ABSTRACT
Cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated epoxidation of arachidonic acid (AA) contributes to important biological functions, including the pain-relieving responses produced by analgesic drugs. However, the relevant epoxygenase(s) remain unidentified. Presently, we describe the tissue distribution, high-throughput assay, and pharmacological characteristics of the rat epoxygenase CYP2C24. Following cloning from male rat liver, recombinant baculovirus containing the C-terminal His-tagged cDNA was constructed and used to express the protein in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells. Enzymatic activity was detected with membranes, NADPH regenerating system and CYP reductase, and optimized for high throughput screening by use of the Vivid BlueBOMCC fluorescence substrate. Quantitative real-time PCR identified CYP2C24 m-RNA in liver, kidney, heart, lung, gonad and brain. Screening of CYP2C24 activity against a panel of inhibitors showed a very strong correlation with activity against the human homologue CYP2C19. In agreement with recent findings on CYP2C19, the epoxygenase blockers PPOH and MS-PPOH inhibited CYP2C24 only weakly, confirming that these drugs are not universal epoxygenase inhibitors. Finally, comparisons of the CYP2C24 inhibitor profile with anti-analgesic activity suggests that this isoform does not contribute to brain analgesic drug action. The present methods and pharmacological data will aid in study of the biological significance of this CYP isoform.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To design and synthesize new chiral 8-(substituted) amino-analogues of 3-[(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)methyl] benzomorphans, to expand knowledge of the structure-activity relationship (SAR) for 8-aminobenzomorphan.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Target compounds were synthesized from the 8-triflate of the optically active 3-[(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)methyl]-2,6-methano-benzomorphans using Pd-catalyzed aminations. Opioid receptor binding experiments were performed to evaluate their biological activities.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both 8-amino and 8-phenylamino analogues showed lower binding affinity for mu, delta and kappa receptors than corresponding 8-hydroxy-3-[(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)methyl]-2,6-methano-benzomorphan in vitro.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The relative poor binding affinity of the target compounds did not warrant conducting the in vivo studies to determine if they have the profile(kappa agonist/mu antagonist) that will be potentially useful in the treatment of drug addiction. Further study is in progress.</p>