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Post-translational hydroxylation occurs in three mammalian ribosomal proteins, uS12, uL2, and uL15, which are located in the small (S) and large (L) subunits of the ribosome near the most important decoding and peptidyltransferase functional centers. We have used cell cultures, which produce protein uL15 labeled with the 3xFLAG epitope at the C-terminus (uL15^(3xFLAG)) or mutant forms of uL15^(3xFLAG) that contain His39Ala, His39Thr, or His40Ala substitutions, to examine the role of hydroxylated His39 of uL15 in maintaining the translational activity of ribosomes. It has been found that exogenous uL15^(3xFLAG) is able to functionally replace endogenous uL15 in HEK293 cells transfected with an appropriate DNA construct. However, the translational activity of ribosomes decreases by about 35% in cells that produce the above mutant forms of uL15^(3xFLAG) compared with that in cells that produce nonmutated uL15^(3xFLAG). Analysis of the structural model of the human ribosome has allowed us to assume that the hydroxyl group in His39 is involved in the local stabilization of the ribosome structure through the formation of a hydrogen bond between this group and the nitrogen atom of the His40 imidazole ring. Given that His39 is located near the E site of the ribosome, we believe that this stabilization of the ribosome structure ensures the maintenance of its translational activity.

The transformation of dehydroepiandrosterone by Spicaria fumoso-rosea VKM F-881 produced 7alpha- and 7beta-hydroxy-dehydroepiandrosterone, 3beta,7alpha-dihydroxy-17a-oxa-D-homo-androst-5-en-17-one, and 3beta,7beta-dihydroxy- 17a-oxa-D-homo-androst-5-en-17-one. The yield of the main product-3beta,7beta-dihydroxy-17a-oxa-D-homo-androst-5-en-17-one-was 49.5-72 mol % at substrate loadings of 5-20 g/L. Lactone formation proceeded through 7alpha- and 7beta-hydroxy derivatives of dehydroepiandrosterone. The structure of the products was determined by mass spectrometry, 1H-NMR spectroscopy, and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The proposed microbiological method for producing steroid lactones opens prospects for the syn- thesis of novel steroid compounds.

Selected filamentous fungi--98 strains of 31 genera--were screened for the ability to catalyze 11beta-hydroxylation of 6alpha-fluoro-16alpha-methyl-deoxycorticosterone 21-acetate (FM-DCA). It was established that representatives of the genera Gongronella, Scopulariopsis, Epicoccum, and Curvularia have the ability to activate 11beta-hydroxylase steroids. The strains of Curvularia lunata VKM F-644 and Gongronella butleri VKM F-1033 expressed maximal activity and formed 6lpha-fluoro-16alpha-methyl-corticosterone as a major bioconversion product from FM-DCA. The structures of the major products and intermediates of the bioconversion were confirmed by TLC, H PLC, MS and 1H NMR analyses. Different pathways of 6alpha-fluoro-16alpha-methyl-corticosterone formation by C. lunata and G. butleri strains were proposed based on intermediate identification. The constitutive character and membrane-binding localization were evidence of a 11beta-hydroxylating system in G. butleri, while an inducible character and microsomal localization was confirmed for 11beta-hydroxylase of C. lunata. Under optimized conditions, the molar yield of 6alpha-fluoro-16alpha-methyl-corticosterone reached 65% at a FM-DCA substrate loading of 6 g/L.

The main and side products of hydroxylation by the C. lunata VKPM F-981 mycelium of fourteen delta(4)-3-ketosteroids of the estrane, androstane, and pregnane series and six of their delta(5)-3beta-hydroxy analogues were identified by H1 PMR spectroscopy and comparison with standard samples. The obtained experimental data are considered in terms of the triangular model of the enzyme-substrate interaction. The dependence of the direction of hydroxylation of steroid molecules and the orientation of hydroxy groups on the structure of the initial substrate was revealed.

An approach to measure the activity of single oligomers of the heme-containing enzyme the cytochrome P450 CYP102A1 (CYP102A1) by atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been developed. It was found that the amplitude of fluctuations of the height of single CYP102A1 molecules performing the catalytic cycle is twice as great as the amplitude of fluctuations of the height of the same enzymes in the inactive state. It was shown that the amplitude of height fluctuations of a CYP102A1 protein globule depends on temperature, the maximum of this dependence being observed at 22 degrees C. The activity of a single CYP102A1 molecule in the unit amplitude of height fluctuations of a protein globule reduced to the unit time was 5+/-2 Ac. The elasticity of a single protein molecule was measured from the deformation of this molecule by the action of an AFM probe. The use of AFM probes of different geometry made i t possible t o determine t he integral andlocal Young's modulus for the monomers of the protein putidaredoxin reductase from the cytochrome P450 CYP101 (P450cam)-containing monooxigenase system, which were 37+/-117 and 1+/-3 MPa, respectively.

9alpha-Hydroxy derivatives were prepared from 11 steroids ofandrostane and pregnane series using Rhodococcus erythropolis VKPM Ac-1740 culture with 0.5-20 g/l substrate concentration in the reaction mixture. 9alpha-Monohydroxylation proceeded regardless of the substituent structure at C17. However, the structure of the steroid molecule influenced the time of complete conversion of the substrate and the yield of the transformation product. 9alpha-Hydroxy-androstenedione was obtained in 35 h in a yield of 85% when the maximum concentration of androstenedione (AD) was 10 g/l. 9alpha-Hydroxy-AD was also formed by the actinobacterium cells entrapped in poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel beads. Nine successive transformation cycles were carried out using immobilized cells at 4.0 g/l concentration of AD in the medium. The yield of 9alpha-hydroxy-AD formed during six cycles (from two to eight with the duration of each cycle for 22-24 h) was 98%.

Abstract-Soybean sterols were converted into androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD) and 9alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (9-OH-AD) using three actinobacterium strains. The transformation of a microcrystallic substrate (particle size 5-15 nm) or the transformation in the presence of randomly methylated beta-cyclodextrin (MCD) were carried out by Mycobacterium neoaurum with a phytosterol load of 30 g/l over 144 h with an AD content of 14.5 and 15.2 g/l, respectively. AD obtained in the presence of MCD was transformed into ADD (13.5 g/l) by Pimelobacter simplex cells over 3 h and into 9-OH-AD by Rhodococcus erythropolis cells after 22 h without the isolation of AD from the cultural liquid. The technical product ADD was obtained in 75% yield, based on phytosterol. It contained as impurity 1.25% of AD and 1.5% of 1,2-dehydrotestosterone. In a control experiment-the process of 1,2-dehydrogenation of 20 g/l AD in the water solution of MCD-no by products were isolated. Thus, it is more expedient to introduce the 1,2-double bond into pure AD, whereas R. erythropolis strain with low destructive activity towards steroid nucleus can be used in the mixed culture with M. neoaurum. The crystal product contained, according to HPLC, 80% of 9-OH-AD, and 1.5 AD was combined. The yield of 9-OH-AD (m.p. 218-220 degrees C) based on transformed phytosterol was 56%.

Transformation of 16 delta5-3beta-hydroxy- and delta4-3-ketosteroids of androstane and pregnane classes was carried out using Curvularia lunata mycelium suspended in phosphate buffer with methyl-beta-cyclodextrine (MCD). As the result, 20 monohydroxy- and dihydroxy-metabolites, whose structure was determined using specters of proton magnetic resonance and mass-specters, have been isolated. Hydroxylation of delta5-3beta-hydroxy-steroids occurred mostly in the C-7alpha position whereas hydroxylation of delta4-3-ketosteroids was in the C-11beta position. Only androst-4-en-3,17-dione, 9alpha-hydroxyl-androstenedione, and androsts-1,4-diene-3,17-dione were hydroxylated at C-14alpha position. Besides main 11beta-derivatives, the 6beta- and 7beta-hydroxy-derivatives with yield 10 and 30%, respectively, were isolated during transformation of progesterone and hydroxymethyl pregnadienon. The ratio of MCD to transforming steroid was 1 : 1 (mol/mol). Hydroxycortisone and 7alpha-hydroxyandrostenolone with the yield 55 and 77%, respectively, were obtained at the maximal concentrations of cortexolone 20 g/l and androstenolone acetate 10 g/l in the presence of MCD. Absorption of steroids on mycelium, lower speed of their transformation, low concentrations of modifying substrates, and low yield of hydroxyderivatives have been observed in the absence of MCD.

Regio- and stereospecificity of microbial hydroxylation was studied at the transformation of 3-keto-4-ene steroids of androstane and pregnane series by the filamentous fungus of Curvularia lunata VKMF-644. The products of the transformations were isolated by column chromatography and identified using HPLC, mass-spectrometry (MS) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) analyses. Androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD) and its 1(2)-dehydro- and 9alpha-hydroxylated (9-OH-AD) derivatives were hydroxylated by the fungus mainly in position 14alpha, while 6alpha-, 6beta- and 7alpha-hydroxylated products were revealed in minor amounts. At the transformation of C21-steroids (cortexolone and its acetylated derivatives) the presence of 17-acetyl group was shown to facilitate further selectivity of 11beta-hydroxylation. Original procedures for protoplasts obtaining, mutagenesis and mutant strain selection have been developed. A stable mutant (M4) of C. lunata with high 11beta-hydroxylase activity towards 21-acetate and 17alpha,21-diacetate of cortexolone was obtained. Yield of 11beta-hydroxylated products reached about 90% at the transformation of 17alpha, 21-diacetate of cortexolone using mutant strain M4.

Hydroxylation activity of the mold fungi belonging to the orders Dothideales, Hypocreales, and Mucorales towards delta(5)-3beta-hydroxysteroids was studied. The fungi Bipolaris sorokiniana, Fusarium sp., and Rhizopus nigricans were able to introduce hydroxy group at position 7alpha; however, this ability was detected only at a low substrate load and with a low yield. A 7alpha-hydroxylase activity of the Curvularia lunata VKPM F-981 culture was shown for the first time. It was demonstrated that the studied strain was capable of stereo- and regioselective transformations of androstane 5-olefins at a load not less than 2 g/l. Conversion of pregnane steroids by this culture yielded both 7alpha and 11beta-hydroxy derivatives. The introduction of 7alpha-hydroxy group by this strain occurred concurrently with enzymatic hydrolysis of ester groups, which proceeded under mild conditions to give the corresponding alcohols in the cases of both 3-acetate of delta(5)-androstenes and mono- and triacetates of delta(5)-pregnenes.

The ability of 485 fungal strains is studied for catalysis of the process of 7alpha, 15alpha-dihydroxylation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, 3alpha-hydroxy-5-androstene-17-one), a key intermediate of the synthesis of physiologically active compounds. The ability for the formation of 3alpha, 7alpha, 15alpha-trihydoxy-5-androstene-17-one (7alpha, 15alpha-di-OH-DHEA) was found for the first time for representatives of 12 genera, eight families, and six orders of ascomycetes, eight genera, four families, and one order of zygomycetes, one genus, one family, and one order of basidiomycetes, and four genera of mitosporous fungi. The most active strains are found among genera Acremonium, Gibberella, Fusarium, and Nigrospora. In the process of transformation of DHEA (2 g/l) by strains of Fusarium oxysporum RKM F-1600 and FGibberella zeae BKM F-2600, the molar yield was 63 and 68%, respectively. Application of the revealed active strains of microorganisms opens prospects for the efficient production of key intermediates of synthesis of modern medical preparations.

The equilibrium dissociation constants K(D), the complex association / dissociation rate constants (k(on)/ k(off)) and the lifetimes of redox partners' complexes were measured for three cytochrome P450-containing monooxygenase systems (P450cam, P450 2B4 and P450scc). To estimate the productivity of complexes formed within the systems studied, the Q parameter--i.e. the ratio of protein-protein complex lifetime (T(LT)) to the time required for a single hydroxylation cycle (tau(cat))--was determined. It was shown that Q was changed (albeit insignificantly) upon transition from the oxidation to hydroxylation conditions in all the three P450 monooxygenase systems studied. It was shown that the binary complexes formed within the P450cam and the P450scc systems requiring an intermediate electron-transfer protein between the reductase and cytochrome P450 were non-productive while the binary complexes formed within the P450 2B4 system, not requiring such an intermediate electron-transfer protein, proved to be productive. Formation of ternary complexes within the three systems was demonstrated under hydroxylation conditions. Analysis of Q values led to the conclusion that the ternary complexes formed within the P450cam and the P450scc systems were virtually 100% productive. Within the P450 2B4 system, more than half (about 60%) ternary complexes were also found to be productive.

Interactions between cytochrome P450 2B4, NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase and cytochrome b5 have been investigated in the presence of a substrate (7-pentoxyresorufin) and an electron donor, NADPH, in the monomeric reconstituted P450 2B4-contained monooxygenase system. Each partner was immobilized via its amino groups on the carboxymethyldextran biochip surface of an optical biosensor IAsys+. It was shown that, despite immobilization of any of the partners (via their respective amino groups) onto the carboxymethyldextran surface of the IAsys+ optical biosensor, its activity didn't loss. The formation of binary d-Fp/d-2B4 complexes was registered. The association/dissociation rate constants (kon/koff) were (0,013 +/- 0,005) x 10(6) M(-1) x s(-1)/0,05 +/- 0,02 s(-1), equilibrium dissociation constant (K(D)) was (0,26 +/- 0,13) x 10(-6) M. Comparison of kon, koff and K(D) for d-Fp/d-2B4 complexes in oxidation conditions with corresponding constants for the oxidized protein forms--(0,10 +/- 0,03) x 10(6) M(-1) x s(-1)/(0,14 +/- 0,06) s(-1), (0,71 +/- 0,37) x 10(-6) M--shows that the decrease in kon and K(D) occurs due to the increase in lifetime during transition from oxidized to hydroxylation conditions. Complex formation between d-Fp and d-b5 was not registered in oxidation and hydroxylation conditions. The ternary d-Fp/d-2B4/d-b5 complexes formation was shown in hydroxylation and oxidation conditions.

It has been demonstrated that the mycelium of Curvularia lunata at the end of the logarithmic growth phase displays a maximal 11-hydroxylase activity towards cortexolone (4-6 g/l) used for transformation as a microcrystalline suspension in phosphate buffer. The mycelium at a later stage of fungal growth displays an elevated 14-hydroxylase activity, necessary for generation of 14-hydroxyandrostenedione. The effects of different forms of substrate added to the reaction mixture, age and concentration of mycelium, and fungal clones tolerant to salts of heavy metals (0.35-0.5%) were studied to remove the side 14-hydroxylation, accompanying the main cortexolone transformation. Mycelia of the fungal clones tolerant to Co2+ and Cu2+ displayed a weak hydroxylase activity or its complete absence and an elevated content of melanin, the biosynthesis of which is intensified under adverse conditions. The results obtained suggest that the transformation of steroids by the studied C. lunata strain is a detoxication of foreign compounds.

Development of pharmaceutical industry is currently aimed at introducing biotechnological processes on a large-scale and thereby replacing multiple-stage chemical syntheses. Actinobacteria are efficient biocatalysts of many processes involving steroid bioconversion, which hold considerable importance for the synthesis of hormonal drugs. The potential to catalyze the conversion of a broad spectrum of steroid substrates makes it possible to expect efficient utilization of these microorganisms in development of new technologies of manufacturing steroid pharmaceutical substances. The review is a first attempt to systematize data on the potential of actinobacteria to catalyze diverse reactions of steroid transformation (such as hydroxylation, introduction and reduction of double bonds, oxidation of steroid alcohols, reduction of ketones, side chain de-esterification and degradation, etc.), with emphasis on processes of practical biotechnological importance and progress in steroid bioconversion over the last ten years.

Analysis of variants of exon 7 sequences in cytochrome P450 gene 3A4 in a sample of Caucasoid persons was carried out. The effect of these variants on activity of CYP3A was assessed by the level of cortisol 6beta-hydroxylation. Alleles CYP3A4*5 and *17 were not detected: probably, these mutations are rare and consequently they have little effect on the character of polymorphic distribution of CYP3A4 activity in this population. The incidence of CYP3A4*2 was 5.26%. The 6betaOH-cortisol/cortisol ratio in an individual with CYP3A4*2/*2 genotype was 7.408, which corresponded to "slow metabolizer" phenotype in this sample.

Examination was made in 155 patients, including 60 patients were diagnosed as having hepatitis, hepatic lesion being first detected by a screening survey for markers of hepatitis. The antipyrine test was carried out. Patients with slow and rapid hydroxylation were identified. No changes were found in the biotransformation functions of the liver in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis 6 months after intravenous intermittent chemotherapy twice a week from the beginning of therapy; however, there was inhibition of the activity of monooxygenases and a two-fold increase in the number of patients with slow hydroxylation among patients with concomitant chronic hepatitis B and/or C. The best results of chemotherapy were found in tuberculous patients with slow hydroxylation: they less frequently underwent surgical interventions since decay cavities were therapeutically closed.

The key enzymes involved in modification of the steroid nucleus of sterol-transforming mycobacteria--3beta-hydroxysteroid oxidase (3-OH-SO, EC 1.13.1.2) and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17-OH-SDH, EC 1.1.1)--were isolated and characterized. It is shown that 3-OH-SO is a multifunctional enzyme catalyzing oxidation of the 3beta-OH group, delta5 --> delta4 isomerization, and 6-hydroxylation. Two forms of intracellular 17-OH-SDH that catalyze redox reactions at C17 were found, and their properties were determined. The presence of an extracellular 17-OH-SDH in Mycobacterium spp. (VKM Ac-1815 D and Et1) was demonstrated for the first time.

An approach based on the oxenoid model of monooxygenase action and semiempirical quantum chemical calculations was applied to the prediction of aromatic hydroxylation sites of cytochrome P450 substrates. The results were compared with experimental data on the metabolism in mammals and human from Metabolite database.

Red laser light (lambda = 633 nm) in a dose of 9.5 mJ/cm2 defends quail's embryo from X-ray irradiation (8.5 Gr). It is expressed in the 1.9 times decrease of embryo mortality on early term of incubation and 1.6 times increase of hatch in a group of embryos, which were affected by X-rays and laser radiation compared with an embryo, irradiated only by X-rays. Repeated laser irradiation of adult quails (dose 21 J) after CCl4-intoxication led to normalization of hydroxylation and antioxidant systems functions.

The syntheses of (24S)-24,25-epoxycholesterol, (24S)-hydroxycholesterol, and 24-ketocholesterol are described. The compounds belong to oxysterols, which can be considered to be the modulators of cholesterol metabolism. The asymmetric hydroxylation of desmosterol acetate according to Sharpless was used as the key reaction in the stereoselective introduction of functionality in position 24.

This paper gives data on the levels of cytochromes of B5, P450, P420, P450 + P420, on the rates of amidopyrinum N-demethylation and aniline n-hydroxylation in the tissues of the lung, liver, kidney of experimental rats upon acute and chronic (4-month) inhalation exposure to pseudocumol and durol at a concentration of 10 mg/m3. Acute and chronic inhalation exposures to the xenobiotics in this concentration result in activation of microsomal monooxygenases in the tissues of experimental rats in relation to the type of exposure.

The antioxidant and radioprotector properties of gamma-linolenic acid isolated from the seeds of Borago officialis were studied on rats gamma-irradiated to a dose of 1 Gy. The irradiation caused an increase in the content of malonaldehyde in microsomal liver fraction and disturbed the metabolism of xenobiotics. The administration of gamma-linolenic acid in the form of a commercial drug Neoglandin (daily dose, 150 mg/kg, p.o.; over 1, 3, or 7 days after irradiation reduced the level of lipid peroxidation (for all treatment schedules), normalized the activity of NADPH-oxidase, NADH-oxidase, and NADPH-reductase, and increased the content of cytochromes P-450 and b5 as compared to bothirradiated and control animals.

The influence of nickel, copper, cadmium, and lead ions at concentrations of 50 to 100 microM on the barrier properties of the plasma membrane (PM) and the electrophoretic mobility (EPM) of Pseudomonas fluorescens 71, Escherichia coli K-12, and Mycobacterium phlei B-1291 VKM cells was studied at pH values from 5 to 9 by electro-orientational (EO) spectroscopy and microelectrophoresis of cells. According to the data of EO spectroscopy, the increase in the toxicity of heavy metal cations to cells corresponded to transition of cations to monovalent hydroxylated forms. Hydroxylated ions were found to more easily adsorb on, or penetrate across, the PM and to bind to competent proteins. During the treatment of all three investigated microorganisms with Cu and Pb ions, and gram-negative bacteria also with Ni ions, the EPM of cells changed in a pH range corresponding to the transition of bivalent metal ions to their monovalent hydroxylated forms. Changes in the EPM induced by increasing pH correlated well with the enhanced toxicity of these metals to the PM, as evidenced by the EO spectroscopy data. At the same time, this correlation was less pronounced for cadmium sulfate toxicity to all of the microorganisms studied and for nickel chloride toxicity to M. phlei cells.

Repression of cytochrom P-450-dependent hydroxylation and demethylation in liver was demonstrated in bioptats of patients with chronic liver diseases. The inhibition of cytochrome P450 system was provoked by oxidative modification of proteins-enzymes in patients with chronic liver changes as was proposed at the same time. The activation of glutathione-dependent enzymes was revealed. So the intensification of conjugation and development processes was revealed as the compensation mechanisms of detoxication with chronic liver diseases.

The effect of the level of ascorbic acid on the formation of uric acid in the animals and human organisms has been learned. Activation of the hydroxylation of adenyl purins and uric acid by ascorbic acid has been found. A hypothesis was made about the activation of formation of glucocorticoids by ascorbic acid. Glucocorticoids, perhaps, lower the level of uric acid. Hypothesis was confirmed by experiments.

It has been found that hydroxylated pyrimidine derivatives actively participate in metabolic proceeds related to functioning of vitamin B1-dependent enzymes (transketolase, 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase). Hydroxypyrimidines also induce a significant increase in the levels of total lipids and cholesterol in the mice liver, not changing the phospholipid content.

The formation of vitamin D3 adsorption complex with aerosil surface has been studied by the methods of IR- and UV-spectroscopy. It has been established that the adsorption complex is a result of formation of hydrogen bonds of the most polar OH-group of vitamin D3 molecule with hydroxylic envelope of aerosil and active interaction of pi-system of triene chromophore with the surface.

The activity changes of cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases of hepatic microsomal fraction were studied in, experimental animals after prolonged application (1 month) of low radiation doses (0.258 mkl/kg). The obtained results show the increase in catalytic activities of main forms of cytochrome P-450, participating in steroid hydroxylation, as well as the decrease in total content of cytochrome P-450 in hepatic microsomal fraction and the lowering of its demethylase activity.

The uptake of vitamin D3 by the liver cells and its hydroxylation in the hepatocytes of rats at experimental diabetes has been studied. It is proved that in this pathology the disturbances of vitamin D3 exchange in the rat liver take place. It is concluded that the lowering of the level of absorption of vitamin D3 by hepatocytes and its transportation to these cells from reticulocytes as well as the inhibition of vitamin D3-25-hydroxylase liver systems can be the most probable cause of these disturbances.

A general synthetic method for 4'-hydroxymethyl-2',3'-anhydronucleosides from 1,2-O-isopropylidene-4-hydroxymethyl-alpha-D-xylofuranose is described. The condensation of 1,2-di-O-acetyl-3-O-methanesulphonyl-4-benzoyloxymethyl-5-O- benzoyl-D-xylofuranose with trimethylsilyl derivatives of N6-benzoyladenine and N2-palmitoylguanine in the presence of stannic chloride resulted in the corresponding nucleosides. After their treatment with NH4OH-EtOH, corresponding 2',3'-riboanhydronucleosides were isolated. Condensation of 1,2-di-O-acetyl-3-O-benzoyl-4-benzoyloxymethyl-5-O-benzoyl-D-xy lofuranose with trimethylsilyl derivatives of purines followed by selective deacetylation led to the nucleosides with free 2'-OH group. Their 2'-O-mesylation and epoxidering closure resulted in the isolation of 2',3'-anhydrolyxonucleosides with 38-44% yields. All the compounds synthesized did not inhibit HIV-1 reproduction in human H9 and PBL cell cultures nor HSV-2 and HCMV reproduction in vero cells up to 100 microM concentrations.

Administration of a perfluorodecalin (PFD) emulsion, the liver cytochrome P-450 II B1/B2 inducer, to experimental animals is followed by a two-fold increase of the NADPH oxidation rate in liver microsomes. This phenomenon is caused by the presence in the cytochrome P-450 active center of PFD which uncouples microsomal hydroxylation. The high rate of NADPH oxidation in liver microsomes after administration of the fluorocarbon does not decrease the level of reduced pyridine nucleotides in the liver and does not change the glucose concentration in the plasma. It is suggested that the accelerated weight loss in starved animals following PFD administration is due to the energy dissipation in the fluorocarbon uncoupled monooxygenase reactions in the liver.

The exchange of vitamin D3 in the liver of pregnant rats has been studied. Incorporation of (3H)-vitamin D3 into the liver of pregnant rats on the 13th and 21st day of pregnancy made up 85% and 90% respectively of the intensity of absorption of the summary label by controlled animals. It is found that the period of exchange of (3H)-cholecalciferol in these animals increases with prolongation of pregnancy. The 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D3 in the liver of rats on the 13th and 21st day of pregnancy significantly decreases and makes up 30% and 50% of its hydroxylation in the nonpregnant rats.

Chronic diseases of the liver were found to be associated with microsomal hydroxylation reactions inhibition, this inhibition depending on the disease activity and stage. Chronic cholestatic hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis are associated with a more marked suppression of these reactions, the degree of inhibition being in proportion with the cholestatic syndrome severity. Demethylation process was found inhibited in active liver cirrhosis and primary biliary cirrhosis. The authors believe that assessment of the rate of microsomal oxidation in a liver biopsy specimen will help objectively assess the first phase of cytochrome P-450 effected biotransformation (hydroxylation) in patients with chronic disease.

Functional state of the system involved in biotransformation of xenobiotics in animal liver tissue was studied under conditions of combined chemical contamination of atmospheric air and water simulating the typical real loading. The model loading studied caused in some cases an induction of the microsomal monooxygenases without activation of UDP-glucuronosyl transferase, but simultaneously with accumulation of malonic dialdehyde; this suggests that metabolic alterations observed may be involved in development of pathology.

The possibility of functioning of microsomal steroid hydroxylases in the adrenal cortex in the presence of the electron-transporting proteins in mitochondrial monooxygenase systems has been studied. It was found that adrenodoxin reductase stimulates both the 21- and 17 alpha-steroid hydroxylation activities in microsomes of the adrenal cortex with the same efficiency as does NADPH-dependent cytochrome P-450 reductase. Using cytochrome b5 and its specific antibody, an attempt has been made to investigate possible mechanisms of the stimulating effect of adrenodoxin reductase.

Effects of exogenous gamma-myristoyl- and gamma-palmitoyllysolecithins on physico-chemical characteristics of rat liver microsomes, such as hydrophobicity and viscosity, as well as on oxidative NADPH-dependent O-deethylation of 7-ethoxycoumarin (7-EC), O-demethylation of p-nitroanisole (p-NA) and hydroxylation of 3.4-benz(a)pyrene (BP) induced by the mechylcholanthrene xenobiotics methylcholanthrene (MCh), beta-naphthoflavone (NF) and Sovol (SV) have been investigated. The specific inducible form of P-450c showed different affinity for the substrates. Lysolecithin decreased the hydrophobicity but only slightly increased membrane viscosity, whereas the monooxygenase substrates neutralized these effects. Lysolecithin (2-20 micrograms/mg of microsomal protein) inhibited the activity of deethylase 7-EC (maximally by 11%) in NF- and SV-induced microsomes, this inhibiting effect being more pronounced than that in MCh-induced microsomes. At higher concentrations lysolecithin inhibited the rate of 7-EC deethylation in MCh-induced microsomes more strongly; the maximal inhibition (23%) was observed at the protein concentration of 60 micrograms/mg. In case of NF- and SV-induced microsomes the inhibition was 18%. The inhibiting effect of lysolecithin on 7-EC dealkylation was expressed in a lesser degree than that on p-NA O-demethylation in induced (but not intact) microsomes. A significant positive correlation has been found between the changes in hydrophobicity and inhibition rates in the presence of lysolecithin, however only for 7-EC deethylation.

The paper presents the experimental model of toxic influenza infection induced by A/Victory/35/72 (H3N2) strain adapted to CBA mice. The virus toxicosis was shown by means of ESR technique to be accompanied by a decrease of both the content of the active form of cytochrome P-450 and the activity of p-nitroanisole o-demethylase. In microsomes there was activation of lipid peroxidation (LP) and an increase of microviscosity of lipid matrix. LP activation in microsomes was not accompanied by the change of alpha-tocopherol content.

It has been shown, that antipyrine, nifedipine, diazepam pharmacokinetics changes in different ways after myocardial infarction. On day 7, 14, and 21 after myocardial ischemia antipyrine T1/2 increased considerably, and antipyrine Cl and Kel decreased. Nifedipine T1/2 increased on day 7 only. There were no diazepam pharmacokinetic changes during restoration period. However, microsomal diazepam metabolism changed significantly. Diazepam hydroxylation increased on day 7 of myocardial infarction, and on day 14 and 21 did not differ from the control. Diazepam metabolites content changed considerably during restoration period. Under myocardial infarction cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes, oxidizing present substances seem to be altered to different extent.

A macroporous silica - silochrom - used for immobilization and purification of biopolymers was modified by dehydroxylation and alumination. The adsorption capacity of the modified silochroms for proteins and DNA is higher than that of the initial sorbent. The biopolymers adsorbed on aluminated silochrom are strongly attached to its surface.

Intake of wheat upholstery meal by growing rats was attended by a sharp decrease in the content and activity of xenobiotic metabolism enzymes in the hepatic microsomes, that was caused by the low biological value of the meal proteins. Hepatic microsomes of the rats that were fed with wheat germ flakes showed increased specific content of cytochromes P-450 and b5, but the total blood protein content per 100 g of body mass was lower than during casein consumption. No significant changes were detected in hydroxylation rate of benz(a)pyrene, aniline and ethylmorphine. During consumption of wheat germ flakes induction of UDP-glucuronide-transferase was detected in hepatic microsomes. Wheat germ flakes induced a 5-fold increase of Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity. Wheat germ flakes produced no significant effect on glutathione-S-aryltransferase and glutathione reductase activity.

It has been found that 3-amino-7-dimethylamino-2-methylphenazine (neutral red, NR) is responsible for the electron transport from the cathode to adrenodoxin (Ad) and cytochrome P-450 (P-450scc) from adrenal cortex mitochondria inaccessible to direct electrochemical reduction under native conditions. The rate constant for Ad reduction by this mediator is equal to 1.1 x 10(5) M-1 s-1 at 25 degrees C; the values of enthalpy and entropy for the activation reaction are 26.6 kJ.mol-1 and -59.6 J.mol-1 deg-1, respectively. Using the shunted electron transport chain NR----Ad----P-450scc, the cholesterol conversion into pregnenolone in an electrochemical cell was performed. Pregnenolone was found to be the sole steroid product of this reaction. Superoxide dismutase and catalase had no effect on the activity of the shunted system. After removal or substitution of Ad the apo-Ad hemoprotein was reduced in a non-productive manner. Under identical reconstitution conditions methylviologen was ineffective as an electron carrier.