Characterization of the biochemical and structural phenotypes of four CYP1B1 mutations observed in individuals with primary congenital glaucoma.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the biochemical and physical properties of cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) mutants, test our hypothesis that primary congenital glaucoma (PCG)-causing mutants have altered metabolic activity, and correlate these to structural changes in the molecule.

Methods: CYP1B1.1 cDNA was mutated to four forms found in individuals with the PCG phenotype, Y81N, E229K, A330F, and R368H. Expression and stability of the mutant hemoproteins and their ability to metabolize beta-estradiol, arachidonic acid, and retinoids, were determined. Alterations in mutant properties were related to structural changes by in silico examination, on the basis of the CYP1A2 crystal structure.

Results: CYP1B1 mutations strongly affected the stability, ease of heterologous expression, and enzymatic properties of the protein. These were related to the location of the amino acid substitutions in the CYP1B1 structure. Three of the mutations involve residues located on the surface of CYP1B1, Y81N, and E229K near the distal surface, and R368H near the proximal surface. The former two substitutions, Y81N and E229K, caused greatly reduced stability at 4 degrees C. Y81N severely inhibited all substrate turnover, but E229K only inhibited arachidonate turnover and exhibited minimal effect on efficiency of retinoid metabolism and estradiol metabolism. The R368H mutation is relatively conservative, affecting charge-pairing with the deeper-located D374, but it severely inhibited metabolism of all substrates tested, and, like Y81N, expression of the enzyme is less facile than CYP1B1wt. The A330F mutation replaces a small alanine by a bulky phenylalanine in the enzyme active site and had major impact on substrate binding, turnover, uncoupling, and metabolite pattern.

Conclusion: Consistent with the hypothesis, these PCG-related mutations cause identifiable structural changes negatively impacting CYP1B1 biochemistry and stability.