ABSTRACT
Cytochrome P450 enzyme 1A1 (CYP 1A1) is one of the main members of CYP1A subfamily, which participates in metabolizing and activating a variety of indirect carcinogens. CYP1A1 can induce carcinogenesis by participating in activating exogenous compounds to produce intermediates or active metabolites that bind to specific biomolecules. CYP1A1 plays a critical role in the metabolic activation of benzo(a)pyrene e ［B(a)P］, and plays a key role in activating the toxic and carcinogenic effects of B(a)P. CYP1A1 involves in the metabolic activation of 7,12-dimethyl benzanthracene and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo［4,5-b］pyridine (PhIP), and plays an important role in PhIP-induced genotoxicity. CYP1A1 is the main enzyme to metabolize and activate 7H-dibenzo［c,g］carbazole (DBC), a key factor in the carcinogenic effect of DBC. CYP1A1 is also associated with metabolic activation of indirect carcinogens such as aflatoxin B1, 3-nitrobenzene, and naphthalene. Inhibition of the catalytic activity of CYP1A1 can decrease the CYP1A1-mediated activity of carcinogens, thus playing a role in the prevention and treatment of malignant tumors.
