ABSTRACT:Cytochrome P450 (P450) protein-protein interactions have been observed with various in vitro systems. It is interesting to note that these interactions seem to be isoform-dependent, with some combinations producing no effect and others producing increased or decreased catalytic activity. With some exceptions, most of the work to date has involved P450s from rabbit, rat, and other animal species, with few studies including human P450s. In the studies presented herein, the interactions of two key drug-metabolizing enzymes, CYP2C9 and CYP2D6, were analyzed in a purified, reconstituted enzyme system for changes in both substrate-binding affinity and rates of catalysis. In addition, an extensive study was conducted as to the "order of mixing" for the reconstituted enzyme system and the impact on the observations. CYP2D6 coincubation inhibited CYP2C9-mediated (S)-flurbiprofen metabolism in a protein concentration-dependent manner. V max values were reduced by up to 50%, but no appreciable effect on K m was observed. Spectral binding studies revealed a 20-fold increase in the K S of CYP2C9 toward (S)-flurbiprofen in the presence of CYP2D6. CYP2C9 coincubation had no effect on CYP2D6-mediated dextromethorphan O-demethylation. The order of combination of the proteins (CYP2C9, CYP2D6, and cytochrome P450 reductase) influenced the magnitude of catalysis inhibition as well as the ability of increased cytochrome P450 reductase to attenuate the change in activity. A simple model, congruent with current results and those of others, is proposed to explain oligomer formation. In summary, CYP2C9-CYP2D6 interactions can alter catalytic activity and, thus, influence in vitro-in vivo correlation predictions.Cytochrome P450s (P450s) are responsible for the metabolism of more than 75% of the drugs on the market (Guengerich, 2006). Multiple subfamilies of cytochrome P450s can activate and metabolize a wide spectrum of substrates by a two-electron transfer catalytic cycle, in which electrons are provided by either NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) or cytochrome b 5 (b5), depending on the stage of the cycle (Guengerich, 2001). A number of studies have investigated the role of CPR and b5 and the nature of P450, CPR, and b5 interactions. Although CPR is indispensable for metabolism, cytochrome b 5 either has no effect or significantly enhances metabolism (Shimada et al., 1994;Locuson et al., 2006). Yamazaki et al. (1997) demonstrated that b5 stimulated the metabolism of tolbutamide and (S)-warfarin by CYP2C10 but had no effect on bufuralol hydroxylation by CYP1A1 and CYP2D6. In addition, both apo-and holo-b5 enhanced metabolism by CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5 in reconstituted systems (Shimada et al., 1994), suggesting that the effect of these protein-protein interactions of the redox partner with P450 may involve enzyme conformational changes or other mechanisms besides just provision of electrons.In addition to interactions with CPR and b5, P450s can also interact with each other, resulting in c...