Oxidation of nonionic detergents by cytochrome P450 enzymes

Nonionic phenolic detergents are commonly used in the purification of membrane-associated proteins. Triton N-101 was shown to be oxidized by NADPH-fortified human liver microsomes and recombinant human cytochromes P450 (P450). Oxidation was monitored using HPLC and the fluorescence properties of Triton N-101 and other alkylphenol ethoxylate detergents, which are similar to those of anisole. Human liver microsomes and recombinantly expressed reconstituted P450 3A4-oxidized Triton N-101 in a concentration-dependent manner which could be inhibited by ketoconazole, a P450 3A4-selective inhibitor. Triton N-101 inhibition of testosterone oxidation by human liver microsomes was of a mixed nature but mainly non-competitive. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry indicated that the major product formed was hydroxylated on the alkyl moiety. Human liver microsomes also oxidized other Tritons (X-100 and X-114), Emulgens 911 and 913, and Tergitol NP-10 to a similar extent. P450s 1A1, 1A2, and 2C9 also oxidized Triton N-101 but to a lesser extent than P450 3A4. We conclude that Triton N-101 and similar nonionic detergents are oxidized by P450 3A4 and some other P450s. (C) 1998 Academic Press.