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Mass Spectrometry and Luminogenic-based Approaches to Characterize Phase I Metabolic Competency of In Vitro Cell Cultures
Published on: March 28, 2017
Application of fused-grid-based CYP-Template systems for genotoxic substances to understand the metabolisms
Yasushi Yamazoe1,2, Norie Murayama3, Tomoko Kawamura4
1Division of Drug Metabolism and Molecular Toxicology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan. yasushi.yamazoe.a4@tohoku.ac.jp.
Abstract:
Understanding of metabolic processes is a key factor to evaluate biological effects of carcinogen and mutagens. Applicability of fused-grid Template* systems of CYP enzymes (Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022) was tested for three phenomena. (1) Possible causal relationships between CYP-mediated metabolisms of β-naphthoflavone and 3-methylcholanthrene and the high inducibility of CYP enzymes were examined. Selective involvement of non-constitutive CYP1A1, but not constitutive CYP1A2, was suggested on the oxidative metabolisms of efficient inducers, β-naphthoflavone and 3-methylcholanthrene. These results supported the view of the causal link of their high inducibility with their inefficient metabolisms due to the lack of CYP1A1 in livers at early periods after the administration of both inducers. (2) Clear differences exist between human and rodent CYP1A1 enzymes on their catalyses with heterocyclic amines, dioxins and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Reciprocal comparison of simulation results with experimental data suggested the rodent specific site and distinct sitting-preferences of ligands on Template for human and rodent CYP1A1 enzymes. (3) Enhancement of metabolic activation and co-mutagenicity have been known as phenomena associated with Salmonella mutagenesis assay. Both the phenomena were examined on CYP-Templates in ways of simultaneous bi-molecule bindings of distinct ligands as trigger and pro-metabolized molecules. α-Naphthoflavone and norharman served consistently as trigger-molecules to support the oxidations of PAHs and arylamines sitting simultaneously as pro-metabolized molecules on Templates of CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP3A4. These CYP-Template simulation systems with deciphering capabilities are promising tools to understand the mechanism basis of metabolic activations and to support confident judgements in safety assessments.
Insights
Fused-grid Template systems for cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes reveal insights into carcinogen metabolism. These systems link CYP enzyme inducibility to metabolism efficiency and differentiate human vs. rodent CYP1A1 activity, aiding safety assessments.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Computational Chemistry
Background:
- Metabolic processes are crucial for assessing carcinogen and mutagen biological effects.
- Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes play a central role in xenobiotic metabolism.
- Previous studies established fused-grid Template systems for CYP enzymes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the applicability of CYP enzyme Template systems for understanding metabolic processes.
- To investigate causal links between CYP-mediated metabolism and enzyme inducibility.
- To explore differences in human and rodent CYP1A1 enzyme catalysis and to examine metabolic activation and co-mutagenicity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized fused-grid Template systems for CYP enzymes.
- Examined CYP-mediated metabolism of β-naphthoflavone and 3-methylcholanthrene.
- Compared human and rodent CYP1A1 enzyme catalysis with various ligands.
- Investigated simultaneous bi-molecule bindings on CYP-Templates.
Main Results:
- Selective involvement of CYP1A1, not CYP1A2, in the metabolism of efficient inducers like β-naphthoflavone and 3-methylcholanthrene was suggested.
- High inducibility of CYP enzymes was linked to inefficient metabolism due to early lack of CYP1A1.
- Distinct ligand binding preferences were identified for human and rodent CYP1A1 enzymes.
- α-Naphthoflavone and norharman consistently acted as trigger molecules for CYP-mediated oxidation of pro-metabolized molecules.
Conclusions:
- CYP-Template simulation systems are valuable tools for understanding metabolic activation mechanisms.
- These systems can aid in making confident judgments for safety assessments of chemicals.
- The findings highlight the importance of CYP enzyme activity in evaluating biological effects of xenobiotics.

