Comparison of (S)-mephenytoin and proguanil oxidation in vitro: contribution of several CYP isoforms.
(17/1501)
AIMS: To compare the oxidative metabolism of (S)-mephenytoin and proguanil in vitro and to determine the involvement of various cytochrome P450 isoforms. METHODS: The kinetics of the formation of 4'-hydroxymephenytoin and cycloguanil in human liver microsomes from 10 liver samples were determined, and inhibition of formation was studied using specific chemical inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies directed towards specific CYP450 isoforms. Expressed CYP450 enzymes were used to characterize further CYP isoform contribution in vitro. Livers were genotyped for CYP2C19 using PCR amplification of genomic DNA followed by restriction endonuclease digestion. RESULTS: All livers were wildtype with respect to CYP2C19, except HLS#5 whose genotype was CYP2C19*1/CYP2C19*2. The Km, Vmax and CLint values for the formation of 4'-hydroxymephenytoin from (S)-mephenytoin and the formation of cycloguanil from proguanil ranged from 50.8 to 51.6 and 43-380 microm, 1.0-13.9 and 0.5-2.5 nmol mg-1 h-1, and 20.2-273.8 and 2.7-38.9 microl h-1 mg-1, respectively. There was a significant association between the Vmax values of cycloguanil and 4'-hydroxymephenytoin formation (rs=0.95, P=0.0004). Cycloguanil formation was inhibited significantly by omeprazole (CYP2C19/3A), troleandomycin (CYP3A), diethyldithiocarbamate (CYP2E1/3A), furafylline (CYP1A2), and (S)-mephenytoin. 4'-Hydroxymephenytoin formation was inhibited significantly by omeprazole, diethyldithiocarbamate, proguanil, furafylline, diazepam, troleandomycin, and sulphaphenazole (CYP2C9). Human CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 monoclonal antibodies did not inhibit the formation of cycloguanil or 4'-hydroxymephenytoin, and cycloguanil was formed by expressed CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 supersomes. However, only expressed CYP2C19 and CYP2C19 supersomes formed 4'-hydroxymephenytoin. CONCLUSIONS: The oxidative metabolism of (S)-mephenytoin and proguanil in vitro is catalysed by CYPs 2C19 and 1A2, with the significant association between Vmax values suggesting that the predominant enzymes involved in both reactions are similar. However the degree of selectively of both drugs for CYP isoforms needs further investigation, particularly the involvement of CYP3A4 in the metabolism of proguanil. We assert that proguanil may not be a suitable alternative to (S)-mephenytoin as a probe drug for the CYP2C19 genetic polymorphism. (+info)
Gene sequence and properties of an s-triazine ring-cleavage enzyme from Pseudomonas sp. strain NRRLB-12227.
(18/1501)
Pesticides based on the s-triazine ring structure are widely used in cultivation of food crops. Cleavage of the s-triazine ring is an important step in the mineralization of s-triazine compounds and hence in their complete removal from the environment. Cyanuric acid amidohydrolase cleaves cyanuric acid (2,4,6-trihydroxy-s-triazine), which yields carbon dioxide and biuret; the biuret is subject to further metabolism, which yields CO(2) and ammonia. The trzD gene encoding cyanuric acid amidohydrolase was cloned into pMMB277 from Pseudomonas sp. strain NRRLB-12227, a strain that is capable of utilizing s-triazines as nitrogen sources. Hydrolysis of cyanuric acid was detected in crude extracts of Escherichia coli containing the cloned gene by monitoring the disappearance of cyanuric acid and the appearance of biuret by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). DEAE and hydrophobic interaction HPLC were used to purify cyanuric acid amidohydrolase to homogeneity, and a spectrophotometric assay for the purified enzyme was developed. The purified enzyme had an apparent K(m) of 0.05 mM for cyanuric acid at pH 8.0. The enzyme did not cleave any other s-triazine or hydroxypyrimidine compound, although barbituric acid (2,4, 6-trihydroxypyrimidine) was found to be a strong competitive inhibitor. Neither the nucleotide sequence of trzD nor the amino acid sequence of the gene product exhibited a significant level of similarity to any known gene or protein. (+info)
Identification and analysis of dihydrofolate reductase alleles from Plasmodium falciparum present at low frequency in polyclonal patient samples.
(19/1501)
As resistance to chloroquine spreads in sub-Saharan Africa, pyrimethamine plus sulfadoxine (PSD) is increasingly used as a first-line treatment for falciparum malaria. Populations of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) resistant to PSD have been selected quickly in other regions. The resistance is strongly correlated with point mutations in dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS), the two targets of the drug. It is critical to identify drug-resistant Pf-DHFR alleles that are present at a low frequency in these populations since alleles that confer drug resistance will be quickly selected by PSD use. It is difficult to identify these rare alleles by standard molecular techniques. We have designed a yeast expression system that facilitates the identification and rapid analysis of Pf-DHFR alleles that confer PSD resistance, even when they are present at very low frequency in polyclonal patient samples. We analyzed samples from patients in Kilifi, Kenya collected between 1992 and 1995. We determined the prevalence of the drug-sensitive and drug-resistant alleles in patient samples analyzed in parallel by an allele-specific enzyme digestion (ASED) assay. We identified a pyrimethamine-resistant allele (S108N) present at a frequency of < 1% in a sample that was scored as only S108 by ASED. In addition, a novel pyrimethamine-resistant allele (1164M) was isolated twice, once each from two different patient samples. This approach will allow determination of the prevalence of Pf-DHFR alleles that confer pyrimethamine resistance in particular regions, and the rapid identification of novel alleles that confer drug resistance. (+info)
Selective A2A adenosine receptor activation reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat kidney.
(20/1501)
A2A adenosine receptors (A2A-ARs) are known modulators of renal hemodynamics and potent inhibitors of inflammation. We sought to determine whether selective activation of A2A-ARs protects kidneys from ischemia-reperfusion injury. The ester derivative of DWH-146 (DWH-146e), a selective A2A agonist, was found to be more potent and selective for A2A-ARs than the prototype compound CGS-21680. Osmotic minipumps were implanted subcutaneously to infuse into rats either vehicle or DWH-146e (0.004 microg. kg(-1). min(-1)), during and after ischemia-reperfusion injury. Following 24 and 48 h of reperfusion, the rise in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen for vehicle-treated rats was substantially elevated compared with DWH-146e-treated rats. Histological examination revealed widespread tubular epithelial necrosis and vascular congestion in the outer medulla of vehicle-treated compared with DWH-146e-treated animals. ZM-241385, a selective A(2A) antagonist, blocked the protective effect of DWH-146e. Delaying administration of DWH-146e until the initiation of reperfusion also decreased serum creatinine. We conclude that 1) selective A2A-AR activation by DWH-146e reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat kidneys, 2) the effect of DWH-146e is A2A receptor mediated, and 3) the protective effects are mediated by preventing injury during the reperfusion period. (+info)
Sulphonic acid derivatives as probes of pore properties of volume-regulated anion channels in endothelial cells.
(21/1501)
1. We have used the whole-cell patch-clamp technique to study the effects of 4-sulphonic-calixarenes and some other poly-sulphonic acid agents, such as suramin and basilen blue, on volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) currents in cultured endothelial cells (CPAE cells). 2. The 4-sulphonic-calixarenes induced a fast inhibition at positive potentials but were ineffective at negative potentials. At small positive potentials, 4-sulphonic-calix[4]arene was a more effective inhibitor than 4-sulphonic-calix[6]arene and -calix[8]arene, which became more effective at more positive potentials. 3. Also suramin and basilen blue induced a voltage dependent current inhibition, reaching a maximum around +40 mV and declining at more positive potentials. 4. The voltage dependence of inhibition was modelled by assuming that these negatively charged molecules bind to a site inside VRAC that senses a fraction delta of the applied electrical field, ranging beween 0.16 to 0.32. 4-Sulphonic-calix[4]arene, suramin and basilen blue bind and occlude VRAC at moderate potentials, but permeate the channel at more positive potentials. 4-Sulphonic-calix[6]arene and -calix[8]arene however do not permeate the channel. From the structural information of the calixarenes, we estimate a lower and upper limit of 11*12 and 17*12 A2 respectively for the cross-sectional area of the pore. (+info)
The three recombinant domains of human serum albumin. Structural characterization and ligand binding properties.
(22/1501)
In an attempt to systematically dissect the ligand binding properties of human serum albumin (HSA), the gene segments encoding each of its three domains were defined based on their conserved homologous structural motifs and separately cloned into a secretion vector for Pichia pastoris. We were able to establish a generally applicable purification protocol based on Cibacron Blue affinity chromatography, suggesting that each of the three domains carries a binding site specific for this ligand. Proteins were characterized by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, gel filtration, N-terminal sequencing, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, as well as near- and far-UV CD. In addition to the affinity chromatography ligand Cibacron Blue, binding properties toward hemin, warfarin, and diazepam, each of which represents a standard ligand for HSA, respectively, were investigated by the measurement of induced circular dichroism. Clear experimental evidence is provided here for the location of the primary hemin binding site to be on domain I of HSA, and for the primary diazepam binding site to be on domain III. Further, secondary binding sites were found for hemin to be located on domains II and III, and for diazepam on domain I. The warfarin binding site was located primarily on domain II, while on domain I, a secondary binding site and/or parts of the primary binding site were found. (+info)
Phenotypes and genotypes for CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 in a black Tanzanian population.
(23/1501)
AIMS: CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 are polymorphically expressed enzymes that show marked interindividual and interethnic variation. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of the defective alleles in CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 in Africans and to test whether the genotype for CYP2C19 is better correlated with the proguanil/cylcoguanil ratio than the mephenytoin S/R ratio. METHODS: Two hundred and sixteen black Tanzanians were phenotyped for CYP2D6 with the use of sparteine, and for CYP2C19 with the use of mephenytoin and proguanil. Of these 196 subjects were also genotyped for CYP2D6 (including the CYP2D6*1, CYP2D6*3 and CYP2D6*4 alleles) and 195 were genotyped for CYP2C19 (including the CYP2C19*1, CYP2C19*2 and the CYP2C19*3 alleles). Furthermore 100 subjects were examined for the allele duplication in CYP2D6, leading to ultrarapid metabolism, with long PCR. RESULTS: The sparteine metabolic ratio (MR) was statistically significantly higher in the Tanzanian group of homozygous, extensive metabolizers compared to a historical control group of white Danish extensive metabolizers. Only one poor metabolizer for CYP2D6 (MR=124 and genotype CYP2D6*1/CYP2D6*4 ) was found. The gene frequencies were 0.96 for the CYP2D6*1 allele and 0.04 for the CYP2D6*4 allele. No CYP2D6*3 alleles were found. Nine subjects had an allele duplication in CYP2D6 (9%). For CYP2C19 there were seven subjects (3. 6%) who were phenotyped as poor metabolizers, but only three subjects (1.5%) had a genotype (CYP2C19*2/CYP2C19*2 ) indicative of poor metabolism. The gene frequencies were 0.90 for the CYP2C19*1 allele and 0.10 for the CYP2C19*2 allele. No CYP2C19*3 alleles were found. The mephenytoin S/R ratios were not bimodally distributed. CONCLUSIONS: Both the genotyping and phenotyping results show that there is a substantial difference between an African black population and a Caucasian population in the capacity to metabolize drugs via CYP2D6 and CYP2C19. (+info)
Lamotrigine for startle-induced seizures.
(24/1501)
Startle-induced seizures are reflex seizures precipitated by a sudden, surprising stimulus, usually auditory. Aetiologies, electroencephalographic correlates, and brain structural abnormalities are variable. Because of the frequent tonic component at onset, falling is a major clinical problem. There is no established drug of choice, and therapy is often unsatisfactory. Adjunctive lamotrigine therapy was used in four consecutive patients with this syndrome seen in a referral epilepsy practice. All four had been refractory to virtually every other drug, but responded dramatically to lamotrigine with elimination of falls from seizures. This observation may serve as pilot data for trials of lamotrigine for startle-induced or other varieties of reflex epilepsies, as adjunctive or monotherapy. (+info)