Bioconversion by functional P450 1A9 and P450 1C1 of Anguilla japonica

Functional characterization of CYP1A9 and CYP1C1 from Anguillus japonica

We evaluated the metabolism of several herbicides and progesterone by two P450 proteins (CYP1A9 and CYP1C1) from Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica). Expression vectors harboring CYP1A9 and CYP1C1 sequences were introduced into Escherichia coli. E. coli membrane fractions were incubated with each substrate, and the metabolites were analyzed. CYP1A9 and CYP1C1 deethylated 7-ethoxycoumarin and phenacetin, and demethylated chlorotoluron, diuron, and linuron. CYP1C1 specifically hydroxlyated progesterone at the 6β and 16α positions. Five amino acids of CYP1A9 related to substrate binding were selected for mutation analyses [CYP1A9(F128A), CYP1A9(F229A), CYP1A9(F263A), CYP1A9(V387A), and CYP1A9(I391A)]. Two variants, CYP1A9(F229A) and CYP1A9(F128A), changed the ratio of 16α hydroxyprogesterone to 6β hydroxyprogesterone. Among all the variants, CYP1A9(F263A) showed the highest activity towards substrates used. CYP1A9(V387A) and CYP1A9(I391A) showed higher activities than that of CYP1A9 toward progesterone. The substrate specificity of CYP1A9 may be altered by replacing an amino acid related to substrate binding.

Functional characterization of zebrafish cytochrome P450 1 family proteins expressed in yeast

BACKGROUND

Zebrafish express five cytochrome P450 1 genes: CYP1A, CYP1B1, CYP1C1, CYP1C2, inducible by aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists, and CYP1D1, a constitutively expressed CYP1A-like gene. We examined substrate selectivity of CYP1s expressed in yeast.

METHODS

CYP1s were expressed in W(R) yeast, engineered to over-express P450 reductase, via pYES/DEST52 and via pYeDP60. Microsomal fractions from transformed yeast were examined for activity with fluorogenic substrates, benzo[a]pyrene and testosterone. Modeling and docking approaches were used to further evaluate sites of oxidation on benzo[a]pyrene and testosterone.

RESULTS

CYP1s expressed in yeast dealkylated ethoxy-, methoxy-, pentoxy- and benzoxy-resorufin (EROD, MROD, PROD, BROD). CYP1A and CYP1C2 had the highest rates of EROD activity, while PROD and BROD activities were low for all five CYP1s. The relative rates of resorufin dealkylation by CYP1C1, CYP1C2 and CYP1D1 expressed via pYeDP60 were highly similar to relative rates obtained with pYES/DEST52-expressed enzymes. CYP1C1 and CYP1C2 dealkylated substituted coumarins and ethoxy-fluorescein-ethylester, while CYP1D1 did not. The CYP1Cs and CYP1D1 co-expressed with epoxide hydrolase oxidized BaP with different rates and product profiles, and all three produced BaP-7,8,9,10-tetrol. The CYP1Cs but not CYP1D1 metabolized testosterone to 6β-OH-testosterone. However, CYP1D1 formed an unidentified testosterone metabolite better than the CYP1Cs. Testosterone and BaP docked to CYP homology models with poses consistent with differing product profiles.

CONCLUSIONS

Yeast-expressed zebrafish CYP1s will be useful in determining further functionality with endogenous and xenobiotic compounds.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

Determining the roles of zebrafish CYP1s in physiology and toxicology depends on knowing the substrate selectivity of these enzymes.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) in fish

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are members of the hemoprotein superfamily, and are involved in the mono-oxygenation reactions of a wide range of endogenous and exogenous compounds in mammals and plants. Characterization of CYP genes in fish has been carried out intensively over the last 20 years. In Japanese pufferfish (Takifugu rubripes), 54 genes encoding P450s have been identified. Across all species of fish, 137 genes encoding P450s have been identified. These genes are classified into 18 CYP families: namely, CYP1, CYP2, CYP3, CYP4, CYP5, CYP7, CYP8, CYP11, CYP17, CYP19, CYP20, CYP21, CYP24, CYP26, CYP27, CYP39, CYP46 and CYP51.We pinpointed eight CYP families: namely, CYP1, CYP2, CYP3, CYP4, CYP11, CYP17, CYP19 and CYP26 in this review because these CYP families are studied in detail. Studies of fish P450s have provided insights into the regulation of P450 genes by environmental stresses including water pollution. In this review, we present an overview of the CYP families in fish.

Steroid catabolism in marine and freshwater fish

Steroids play important roles in regulating many physiological functions in marine and freshwater fish. Levels of active steroid in blood and tissues are determined by the balance between synthetic and catabolic processes. This review examines what is known about pathways of catabolism of steroids, primarily sex steroids, in marine and freshwater fish. Cytochrome P450 (P450) isoforms present in hepatic microsomes catalyze steroid hydroxylation to metabolites with lower or no activity at estrogen or androgen receptors. Important pathways of steroid catabolism to readily excreted metabolites are glucuronidation and sulfonation of hydroxyl groups. Estradiol, testosterone, DHEA and hydroxylated metabolites of these and other steroids readily form glucuronide and sulfate conjugates in those fish species where these pathways have been examined. Little is known, however, of the structure and function of the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) and sulfotransferase (SULT) enzymes involved in steroid conjugation in fish. Glucuronide and sulfate conjugates of steroids may be transported into and out of cells by organic anion transporter proteins and multi-drug resistance proteins, and there is growing evidence that these proteins play important roles in steroid conjugate transport and elimination. Induction or inhibition of any of these pathways by environmental chemicals can result in alteration of the natural balance of steroid hormones and could lead to disruption of the endocrine system. Recent studies in this area are presented, with particular focus on phase II (conjugative) pathways.

Cytochrome P450-mediated 17beta-estradiol metabolism in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Cytochrome P4501 (CYP1) and CYP3A proteins are primarily responsible for the metabolism of 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) in mammals. We have cloned and heterologously expressed CYP1A, CYP1B1, CYP1C1, CYP1C2, CYP1D1, and CYP3A65 from zebrafish (Danio rerio) to determine the CYP-mediated metabolism of E(2) in a non-mammalian species. Constructs of each CYP cDNA were created using a leader sequence from the bacterial ompA gene to allow appropriate expression in Escherichia coli without 5' modification of the gene. Membrane vesicles were purified, and functional CYP protein was verified using carbon monoxide difference spectra and fluorescent catalytic assays with the substrates 7-ethoxyresorufin and 7-benzyloxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)-coumarin. Rates of in vitro E(2) metabolism into 4-hydroxyE(2) (4-OHE(2)), 2-hydroxyE(2) (2-OHE(2)), and 16alpha-hydroxyE(1) (16alpha-OHE(1)) metabolites were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The 2-OHE(2) metabolite was produced by all CYPs tested, while 4-OHE(2) was only detected following incubation with CYP1A, CYP1B1, CYP1C1, and CYP1C2. The 16alpha-OHE(1) metabolite was only produced by CYP1A. The highest rates of E(2) metabolism were from CYP1A and CYP1C1, followed by CYP1C2. CYP1B1, CYP1D1, and CYP3A65 had low rates of E(2) metabolism. E(2) metabolism by zebrafish CYP1A, CYP1C1, and CYP1C2 produced similar ratios of 4-OHE(2) to 2-OHE(2) as previous studies with mammalian CYP1As. CYP1B1 formed the highest ratio of 4-OHE(2) to 2-OHE(2) metabolites. Contrary to mammals, these results suggest that fish CYP1A and CYP1C proteins are primarily responsible for E(2) metabolism, with only minor contributions from CYP3A65 and CYP1B1. Similar to mammals, 2-OHE(2) is the predominant metabolite from CYP-mediated E(2) metabolism in fish, suggesting that all vertebrate species produce the same major E(2) metabolite.