Transfection of a human cytochrome P-450 gene into the human lymphoblastoid cell line, AHH-1, and use of the recombinant cell line in gene mutation assays.

We have demonstrated that the human cytochrome P1-450 gene can be transfected into the AHH-1 human lymphoblastoid cell line using the pHEBo vector and hygromycin selection. The transfected gene was expressed when regulatory sequences derived from the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene were incorporated in appropriate orientations. Gene expression was monitored at the enzyme level using assays for 7-ethoxyresorufin deethylase, 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylase and benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activities. Bulk transformed cell populations had 2- to 3-fold more of these enzyme activities compared with control populations. Subclones of the bulk population expressing still higher levels of 7-ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity were also obtained. Expression of the transfected cytochrome P1-450 gene was stable for 20-30 days in the presence of hygromycin B. The transformed cell populations were found to be suitable for use in gene locus mutation assays and the mutagenicity of aflatoxin-B1 and 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) were examined. Aflatoxin-B1 was found to be 2-3 times more mutagenic to cells bearing the transfected cytochrome P1-450 activity as compared with control cells. In contrast, no difference in AAF mutagenicity was observed. Analysis of the AAF metabolite profile indicated that cells expressing the transfected cytochrome P1-450 gene produced 8-fold more N- and 7-hydroxy-AAF than control cells. The similarity in mutagenic responses between control cells and cells bearing the transfected cytochrome P1-450 gene may be due to the low deacetylase activity of AHH-1 cells. These observations indicate that this vector and expression system are suitable for introducing novel metabolic activities into the AHH-1 cell line.