Human cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is the most abundant and clinically relevant xenobiotic-metabolizing P450 in humans and is well known for its extreme promiscuity in substrate specificity and allosteric behavior. In addition to the metabolism of drugs and endogenous compounds, CYP3A4 is implicated in oxidation and bioactivation of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, carcinogens and environmental pollutants. CYP3A4 can also be inhibited and activated by xenobiotics, which may lead to undesired drug-drug interactions, toxicity and human death. Despite the central role of CYP3A4 in drug metabolism, its mechanism of inhibition and activation are still poorly understood. This proposal is designed to address key issues in both areas of the CYP3A4 research and centers on our advances in the structural and functional investigation of the CYP3A4- ligand binding process. The goal of Aim 1 is to optimize the CYP3A4 inhibitor pharmacophore model that was built based on our studies of analogs of ritonavir, the most potent pharmacoenhancer marketed to date. We will accurately identify the pharmacophoric determinants using novel, rationally designed compounds, which will be further optimized based on structural and functional interpretations. The structure-based CYP3A4-specific inhibitor pharmacophore could assist in identification and early elimination of potential CYP3A4 inactivators during development of drugs and other chemicals used in agriculture and public health, as well as designing more potent pharmacoenhancers. The second part of the proposal focuses on the allosteric behavior of CYP3A4, thought to arise from the multiple substrate binding. CYP3A4 can be activated by various xenobiotics and natural dietary compounds, such as plant flavonoids, but the underlying mechanism is still under debate. Our recent findings suggest that the substrate-access channel rather than the previously identified peripheral area serves as a high affinity effector binding sie. The goal of Aim 2 is to test this hypothesis by comparing the relative importance of the peripheral and intra-channel sites in the CYP3A4 activation by flavonoid-like molecules. Using an integrated structural, biochemical and biophysical approach, we will assess how disruption of these areas affects protein dynamics, substrate binding stoichiometry, kinetics and metabolism. These studies will provide novel insights into the mechanism of CYP3A4 activation, substrate cooperativity and drug-drug interactions, which is essential for prediction/prevention of chemical toxicity and understanding interindividual differences in metabolism of drugs, dietary compounds and environmental chemicals.

Public Health Relevance

CYP3A4 is the major xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme in humans that exhibits extreme substrate promiscuity and complex allosteric behavior. Xenobiotic-induced inhibition and catalytic activation in CYP3A4 could lead to chemical toxicity and human death. This project investigates both the inhibitory and activation mechanisms and focuses on the development of a structure-based inhibitor pharmacophore, vital for the development of safer pharmaceuticals and chemicals relevant to human health, and elucidation of the allosteric regulation of CYP3A4 by dietary flavonoids and foreign compounds.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01ES025767-05
Application #
9939604
Study Section
Xenobiotic and Nutrient Disposition and Action Study Section (XNDA)
Program Officer
Carlin, Danielle J
Project Start
2016-06-01
Project End
2021-05-31
Budget Start
2020-06-01
Budget End
2021-05-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Irvine
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
046705849
City
Irvine
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92617
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