Enzyme induction of cytochrome P450 and their roles in endocrine disruption

Cytochrome P450(CYP) comprises a large superfamily of hemoproteins that plays a vital role in the biotransformation of variety of xenobiotics as well as endobiotics. CYPs 1-4 metabolize foreign compounds such as drugs, environmental pollutants and carcinogens influencing drug-drug interactions, drug or carcinogen activation and detoxification, and in addition, xenobiotics induce CYP genes. CYPs 1-4 also metabolize endogenous compounds, including steroid hormones, retinoid, bile acids, prostagrandins, and thus have roles in not only elimination but also production of endobiotic signaling molecules. Some of the orphan receptors may function as the receptors of these signaling molecules.