NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase: Preferential inhibition by ellipticine and other type II compounds having little effect on NADPH-cytochrome c reductase

Abstract Ellipticine (5,11-dimethyl-[6H]-pyrido[4,3b]carbazole) binds with an affinity greater than most other compounds known to interact with P-450. Control and 3-methylcholanthrene-induced aryl hydrocarbon (benzo[ a ]pyrene) hydroxylase (EC 1.14.14.2) and acetanilide 4-hydroxylase and control and phenobarbital-induced ethylmorphine N -demethylase activities are all markedly inhibited by ellipticine to about the same extent. Ellipticine and other Type II compounds (metyrapone, octylamine-1, pyridine and aniline) preferentially inhibit NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase activity, while affecting NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity very little. Butanol-1, a compound having pure Reverse Type…