxytamoxifen, and alpha-hydroxy-N-desmethyltamoxifen. Previous studies have shown that cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes play an important role in the biotransformation of tamoxifen. The aim of our work was to determine which P450 enzymes were capable of producing alpha-hydroxylated metabolites from tamoxifen. When tamoxifen (18 or 250 microM) was used as the substrate, P450 3A4, and to a lesser extent, P450 2D6, P450 2B6, P450 3A5, P450 2C9, and P450 2C19 all produced a metabolite with the same HPLC retention time as alpha-hydroxytamoxifen at either substrate concentration tested. This peak was well-separated from 4-hydroxy-N-desmethyltamoxifen, which eluted substantially later under the chromatographic conditions used. No alpha,4-dihydroxytamoxifen was detected in incubations with any of the forms with tamoxifen as substrate. However, when 4-hydroxytamoxifen (100 microM) was used as the substrate, P450 2B6, P450 3A4, P450 3A5, P450 1B1, P450 1A1, and P450 2D6 all produced detectable concentrations of alpha,4-dihydroxytamoxifen. These studies demonstrate that multiple human P450s, including forms found in the endometrium, may generate reactive metabolites in women undergoing tamoxifen therapy, which could subsequently play a role in the development of endometrial cancer.     

Development of rapid genotyping methods for single nucleotide polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) and cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) and their clinical application in pediatric patients with epilepsy

Genetic polymorphism of cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) and cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) is widely known to contribute to interindividual differences in the pharmacokinetics of some antiepileptic drugs. We developed a rapid detection assay of polymorphisms of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, using the Light Cycler(?) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system. Using this assay, we examined polymorphisms in 20 Japanese pediatric patients prescribed phenytoin for the treatment of epilepsy, and classified their polymorphisms into four groups: group I, CYP2C9*1/*1 and CYP2C19*1/*1; group II, CYP2C9*1/*1 and CYP2C19*1/*2 or *1/*3; group III, CYP2C9*1/*1 and CYP2C19*2/*2; and group IV, CYP2C9*1/*3 and CYP2C19*1/*2 or *1/*3. The mean maximal elimination rates (V(max)) in groups I, II, III and IV were 13.1, 11.2, 10.2 and 8.0 mg/day/kg, respectively, with statistically significant differences among groups (p=0.012, Kruskal-Wallis analysis). The intrinsic metabolic activity (V(max)/K(m)) of groups I, II, III and IV were 2.9, 2.2, 1.5 and 1.1 l/day/kg, respectively (p=0.009), again with significant differences among groups. These findings indicate that polymorphism of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 plays an important role in phenytoin metabolism in children. With a total processing time for this assay of less than 3 hours, prediction of the optimal phenytoin dosage based on the CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 genotypes will be possible before commencement of therapy, resulting in the prevention of phenytoin overdoses in pediatric patients with epilepsy.     

Roles of human hepatic cytochrome P450s 2C9 and 3A4 in the metabolic activation of diclofenac

Recently, it was shown that diclofenac was metabolized in rats to reactive benzoquinone imines via cytochrome P450-catalyzed oxidation. These metabolites also were detected in human hepatocyte cultures in the form of glutathione (GSH) adducts. This report describes the results of further studies aimed at characterizing the human hepatic P450-mediated bioactivation of diclofenac. The reactive metabolites formed in vitro were trapped by GSH and analyzed by LC/MS/MS. Thus, three GSH adducts, namely, 5-hydroxy-4-(glutathion-S-yl)diclofenac (M1), 4'-hydroxy-3'-(glutathion-S-yl)diclofenac (M2), and 5-hydroxy-6-(glutathion-S-yl)diclofenac (M3), were identified in incubations of diclofenac with human liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH and GSH. The formation of the adducts was taken to reflect the intermediacy of the corresponding putative benzoquinone imines. While M2 was the dominant metabolite over a substrate concentration range of 10-50 microM, M1 and M3 became equally important products at >/=100 microM diclofenac. The formation of M2 was inhibited by sulfaphenazole or an anti-P450 2C9 antibody (5-10% of control values). The formation of M1 and M3 was inhibited by troleandomycin, ketoconazole, or an anti-P450 3A4 antibody (30-50% of control values). In studies in which recombinant P450 isoforms were used, M2 was generated only by P450 2C9-catalyzed reaction, while M1 and M3 were produced by P450 3A4-catalyzed reaction. Good correlations were established between the extent of formation of M2 and P450 2C9 activities (r = 0.93, n = 10) and between the extent of formation of M1 and M3 and P450 3A4 activities (r = 0.98, n = 10) in human liver microsomal incubations. Taken together, the data suggest that the biotransformation of diclofenac to M2 is P450 2C9-dependent, whereas metabolism of the drug to M1 and M3 involves mainly P450 3A4. Although P450s 2C9 and 3A4 both catalyze the bioactivation of diclofenac, P450 2C9 is capable of producing the benzoquinone imine intermediate at lower drug concentrations which may be more clinically relevant.     

Kinetics and regulation of cytochrome P450-mediated etoposide metabolism.

Etoposide is a DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor widely used in the treatment of a variety of malignancies that is also associated with therapy-related leukemia. The cytochrome P450 (P450)-derived catechol and quinone metabolites of etoposide may be important in the damage to the MLL (mixed lineage leukemia) gene and other genes resulting in leukemia-associated chromosomal translocations. Kinetic analysis of catechol formation by recombinant P450s was determined using liquid chromatography/selected reaction monitoring/mass spectrometry. CYP3A4 was found to play a major role in etoposide metabolism (K(m) = 77.7 +/- 27.8 microM; V(max) = 314 +/- 84 pmol of catechol/min/nmol of P450). However, CYP3A5 (K(m) = 13. 9 +/- 3.1 microM; V(max) = 19.4 +/- 0.4 pmol of catechol/min/nmol of P450) may be involved in etoposide metabolism at therapeutic concentrations of free drug. Other P450s do not appear to be involved in etoposide catechol formation. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis revealed significantly increased CYP3A4 mRNA and protein levels in hepatocytes treated with 10 microM rifampicin compared with untreated cells, but only modest effects of rifampicin on CYP3A5 induction. Etoposide (40, 5, 1, and 0.25 microM) caused a slight increase in CYP3A4 mRNA in three of five batches of hepatocytes but did not result in proportionately increased CYP3A4 protein levels. At high concentrations, etoposide induced only a modest increase in CYP3A5 mRNA and protein levels in four of five batches of hepatocytes. Alternatively, coadministration of other drugs with etoposide may account for the increase in etoposide catechol formation during therapy with etoposide.     

Involvement of multiple cytochrome P450 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase enzymes in the in vitro metabolism of muraglitazar.

Muraglitazar (Pargluva), a dual alpha/gamma peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor activator, has both glucose- and lipid-lowering effects in animal models and in patients with diabetes. The human major primary metabolic pathways of muraglitazar include acylglucuronidation, aliphatic/aryl hydroxylation, and O-demethylation. This study describes the identification of human cytochrome P450 (P450) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes involved in the in vitro metabolism of muraglitazar. [(14)C]Muraglitazar was metabolized by cDNA-expressed CYP2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4, but to a very minimal extent by CYP1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C18, 2E1, and 3A5. Inhibition of the in vitro metabolism of muraglitazar in human liver microsomes, at a clinically efficacious concentration, by chemical inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies further supported involvement of CYP2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4 in its oxidation. A combination of intrinsic clearance (V(max)/K(m)) and relative concentrations of each P450 enzyme in the human liver was used to predict the contribution of CYP2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4 to the formation of each primary oxidative metabolite and to the overall oxidative metabolism of muraglitazar. Glucuronidation of [(14)C]muraglitazar was catalyzed by cDNA-expressed UGT1A1, 1A3, and 1A9, but not by UGT1A6, 1A8, 1A10, 2B4, 2B7, and 2B15. The K(m) values for muraglitazar glucuronidation by the three active UGT enzymes were similar (2-4 muM). In summary, muraglitazar was metabolized by multiple P450 and UGT enzymes to form multiple metabolites. This characteristic predicts a low potential for the alteration of the pharmacokinetic parameters of muraglitazar via polymorphic drug metabolism enzymes responsible for clearance of the compound or by coadministration of drugs that inhibit or induce relevant metabolic enzymes.     

Differential oxidation of two thiophene-containing regioisomers to reactive metabolites by cytochrome P450 2C9

The uricosuric diuretic agent tienilic acid (TA) is a thiophene-containing compound that is metabolized by P450 2C9 to 5-OH-TA. A reactive metabolite of TA also forms a covalent adduct to P450 2C9 that inactivates the enzyme and initiates immune-mediated hepatic injury in humans, purportedly through a thiophene-S-oxide intermediate. The 3-thenoyl regioisomer of TA, tienilic acid isomer (TAI), is chemically very similar and is reported to be oxidized by P450 2C9 to a thiophene-S-oxide, yet it is not a mechanism-based inactivator (MBI) of P450 2C9 and is reported to be an intrinsic hepatotoxin in rats. The goal of the work presented in this article was to identify the reactive metabolites of TA and TAI by the characterization of products derived from P450 2C9-mediated oxidation. In addition, in silico approaches were used to better understand both the mechanisms of oxidation of TA and TAI and/or the structural rearrangements of oxidized thiophene compounds. Incubation of TA with P450 2C9 and NADPH yielded the well-characterized 5-OH-TA metabolite as the major product. However, contrary to previous reports, it was found that TAI was oxidized to two different types of reactive intermediates that ultimately lead to two types of products, a pair of hydroxythiophene/thiolactone tautomers and an S-oxide dimer. Both TA and TAI incorporated 1?O from 1?O? into their respective hydroxythiophene/thiolactone metabolites indicating that these products are derived from an arene oxide pathway. Intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations of the rearrangement reactions of the model compound 2-acetylthiophene-S-oxide showed that a 1,5-oxygen migration mechanism is energetically unfavorable and does not yield the 5-OH product but instead yields a six-membered oxathiine ring. Therefore, arene oxide formation and subsequent NIH-shift rearrangement remains the favored mechanism for formation of 5-OH-TA. This also implicates the arene oxide as the initiating factor in TA induced liver injury via covalent modification of P450 2C9. Finally, in silico modeling of P450 2C9 active site ligand interactions with TA using the catalytically active iron-oxo species revealed significant differences in the orientations of TA and TAI in the active site, which correlated well with experimental results showing that TA was oxidized only to a ring carbon hydroxylated product, whereas TAI formed both ring carbon hydroxylated products and an S-oxide.     

Characterization of metabolites and human P450 isoforms involved in the microsomal metabolism of mesaconitine

Mesaconitine (MA), a major Aconitum alkaloid, provides effects against rheumatosis with high toxicity. To supply information for clinical safety, this study aims to investigate the metabolism of MA in male human liver microsomes (MHLMs) and the CYP isoforms involved in its metabolism. Metabolism studies were performed in vitro using MHLMs. Selective chemical inhibitors and recombinant human cytochrome P450 enzymes were used to confirm that the CYP isoforms contributed to MA metabolism. A total of nine metabolites were found and characterized in the MHLM incubations. The metabolic pathways were demethylation, dehydrogenation, hydroxylation, and demethylation-dehydrogenation. Results showed that the inhibitor of CYP3A had a strong inhibitory effect; the inhibitors of CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP2D6 had modest inhibitory effects, whereas inhibitors of CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 had no obvious inhibitory effects on MA metabolism. Recombinant human cytochrome P450 isoforms CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 contributed greatly to the formation of MA metabolites, and CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2D6 played a minor role in the formation of MA metabolites. MA could be transformed into at least nine metabolites in MHLMs. MA might be metabolized by CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2D6 in MHLMs.     

Frequency of cytochrome P450 CYP2C9 variants in a Turkish population and functional relevance for phenytoin

AIMS: The genetically polymorphic cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2C9 metabolizes many important drugs. We studied the frequency of the amino acid variants cysteine144 (CYP2C9*2 ) and leucine359 (CYP2C9*3 ) in a Turkish population and the correlation between genotype and phenotype using phenytoin as probe drug. METHODS: CYP2C9 alleles *2 and *3 were measured in 499 unrelated Turkish subjects by PCR and restriction fragment length pattern analysis. Phenotyping was performed in a subgroup of 101 volunteers with a single oral dose of 300 mg phenytoin and concentration analysis in serum drawn 12 h after dosage. RESULTS: CYP2C9 allele frequencies in 499 unrelated Turkish subjects were 0.794 for CYP2C9*1, 0.106 for CYP2C9*2 and 0. 100 for CYP2C9*3. Mean phenytoin serum concentrations at 12 h after dosage were 4.16 mg l-1 (95% CI 3.86-4.46) in carriers of the genotype CYP2C9*1/1, 5.52 mg l-1 (4.66-6.39) in CYP2C9*1/2, and 5.65 mg l-1 (4.86-6.43) in CYP2C9*1/3. These differences were significant and accounted for 31% of total variability in phenytoin trough levels. Mean 12 h concentration ratios of 5-(para-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin/phenytoin (p-HPPH/P) were 0. 43 (0.39-0.47) for CYP2C9*1/1 compared with 0.26 (0.21-0.31) for CYP2C9*1/2, 0.14 (0.13-0.14) for CYP2C9*2/2, 0.21 (0.18-0.24) for CYP2C9*1/3, and 0.02 for CYP2C9*3/3; all mutant genotypes were significantly different compared with CYP2C9*1/1. CONCLUSIONS: Frequency of the two CYP2C9 variants in Turkish subjects was in a similar range as in other Caucasian populations. A significant proportion of the interindividual variability in phenytoin trough levels is explained by the genotypes. The 12 h serum concentrations after a single phenytoin dose may be used for routine phenotyping of CYP2C9 mediated metabolic clearance and the p-HPPH/P ratios may be even more sensitive indicators of CYP2C9 activity.     

The anticancer agent ellipticine on activation by cytochrome P450 forms covalent DNA adducts.

Ellipticine is a potent antitumor agent whose mechanism of action is considered to be based mainly on DNA intercalation and/or inhibition of topoisomerase II. Using [3H]-labeled ellipticine, we observed substantial microsome (cytochrome P450)-dependent binding of ellipticine to DNA. In rat, rabbit, minipig, and human microsomes, in reconstituted systems with isolated cytochromes P450 and in Supersomes containing recombinantly expressed human cytochromes P450, we could show that ellipticine forms a covalent DNA adduct detected by [32P]-postlabeling. The most potent human enzyme is CYP3A4, followed by CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP1B1, and CYP2C9. Another minor adduct is formed independent of enzymatic activation. The [32P]-postlabeling analysis of DNA modified by activated ellipticine confirms the covalent binding to DNA as an important type of DNA modification. The DNA adduct formation we describe is a novel mechanism for the ellipticine action and might in part explain its tumor specificity.     

Cytochrome P450 isoforms involved in metabolism of the enantiomers of verapamil and norverapamil

AIMS: The present study was conducted to evaluate metabolism of the enantiomers of verapamil and norverapamil using a broad range of cytochrome P450 isoforms and measure the kinetic parameters of these processes. METHODS: Cytochrome P450 cDNA-expressed cells and microsomes from a P450-expressed lymphoblastoid cell line were incubated with 40 microm concentrations of R- or S-verapamil and R- or S-norverapamil and metabolite formation measured by h.p.l.c. as an initial screening. Those isoforms exhibiting substantial activity were then studied over a range of substrate concentrations (2.5-450 microm ) to estimate the kinetic parameters for metabolite formation. RESULTS: P450s 3A4, 3A5, 2C8 and to a minor extent 2E1 were involved in the metabolism of the enantiomers of verapamil. Estimated Km values for the production of D-617 and norverapamil by P450 s 3A4 and 3A5 were similar (range=60-127 microm ) regardless of the enantiomer of verapamil studied while the Vmax estimates were also similar (range=4-8 pmol min-1 pmol-1 P450). Only nominal production of D-620 by these isoforms was noted. Interestingly, P450 2C8 readily metabolized both S- and R-verapamil to D-617, norverapamil and PR-22 with only slightly higher Km values than noted for P450s 3A4 and 3A5. However, the Vmax estimates for P450 2C8 metabolism of S- and R-verapamil were in general greater (range=8-15 pmol min-1 pmol-1 P450) than those noted for P450 s 3A4 and 3A5 with preference noted for metabolism of the S-enantiomer. Similarly, P450 s 3A4, 3A5 and 2C8 also mediated the metabolism of the enantiomers of norverapamil with minor contributions by P450 s 2D6 and 2E1. P450s 3A4 and 3A5 readily formed the D-620 metabolite with generally a lower Km and higher Vmax for S-norverapamil than for the R-enantiomer. In contrast, P450 2C8 produced both the D-620 and PR-22 metabolites from the enantiomers of norverapamil, again with stereoselective preference seen for the S-enantiomer. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that P450s 3A4, 3A5 and 2C8 play a major role in verapamil metabolism and demonstrate that norverapamil can also be further metabolized by the P450s.     

Bioactivation of Fluorinated 2-Aryl-benzothiazole Antitumor Molecules by Human Cytochrome P450s 1A1 and 2W1 and Deactivation by Cytochrome P450 2S1

Both 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)-5-fluorobenzothiazole (5F 203) and 5-fluoro-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-benzothiazole (GW 610) contain the benzothiazole pharmacophore and possess potent and selective in vitro antitumor properties. Prior studies suggested the involvement of cytochrome P450 (P450) 1A1 and 2W1-mediated bioactivation in the antitumor activities and P450 2S1-mediated deactivation of 5F 203 and GW 610. In the present study, the biotransformation pathways of 5F 203 and GW 610 by P450s 1A1, 2W1, and 2S1 were investigated, and the catalytic parameters of P450 1A1- and 2W1-catalyzed oxidation were determined in steady-state kinetic studies. The oxidations of 5F 203 catalyzed by P450s 1A1 and 2W1 yielded different products, and the formation of a hydroxylamine was observed for the first time in the latter process. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis with the synthetic hydroxylamine and also a P450 2W1/5F 203 incubation mixture indicated the formation of dGuo adduct via a putative nitrenium intermediate. P450 2W1-catalyzed oxidation of GW 610 was 5-fold more efficient than the P450 1A1-catalyzed reaction. GW 610 underwent a two-step oxidation process catalyzed by P450 1A1 or 2W1: a regiospecific O-demethylation and a further hydroxylation. Glutathione (GSH) conjugates of 5F 203 and GW 610, presumably through a quninoneimine and a 1,2-quinone intermediate, respectively, were detected. These results demonstrate that human P450s 1A1 and 2W1 mediate 5F 203 and GW 610 bioactivation to reactive intermediates and lead to GSH conjugates and a dGuo adduct, which may account for the antitumor activities of 5F 203 and GW 610 and also be involved in cell toxicity. P450 2S1 can catalyze the reduction of the hydroxylamine to the amine 5F 203 under anaerobic conditions and, to a lesser extent, under aerobic conditions, thus attenuating the anticancer activity.     

Monoclonal antibodies and multifunctional cytochrome P450: drug metabolism as paradigm

Monoclonal antibodies are reagents par excellence for analyzing the role of individual cytochrome P450 isoforms in multifunctional biological activities catalyzed by cytochrome P450 enzymes. The precision and utility of the monoclonal antibodies have heretofore been applied primarily to studies of human drug metabolism. The unique and precise specificity and high inhibitory activity toward individual cytochrome P450s make the monoclonal antibodies extraordinary tools for identifying and quantifying the role of each P450 isoform in the metabolism of a drug or nondrug xenobiotic. The monoclonal antibodies identify drugs metabolized by individual, several, or polymorphic P450s. A comprehensive collection of monoclonal antibodies has been isolated to human P450s: 1A1, 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C family, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4/5, and 2J2. The monoclonal antibodies can also be used for identifying drugs and/or metabolites useful as markers for in vivo phenotyping. Clinical identification of a patient's phenotype, coupled with precise knowledge of a drug's metabolism, should lead to a reduction of adverse drug reactions and improved drug therapeutics, thereby promoting advances in drug discovery.     

Polymorphic metabolism by functional alterations of human cytochrome P450 enzymes

The study of cytochrome P450 pharmacogenomics is of particular interest because of its promise in the development of rational means to optimize drug therapy with respect to patient’s genotype to ensure maximum efficacy with minimal adverse effects. Drug metabolizing P450 enzymes are polymorphic and are the main phase I enzymes responsible for the metabolism of clinical drugs. Therefore, polymorphisms in the P450s have the most impact on the fate of clinical drugs in phase I metabolism since almost 80% of drugs in use today are metabolized by these enzymes. Predictive genotyping for P450 enzymes for a more effective therapy will be routine for specific drugs in the future. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of polymorphic metabolism by functional alterations in nonsynonymous SNPs of P450 1A2, 2A6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4 enzymes.     

In vitro characterization of clobazam metabolism by recombinant cytochrome P450 enzymes: importance of CYP2C19.

The specific cytochrome P450 (P450) isoforms mediating the biotransformations of clobazam (CLB) and those of its major metabolites, N-desmethylclobazam (NCLB) and 4'-hydroxyclobazam were identified using cDNA-expressed P450 and P450-specific chemical inhibitors. Among the 13 cDNA-expressed P450 isoforms tested, CLB was mainly demethylated by CYP3A4, CYP2C19, and CYP2B6 and 4'-hydroxylated by CYP2C19 and CYP2C18. CYP2C19 and CYP2C18 catalyzed the 4'-hydroxylation of NCLB. The kinetics of the major biotransformations were studied: CYP3A4, CYP2C19, and CYP2B6 mediated the formation of NCLB with Km = 29.0, 31.9, and 289 microM, Vmax = 6.20, 1.15, and 5.70 nmol/min/nmol P450, and intrinsic clearance (CLint) = 214, 36.1, and 19.7 microl/min/nmol P450, respectively. NCLB was hydroxylated to 4'-hydroxydesmethylclobazam by CYP2C19 with Km = 5.74 microM, Vmax = 0.219 nmol/min/nmol P450, and CLint = 38.2 microl/min/nmol P450 (Hill coefficient = 1.54). These findings were supported by chemical inhibition studies in human liver microsomes. Indeed, ketoconazole (1 microM) inhibited the demethylation of CLB by 70% and omeprazole (10 microM) by 19%; omeprazole inhibited the hydroxylation of NCLB by 26%. Twenty-two epileptic patients treated with CLB were genotyped for CYP2C19. The NCLB/CLB plasma metabolic ratio was significantly higher in the subjects carrying one CYP2C19*2 mutated allele than in those carrying the wild-type genotype. CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 are the main P450s involved in clobazam metabolism. Interactions with other drugs metabolized by these P450s can occur; moreover, the CYP2C19 genetic polymorphism could be responsible for interindividual variations of plasma concentrations of N-desmethylclobazam and thus for occurrence of adverse events.