Browsing Pathways

Mycophenolic Acid (MPA) is an immunosuppressive agent that acts as a noncompetitive, selective and reversible inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH). It is available as a prodrug, Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), which is a 2-morpholinoethyl ester with improved bioavailability. After absorption, MMF is hydrolyzed to MPA and N-(2-carboxymethyl)- morpholine, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-morpholine, and the N-oxide of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-morpholine by the carboxylesterases CES-1 (in the liver only) and CES-2 (in the liver and intestine). The morpholine metabolites are excreted in the urine. MPA is glucuronidated by UDP glucuronosyl transferases (UGTs) UGT1A7, UGT1A8, UGT1A9 and UGT1A10 to MPA-7-O-glucuronide, which is excreted in the urine. Other metabolites of MPA include MPA-acyl glucoronide, which is formed by UGT2B7, and 6-O-desmethyl-MPA, which is formed by the CYP enzymes CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and CYP2C8. MPA enters hepatocytes by the organic anion transport proteins (OATPs) SLCO1B1 and SLCO1B3. MPA and its metabolites are excreted in the bile via the ABCC2, ABCG2, and ABCB1 proteins.

Omeprazole, sold as Prilosec. Losec and Zegerid, is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) class drug that suppresses the final step in gastric acid production, and was the first proton pump inhibitor to e developed. In this pathway, omeprazole is taken orally and is oxidized in the stomach to form the active metabolite of omeprazole. This active metabolite then binds covalently to the potassium-transporting ATPase protein subunits, found at the secretory surface of the gastric parietal cell, preventing any stimulus. Because the drug binds covalently, its effects are dose-dependent and last much longer than similar drugs that bind to the protein non-covalently. This is because additional ATPase enzymes must be created to replace the ones covalently bound by pantoprazole. Omeprazole is used to manage gastroesophageal reflux disease, to prevent stomach ulcers, and can be used to help treat the effects of a H. pylori infection.