P450 and carcinogenesis

Abstract

Multiple forms of cytochrome P450 play important roles in metabolic activation of a variety of environmental procarcinogens. Large species differences in substrate specificities between experimental animals and humans are critical factors in evaluation of chemical safety. To study the role of human P450s in genotoxic activation of environmental chemicals, transgenic bacteria expressing both human P450s and P450 reductase have been developed for the mutagenicity test. Mice lacking CYP1A2, and CYP1B1, and CYP2E1 were prepared to investigate the mechanism of procarcinogen activation in vivo. The first human transgenic animals were mice carrying human fetus-specific CYP3A7. Using these transgenic mice, mutagenic activation of a natural mycotoxin, aflatoxin B1, catalyzed by CYP3A7 in vivo was demonstrated. This observation was clear in extrahepatic tissues that did not express mouse CYP3A enzymes. In conclusion, P450s are key factors involved in metabolic activation of environmental procarcinogens for their biological actions.