1. The objective of this study was to determine (1) the molecular site(s) of sulphoconjugation of fenoterol; (2) the human phenolsulphotransferase (PST) isoform(s) involved; and (3) the stereochemistry of the enzymatic reaction. 2. Using the human Hep G2 cell line, hplc isolation and FAB/ms/ms, it was determined that fenoterol is sulphated both in the 4'-hydroxyphenyl position and in one of the 3',5'-dihydroxyphenyl positions. 3. Recombinant human M-PST preferentially sulphated the 4'-hydroxyphenyl position. In contrast, recombinant P-PST exclusively sulphated the 3',5'-hydroxyphenyl position. 4. The M-PST-catalysed sulphation of the 4'-hydroxyphenyl position was highly selective for the active RR-enantiomer, whereas the sulphation of the 3',5'-dihydroxyphenyl position was slightly selective for the opposite SS-enantiomer. 5. The P-PST-catalysed sulphation of the 3',5'-hydroxyphenyl position was selective for the inactive SS-enantiomer.

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Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1996) 59, 171–171; doi: