Metabolism of chrysene by brown bullhead liver microsomes

We have investigated the regio- and stereoselective metabolism of chrysene, a four-ring symmetrical carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), by the liver microsomes of brown bullhead (Ameriurus nebulosus), a bottom-dwelling fish species. The liver microsomes from untreated and 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC)-treated brown bullheads metabolized chrysene at the rate of 30.1 and 82.2 pmol/mg protein/min, respectively. Benzo-ring diols (1,2-diol and 3,4-diol) were the major chrysene metabolites formed by liver microsomes from control and 3-MC-treated fish. However, the control microsomes produced a considerably higher proportion of chrysene 1,2-diol (benzo-ring diol with a bay region double bond) plus 1-hydroxychrysene, than 3,4-diol plus 3-hydroxychrysene, indicating that these microsomes are selective in attacking the 1,2- position of the benzo-ring. On the other hand, 3-MC-induced microsomes did not show such a regioselectivity in the metabolism of chrysene. Control bullhead liver microsomes, compared to control rat liver microsomes, produced a considerably higher proportion of chrysene 1,2-diol, the putative proximate carcinogenic metabolite of chrysene. Like rat liver microsomes, bullhead liver microsomes produced only trace amounts of the K-region diol. Chrysene 1,2-diol and 3,4-diol formed by the liver microsomes from both control and 3-MC-treated bullheads consisted predominantly of their R,R-enantiomers. Chrysene is metabolized by bullhead liver microsomal enzymes to its benzo-ring diols with a relatively lower degree of stereoselectivity compared to benzo[a]pyrene (a five-ring PAH), but with a higher degree of stereoselectivity compared to phenanthrene (a three-ring PAH). The data of this study, together with those from our previous studies with phenanthrene, benzo[a]pyrene and dibenzo[a,l]pyrene (a six-ring PAH), indicate that the regioselectivity in the metabolism of PAHs by brown bullhead and rainbow trout liver microsomes does not vary greatly with the size and shape of the molecule, whereas the degree of stereoselectivity in the metabolism of PAHs to benzo-ring dihydrodiols does.