CYP3A4 is a human microsomal vitamin D 25-hydroxylase

The human hepatic microsomal vitamin D 25-hydroxylase protein and gene have not been identified with certainty. Sixteen hepatic recombinant microsomal enzymes were screened for 25-hydroxylase activity; 11 had some 25-hydroxylase activity, but CYP3A4 had the highest activity. In characterized liver microsomes, 25-hydroxylase activity correlated significantly with CYP3A4 testosterone 6beta-hydroxylase activity. Activity in pooled liver microsomes was inhibited by known inhibitors of CYP3A4 and by an antibody to CYP3A2. Thus, CYP3A4 is a hepatic microsomal vitamin D 25-hydroxylase. Introduction: Studies were performed to identify human microsomal vitamin D-25 hydroxylase. Materials and Methods: Sixteen major hepatic microsomal recombinant enzymes derived from cytochrome P450 cDNAs expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells were screened for 25-hydroxylase activity with 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D-2 [1alpha(OH)D-2], 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D-3 [1alpha(OH)D-3], vitamin D-2, and vitamin D-3 as substrates. Activity was correlated with known biological activities of enzymes in a panel of 12 characterized human liver microsomes. The effects of known inhibitors and specific antibodies on activity also were determined. Results: CYP3A4, the most abundant cytochrome P450 enzyme in human liver and intestine, had 7-fold greater activity than that of any of the other enzymes with 1alpha(OH)D-2 as substrate. CYP3A4 25-hydroxylase activity was four times higher with 1alpha(OH)D-2 than with 1alpha(OH)D-3 as substrate, was much less with vitamin D-2, and was not detected with vitamin D-3. 1alpha(OH)D-2 was the substrate in subsequent experiments. In a panel of characterized human liver microsomes, 25-hydroxylase activity correlated with CYP3A4 testosterone 6beta-hydroxylase activity (r = 0.93, p < 0.001) and CYP2C9*1 diclofenac 4'-hydroxylase activity (r = 0.65, p < 0.05), but not with activity of any of the other enzymes. Activity in recombinant CYP3A4 and pooled liver microsomes was dose-dependently inhibited by ketoconazole, troleandomycin, isoniazid, and a-naphthoflavone, known inhibitors of CYP3A4. Activity in pooled liver microsomes was inhibited by antibodies to CYP3A2 that are known to inhibit CYP3A4 activity. Conclusion: CYP3A4 is a vitamin D 25-hydroxylase for vitamin D-2 in human hepatic microsomes and hydroxylates both 1alpha(OH)D-2 and 1alpha(OH)D-3.