Relative Roles of CYP2E1 and CYP1A2 in Mouse Uroporphyria Caused by Acetone

Porphyria cutanea tarda is a liver disease characterized by excess production of uroporphyrin. We previously reported that acetone, an inducer of CYP2E1, enhances hepatic uroporphyrin accumulation in mice treated with iron dextran (Fe) and 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). Cyp2e1(−/−) mice treated with Fe and ALA were used to investigate whether CYP2E1 is required for the acetone effect. Hepatic uroporphyrin accumulation was stimulated by acetone in Cyp2e1(−/−) mice to the same extent as in wild-type mice. In the absence of acetone, uroporphyrin accumulated in Cyp2e1(−/−) mice treated with Fe and ALA, but less than in wild-type mice. However, in Cyp1a2(−/−) mice, uroporphyrin accumulation caused by Fe and ALA, with or without acetone, was completely prevented. Acetone was not an inducer of hepatic CYP1A2 in the wild-type mice. Although acetone is an inducer of CYP2E1, CYP1A2 appears to have the essential role in acetone-enhancement of uroporphyria.