Monoclonal antibodies specific and inhibitory to human cytochromes P450 2C8, 2C9, and 2C19.

Hybridomas were isolated that produce 13 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that are specific and highly inhibitory to members of the human P450 2C subfamily, 2C8, 2C9, 2C9*2, and 2C19. Many of the mAbs to P450 2C8, 2C9, and 2C19 are specific and exhibit potent inhibitory activity (85-95%). mAb 281-1-1 specifically binds, immunoblots, and strongly inhibits the activity of P450 2C8. mAb 763-15-5 specifically binds and strongly inhibits the activity of P450 2C9. mAb 1-7-4-8 specifically binds and strongly inhibits the activity of P450 2C19. The other mAbs bind and inhibit sets and subsets of the P450 2C family. The single and the combinatorial use of the mAbs can "reaction phenotype", i.e., determine the metabolic contribution and interindividual variation of a P450 isoform for the metabolism of a drug or nondrug xenobiotic in human liver microsomes. The utility of the mAb-based analytic system was examined with the model substrates Taxol (paclitaxel), diazepam, tolbutamide, diclofenac, mephenytoin, and imipramine. The mAb system can identify drugs metabolized by a common P450 or several P450s and polymorphic P450s. The mAb system identifies drugs or drug metabolic pathways that are catalyzed by a single P450 and thus may be used for in vivo phenotyping. The mAb system can identify whether a particular drug is metabolized by a single P450 that may exhibit polymorphic expression in humans. The mAb system offers large potential for studies of cytochrome P450 function useful in drug discovery and reduces the possibility of adverse drug reactions due to polymorphisms and drug interactions.

An inhibitory monoclonal antibody to human cytochrome P450 that specifically binds and inhibits P4502C9II, an allelic variant of P4502C9 having a single amino acid change Arg144 Cys.

A monoclonal antibody (MAb 292-2-3) has been isolated that binds specifically to a single allele of three expressed human cytochrome P4502C9 alleles. The MAb binds to 2C9Cys144 (II), and does not bind to the wild-type 2C9Arg144 (I), or the third allele 2C9Ile-->Leu359 (III) and thus the MAb detects an allele with > 99% homology and differing from the wild-type 2C9Arg144 (I) by a single amino acid. The MAb 292-2-3 does not bind to the other 2C isoforms (2C8, 2C18, 2C19) or the other human cytochrome P450s, 1A1, 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2D6, 2E1 or 3A4/5. MAb 292-2-3 inhibits the metabolism of tolbutamide, diclofenac and phenanthrene by the target 2C9Cys144 (II) allele by > 90% and does not inhibit the catalytic activity of the wild-type 2C9Arg144 (I), or 2C9Ile-->Leu359 (III) the other 2C isoforms 2C8, 2C18, 2C19, or the other non-2C human P450s listed above. The MAb 292-2-3 is thus a prototype of an ideal and extraordinarily specific reagent for the detection and measurement of the metabolic role of highly related isoforms and polymorphic alleles of human cytochrome P450s. MAbs of high specificity can also determine the amount of phenotypic expression of polymorphic alleles and their metabolic role in drug and non-drug xenobiotic metabolism in heterozygote individuals. The inhibitory MAb might also identify allele-specific substrates of polymorphic human cytochrome P450s.

Assessment of specificity of eight chemical inhibitors using cDNA-expressed cytochromes P450.

1. The selectivity of eight chemical inhibitors has been extensively evaluated with 10 cDNA-expressed human cytochrome P450 isoforms (CYP). The results indicate that sulphaphenazole, quinidine and alpha-naphthoflavone are selective inhibitors of CYP2C9 (IC50 = 0.5-0.7 microM), CYP2D6 (0.3-0.4 microM) and CYP1A (0.05-5 microM) respectively on the basis of the IC50, which are much lower than those of other P450 isoforms (> 10-fold). 2. Ketoconazole exhibited potent inhibition of both CYP3A4-catalysed metabolism of phenanthrene, testosterone, diazepam (IC50 = 0.03-0.5 microM) and CYP1A1-catalysed deethylation of 7-ethoxycoumarin (0.33 microM). The selectivity of ketoconazole for other P450s was highly related to the concentration used. 3. Diethyldithiocarbamate, orphenadrine and furafylline were shown separately to be less selective inhibitors of CYP2E1, CYP2B6 and CYP1A isoforms by a broad range of IC50 that overlap those observed with other P450 isoforms. 4. Furafylline, quinidine and alpha-naphthoflavone activated CYP3A4-catalysed phenanthrene metabolism by 1.7-, 2- and 15-fold respectively. 5. The selectivity of orphenadrine and ketoconazole was further examined by using inhibitory monoclonal antibodies (MAb). Inhibitory MAb specific for the individual P450 isoforms may be of greater value than chemical inhibitors.

Use of inhibitory monoclonal antibodies to assess the contribution of cytochromes P450 to human drug metabolism.

Three inhibitory monoclonal antibodies specific to cytochrome P450 3A4/5 (CYP3A4/5), CYP2C8/9/19 and CYP2E1, respectively, were used to assess the contribution of the P450s to the metabolism of seven substrates in liver microsomes from 18 human donors, as measured by monoclonal antibody inhibition phenotyping of the substrate conversion to product(s). Metabolism of seven substrates by recombinant cytochromes P450 and human liver microsomes was performed in the presence of monoclonal antibodies and their metabolites were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) to measure the magnitude of inhibition. Our results showed that CYP3A4/5 contributes to testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation, taxol phenol formation, diazepam 3-hydroxylation, diazepam N-demethylation, and aflatoxin B1 3-hydroxylation in human liver by 79.2%, 81.5%, 73. 2%, 34.5% and 80%, respectively. CYP2E1 contributes to chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation, p-nitroanisole O-demethylation, and toluene hydroxylation by 45.8%, 27.7% and 44.2% respectively, and CYP2C8/9/19 contribute to diazepam N-demethylation by 30.6%. The additive contribution (75.3%) of human CYP3A and CYP2C to diazepam N-demethylation was also observed in the presence of both anti-CYP3A4/5 and anti-CYP2C8/9/19 monoclonal antibodies. The contribution of individual P450s to the specific metabolic reaction in human liver varies greatly in the individual donors and the substrates examined. Thus, inhibitory monoclonal antibodies could play a unique role in defining the single or subfamily of cytochrome P450 that is responsible for the metabolism of specific drugs.

An inhibitory monoclonal antibody to human cytochrome P450 2A6 defines its role in the metabolism of coumarin, 7-ethoxycoumarin and 4-nitroanisole in human liver.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2A6 is an important enzyme catalysing the metabolism of many drugs, procarcinogens and promutagens. Its role in human liver metabolism of coumarin, 4-nitroanisole, 4-nitrophenol and 7-ethoxycoumarin was analysed with an inhibitory monoclonal antibody (MAb) to CYP2A6. MAbs were derived from a panel of 16 hybridomas which yielded positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results or immunoblots against CYP2A6. The hybridomas were selected from more than 500 clones generated by the fusion of myeloma cells with spleen cells of mice immunized with purified baculovirus-expressed human CYP2A6. The MAbs obtained from four of the 16 hybridomas exhibited strong inhibitory activity to CYP2A6-catalysed phenanthrene metabolism. MAb 151-45-4 was positive and highly specific to CYP2A6 as determined by ELISA and immunoblot, and showed no cross-reactivity with recombinant human CYP 1A1, 1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4 and 3A5, as tested with ELISA and immunoblot analyses. MAb 151-45-4 specifically inhibited CYP2A6-catalysed metabolism of phenanthrene, 4-nitroanisole, 4-nitrophenol, coumarin and 7-ethoxycoumarin each by 94-99% and did not inhibit their metabolism catalysed by 10 other human CYPs. The potent inhibitory effect of MAb 151-45-4 was used to define the contribution of human CYP2A6 to the metabolism of coumarin, 4-nitroanisole and 7-ethoxycoumarin in seven human liver microsome samples. Coumarin metabolism in all of the seven samples was inhibited by greater than 94% by MAb 151-45-4 which indicates that essentially all microsome mediated coumarin metabolism in human liver is catalysed only by CYP2A6. Inhibition of 4-nitroanisole and 7-ethoxycoumarin metabolism by anti 2A6 MAb ranged from 22-65% and 8-24%, respectively. The degree of inhibition defines the contribution of CYP2A6 activity to the 4-nitroanisole and 7-ethoxycoumarin metabolism in human liver and the range reflects the variability among samples. The inhibitory antibody to CYP2E1 was used to determine its role in 4-nitroanisole and 7-ethoxycoumarin metabolism in seven human liver samples. The addition of both MAbs to CYP2A6 and 2E1 to the microsome samples defined combinatorially the relative role of CYP2A6 and 2E1 in the metabolism of 4-nitroanisole and 7-ethoxycoumarin.

Eight inhibitory monoclonal antibodies define the role of individual P-450s in human liver microsomal diazepam, 7-ethoxycoumarin, and imipramine metabolism.

Eight inhibitory monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) individually specific to human cytochrome P-450 (P-450) 1A1, 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C subfamily (2C8, 2C9, 2C18 and 2C19), 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4/5 were used to define the role of single P-450s in the metabolism of diazepam (DZ), 7-ethoxycoumarin (7-EC), and imipramine (IMI) in human liver microsomes (HLM). The MAbs were added combinatorially to six HLM samples. With DZ as a substrate, more than 80% of temazepam (TMZ) formation was inhibited in all six samples by the addition of MAb to 3A4/5, indicating an 80% contribution of 3A4/5 to TMZ formation. Nordiazepam formation was inhibited with MAbs to 2B6 (6-23%), 2C subfamily (12-61%) and 3A4/5 (14-45%). The MAbs to 1A1, 1A2, 2A6, 2D6, and 2E1 did not inhibit TMZ or nordiazepam formation; this indicates their noninvolvement in DZ metabolism. The MAb-defined P-450 contribution to 7-EC Odeethylation in six HLM samples was 17 to 60% for 2E1, 15 to 46% for 2A6, and 5 to 22% for 1A2, reflecting the role and variation of each P-450 in this activity. MAbs to 1A1, the 2C subfamily, 2D6, and 3A4/5 did not affect 7-EC metabolism in the HLM samples. IMI is metabolized mainly to 2-hydroxyimipramine by expressed 2C19 and 2D6, and desipramine (DIM) by expressed 1A2, 2C18, 2C19 and 2D6. Expressed 1A1, 2C9, and 3A4 showed low activities for the formation of DIM. Of six HLM samples, five showed IMI hydroxylation activity (0.35-2.6 nmol/min/nmol P-450) while one (HL43) lacked hydroxylation activity. All six HLM samples showed N-deethylation activity (0.74-1.4 nmol/min/nmol P-450). The MAb-determined contribution of 2D6 and 2C19 to 2-hydroxyimipramine formation ranged from 47 to 90% and from 0 to 49%, respectively, while HL43 did not show 2-hydroxylation. The role of P-450s involved in DIM formation varied for 2C19 (13-50%), 1A2 (23-41%), and 3A4 (8-26%). These studies demonstrate a system for identifying the quantitative metabolic role of single P-450s and their interindividual variability in a tissue containing multiple P-450s. The system using inhibitory MAbs is simple, precise, and applicable to any P-450-mediated catalytic activity including that for drugs, carcinogens, mutagens, toxic chemicals and endobiotics.

Inhibitory monoclonal antibodies to human cytochrome P450 1A2: analysis of phenacetin O-deethylation in human liver.

Human cytochrome P450 1A2 metabolizes a large number of common drugs and engages in carcinogen metabolism and activation. Baculovirus-expressed 1A2 was used to immunize mice producing hybridomas yielding monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Three of 2050 clones assayed yielded the MAbs, MAb 26-7-5, MAb 951-5-1, MAb 1812-2-4, which were specific for 1A2 as assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblots. The three MAbs inhibited 1A2-catalysed metabolism of phenacetin, 7-ethoxycoumarin, chlorzoxazone and phenanthrene by more than 85%. The MAbs were highly specific to 1A2 and did not inhibit 11 other human P450s. The phenancetin O-deethylation activity varied from 0.44-2.49 nmol/min/nmol P450 in eight human liver microsomes samples. MAb 26-7-5 inhibited 1A2-dependent phenacetin O-deethylation in these samples by 64-84% indicating the amount of 1A2 contribution to this reaction and in addition a role for other P450s in the O-deethylation. Independent analysis of recombinant human P450s showed that 1A1, 1A2, 2A6 and 2C19 exhibited phenacetin O-deethylation activity, with 1A1 and 1A2 being the most active followed by 2C19 and 2A6. Eight other P450s were inactive towards phenacetin O-deethylation. The role of different P450 in eight liver samples was analysed with specific individual inhibitory MAbs. Inhibitory antibodies to 1A2, 2C8/9/18/19, 2A6, 2D6, 2E1, and 1A1 were combinatorially added to the microsomes. The O-deethylation activity was inhibited by antibodies to 1A2 (64-84%), to 2C19 (4.6-20%) and to 2A6 (0-8.8%). The total activity inhibited by antibodies to P450 2E1, 2D6 and 1A1 was less than 4.5%, indicating a minor role for these P450s in phenancetin metabolism in human liver microsomes. Thus, 1A2, 2C 9 and 2A6 are the dominant P450s for phenacetin O-deethylation. These studies demonstrate the use of inhibitory MAbs to P450s for a simple and precise assessment of the quantitative role of each P450 in the metabolism of substrates, including drugs, carcinogens, mutagens, environmental chemicals and endobiotics.

Role of human cytochrome P450 3A4 and 3A5 in the metabolism of taxotere and its derivatives: enzyme specificity, interindividual distribution and metabolic contribution in human liver.

Taxotere, a promising anticancer agent, is metabolized almost exclusively in liver and excreted from bile in all species. To determine which cytochrome P450 is involved in taxotere biotransformation, 11 cDNA-expressed human cytochrome P450s were examined for their activity in the metabolism of taxotere and its derivatives. Of all P450s, cytochrome P450 3A4 and 3A5 were the most active for the oxidation of taxotere to the primary metabolite RPR104952 and for subsequent oxidation of RPR104952 to RPR111059 and RPR111026. RP70617, an epimer of taxotere was also metabolized by both P450 3A enzymes to form metabolite XII. The activity of 3A4/5 enzymes for these substrates was 4-50-fold greater than the other P450s examined. The Kms of 3A4 and 3A5 for taxotere were 0.91 and 9.28 microM, and Vmax for the formation of RPR104952 were 1.17 and 1.36 m(-1), respectively. The contribution of the 3A enzyme complex to the metabolism of taxotere in human livers from 21 individuals was assessed with the inhibitory monoclonal antibody and ranged from 64-93%. The primary oxidative metabolism of taxotere by human liver microsomes was well correlated with 3A4-dependent reactions for testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation (r2 = 0.84), taxol aromatic hydroxylation (r2 = 0.67) and aflatoxin B1 3alpha-hydroxylation (r2 = 0.63); whereas a poor correlation was found for reactions specifically catalysed by other P450s (all r2 < or =O.17). The extent of taxotere metabolism also closely correlated with levels of 3A4 enzyme in human livers quantified with immunoblot monoclonal antibody (r2 = 0.61). These results demonstrate that the P450 3A4 and 3A5 enzymes are major determinants in taxotere oxidation and suggest that care must be taken when administering this drug with other drugs that are also substrates for these enzymes.

Inhibitory monoclonal antibody to human cytochrome P450 2B6.

The human cytochrome P450 2B6 metabolizes, among numerous other substrates, diazepam, 7-ethoxycoumarin, testosterone, and phenanthrene. A recombinant baculovirus containing the human 2B6 cDNA was constructed and used to express 2B6 in Sf9 insect cells. The 2B6 was present at 1.8 +/- 0.4% of the total cellular protein and was purified to a specific content of 13.3 nmol/mg protein. Mice were immunized with the purified 2B6, and a total of 811 hybridomas were obtained from the fusion of NS-1 myeloma cells and spleen cells of the immunized mice. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) from 24 of the hybrids exhibited immunobinding to 2B6 as determined by ELISA. One of the MAbs, 49-10-20, showed a strong immunoblotting activity and was highly inhibitory to 2B6 enzyme activity. MAb 49-10-20 inhibited cDNA-expressed 2B6-catalyzed metabolism of diazepam, phenanthrene, 7-ethoxycoumarin, and testosterone by 90-91%. MAb 49-10-20 showed extremely high specificity for 2B6 and did not bind to 17 other human and rodent P450s or inhibit the metabolism of phenanthrene catalyzed by human 1A2, 2A6, 2C8, 2C9, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4, and 3A5. MAb 49-10-20 was used to determine the contribution of 2B6 to the metabolism of phenanthrene and diazepam in human liver. In ten liver samples, MAb 49-10-20 inhibited phenanthrene metabolism variably by a wide range of 8-42% and diazepam demethylation by 1-23%. The degree of inhibition by the 2B6 specific MAb 49-10-20 defines the contribution of 2B6 to phenanthrene and diazepam metabolism in each human liver. This technique using inhibitory MAb 49-10-20 determines the contribution of 2B6 to the metabolism of its substrates in a human tissue containing multiple P450s. This study is a prototype for the use of specific and highly inhibitory MAbs to determine individual P450 function.

Inhibitory monoclonal antibodies to human cytochrome P450 2D6.

Two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have been isolated that bind to human P450 2D6 and inhibit 2D6 catalyzed bufuralol 1-hydroxylation by 90%. One but not both of the MAbs immunoblotted 2D6. The MAbs were highly specific to 2D6 and did not cross-react with other P450s. Inhibitory monoclonal antibodies will be useful for determining the contribution of 2D6 to the metabolism of a wide variety of 2D6 and other P450 substrates in human tissues containing multiple P450s.

Role of human hepatic cytochrome P450 1A2 and 3A4 in the metabolic activation of estrone.

The metabolic activation of estrone (E1), a potent estrogen was investigated using recombinant human cytochrome P450 enzymes, 1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C9R144C, 2E1, 3A4, 3A5 and liver microsomes from 14 human organ donors. At least five products of E1 were detected and quantitated by HPLC and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Among these metabolites, 16alpha-OH-E1, 2-OH-E1 and 4-OH-E1, which are believed to be associated with estrogen carcinogenesis in animals, were definitively identified. Of all P450s examined, 1A2 and 3A4 exhibited the highest activities with turnovers of 3.4 and 2.5 nmol/min/nmol P450 for the total metabolism of E1, respectively, while 3A5, 2C9 and 2C9R144C showed moderate activities. 2B6, 2E1 and 2C8 did not produce any significant amount of products. 1A2 formed almost exclusively the 2-OH-E1 at a rate of 3.3 nmol/min/nmol but 3A4 preferentially formed the metabolite X1 (an unknown hydroxylation product) and 16alpha-OH-E1. Kinetic characterization showed that the Km values of 1A2, 3A4 and 3A5 were 14, 95 and 64 microM and Vmax were 5.43, 0.68 and 0.35 min(-1), respectively. All human liver microsomes were capable of metabolizing estrone and a 4-fold variation was seen between individuals. The relative amount of metabolites formed was generally 2-OH-E1 > metabolite X1 > 4-OH-E1 > 16alpha-OH-E1 > metabolite X2. 3A4/5 enzyme complex was assessed by inhibitory monoclonal antibody specific for 3A4/5 to contribute 60-88% to the formation of individual metabolites in human liver except for 2-OH-E1 (3%). The formation of 2-OH-E1 and 16alpha-OH-E1 by 14 human liver microsomes was significantly correlated with caffeine 3-demethylation supported by 1A2 (r2 = 0.87) and with testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation by 3A4 (r2 = 0.66), respectively. Thus the metabolic patterns exhibited by human liver are likely due to the combined activities of the P450 1A2 and 3A4 enzymes.

A monoclonal antibody inhibitory to human P450 2D6: a paradigm for use in combinatorial determination of individual P450 role in specific drug tissue metabolism.

Human cytochrome P450 2D6 metabolizes more than 50 common drugs and is polymorphically expressed, with 5-10% of the population lacking expression caused by mutant genes. This may result in a defective and toxic response in deficient individuals treated with 2D6 drug substrates. Baculovirus-expressed 2D6 was used to immunize mice for hybridoma production and two clones yielded monoclonal antibodies, that were positive against 2D6 by ELISA and inhibited 2D6 catalysed metabolism of bufuralol, dextromethorphan and phenanthrene by more than 90%. The inhibitory activity was highly specific to 2D6 and the monoclonal antibodies did not bind to 11 other P450s, nor inhibit seven human P450s tested. Analysis of eight human liver microsome samples showed that their basal bufuralol 1'-hydroxylase activity varied from 6.7-83.5 pmol min-1 nmol-1 P450. The monoclonal antibody 512-1-8 inhibited 2D6-dependent bufuralol 1'-hydroxylase in these samples by 10-70% indicating a widely variable role for 2D6 in human liver bufuralol 1'-hydroxylase activity and a role for other P450s in bufuralol metabolism. Independent analysis of several recombinant human P450s showed that 2D6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19 and 1A2 exhibited bufuralol 1'-hydroxylase activity with 2D6 and 2C19 being the most active. Further analysis of three liver samples was made with individual inhibitory monoclonal antibodies. Inhibitory antibodies to 2D6, 2B6, 2E1, 2C8/9/19, 3A4 and 1A2 were added to the microsomes either singly or additively. Inhibitory activity of bufuralol 1'-hydroxylase was observed with antibodies to 2D6 (14-76%), 2C8/9/19 (24-69%) and 1A2 (2-25%) indicating a variable and different role for each of these P450s in the bufuralol 1'-hydroxylase of human liver. The monoclonal antibodies to 2B6, 2E1 and 3A4 were not inhibitory, indicating that these enzymes play no role in bufuralol 1'-hydroxylase metabolism. When the three antibodies to 2D6, 2C8/9/19 and 1A2, respectively, were all added, the total bufuralol 1'-hydroxylase of the liver samples was inhibited by more than 90%, indicating that the latter P450s catalyse all of liver bufuralol 1'-hydroxylase metabolism. These studies demonstrate that inhibitory monoclonal antibodies offer a simple and precise method for assessing the quantitative role of each P450 in the metabolism of a P450 substrate in a tissue, which include drugs, carcinogens, mutagens, toxic chemicals and endobiotics.

Specificity of cDNA-expressed human and rodent cytochrome P450s in the oxidative metabolism of the potent carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene.

7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), a potent carcinogen, requires metabolic activation by cytochrome P450s (P450s) to electrophilic metabolites that result in DNA modification, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity. In this study, we used eight human forms, four rodent forms, and one rabbit form of P450 expressed from recombinant vaccinia or baculovirus vectors to define their specificity for metabolizing DMBA. Of the eight human P450s, 1A1 was the most active (specific activity = 14.7 nmol/min/nmol of P450) in total metabolism of DMBA and showed approximately 6- to 33-fold more activity than other P450s, 2B6, 2C9, and 1A2 were also capable of metabolizing DMBA (2.0-2.5 nmol/min/nmol of P450), whereas 2C8, 2E1, 3A4, and 3A5 exhibited relatively low activities. Among animal P450s, mouse 1A1 exhibited activity similar to that of human 1A1 and had 5.0- to 37-fold more activity than other rodent and rabbit P450s. In regard to enzyme regioselectivity, most human and rodent P450s predominantly formed the 8,9-diol, but human 2B6 and rat 2B1 preferentially formed the 5,6-diol. In the production of monohydroxymethyl metabolites, all the enzymes yielded more 7-hydroxymethyl-12-methylbenz[a]anthracene (7HOM12MBA) than 12-hydroxymethyl-7-methylbenz[a]anthracene (7M12HOMBA), except for human 1A1, which presented the reverse selectivity. Human liver microsomes from 10 organ donors were shown to metabolize DMBA and in most circumstances generated the metabolic profile DMBA trans-8,9-dihydrodiol > 7HOM12MBA > or = DMBA trans-5,6-dihydrodiol > or = 7,12-dihydroxymethylbenz[a]anthracene > 7M12HOMBA > DMBA trans-3,4-dihydrodiol. Thus, the combined activity of hepatic microsomal 2C9, 1A2, and 2B6 may contribute to the metabolic activation and the metabolism of DMBA in normal human liver.

Metabolic activation of the potent carcinogen dibenzo[a,l]pyrene by human recombinant cytochromes P450, lung and liver microsomes.

The metabolic activation of dibenzo[a,l]pyrene (DB[a,l]P), recently considered the most potent carcinogen among all polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, to the 11,12-dihydrodiol, a precursor of the ultimate carcinogens, the 11,12-diol-13,14-epoxides, was investigated using eleven human recombinant cytochrome P450s, as well as human lung and liver microsomes. Of all human P450s, 1A1 was the most active in the metabolism of DB[a,l]P (310 pmol/min, nmol P450) and had 5-23-fold higher catalytic activity than other P450s examined. The order of activity in the formation of the 11,12-dihydrodiol was as follows: 1A1 (116 pmol/min, nmol P450) > 2C9 (29) > 1A2 (22) > 2B6 (18) > 3A4 (16) > others (< or = 5). The Km of 1A1 for DB[a,l]P and Vmax for the formation of 11,12-dihydrodiol were 3.9 microM and 0.13/min, respectively. Liver microsomes from 14 individuals were shown to metabolize DB[a,l]P and the rates for production of 11,12-dihydrodiol ranged from 4 to 71 pmol/min, nmol P450. Lung microsomes from six organ donors formed the 11,12-dihydrodiol at a rate from 0.1 to 1.3 pmol/min, mg of microsomal protein. These findings describe the potential of individual P450s present in liver and lung to contribute to the metabolic activation and the carcinogenicity of DB[a,l]P.

Inhibitory and noninhibitory monoclonal antibodies to human cytochrome P450 2E1.

A panel of 17 hybridomas producing (MAbs) against human cytochrome P450 2E1 (h2E1) was generated by immunizing mice with baculovirus-expressed h2E1. All 17 hybridoma clones gave positive ELISA or immunoblots with either baculovirus-or vaccinia virus-expressed h2E1. Two of the latter were further developed due to their desirable characteristics. MAb 1-73-18 was found to be a powerful inhibitor of P450 h2E1; however, it did not yield a positive immunoblot. MAb 2-106-12 was found to be noninhibitory but formed a strong positive immunoblot with P450 h2E1. These MAbs to h2E1 were highly specific and did not recognize six other human P450s as tested with ELISA or immunoblot analyses. The MAbs to baculovirus-expressed h2E1 also reacted with h2E1 expressed from a vaccinia virus vector system as well as with microsomal fractions of human and acetone-treated rat liver. MAb 1-73-18 inhibited h2E1 enzyme activity catalyzing the metabolism of phenanthrene by 85%, p-nitroanisole by 90%, 4-methylanisole by 60-80%, toluene by 90%, and chlorzoxazone by 90%. The inhibitory MAb 1-73-18 is uniquely useful for determining the contribution of h2E1 to the metabolism of h2E1 substrates in human liver containing multiple P450s. The quantitatively determined contribution of h2E1 to the metabolism of the above substrates ranged from 25% to 75%. Thus, h2E1 was responsible for the following percentages of the total metabolism in human liver: p-nitroanisole (35%), phenanthrene (23%), methylanisole to cresol (25%), methylanisole to methoxybenzyl alcohol (12%), toluene (40%), and chlorzoxazone (72%). The MAb 2-106-12 forming a strong immunoblot is useful for determining the amount of h2E1 protein in a tissue. Thus the utility of the inhibitory and immunoblot positive MAbs is complementary and can determine both the contribution of h2E1 to the metabolism of specific substrates and the amount of h2E1 protein in human tissue. The analyses of metabolism with the inhibitory MAb 1-73-18 can be generalized and applicable to all h2E1 substrates.

Metabolic activation of the potent carcinogen dibenzo[a,h]anthracene by cDNA-expressed human cytochromes P450.

The metabolic activation of the potent carcinogen dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (DB[a,h]A) was investigated with recombinant human cytochrome P450 enzymes 1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2E1, 3A3, 3A4, and 3A5 expressed in hepatoma G2 cells and with 14 different human liver microsomes. Three dihydrodiols, three phenols, and one diphenol were formed and separated by high-performance liquid chromatography and identified by UV absorption and mass spectra. Of all P450s tested, 1A2 and 2C9 were the most active and 2B6 was moderately active in the rate of total DB[a,h]A metabolism (2.5- to 12-fold greater activity than that for other P450s). The trans-3,4-dihydrodiol, generally recognized as a precursor of the ultimate carcinogenic 3,4-diol-1,2-epoxides, was produced most actively by 2C9, then 1A2 and 2B6. The values of enzymatic kinetics (K(m) and V(max)) indicated that 2C9 had the highest catalytic efficiency (V(max)/K(m) = 9.7) in the formation of 3,4-dihydrodiol, in contrast to 1A2 (5.9) and 2B6 (4.4). 1A2 had the highest activity toward production of the 1,2-dihydrodiol, which is considered to be a weakly carcinogenic metabolite. Although specific activities of human liver microsomes in overall metabolism of DB[a,h]A markedly differed between individuals, metabolic patterns were observed similar to that generated from 1A2. Since human 1A1, a predominant enzyme for metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, is not significantly expressed in the liver, hepatic microsomal 2C9, 1A2, and 2B6 all probably contribute to the metabolic activation of DB[a,h]A.

Inhibitory and non-inhibitory monoclonal antibodies to human cytochrome P450 3A3/4.

Cytochromes P450 3A3/4 are inordinately important P450 enzymes catalyzing the metabolism of a large variety of clinically useful drugs, steroids, and carcinogens. Two monoclonal antibodies, MAb 3-29-9 and MAb 275-1-2, were prepared to human P450 3A4 from mice immunized with baculovirus-expressed human P450 3A4. MAb 3-29-9 was a powerful inhibitor of the enzymatic activity of P450 3A3/4/5. MAb 3-29-9 inhibited the P450 3A3, 3A4, and 3A5 catalyzed metabolism of substrates of divergent molecular weights, e.g., p-nitroanisole, phenanthrene, diazepam, testosterone, taxol, and cyclosporin. However, MAb 3-29-9 did not give a western blot with P450 3A3 or 3A4. MAb 275-1-2 was non-inhibitory but yielded a strong western blot with P450 3A3 and 3A4 but not with 3A5, and thus distinguished between 3A3/4 and 3A5. The two MAbs did not cross-react with human 2E1, 1A2, 2B6, 2C8, and 2C9; rat 2A1, 3A1/2, 4A1, 4A3, and 2B1; and mouse 1A1 and 1A2. MAb 3-29-9 has been used successfully to measure the quantitative contribution of P450 3A3 and 3A4 to the metabolism of the above-designated substrates in human adult liver. MAb 3-29-9 and MAb 275-1-2 are precise and sensitive reagents for P450 3A studies.

Regio- and stereo-selective metabolism of phenanthrene by twelve cDNA-expressed human, rodent, and rabbit cytochromes P-450.

The regio- and stereoselective metabolism of phenanthrene (PA) by seven cDNA-expressed human and five rodent and rabbit cytochromes P-450 has been examined using reverse-phase and chiral stationary phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Turnover numbers ranged from 0.2 to 55 nmol/min per nmol. Using vaccinia virus expression of P-450 enzymes in Hep G2 cells, m1A1 and m1A2 were found to be the most active P-450s. Of the human P-450s, 1A2 and 2B6 have the highest activity and 2C9 has moderate activity. Using cytochrome P-450s expressed in a lymphoblastoid cell line in presence of epoxide hydrolase (EH), human 1A1 had approximately twice the activity of human 1A2. Regioselectivities for PA metabolism were found to be both isozyme and species-dependent. Stereochemical analysis revealed that the P-450s 1A1, m1A1, m1A2, r2A1, r2B1, PB- and 3MC-treated rat liver microsomes preferentially formed 3R,4R-diol enantiomer (88-97%), whereas rabbit 4B formed the 3S,4S-diol enantiomer (72%). Eleven P-450s, 3MC and PB microsomes preferentially formed 1R,2R-diol enantiomer (80-96%). This is the same stereochemistry as the precursors to some diol epoxides that are potent carcinogens.

Activation of CYP3A4: evidence for the simultaneous binding of two substrates in a cytochrome P450 active site.

A unique characteristic of the CYP3A subfamily of cytochrome P450 enzymes is their ability to be activated by certain compounds. It is reported that CYP3A4-catalyzed phenanthrene metabolism is activated by 7,8-benzoflavone and that 7,8-benzoflavone serves as a substrate for CYP3A4. Kinetic analyses of these two substrates show that 7,8-benzoflavone increases the Vmax of phenanthrene metabolism without changing the Km and that phenanthrene decreases the Vmax of 7,8-benzoflavone metabolism without increasing the Km. These results suggest that both substrates (or substrate and activator) are simultaneously present in the active site. Both compounds must have access to the active oxygen, since neither phenanthrene nor 7,8-benzoflavone can competitively inhibit the other substrate. These data provide the first evidence that two different molecules can be simultaneously bound to the same P450 active site. Additionally, structure-activity relationship studies were performed with derivatives of 7,8-benzoflavone structure. The effects of 13 different compounds on the regioselectivity of phenanthrene, chrysene, and benzo[a]pyrene metabolism were determined. Of the 13 compounds studied, 6 were activators, 2 were partial activators, and 5 were inhibitors. Analyses of the data suggest that (1) naphthalene substituted with a ketone in the 2-position can activate 3A4 and (2) the presence of an activator results in a narrower effective substrate binding site. Since the CYP3A enzymes are very important in drug metabolism, the possibility of activation, and autoactivation, must be considered when in vitro-in vivo correlations are made and when possible drug interactions are considered.