From Genotype to Phenotype: Cytochrome P450 2D6-Mediated Drug Clearance in Humans.

How genotypic variation results in phenotypic differences is still a challenge for biology. In the field of drug metabolism, the means by which specific cytochrome P4502D6 (CYP2D6) genotypes yield different phenotypes at various levels (molecular, cellular, and organismal) is an important question, as differences in CYP2D6 activity can contribute to adverse drug reactions. Herein, the genotype of CYP2D6 was determined along with the absolute content of CYP2D6 and microsomal protein per gram of liver in human liver microsomes, the molecular, cellular (microsomal, tissue, organ), and organismal phenotype of CYP2D6 determined; the effect of genotype on each phenotype of CYP2D6-mediated dextromethorphan clearance (CL) was delineated, and the overall genotype-phenotype relationship for CYP2D6 was charted.

Correlation of Cytochrome P450 Oxidoreductase Expression with the Expression of 10 Isoforms of Cytochrome P450 in Human Liver.

Human cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) provides electrons for all microsomal cytochromes P450 (P450s) and plays an indispensable role in drug metabolism catalyzed by this family of enzymes. We evaluated 100 human liver samples and found that POR protein content varied 12.8-fold, from 12.

Significant change of cytochrome P450s activities in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

The lack of information concerning individual variation in drug-metabolizing enzymes is one of the most important obstacles for designing personalized medicine approaches for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. To assess cytochrome P450 (CYP) in the metabolism of endogenous and exogenous molecules in an HCC setting, the activity changes of 10 major CYPs in microsomes from 105 normal and 102 HCC liver tissue samples were investigated. We found that CYP activity values expressed as intrinsic clearance (CLint) differed between HCC patients and control subjects.

Identification and evaluation of apoptotic compounds from Garcinia oligantha.

Four new compounds, oliganthins A-D (1-4), and one known caged xanthone gaudichaudione H (5) were isolated from the stems of Garcinia oligantha. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic evidences. All of the five compounds were evaluated for their apoptosis-inducing effects using HeLa-C3 cells which have been genetically engineered to produce a fluorescent biosensor capable of detecting caspase-3 activation.