Tadahiko Fujino

Monoclonal antibodies to phenobarbital-induced rat liver cytochrome P-450

Somatic cell hybrids were made between mouse myeloma cells and spleen cells derived from BALB/c female mice immunized with purified phenobarbital-induced rat liver cytochrome P-450 (PB-P-450). Hybridomas were selected in HAT medium, and the monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) produced were screened for binding to the PB-P-450 by radioimmunoassay, for immunoprecipitation of the PB-P-450, and for inhibition of PB-P-450-catalyzed enzyme activity. In two experiments, MAbs of the IgM and IgG1 were produced that bound and, in certain cases, precipitated PB-P-450. None of these MAbs, however, inhibited the PB-P-450-dependent aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity. In two other experiments, MAbs to PB-P-450 were produced that bound, precipitated and, in several cases, strongly or completely inhibited the AHH and 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylase (ECD) activities PB-P-450. These MAbs showed no activity toward the purified 3-methylcholanthrene-induced cytochrome P-450 (MC-P-450), beta-naphthoflavone-induced cytochrome P-450 (BNF-P-450) or pregnenolone 16-alpha-carbonitrile-induced cytochrome P-450 (PCN-P-450) in respect to RIA determined binding, immunoprecipitation, or inhibition of AHH activity. One of the monoclonal antibodies, MAb 2-66-3, inhibited the AHH activity of liver microsomes from PB-treated rats by 43% but did not inhibit the AHH activity of liver microsomes from control, BNF-, or MC-treated rats. The MAb 2-66-3 also inhibited ECD in microsomes from PB-treated rats by 22%. The MAb 2-66-3 showed high cross-reactivity for binding, immuno-precipitation and inhibition of enzyme activity of PB-induced cytochrome P-450 from rabbit liver (PB-P-450LM2). Two other MAbs, 4-7-1 and 4-29-5, completely inhibited the AHH of the purified PB-P-450. MAbs to different cytochromes P-450 will be of extraordinary usefulness for a variety of studies including phenotyping of individuals, species, and tissues and for the genetic analysis of P-450s as well as for the direct assay, purification, and structure determination of various cytochromes P-450.

Studies on the Mechanism of Monoclonal Antibody Inhibition of Enzyme Activity of Phenobarbital-Induced Cytochrome P-450

Four monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to phenobarbital-induced cytochrome P-450 (PB-P-450) show different patterns of inhibition of PB-P-450 catalyzed aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH), 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylase, benzphetamine demethylase and ethylmorphine demethylase. The inhibition constants vary depending on the individual monoclonal antibody and the individual substrate. Two of the four monoclonal antibodies completely inhibit the reduction of cytochrome P-450 by NADPH cytochrome c (P-450) reductase. The same cytochrome P-450 bound to carbon monoxide, however, can be reduced chemically by sodium dithionite in the presence of the monoclonal antibody. These data indicate that the two MAbs examined completely prevent electron transfer by NADPH cytochrome c (P-450) reductase. Substrate binding is partially inhibited by the monoclonal antibody. The type I substrate-binding spectrum of benzphetamine is inhibited more than the type II binding spectrum of aniline. The degree of inhibition of the substrate binding as indicated by the spectrum is less than that observed for the inhibition of catalytic enzyme activity by the monoclonal antibodies. The data indicate that each of the MAbs are directed toward epitopes on the cytochromes P-450 with different relationships to the active catalytic site.

Monoclonal Antibody-Directed Analysis of Cytochrome P-450

The cytochromes P-450 metabolize a diverse array of xenobiotic and endobiotic compounds, including carcinogens, drugs, and steroids (1-3). The different isozymes differ in their substrate and product specificities and reactivities. The types and amounts of isozymes in a tissue therefore regulate the metabolic conversion of substrates to products. Progress in understanding the role of individual P-450s in metabolism of specific substrates, and in relating P-450 phenotype to individual differences in sensitivity to drugs and carcinogens, has been hindered by the multiplicity of the P-450s. The approach we have taken to the multiplicity problem is to prepare and use monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) as specific probes to individual and epitope-specific classes of P-450s (4–6).

Phenotyping Cytochromes P450 with Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to cytochrome P-450 isozymes can be used to phenotype tissues for epitope-specific cytochrome P-450 content. MAbs that inhibit specific cytochrome P-450 dependent drug or carcinogen reactions are useful tools for quantitative measurement of the individual or classes of cytochromes P-450 that catalyze these reactions. This method has been applied successfully to animal as well as human tissues. Radioimmunoassays based on MAbs have been developed and provide a rapid and efficient means for detecting cytochromes P-450 independent of functional enzyme activity. In addition, MAbs coupled to a Sepharose support can be used to immunopurify cytochromes P-450 in a procedure that is more rapid and efficient than conventional purification schemes. MAbs add a new dimension to analyses of cytochrome P-450 multiplicity and will find numerous applications in elucidation of the relationship between cytochrome P-450 phenotype and carcinogen or drug metabolism.