High volume bioassays to assess CYP3A4-mediated drug interactions: induction and inhibition in a single cell line.
Exposure to certain xenochemicals can alter the catalytic activity of the major drug-metabolizing enzyme, CYP3A4, either by enhancing expression of this cytochrome P450 or inhibiting its activity. Such alterations can result in adverse consequences stemming from drug-drug interactions. A simplified and reliable tool for detecting the ability of candidate drugs to alter CYP3A4 levels or inhibit catalytic activity was developed by stable integration of human pregnane X receptor and a luciferase vector harboring the CYP3A4 enhancers. Treatment of stable transformants, namely DPX-2, with various concentrations of inducers including rifampicin, mifepristone, troglitazone, methoxychlor, and kava produced dose-dependent increases in luciferase expression (between 2- and 40-fold above dimethyl sulfoxide-treated cells). Northern blot analyses of CYP3A4 mRNA in DPX-2 cells exhibited a good correlation to results generated with the reporter gene assay (r(2) = 0.5, p < 0.01). Induction of CYP3A4 protein was examined by measuring catalytic activity with the CYP3A4 substrate, luciferin 6' benzyl ether (luciferin BE). Metabolism of luciferin BE by DPX-2 cells was enhanced 5.2-fold above dimethyl sulfoxide-treated cells by treatment with rifampicin. Constitutive androstane receptor-mediated regulation of CYP3A4 protein was addressed by measuring catalytic activity in a separate cell line over-expressing this receptor. Phenobarbital and dexamethasone produced 1.5- and 2.0-fold increases, respectively, above control in luciferin BE metabolism. To determine the utility of DPX-2 cells for identifying inhibitors of CYP3A4 catabolism, luciferin BE activity was measured in the presence of various concentrations of ketoconazole, erythromycin, or kava. These agents exhibited dose-dependent decreases in CYP3A4 activity with IC(50) values of 0.3 microM for ketoconazole, 108 microM for erythromycin, and 15.5 microg/ml for kava. Collectively, DPX-2 cells were used to identify xenobiotics that induce or inhibit CYP3A4 in a high throughput manner, demonstrating their applicability to early-stage drug development.
Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Toxicology, California Toxicology Research Institute, 1989 Palomar Oaks Way, Suite B, Carlsbad, CA 92009, USA.
Mei-Fei
MF
Yueh
Marleen
M
Kawahara
Judy
J
Raucy
D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods*; D002460:Cell Line; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051544:Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A; D065607:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions / Q000502:physiology; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000494:pharmacology
D065607:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D015262:Xenobiotics; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; C104464:CYP3A protein, human; D051544:Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A; C510163:CYP3A4 protein, human