RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Flavin-containing monooxygenase activity in human liver microsomes. JF Drug Metabolism and Disposition JO Drug Metab Dispos FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 256 OP 261 VO 15 IS 2 A1 McManus, M E A1 Stupans, I A1 Burgess, W A1 Koenig, J A A1 Hall, P M A1 Birkett, D J YR 1987 UL http://dmd.aspetjournals.org/content/15/2/256.abstract AB Human liver microsomal flavin-containing monooxygenase activity has been studied using dimethylaniline N-oxidation and thiobenzamide S-oxidation. Except for one subject, the capacity of human liver microsomes to mediate these reactions were markedly increased at pH 8.4 compared to pH 7.4. The mean dimethylaniline N-oxidase activities at pH 7.4 and 8.4 in the four subjects tested were 2.49 +/- 1.13 and 6.59 +/- 4.04 nmol mg-1 min-1, respectively (mean +/- SD, N = 4). The mean thiobenzamide S-oxidase activities at pH 7.4 and 8.4 were 1.39 +/- 0.51 and 2.74 +/- 1.28 nmol mg-1 min-1, respectively. At pH 7.4, an antibody to the human liver NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase inhibited dimethylaniline N-oxidation between 4 and 38%. The same antibody had no effect on this reaction at pH 8.4. Except for one subject, a battery of cytochrome P-450 inhibitors also had little effect on this reaction. Further, preincubating human microsomes at 45 degrees C in the absence of NADPH for 4 min destroyed approximately 90% of the dimethylaniline N-oxidase activity. These data collectively suggested that the flavin-containing mono-oxygenase is the major enzyme mediating this reaction in human liver microsomes. In contrast to dimethylaniline N-oxidation, thiobenzamide S-oxidation was significantly inhibited by the anti-reductase at both pH 7.4 and 8.4, respectively. These data indicate that cytochromes P-450 contribute significantly to this reaction in human liver microsomes.