Mixed-function amine oxidase of the rat hepatocyte nuclear envelope. Demonstration and effects of phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene.

Mixed-function amine oxidase (EC 1.14.13.8) has been demonstrated in highly purified rat hepatocyte nuclear envelope . The enzyme was present in the nuclear envelope at a level 20 percent of that observed in microsomes. Induction studies indicated that nuclear envelope amine oxidase as well as its microsomal counterpart were refractory to the effects of phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene. Phenobarbital administration increased the specific activity of the microsomal N, N-dimethylaniline N-demethylase and benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase by 600 and 190 percent, respectively, but decreased the specific activity of the nuclear enzymes by 30-50 percent. In contrast, 3-methylcholanthrene increased the specific activity of benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase in nuclear envelope and microsomes by 42- and 11-fold, respectively. The hydrocarbon also increased the microsomal and nuclear N, N-dimethylaniline N-demethylase by 40 and 60 percent, respectively, but the specific activity of microsomal and nuclear aniline 4-hydroxylase was decreased by 50 percent. Demonstration of amine oxidase in rat hepatocyte nuclear envelope implicates this enzyme in the toxicity and carcinogenicity of certain drugs and chemicals.