Cytochrome P450 3A4 mediated metabolism of 2,4-dichlorophenol.

The metabolism of the environmental pollutant and hepatocarcinogen 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) was studied using microsomal fractions and whole-cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing human cytochrome P450 3A4. 2,4-DCP exhibited a typical type I substrate binding spectrum with a K, of 75 microM. 2,4-DCP was metabolised into two major metabolites identified as 2-chloro-1,4-hydroxyquinone and 2-chloro-1,4-benzoquinone in microsomal fractions and whole cells of yeast expressing human cytochrome P450 3A4. A further metabolite, 1,2,4-hydroxybenzene, was also detected during biotransformation by whole cells, but was not observed in microsomal fractions. 2,4-DCP metabolism was dependent on NADPH in microsomal fractions and no activity was observed in microsomal fractions or whole cells of control transformants. Metabolites were identified by TLC followed by GC-MS.