Eribulin penetrates brain tumor tissue and prolongs survival of mice harboring intracerebral glioblastoma xenografts.

Glioblastoma is one of the most devastating human malignancies for which a novel efficient treatment is urgently required. This pre-clinical study shows that eribulin, a specific inhibitor of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT)-RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, is an effective anticancer agent against glioblastoma. Eribulin inhibited the growth of 4 TERT promoter mutation-harboring glioblastoma cell lines in vitro at subnanomolar concentrations. In addition, it suppressed the growth of glioblastoma cells transplanted subcutaneously or intracerebrally into mice, and significantly prolonged the survival of mice harboring brain tumors at a clinically equivalent dose. A pharmacokinetics study showed that eribulin quickly penetrated brain tumors and remained at a high concentration even when it was washed away from plasma, kidney or liver 24 hours after intravenous injection. Moreover, a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging analysis revealed that intraperitoneally injected eribulin penetrated the brain tumor and was distributed evenly within the tumor mass at 1 hour after the injection whereas only very low levels of eribulin were detected in surrounding normal brain. Eribulin is an FDA-approved drug for refractory breast cancer and can be safely repositioned for treatment of glioblastoma patients. Thus, our results suggest that eribulin may serve as a novel therapeutic option for glioblastoma. Based on these data, an investigator-initiated registration-directed clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of eribulin in patients with recurrent GBM (UMIN000030359) has been initiated.

A Phase 1, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Single Ascending Dose Trial of AWZ1066S, an Anti-Wolbachia Candidate Macrofilaricide.

AWZ1066S has been developed as a potential treatment for the neglected tropical diseases lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. AWZ1066S targets the Wolbachia bacterial endosymbiont present in the causative nematode parasites. This phase 1, first-in-human study aimed to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of AWZ1066S in healthy human participants. In a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose study, healthy adults received a single oral dose of AWZ1066S (or placebo) and were followed up for 10 days. The planned single doses of AWZ1066S ranged from 100 to 1600 mg, and each dose was administered to a cohort of 8 participants (6 AWZ1066S and 2 placebo). In total 30 people participated, 18 (60%) female, median age 30.0 years (minimum 20, maximum 61). The cohorts administered 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg of AWZ1066S progressed unremarkably. After single 700-mg doses all 4 participants developed symptoms of acute gastritis and transient increases in liver enzymes. The severity of these adverse events ranged from mild to severe, with 1 participant needing hospital admission. Pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that AWZ1066S is rapidly absorbed with predictable pharmacokinetics. In conclusion, safety concerns prevented this study from reaching the human exposures needed for AWZ1066S to be clinically effective against lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis.

Factors Influencing ADME Properties of Therapeutic Antisense Oligonucleotides: Physicochemical Characteristics and Beyond.

Therapeutic antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) represent a diverse array of chemically modified singlestranded deoxyribonucleotides that work complementarily to affect their mRNA targets. They vastly differ from conventional small molecules. These newly developed therapeutic ASOs possess unique absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) processes that ultimately determine their pharmacokinetic, efficacy and safety profiles. The ADME properties of ASOs and associated key factors have not been fully investigated. Therefore, thorough characterization and in-depth study of their ADME properties are critical to support drug discovery and development processes for safe and effective therapeutic ASOs. In this review, we discussed the main factors affecting the ADME characteristics of these novels and evolving therapies. The major changes to ASO backbone and sugar chemistry, conjugation approaches, sites and routes of administration, etc., are the principal determinants of ADME and PK profiles that consequentially impact their efficacy and safety profiles. In addition, species difference and DDI considerations are important in understanding ADME profile and PK translatability but are less studied for ASOs. We, therefore, have summarized these aspects based on current knowledge and provided discussions in this review. We also give an overview of the current tools, technologies, and approaches available to investigate key factors that influence the ADME of ASO drugs and provide future perspectives and knowledge gap analysis.

Inhibition of human cytochrome P450 3A4 by cholesterol.

If cholesterol is a substrate of P450 3A4, then it follows that it should also be an inhibitor, particularly in light of the high concentrations found in liver. Heme perturbation spectra indicated a K(d) value of 8 µM for the P450 3A4-cholesterol complex. Cholesterol inhibited the P450 3A4-catalyzed oxidations of nifedipine and quinidine, two prototypic substrates, in liver microsomes and a reconstituted enzyme system with K(i) ∼ 10 µM in an apparently non-competitive manner. The concentration of cholesterol could be elevated 4-6-fold in cultured human hepatocytes by incubation with cholesterol; the level of P450 3A4 and cell viability were not altered under the conditions used. Nifedipine oxidation was inhibited when the cholesterol level was increased. We conclude that cholesterol is both a substrate and an inhibitor of P450 3A4, and a model is presented to explain the kinetic behavior. We propose that the endogenous cholesterol in hepatocytes should be considered in models of prediction of metabolism of drugs and steroids, even in the absence of changes in the concentrations of free cholesterol.

Cytochrome P450 7A1 cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylation: individual reaction steps in the catalytic cycle and rate-limiting ferric iron reduction.

Cytochrome P450 (P450) 7A1 is well known as the cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, the first enzyme involved in bile acid synthesis from cholesterol. The human enzyme has been reported to have the highest catalytic activity of any mammalian P450. Analyses of individual steps of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylation reaction revealed several characteristics of this reaction: (i) two-step binding of cholesterol to ferric P450, with an apparent K(d) of 0.51 µM, (ii) a rapid reduction rate in the presence of cholesterol (∼10 s(-1) for the fast phase), (iii) rapid formation of a ferrous P450-cholesterol-O(2) complex (29 s(-1)), (iv) the lack of a non-competitive kinetic deuterium isotope effect, (v) the lack of a kinetic burst, and (vi) the lack of a deuterium isotope effect when the reaction was initiated with the ferrous P450-cholesterol complex. A minimum kinetic model was developed and is consistent with all of the observed phenomena and the rates of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylation and H(2)O and H(2)O(2) formation. The results indicate that the first electron transfer step, although rapid, becomes rate-limiting in the overall P450 7A1 reaction. This is a different phenomenon compared with other P450s that have much lower rates of catalysis, attributed to the much more efficient substrate oxidation steps in this reaction.

Conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to 7-ketocholesterol is catalyzed by human cytochrome P450 7A1 and occurs by direct oxidation without an epoxide intermediate.

7-Ketocholesterol is a bioactive sterol, a potent competitive inhibitor of cytochrome P450 7A1, and toxic in liver cells. Multiple origins of this compound have been identified, with cholesterol being the presumed precursor. Although routes for formation of the 7-keto compound from cholesterol have been established, we found that 7-dehydrocholesterol (the immediate precursor of cholesterol) is oxidized by P450 7A1 to 7-ketocholesterol (k(cat)/K(m) = 3 × 10(4) m(-1) s(-1)). P450 7A1 converted lathosterol (Δ(5)-dihydro-7-dehydrocholesterol) to a mixture of the 7-keto and 7α,8α-epoxide products (~1:2 ratio), with the epoxide not rearranging to the ketone. The oxidation of 7-dehydrocholesterol occured with predominant formation of 7-ketocholesterol and with the 7α,8α-epoxide as only a minor product; the synthesized epoxide was stable in the presence of P450 7A1. The mechanism of 7-dehydrocholesterol oxidation to 7-ketocholesterol is proposed to involve a Fe(III)-O-C-C(+) intermediate and a 7,8-hydride shift or an alternative closing to yield the epoxide (Liebler, D. C., and Guengerich, F. P. (1983) Biochemistry 22, 5482-5489). Accordingly, reaction of P450 7A1 with 7-[(2)H(1)]dehydrocholesterol yielded complete migration of deuterium in the product 7-ketocholesterol. The finding that 7-dehydrocholesterol is a precursor of 7-ketocholesterol has relevance to an inborn error of metabolism known as Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) caused by defective cholesterol biosynthesis. Mutations within the gene encoding 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase, the last enzyme in the pathway, lead to the accumulation of 7-dehydrocholesterol in tissues and fluids of SLOS patients. Our findings suggest that 7-ketocholesterol levels may also be elevated in SLOS tissue and fluids as a result of P450 7A1 oxidation of 7-dehydrocholesterol.

Insight into functional diversity of cytochrome P450 in the white-rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium: involvement of versatile monooxygenase.

To elucidate functional diversity of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases from the white-rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium (PcCYPs), we conducted a comprehensive functional screening using a wide variety of compounds. A functionomic survey resulted in characterization of novel PcCYP functions and discovery of versatile PcCYPs that exhibit broad substrate profiles. These results suggested that multifunctional properties of the versatile PcCYPs would play crucial roles in diversification of fungal metabolic systems involved in xenobiotic detoxification. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing multifunctional properties of versatile P450s from the fungal kingdom. An increased compilation of PcCYP functions will facilitate a thorough understanding of metabolic diversity in basidiomycetes and provide new insights that could also expedite practical applications in the biotechnology sector.

Cytochrome P450 2S1 is reduced by NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase.

Cytochrome P450 (P450) 2S1 is one of the orphan P450s without a clear physiological function. Controversy has arisen as to whether it can interact with NADPH-P450 reductase and accept electrons. The reduction of 1,4-bis{[2-(dimethylamino-N-oxide)ethyl]amino}-5,8-dihydroxyanthracene-9,10-dione (AQ4N) by P450 2S1 was confirmed, and the NADPH consumption rates were measured aerobically and anaerobically in the absence and presence of the drug. The reduction kinetics of P450 2S1 were rapid, as measured by stopped-flow kinetics. These results confirm that P450 2S1 can be reduced by NADPH-P450 reductase and suggest normal mixed-function oxidase roles of P450 2S1 to be revealed.

Metabolism of mono- and dichloro-dibenzo-p-dioxins by Phanerochaete chrysosporium cytochromes P450.

The white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium possesses biodegradative capabilities of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs). One hundred twenty yeast clones expressing individual P450s of P. chrysosporum (PcCYPs), generated in our previous efforts, were screened for transformation of dioxin, and 40 positive clones were obtained. Of these clones, six clones showed metabolism of 2-chloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin, and a microsomal PcCYP designated as PcCYP11a3 showed much higher activity than any other PcCYPs. The turnover numbers of hydroxylation activities of PcCYP11a3 toward 1-MCDD (58 min(-1)) and 2-MCDD (13 min(-1)) are more than 200 times higher than those of previously reported PcCYP65a2. In addition, PcCYP11a3 catalyzes hydroxylation of 2,3-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. To our best knowledge, PcCYP11a3 has the highest activity toward PCDDs among the known CYPs derived from microorganisms. Although PcCYP11a3 showed no detectable activity toward 2,7-dichloro-dibenzop-dioxin and 2,3,7-trichloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin, PcCYP11a3 is promising as a template whose activity would be enhanced by site-directed mutagenesis.

Structure-based design of a highly active vitamin D hydroxylase from Streptomyces griseolus CYP105A1.

CYP105A1 from Streptomyces griseolus has the capability of converting vitamin D 3 (VD 3) to its active form, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (1alpha,25(OH) 2D 3) by a two-step hydroxylation reaction. Our previous structural study has suggested that Arg73 and Arg84 are key residues for the activities of CYP105A1. In this study, we prepared a series of single and double mutants by site-directed mutagenesis focusing on these two residues of CYP105A1 to obtain the hyperactive vitamin D 3 hydroxylase. R84F mutation altered the substrate specificity that gives preference to the 1alpha-hydroxylation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 over the 25-hydroxylation of 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D 3, opposite to the wild type and other mutants. The double mutant R73V/R84A exhibited 435- and 110-fold higher k cat/ K m values for the 25-hydroxylation of 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D 3 and 1alpha-hydroxylation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3, respectively, compared with the wild-type enzyme. These values notably exceed those of CYP27A1, which is the physiologically essential VD 3 hydroxylase. Thus, we successfully generated useful enzymes of altered substrate preference and hyperactivity. Structural and kinetic analyses of single and double mutants suggest that the amino acid residues at positions 73 and 84 affect the location and conformation of the bound compound in the reaction site and those in the transient binding site, respectively.

A new paradigm for drug-induced torsadogenic risk assessment using human iPS cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

INTRODUCTION: Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) are anticipated to be a useful tool for conducting proarrhythmia risk assessments of drug candidates. However, a torsadogenic risk prediction paradigm using hiPSC-CMs has not yet been fully established. METHODS: Extracellular field potentials (FPs) were recorded from hiPSC-CMs using the multi-electrode array (MEA) system. The effects on FPs were evaluated with 60 drugs, including 57 with various clinical torsadogenic risks. Actual drug concentrations in medium were measured using the equilibrium dialysis method with a Rapid Equilibrium Dialysis device. Relative torsade de pointes (TdP) scores were determined for each drug according to the degree of FP duration prolongation and early afterdepolarization occurrence. The margins were calculated from the free concentration in medium and free effective therapeutic plasma concentration. Each drug's results were plotted on a two-dimensional map of relative TdP risk scores versus margins. RESULTS: Each drug was categorised as high, intermediate, or low risk based on its location within predefined areas of the two-dimensional map. We categorised 19 drugs as high risk; 18 as intermediate risk; and 17 as low risk. We examined the concordance between our categorisation of high and low risk drugs against the torsadogenic risk categorisation in CredibleMeds®. Our system demonstrated high concordance, as reflected in a sensitivity of 81%, specificity of 87%, and accuracy of 83%. DISCUSSION: These results indicate that our torsadogenic risk assessment is reliable and has a potential to replace the hERG assay for torsadogenic risk prediction, however, this system needs to be improved for the accurate of prediction of clinical TdP risk. Here, we propose a novel drug induced torsadogenic risk categorising system using hiPSC-CMs and the MEA system.

Cytochrome P450 2E polymorphism in feline liver.

Only one isoform of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2E subfamily was known in human and various animals. Three cDNAs corresponding to CYP 2E subfamily members (CYP2E-a, CYP2E-b and CYP2E-c) were obtained from feline liver. These cDNAs each had a 1488-bp nucleotide coding region encoding a predicted amino acid sequence of 495 residues. Eleven amino acid substitutions were observed between CYP2E-a and CYP2E-b, but only one substitution between CYP2E-b and CYP2E-c. The CO difference spectrums about 450 nm wave length and similar values of Vmax and Km of 6-hydoxygenase activity toward chlorzoxazone were observed in all three isoforms expressed in AH22 yeast cells. By PCR-RFLP, mRNA of the CYP2E-a was found to be expressed in liver, mononuclear cells, kidney, lung, stomach, intestine and pancreas, whereas CYP2E-b and CYP2E-c were expressed mainly in the liver and mononuclear cells. Expression of CYP2E-a was observed in the livers of all felines tested, but CYP2E-b and CYP2E-c were not expressed in all cats. The sequences of two different introns between exons I and II and between exons VII and VIII were obtained in genomic DNA from the feline liver. Based on these results, we conclude that cats have two highly similar CYP2E genes.

cDNA cloning and characterization of feline CYP1A1 and CYP1A2.

Deficiency of drug glucuronidation in the cat is one of the major reasons why this animal is highly sensitive to the side effects of drugs. The characterization of cytochrome P450 isoforms belonging to the CYP1A subfamily, which exhibit important drug oxidation activities such as activation of pro-carcinogens, was investigated. Two cDNAs, designated CYP1A-a and CYP1A-b, corresponding to the CYP1A subfamily were obtained from feline liver. CYP1A-a and CYP1A-b cDNAs comprise coding regions of 1554 bp and 1539 bp, and encode predicted amino acid sequences of 517 and 512 residues, respectively. These amino acid sequences contain a heme-binding cysteine and a conserved threonine. The cDNA identities, as well as the predicted amino acid sequences containing six substrate recognition sites, suggest that CYP1A-a and CYP1A-b correspond to CYP1A1 and CYP1A2, respectively. This was confirmed by the kinetic parameters of the arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase and 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activities of expressed CYPs in yeast AH22 cells and by the tissue distribution of each mRNA. However, theophylline 3-demethylation is believed to be catalyzed by CYP1A1 in cats, based on the high V(max) and low K(m) seen, in contrast to other animals. Because feline CYP1A2 had a higher K(m) for phenacetin O-deethylase activity with acetaminophen, which cannot be conjugated with glucuronic acid due to UDP-glucuronosyltransferase deficiency, it is supposed that the side effects of phenacetin as a result of toxic intermediates are severe and prolonged in cats.

Metabolism of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) by human cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase systems.

Metabolism of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) by monooxygenase systems dependent on 12 forms of human cytochrome P450 (CYP) was examined with the recombinant yeast microsomes containing each of the human CYP. The metabolites of PCDDs were analyzed by HPLC and GC-MS. Remarkable metabolism by the multiple CYP forms was observed toward dibenzo-p-dioxin (DD) and mono-, di-, and trichloroDDs. The metabolism contained multiple reactions such as hydroxylation at an unsubstituted position, hydroxylation with migration of a chloride substituent, and hydroxylation with elimination of a chloride substituent. Although major CYPs in human liver such as CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 showed no significant metabolism toward the PCDDs, CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 showed high catalytic activity toward DD and mono-, di-, and trichloroDDs. The kinetic parameters K(m)(app) and V(max) of the CYP1A1-dependent 8-hydroxylation activity of 2,3,7-trichloro-DD (2,3,7-triCDD) were estimated to be 0.30 microM and 51 (mol/min/mol of P450), respectively, suggesting that 2,3,7-triCDD was a good substrate for CYP1A1. However, none of the CYPs showed any detectable activity [<0.01 mol/min/mol of P450)] toward 2,3,7,8-tetraCDD. Substrate-induced absorption spectrum and inhibition studies indicated that CYP1A1 could bind 2,3,7,8-tetraCDD with considerably high affinity. It was strongly suggested that the long half-life (7.1 years) of 2,3,7,8-tetraCDD in humans was due to an extremely low activity of CYPs toward 2,3,7,8-tetraCDD in addition to its chemical stability.

Crystal structure of CYP105A1 (P450SU-1) in complex with 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Vitamin D 3 (VD 3), a prohormone in mammals, plays a crucial role in the maintenance of calcium and phosphorus concentrations in serum. Activation of VD 3 requires 25-hydroxylation in the liver and 1alpha-hydroxylation in the kidney by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Bacterial CYP105A1 converts VD 3 into 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (1alpha,25(OH) 2D 3) in two independent reactions, despite its low sequence identity with mammalian enzymes (<21% identity). The present study determined the crystal structures of a highly active mutant (R84A) of CYP105A1 from Streptomyces griseolus in complex and not in complex with 1alpha,25(OH) 2D 3. The compound 1alpha,25(OH) 2D 3 is positioned 11 A from the iron atom along the I helix within the pocket. A similar binding mode is observed in the structure of the human CYP2R1-VD 3 complex, indicating a common substrate-binding mechanism for 25-hydroxylation. A comparison with the structure of wild-type CYP105A1 suggests that the loss of two hydrogen bonds in the R84A mutant increases the adaptability of the B' and F helices, creating a transient binding site. Further mutational analysis of the active site reveals that 25- and 1alpha-hydroxylations share residues that participate in these reactions. These results provide the structural basis for understanding the mechanism of the two-step hydroxylation that activates VD 3.

Biodegradation of dioxins by recombinant Escherichia coli expressing rat CYP1A1 or its mutant.

Among polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TetraCDD) is the most toxic one. Recently, we reported that rat CYP1A1 mutant, F240A, expressed in yeast showed metabolic activity toward 2,3,7,8-TetraCDD. In this study, we successfully expressed N-terminal truncated P450s (Delta1A1 and DeltaF240A) in Escherichia coli cells. Kinetic analysis using membrane fractions prepared from the recombinant E. coli cells revealed that DeltaF240A has enzymatic properties similar to F240A expressed in yeast. The metabolism of PCDDs by recombinant E. coli cells expressing both DeltaF240A and human NADPH-P450 reductase was also examined. When 2,3,7-TriCDD was added to the E. coli cell culture at a final concentration of 10 microM, approximately 90% of the 2,3,7-TriCDD was converted into multiple metabolites within 8 h. These results indicate the possible application of prokaryotic cells expressing DeltaF240A to the bioremediation of PCDD-contaminated soil.

Enzymatic properties of human CYP2W1 expressed in Escherichia coli.

The human genome project revealed a new member of the P450 family 2, CYP2W1, which has orthologous form in other vertebrate species, suggesting CYP2W1's significant physiological function. Recently, it was reported that CYP2W1 can metabolize arachidonic acid. In this study, we isolated human CYP2W1 cDNA, and successfully expressed truncated CYP2W1 lacking N-terminal 20 amino acids in Escherichia coli cells. In the bicistronic expression system for human CYP2W1 and NADPH-P450 reductase, the formation of blue pigment, indigo, was observed in bacterial cultures. Based on this result, we revealed that CYP2W1 catalyzes the oxidation of indole. In addition, CYP2W1 showed monooxygenase activity towards 3-methylindole and chlorzoxazone. However, no activity was observed towards fatty acids including arachidonic acid. Further analysis using an E. coli expression system will reveal substrate specificity of CYP2W1 and why this P450 isoform is universally conserved in vertebrates.

Metabolism of 26,26,26,27,27,27-F6-1 alpha,23S,25-trihydroxyvitamin D3 by human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A3.

26,26,26,27,27,27-Hexafluoro-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [F(6)-1alpha, 25(OH)(2)D(3)], which is now clinically used as a drug for secondary hyperparathyroidism, is a hexafluorinated analog of the active form of vitamin D(3). Our previous studies demonstrated that CYP24A1 is responsible for the metabolism of F(6)-1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) in the target tissues and that F(6)-1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) was successively converted to F(6)-1alpha,23S,25(OH)(3)D(3) and F(6)-23-oxo-1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3). In this study, we examined the metabolism of F(6)-1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3),F(6)-1alpha,23S,25(OH)(3)D(3), and F(6)-23-oxo-1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) by human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs). Of these compounds, F(6)-1alpha,23S,25(OH)(3)D(3) was remarkably glucuronidated both in human liver microsomes and in the recombinant system expressing human UGT. No significant interindividual differences were observed among 10 human liver samples. The recombinant system for 12 species of human UGTs revealed that F(6)-1alpha,23S,25(OH)(3)D(3) glucuronidation was specifically catalyzed by UGT1A3. The information obtained in this study seems very useful to predict the metabolism and efficacy of vitamin D analogs in human bodies before clinical trials. In addition, note that for the first time a possible probe substrate for UGT1A3 has been found.

Rat cytochrome P450-mediated transformation of dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxins by recombinant white-rot basidiomycete Coriolus hirsutus.

Rat cytochrome P450, CYP1A1, has been reported to play an important role in the metabolism of mono-trichlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (M-TriCDDs). To breed lignin (and M-TetraCDDs)-degrading basidiomycete Coriolus hirsutus strains producing rat CYP1A1, an expression cassette [C. hirsutus gpd promoter-C. hirsutus gpd 5' portion (224-bp of 1st exon-8th base of 4th exon)-rat cyp1a1 cDNA-Lentinula edodes priA terminator] was constructed and inserted into pUCR1 carrying the C. hirsutus arg1 gene. The resulting recombinant plasmid, MIp5-(cyp1a1 + arg1) was introduced into protoplasts of C. hirsutus monokaryotic strain OJ1078 (Arg(-), Leu(-)), obtaining three good Arg(+) transformants. These transformants [ChTF5-2(CYP1A1), ChTF5-4(CYP1A1), and ChTF5-6(CYP1A1)] were estimated to carry nine, six, and seven copies of the expression cassette on their chromosomes, respectively. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the three transformants produce similar amounts of rat CYP1A1 enzyme. ChTF5-2(CYP1A1), ChTF5-4(CYP1A1), ChTF5-6(CYP1A1) and recipient OJ1078 were cultivated in a liquid medium containing 2,7/2,8(at a ratio of 1:1)-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (2,7/2,8-DCDDs) and the amount of intra- and extracellular 2,7/2,8-DCDDs remaining was measured. The results showed that all three transformants efficiently transform 2,7/2,8-DCDDs through the action of the recombinant rat CYP1A1 enzyme.

Metabolic pathways of dioxin by CYP1A1: species difference between rat and human CYP1A subfamily in the metabolism of dioxins.

Metabolism of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins by CYP1A subfamily was examined by using the recombinant yeast microsomes. In substrate specificity and reaction specificity, considerable species differences between rats and humans were observed in both CYP1A1- and CYP1A2-dependent metabolism of dioxins. Among four CYPs, rat CYP1A1 showed the highest activity toward dibenzo-p-dioxin (DD) and mono-, di-, and trichloroDDs. To reveal the mechanism of dioxin metabolism, we examined rat CYP1A1-dependent metabolism of 2-chloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin. In addition to hydroxylation at an unsubstituted position, hydroxylation with migration of a chloride substituent, hydroxylation with elimination of a chloride substituent, and cleavage of an ether linkage of the dioxin ring were observed. In particular, the cleavage of an ether linkage of the dioxin ring appeared most important for the detoxication of dioxins. Based on these results, the metabolic pathways of 2-chloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin by rat CYP1A1 were proposed. The metabolic pathways contain most of the metabolites observed in vivo using experimental animals, suggesting that P450 monooxygenase systems including CYP1A1 are greatly responsible for dioxin metabolism in vivo.