A Naturally Occurring Isoform-Specific Probe for Highly Selective and Sensitive Detection of Human Cytochrome P450 3A5

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A5 characterized with polymorphic and extensive expression in multiple tissues is the most important P450 enzyme among the minor CYP3A isoforms. However, a selective and sensitive probe for CYP3A5 remains unavailable. In this study, we identified and characterized a naturally occurring lignan 12 (schisantherin E) as an isoform-specific probe for selective detection of CYP3A5 activity in complex biological samples. With thorough characterization including LC-MS and NMR, we found that 12 can be metabolized by CYP3A5 to generate a major metabolite 2-O-demethylated 12. Meanwhile, both reaction phenotyping and chemical inhibition experiments further revealed that CYP3A5 selectively catalyzed the 2-O-demethylation of 12. Specifically, the interactions between the Phe210 residue of CYP3A5 and methyl benzoate of 12 might play key roles in 12-O-demethylation, which was revealed by docking simulation and site-directed mutagenesis studies. These findings are beneficial for exploring the role of CYP3A5 in drug metabolism and pathologic process.