Localization and mRNA expression of CYP3A and P-glycoprotein in human duodenum as a function of age

Drug Metab Dispos. 2005 Nov;33(11):1603-7. doi: 10.1124/dmd.105.005611. Epub 2005 Jul 27.

Abstract

Cytochromes P450 3A (CYP3A) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) are mainly located in enterocytes and hepatocytes. The CYP3A/P-gp system contributes to the first-pass metabolism of many drugs, resulting in a limited bioavailability. During the neonatal period, a shift between CYP3A7, the fetal form, and CYP3A4 occurs in the liver, but data on the expression of the CYP3A/P-gp complex in the intestine are very limited. A total of 59 normal duodenal biopsies from white children aged 1 month to 17 years were studied. Localization of the proteins by immunohistochemistry analysis was performed using a polyclonal antibody, Nuage anti-CYP3A, and a monoclonal antibody, C494 anti-P-gp. The mRNA quantification was performed using highly specific real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Villin mRNA quantification was used for normalization. CYP3A protein was detected in all enterocytes in the samples from patients over 6 months of age, whereas it was not in younger samples. P-gp protein was expressed at the apical and upper lateral surfaces of the enterocytes. CYP3A isoforms and P-gp mRNA levels were highly variable. CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 mRNA levels were high during the first year of life and decreased with age, whereas CYP3A7 was detected at a low level in 64% of samples, whatever the age. P-gp mRNA expression level was also highly variable. Our results showed that neonates and infants had a significant expression of CYP3A and P-gp mRNA in the intestine, suggesting a different maturation profile of CYP3A and P-gp with age in the liver and the intestine.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / genetics
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism*
  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases / genetics
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases / metabolism*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / genetics
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism*
  • Duodenum / metabolism*
  • Enterocytes / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Infant
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Isoenzymes
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases
  • CYP3A protein, human
  • CYP3A5 protein, human
  • CYP3A7 protein, human
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • CYP3A4 protein, human