Functional characterization of a common CYP4F11 genetic variant and identification of functionally defective CYP4F11 variants in erythromycin metabolism and 20-HETE synthesis

CYP4F11, together with CYP4F2, plays an important role in the synthesis of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) from arachidonic acid. We identified 21 variants by whole exome sequencing, including 4 non-synonymous variants in Korean subjects. The proteins of the wild-type CYP4F11 and the four coding variants (C276R, D315N, D374Y, and D446N) were expressed in Escherichia coli DH5α cells and purified to give cytochrome P450-specific carbon monoxide difference spectra. Wild-type CYP4F2 was also expressed and purified to compare its activity with the CYP4F11 wild-type. Wild-type CYP4F11 exhibited the highest maximal clearance for erythromycin N-demethylase activity followed by the variants D374Y, D446N, C276R, and D315N. In particular, the CYP4F11 D315N protein showed about 50% decrease in intrinsic clearance compared to the wild type. The ability of wild-type CYP4F11 and the variants to synthesize 20-HETE from arachidonic acid was similar; the CYP4F11 D315N variant, however, showed only 68% of wild-type activity. Furthermore, the ability of CYP4F2 to synthesize 20-HETE was 1.7-fold greater than that of CYP4F11. Overall, our results suggest that the metabolism of CYP4F11 substrates may be reduced in individuals carrying the CYP4F11 D315N genetic variant and individuals carrying the common D446N CYP4F11 variant likely exhibit comparable 20-HETE synthesis as individuals expressing wild-type CYP4F11.