Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that the World Health Organisation (WHO) regards as a global pandemic. There is a great need for new drugs to combat this threat. Drug resistant strains of the causative agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), have increased the urgency of this quest for novel anti-mycobacterial medicines. Publication of the Mtb genome sequence revealed a large number of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes [Cole, S. T. et al. 1998]. These mono-oxygenase enzymes have been studied for many years and are responsible for metabolic functions in every kingdom of life. Research on the Mtb P450s to date has highlighted several of them as having critcal roles within the organism. CYP121 and CYP128 have been implicated as essential through gene knockout studies. It has been demonstrated that CYP125 is not essential for viability. However, it is part of a gene cluster highly important for Mtb infectivity and virulence. Due to the prospective importance of P450s to Mtb, this group of enzymes is under investigation as a source of novel drug targets. CYP142 was discovered as a potential drug target after it was located to a gene cluster involved in cholesterol catabolism during Mtb dormancy. As part of this PhD project, it was demonstrated that CYP142 performs an almost identical role to that reported for CYP125. These enzymes both perform C27 hydroxylation and carboxylation of the cholesterol side chain. However, variations in the level of oxidation have been identified, dependent upon the redox system with which these P450s are associated. A crystal structure of CYP142 showing high similarity in active site architecture to CYP125 supports the physiological role of CYP142 in cholesterol catabolism. Combining this with in vitro data which demonstrates that CYP142 possesses high affinity for a range of azole anti-fungal agents [Ahmad, Z. et al. 2005, 2006] supports the suggestion that it is a candidate target for the next generation of anti-mycobacterial drugs. CYP144 was highlighted as being important during the latent phase of Mtb growth, a phase that is not targeted by any of the current antimycobacterials. Work performed as part of this PhD has shown that many characteristics of CYP144 are highly comparable to those reported for other MtbP450s. CYP144 shows high affinity and specificity towards many azole molecules. Econazole, clotrimazole and miconazole have repeatedly been shown to bind to MtbP450s, including CYP144 and CYP142, with high affinity and are excellent potential candidates as novel anti-mycobacterial agents. An N-terminally truncated form of CYP144, CYP144-T, has been investigated in the pursuit of a CYP144 crystal structure. It is hoped that this will enable the elucidation of a physiological role for CYP144. Both CYP142 and CYP144 have demonstrated biochemical and biophysical characteristics that contribute to our knowledge of P450 enzymes. This PhD has established that CYP142 exhibits an equilibrium between P450 and P420 species in its CO-bound, ferrous form. A conversion from P420, and stabilisation of P450, upon substrate binding was also demonstrated. CYP144 displays unusual azole coordination characteristics when examined by EPR and removal of the CYP144 gene from Mtb increased sensitivity of the strain to clotrimazole. Studies of these enzymes has advanced knowledge of P450 and Mtb redox chemistry, established roles for the MtbP450 cohort and identified the potential of anti-mycobacterial drugs and associated targets.

ABSTRACT Cytochrome b5 (CYB5) is heme protein capable of reduction of cytochromes P450 (CYP) or some other enzymes. However, his regulative capability was also observed by his apo form, i.e. in absence of heme prosthetic group in the active center. CYB5 can accept electron from cytochrome b5 reductase (CYB5R) or from cytochrome P450 reductase (CYPOR). CYPOR by itself is reduced by NADPH and is also able to forward electron to CYP independently of CYB5. CYB5R on the other hand is reduced by NADH. Efficiency of CYB5 to accept and forward an electron was studied in vitro with five different substrates - testosterone, Sudan I, aristolochic acid I (AAI), ellipticine and vandetanib. These substrates were chosen considering their characteristic reactions, which are catalyzed by their respective isoforms of CYP. The experiments with these substrates were carried out in the medium with recombinant CYPs prepared in insect cells or E. coli or in the medium with hepatic microsomes isolated from different organisms. Rats, from which the majority of these microsomes was isolated, were premedicated by different CYP inducers. The experiments were carried out in medium with NADH or NADPH in order to assess the capability of CYB5 to reduce CYP independently of CYPOR. The capability of CYB5 and CYB5R to act as a...

A planta Casearia sylvestris é catalogada como planta medicinal de interesse ao SUS, indicada para o tratamento de gastrite e como cicatrizante, para ser utilizada na forma de infusão ou compressas. Assim, foi objetivo deste estudo avaliar o potencial terapêutico antiulcerogênico do extrato fluido (EF), extrato metanólico (EM) e fração diclorometano (FDM), pelo modelo de indução de úlcera por etanol-acidificado. Realizou-se também a análise fitoquímica objetivando identificar os compostos ativos presentes nos extratos, através de técnicas de cromatografia, espectrometria de massas e ressonância magnética nuclear. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que tanto o EF, quanto o EM e FDM foram eficazes na prevenção de úlceras gástricas. Além disso, foram avaliados os possíveis efeitos do EF no estresse oxidativo hepático e na indução ou inibição do complexo enzimático citocromo P450. Os resultados obtidos mostraram alteração apenas do ciclo-redox da glutationa com a razão GHS/GSSG diminuída nos animais tratados, sugerindo que deve ser ter cautela ao utilizá-lo concomitantemente a medicamentos pelo risco de interações medicamentosas. Adicionalmente, foi realizado um estudo preliminar do potencial antitumoral do EM e frações através de ensaio bioguiado de citoxicidade (ensaio sulforrodamina B), no qual foi observado pronunciada atividade citotóxica (IC50 ≤ 5µ/ml) em diferentes linhagens tumorais. A análise fitoquímica identificou flavonóides (quercetina, rutina, kaempferol) e terpenos (espatulenol, diterpeno clerodânico). Portanto, pode-se sugerir que os efeitos terapêuticos ocorrem da sinergia destes princípios ativos / The Casearia sylvestris plant is cataloged as a medicinal plant of interest to the Unified Health System in Brazil indicated for the treatment of gastritis and healing, to be used in the form of infusion or compresses. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antiulcerogenic therapeutic potential of fluid extract (EF), methanol extract (EM) and dichloromethane fraction (FDM) on ethanol/HCl induced gastric model ulcer. The results obtained showed that EF, as EM and FDM, have been effective in preventing gastric ulcers. Also, a phytochemical analysis by chromatographic techniques, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance was carried out to identify the active constituents present in the extracts. Moreover the possible effects of EF on hepatic oxidative stress and on induction or inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzime complex were evaluated. The results obtained showed only an alteration on the redox-cycle of glutathione with the GHS/GSSG ratio decreased in treated animals, suggesting caution in the use of EF concomitantly with other drugs as there might be a risk of drug interactions. In addition, a preliminary study was carried out to evaluate through bio-guided citotocixity assay (sulforhodamine B) the antitumor potential of the EM and fractions, in which pronounced cytotoxic activity was observed (IC50 ≤ 5µg/ml) in different tumor cell lines. Therefore, it can be suggested that the therapeutic effects occur in consequence of the synergy of these active ingredients

The cytochrome P450 enzyme system is a multicomponent electron-transfer chain composed of a haem-containing monooxygenase cytochrome P450 (CYP) and one or more redox partners. Eukaryotic CYPs and their redox partner NADPH-dependent cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (CPR) are involved in many biological processes. Each protein has one N- terminal membrane anchor domain for location within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In mammals, CYPs and CPR are especially abundant in liver cells, where they play important roles in the metabolism of steroids, fatty acids, and xenobiotic compounds including numerous drugs of pharmaceutical importance. Incorporation into lipid membranes is an important aspect of CYP and CPR function, influencing their kinetic properties and interactions. In this thesis, soluble nanometer-scale phospholipid bilayer membrane discs, "nanodiscs", were used as a reconstitution system to study the influence of lipid membrane composition on the activities of the abundant human CYP3A4 and human CPR. Both enzymes were expressed and purified from bacteria, and assembled into functionally active membrane-bound complexes in nanodiscs. Nanodisc assembly was assessed by a combination of native and denaturing gel electrophoresis, and a fluorimetric assay was developed to study CYP3A4 reaction kinetics using 7-benzyloxyquinoline as substrate. Kinetic properties were investigated with respect to different lipid membrane compositions: phosphatidyl choline; a synthetic lipid mixture resembling the ER; and natural lipids extracted from liver microsomes. Full activity of the CYP3A4 system, with electron transfer from NADPH via CPR, could only be reconstituted when both CYP3A4 and CPR were membrane-bound within the same nanodiscs. No activity was observed when CPR and CYP3A4 were each incorporated seperately into naodiscs then mixed together, or when soluble forms of CPR were mixed with pre-assembled CYP3A4-nanodiscs. Thus, assembly of the two proteins within the same membrane was shown to be essential for the function of the CPR-CYP3A4 electron transfer system. Comparison of the reaction kinetics in different membrane compositions revealed liver microsomal lipid to have an enhancing effect both on the activity of the assembled CPR-CYP3A4 nanodisc complex, and on the activity of CPR alone incorporated in nanodiscs, when compared either to the synthetic lipid mixture or to phosphatidyl choline alone. Thus, natural lipids appear to possess properties or include components important for the catalytic function of the CYP system, which are absent from synthetic lipid. Input of electrons, measured by NADPH consumption, exceeded product formation rate by the CPR-CYP3A4 complex in nanodiscs, indicating "leakage" in the electron flow, possibly due to uncoupling of the two enzymes. Uncoupling was shown to occur by developing a novel fluorimetric method using the dye MitSOX to detect superoxide production. The significance of this, and to what extent control of coupling could be a natural means of regulation of the CPR-CYP system, remains to be determined. Thus, phospholipid bilayer nanodiscs prove a powerful tool to enable detailed analysis of the reaction kinetics of membrane-reconstituted CPR-CYP systems, and to allow pertinent questions to be addressed concerning the integral significance of the membrane environment.

A planta Casearia sylvestris é catalogada como planta medicinal de interesse ao SUS, indicada para o tratamento de gastrite e como cicatrizante, para ser utilizada na forma de infusão ou compressas. Assim, foi objetivo deste estudo avaliar o potencial terapêutico antiulcerogênico do extrato fluido (EF), extrato metanólico (EM) e fração diclorometano (FDM), pelo modelo de indução de úlcera por etanol-acidificado. Realizou-se também a análise fitoquímica objetivando identificar os compostos ativos presentes nos extratos, através de técnicas de cromatografia, espectrometria de massas e ressonância magnética nuclear. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que tanto o EF, quanto o EM e FDM foram eficazes na prevenção de úlceras gástricas. Além disso, foram avaliados os possíveis efeitos do EF no estresse oxidativo hepático e na indução ou inibição do complexo enzimático citocromo P450. Os resultados obtidos mostraram alteração apenas do ciclo-redox da glutationa com a razão GHS/GSSG diminuída nos animais tratados, sugerindo que deve ser ter cautela ao utilizá-lo concomitantemente a medicamentos pelo risco de interações medicamentosas. Adicionalmente, foi realizado um estudo preliminar do potencial antitumoral do EM e frações através de ensaio bioguiado de citoxicidade (ensaio sulforrodamina B), no qual foi observado pronunciada atividade citotóxica (IC50 ≤ 5µ/ml) em diferentes linhagens tumorais. A análise fitoquímica identificou flavonóides (quercetina, rutina, kaempferol) e terpenos (espatulenol, diterpeno clerodânico). Portanto, pode-se sugerir que os efeitos terapêuticos ocorrem da sinergia destes princípios ativos / The Casearia sylvestris plant is cataloged as a medicinal plant of interest to the Unified Health System in Brazil indicated for the treatment of gastritis and healing, to be used in the form of infusion or compresses. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antiulcerogenic therapeutic potential of fluid extract (EF), methanol extract (EM) and dichloromethane fraction (FDM) on ethanol/HCl induced gastric model ulcer. The results obtained showed that EF, as EM and FDM, have been effective in preventing gastric ulcers. Also, a phytochemical analysis by chromatographic techniques, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance was carried out to identify the active constituents present in the extracts. Moreover the possible effects of EF on hepatic oxidative stress and on induction or inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzime complex were evaluated. The results obtained showed only an alteration on the redox-cycle of glutathione with the GHS/GSSG ratio decreased in treated animals, suggesting caution in the use of EF concomitantly with other drugs as there might be a risk of drug interactions. In addition, a preliminary study was carried out to evaluate through bio-guided citotocixity assay (sulforhodamine B) the antitumor potential of the EM and fractions, in which pronounced cytotoxic activity was observed (IC50 ≤ 5µg/ml) in different tumor cell lines. Therefore, it can be suggested that the therapeutic effects occur in consequence of the synergy of these active ingredients

As técnicas espectroscópicas utilizam a interação entre luz e matéria como forma de obter informações das características moleculares de um sistema. Os diversos níveis de energia manifestam-se em bandas espectrais que ao serem interpretadas fornecem características sobre estrutura, orientação e interações a nível molecular. O presente trabalho explorou as diversas facetas espectroscópicas, aliadas a técnicas biofísicas/bioquímicas, no intuito de compreender melhor dois tipos de biomoléculas importantes para a maquinaria dos seres vivos: proteínas e peptídeos. O citocromo P450 é uma enzima do tipo monooxigenase e constitui uma das maiores superfamílias de proteínas. Essa hemoproteína foi assim nomeada devido à sua característica absorção na região da Banda de Soret (450 nm), sendo esta uma particularidade natural muito utilizada em estudos por espectroscopia. Além disso, existe interesse de estudar esta família de proteínas em virtude de suas variadas funções metabólicas e biossintéticas, nos mais diversos organismos, como catalisação de esteróides, ácidos graxos, fármacos, carcinógenos químicos e metabólitos de plantas. Em especial, para a P450 de Streptomyces clavuligerus (P450CLA), ainda não se sabe ao certo como e com quais moléculas interage, e como funciona o mecanismo utilizado pela proteína para atuar em vias de síntese como a do ácido clavulânico, importante composto terapêutico. Paralelo ao paradigma de interação de uma proteína e potenciais ligantes, o entendimento dos mecanismos de interação entre peptídeos e membranas lipídicas também são de suma importância para uma melhor compreensão dos sistemas biomoleculares. Peptídeos ativos na membrana desempenham funções fundamentais no sistema de defesa de diversos organismos e decifrar os mecanismos de como essas biomoléculas agem quando inseridas em bicamadas lipídicas pode auxiliar, por exemplo, no desenvolvimento de terapias seguras e eficientes contra doenças degenerativas. Desta forma, aproveitamos as características espectroscópicas naturais de ambas as moléculas para serem empregadas em técnicas de absorção UV/vis, Dicroísmo Circular Eletrônico e Magnético, Ressonância Paramagnética Eletrônica e Ressonância Magnética Nuclear, auxiliados por técnicas termodinâmicas e de fluorescência, de modo a explorar a interação da luz com a matéria, sem interferências de sondas externas, dando enfoque às alterações de estrutura e orientação, nas mais variadas formas de interação entre moléculas de sistemas biológicos. / Spectroscopic techniques use the interaction between light and matter as a way for obtaining information about molecular characteristics of a system. The many energy levels manifest themselves in spectral bands, which when are interpreted, it provides characteristics about structure, orientation and interactions at the molecular level. The present study explored the various spectroscopic facets, allied to biophysical/biochemical techniques, in order to understand better two important biomolecules types for living beings machinery: proteins and peptides. Cytochrome P450 is a monooxygenase-like enzyme and it belongs to one of the largest proteins superfamilies. The hemoprotein received this name due its unique spectral absorption in Soret Band region (450 nm), a natural particularity widely used in spectroscopic studies. In addition, there is interest in studying this protein family by virtue of their several metabolic and biosynthetic functions in the most diverse organisms, such as steroids, fatty acids, drugs, chemical carcinogens and plant metabolites. In particular, regarding P450 from Streptomyces clavuligerus (P450CLA), it is still unclear how and which molecules it interacts with, and how the mechanism used by the protein to act in synthesis pathways such as clavulanic acid, an important therapeutic compound. Parallel to the interaction paradigm between proteins and potential ligands, the interaction mechanisms understanding between peptides and lipid membranes are also of paramount importance for a better understanding of the biomolecular systems. Active membrane peptides play key roles in the defense system of various organisms and to decipher the mechanisms how these biomolecules act when inserted into lipid bilayers, for example in the development of safe and efficient therapies against degenerative diseases. This way, we take advantage of the natural spectroscopic characteristics of both molecules to be used in UV/vis absorption techniques, Electronic and Magnetic Circular Dichroism, Electronic Paramagnetic Resonance and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, aided by thermodynamic and fluorescence techniques, in order to explore the interaction of light with matter, without interference from external probes, focusing on changes in structure and orientation, in the most varied forms of interaction between biological systems molecules.

As técnicas espectroscópicas utilizam a interação entre luz e matéria como forma de obter informações das características moleculares de um sistema. Os diversos níveis de energia manifestam-se em bandas espectrais que ao serem interpretadas fornecem características sobre estrutura, orientação e interações a nível molecular. O presente trabalho explorou as diversas facetas espectroscópicas, aliadas a técnicas biofísicas/bioquímicas, no intuito de compreender melhor dois tipos de biomoléculas importantes para a maquinaria dos seres vivos: proteínas e peptídeos. O citocromo P450 é uma enzima do tipo monooxigenase e constitui uma das maiores superfamílias de proteínas. Essa hemoproteína foi assim nomeada devido à sua característica absorção na região da Banda de Soret (450 nm), sendo esta uma particularidade natural muito utilizada em estudos por espectroscopia. Além disso, existe interesse de estudar esta família de proteínas em virtude de suas variadas funções metabólicas e biossintéticas, nos mais diversos organismos, como catalisação de esteróides, ácidos graxos, fármacos, carcinógenos químicos e metabólitos de plantas. Em especial, para a P450 de Streptomyces clavuligerus (P450CLA), ainda não se sabe ao certo como e com quais moléculas interage, e como funciona o mecanismo utilizado pela proteína para atuar em vias de síntese como a do ácido clavulânico, importante composto terapêutico. Paralelo ao paradigma de interação de uma proteína e potenciais ligantes, o entendimento dos mecanismos de interação entre peptídeos e membranas lipídicas também são de suma importância para uma melhor compreensão dos sistemas biomoleculares. Peptídeos ativos na membrana desempenham funções fundamentais no sistema de defesa de diversos organismos e decifrar os mecanismos de como essas biomoléculas agem quando inseridas em bicamadas lipídicas pode auxiliar, por exemplo, no desenvolvimento de terapias seguras e eficientes contra doenças degenerativas. Desta forma, aproveitamos as características espectroscópicas naturais de ambas as moléculas para serem empregadas em técnicas de absorção UV/vis, Dicroísmo Circular Eletrônico e Magnético, Ressonância Paramagnética Eletrônica e Ressonância Magnética Nuclear, auxiliados por técnicas termodinâmicas e de fluorescência, de modo a explorar a interação da luz com a matéria, sem interferências de sondas externas, dando enfoque às alterações de estrutura e orientação, nas mais variadas formas de interação entre moléculas de sistemas biológicos. / Spectroscopic techniques use the interaction between light and matter as a way for obtaining information about molecular characteristics of a system. The many energy levels manifest themselves in spectral bands, which when are interpreted, it provides characteristics about structure, orientation and interactions at the molecular level. The present study explored the various spectroscopic facets, allied to biophysical/biochemical techniques, in order to understand better two important biomolecules types for living beings machinery: proteins and peptides. Cytochrome P450 is a monooxygenase-like enzyme and it belongs to one of the largest proteins superfamilies. The hemoprotein received this name due its unique spectral absorption in Soret Band region (450 nm), a natural particularity widely used in spectroscopic studies. In addition, there is interest in studying this protein family by virtue of their several metabolic and biosynthetic functions in the most diverse organisms, such as steroids, fatty acids, drugs, chemical carcinogens and plant metabolites. In particular, regarding P450 from Streptomyces clavuligerus (P450CLA), it is still unclear how and which molecules it interacts with, and how the mechanism used by the protein to act in synthesis pathways such as clavulanic acid, an important therapeutic compound. Parallel to the interaction paradigm between proteins and potential ligands, the interaction mechanisms understanding between peptides and lipid membranes are also of paramount importance for a better understanding of the biomolecular systems. Active membrane peptides play key roles in the defense system of various organisms and to decipher the mechanisms how these biomolecules act when inserted into lipid bilayers, for example in the development of safe and efficient therapies against degenerative diseases. This way, we take advantage of the natural spectroscopic characteristics of both molecules to be used in UV/vis absorption techniques, Electronic and Magnetic Circular Dichroism, Electronic Paramagnetic Resonance and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, aided by thermodynamic and fluorescence techniques, in order to explore the interaction of light with matter, without interference from external probes, focusing on changes in structure and orientation, in the most varied forms of interaction between biological systems molecules.

Le traitement des patients avec une coronarographie après un SCA est l'aspirine et les thiénopyridines. La réponse aux thiénopyridines est variable, cette variabilité, multifactorielle, a des répercutions cliniques. Leur efficacité a été évaluée sur la réduction de la survenue d'évènements cliniques et peu sur le risque d'hémorragie qui est un effet indésirable majeur. Les plaquettes, jouent un rôle dans l'athérosclérose et les SCA notamment par le CD40L.J'ai étudié les facteurs plaquettaires conditionnant le risque hémorragique chez ces patients et apporté un éclairage sur des fonctions plaquettaires peu connues comme l'inflammation. Les génotypes du cytochrome P450 CYP2C19*2 et *17 ont une influence sur la réponse plaquettaire aux thiénopyridines et il existe une relation entre les complications hémorragiques et la réactivité plaquettaire.Une très faible réactivité plaquettaire (VASP<10%) est un facteur prédictif du risque hémorragique et les valeurs de VASP < 10 % sont plus fréquentes chez les patients traités par prasugrel. Nous avons ensuite ciblé un marqueur de l'état inflammatoire plaquettaire, le CD40L. Sa libération plaquettaire dépend de la voie du P2Y12, son expression, elle, dépend moins de cette voie. Une faible expression du CD40L est associée à des évènements hémorragiques chez les patients traités par thiénopyridines.Ainsi le déterminisme génétique de l'efficacité du traitement par thiénopyridines a un impact sur le risque hémorragique et d'autres paramètres plaquettaires influencent ce risque indépendamment de l'inhibition de l'agrégation plaquettaire. Le CD40L, serait un lien entre l'inflammation et l'équilibre saignement/thrombose. / Aspirin and thienopyridine are the therapy for patients with percutaneous coronary intervention after ACS. The level of platelet inhibition by thienopyridine varies between patients, this variability, multifactorial, is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Treatment efficacy was evaluated mainly on the association between poor thienopyridine response and thrombotic events but less on the principal side effect: bleeding complications. Platelet play a key role in atherosclerosis and thrombosis, notably via CD40L.I studied platelet factors that influence the bleeding risk in these patients and brought a new highlight on platelet function less known such as inflammation.P450 cytochrome genetic variants (2C19*2 and 2C19*17) influence platelet response to thienopyridines. There is a relation between platelet reactivity and bleeding events. A very low on-treatment platelet reactivity (VASP<10 %) is a predictor of bleeding and is mainly observed with prasugrel treatment. We then focussed on a marker of platelet inflammatory status, CD40L. Its release by platelets depends on P2Y12 signalling, whereas its surface expression is less dependent on this signalling pathway. A low platelet-CD40L surface expression is associated with bleeding events in these patients We show that genetic background on thienopyridine treatment efficacy is related to bleeding risk and that other platelet parameters influence the bleeding risk independently of platelet aggregation inhibition. Thus, a molecule of inflammation, CD40L, would be a link between inflammation and bleeding/thrombosis equilibrium.

Cytochromes P450 (CYP) are a superfamily of heme proteins distributed widely throughout nature, involved in metabolism of a broad variety of substrates and catalyzing a variety of interesting chemical reactions. They play a central role in metabolism of chemotherapeutic agents. Several prodrug antitumor agents have been found as CYP substrates. Ellipticine, an alkaloid found in Apocynaceae plants, is an example of such type of pro-drug. Here, we investigate the efficiencies of human recombinant CYPs expressed in eukaryotic and prokaryotic expression systems, namely in SupersomesTM , microsomes isolated from insect cells transfected with baculovirus construct containing cDNA of human CYP1A1, 1A2 and 3A4 with NADPH:CYP reductase or in Bactosomes, the membrane fraction of E. coli transfected with cDNA of the same human CYP enzymes and NADPH:CYP reductase to oxidize their marker substrates and ellipticine. Cytochrome b5, an aditional component of the mixed function oxidase system, which metabolize xenobiotics was also expressed in some of the systems. The results found in this work demonstrate that human CYP1A1, 1A2 or 3A4 expressed in both eukaryotic and procaryotic systems oxidize their marker substrates (EROD for CYP1A1/2, MROD for CYP1A2 and testosterone 6β-hydroxylation for CYP3A4). They also oxidize...