Abstract
The enzymic basis for intracellular reduction of N-hydroxylated amidines to their corresponding amidines, and hydroxylamines to their corresponding amines, is unknown. The hydroxylated amidines can be used as prodrug moieties, and an understanding of the enzyme system active in the reduction can contribute to more efficient drug development. In this study, we examined the properties of this enzyme system using benzamidoxime and N-hydroxymelagatran as substrates. In rats and humans, the hepatic enzyme system was localized in mitochondria as well as in microsomes, using preferably NADH as cofactor. Potassium cyanide, N-methylhydroxylamine, p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, and desferrioxamine were efficient inhibitors, whereas typical cytochrome P450 (P450) inhibitors were ineffective. In rats, the highest specific activity was found in liver, adipose tissue, and kidneys, whereas in humans, the specific activity in the preparations of adipose tissue examined was lower. A sex difference was observed in rat liver, where 4-fold higher activity was seen in microsomes from female rats. No gender differences were present in any other tissue investigated. Partial purification of the hepatic system was achieved using polyethylene glycol fractionation followed by Octyl Sepharose chromatography at low detergent concentrations, whereas the enzyme was denatured after complete solubilization. The unique appearance of the enzyme activity in adipose tissue, together with the cyanide sensitivity and the failure of typical P450 inhibitors to impede the reaction, indicates that the enzyme system active in reduction of benzamidoxime and N-hydroxymelagatran formation is not of cytochrome P450 origin, but likely consists of an NADH-dependent electron transfer chain with a cyanide-sensitive protein as the terminal component.
Footnotes
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Funding for this study was provided by AstraZeneca AB, by the Swedish Research Council, and by Magn. Bergvalls Stiftelse. Parts of this work have been presented at the 7th International ISSX Meeting, August 29-September 2, 2004, in Vancouver, Canada.
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Article, publication date, and citation information can be found at http://dmd.aspetjournals.org.
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doi:10.1124/dmd.104.002972.
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ABBREVIATIONS: CO, carbon monoxide; FMO, flavine monooxygenase; HPLC, high-pressure liquid chromatography; LC-MS, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry; PEG, polyethylene glycol; KCN, potassium cyanide; PMSF, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride; psig, pounds per square inch gauge; P450, cytochrome P450; SKF525A, b-diethylaminoethyldiphenylpropylacetate hydrochloride.
- Received November 11, 2004.
- Accepted January 4, 2005.
- The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
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