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Cytosolic epoxide hydrolase in human placenta
R N Wixtrom1, M H Silva, B D Hammock
1Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis 95616.
Placenta
|September 1, 1988
Summary
Human term placenta cytosol contains cytosolic epoxide hydrolase activity. This enzyme, similar to liver epoxide hydrolase, was purified over 700-fold using affinity chromatography.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Enzymology
Background:
- Cytosolic epoxide hydrolase (CEH) plays a role in xenobiotic metabolism.
- Understanding the characteristics of CEH in different human tissues is important for toxicological and pharmacological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and properties of cytosolic epoxide hydrolase activity in human term placenta.
Main Methods:
- Affinity chromatography was employed to enrich the enzyme from human term placental cytosol.
- Enzyme activity was assessed, and biochemical properties were characterized.
Main Results:
- Human term placenta cytosol exhibits significant cytosolic epoxide hydrolase activity.
- The enzyme was purified over 700-fold, indicating substantial enrichment.
- The purified enzyme displayed a molecular mass of approximately 59,000 Da and showed antigenic similarity to liver CEH.
Conclusions:
- Human term placenta possesses a distinct cytosolic epoxide hydrolase.
- The placental enzyme shares biochemical and immunological properties with hepatic epoxide hydrolases, suggesting conserved functions across tissues.