Stereoselective epoxidation of arachidonic acid by cytochrome P-450s 2CAA and 2C2

J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1994 Jun;269(3):1130-5.

Abstract

In the present study, we determined the stereoselective epoxidation of arachidonic acid by cytochrome P-450 (P-450) 2CAA and P-450 2C2, two arachidonic acid epoxygenases found in rabbit renal cortex, by chiral normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-analysis. Purified P-450 2CAA reconstituted with P-450 oxidoreductase, lipid and cytochrome b5 or microsomes isolated from COS-1 cells expressing P-450 2C2 were incubated in the presence of [1-14C]arachidonic acid. The epoxide metabolites 14,15- and 11,12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) were purified by reverse-phase HPLC and derivatized to methyl (14,15-EET) and pentafluorobenzyl (11,12-EET) esters. Enantiomers of 14,15-EET-methyl ester and 11,12-EET-pentafluorobenzyl ester were resolved on Chiralcel OB and OD columns, respectively, with a mobile phase of 0.15% 2-propanol in n-hexane. P-450 2CAA and P-450 2C2 produce 11,12- and 14,15-EETs in distinct ratios but are equally stereoselective at the 11,12-position. P-450 2CAA produced 11(S), 12(R)-EET with 63% stereoselectivity, and P-450 2C2 produced the same enantiomer with 61% stereoselectivity. Both enzymes are also stereoselective at the 14,15- position, preferentially producing the 14(R), 15(S)-EET. P-450 2CAA produces this enantiomer with 72% selectivity, and P-450 2C2 produces it with 62% selectivity. The results of this study indicate that P-450 2CAA and P-450 2C2 are not only regioselective but also exhibit a high degree of stereoselectivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arachidonic Acid / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2J2
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / pharmacology*
  • Epoxy Compounds / metabolism*
  • Oxygenases / pharmacology*
  • Rabbits
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Epoxy Compounds
  • Arachidonic Acid
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
  • Oxygenases
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2J2