title: Xenobiotic metabolism in human brain--presence of cytochrome P-450 and associated mono-oxygenases.
abstract: The cytochromes P-450, a family of heme proteins, play an important role in the oxidation of drugs and carcinogens, as well as endogenous substrates. We report the presence of cytochrome P-450 and associated mono-oxygenase activity in human brain regions and their selective enrichment in the brainstem. Immunocytochemical studies on human medulla with antibodies raised to phenobarbital-inducible rat liver cytochrome P-450 indicate that the enzyme is primarily localized in the neuronal cell bodies and to a lesser extent in the axons. These observations indicate that the human brain could be involved in metabolism of xenobiotics and endogenous compounds, mediated through cytochrome P-450.
authors: Department of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India.
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Ravindranath
authors: H K
authors: HK
authors: Anandatheerthavarada
authors: S K
authors: SK
authors: Shankar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008875:Middle Aged; D006899:Mixed Function Oxygenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D015262:Xenobiotics; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D006899:Mixed Function Oxygenases