Genetics, Epigenetics, and Regulation of Drug-Metabolizing Cytochrome P450 Enzymes

Of 57 functional human cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms, about a dozen liver-expressed, highly variable forms are responsible for the biotransformation of most drugs. Owing to numerous genetic and nongenetic sources of variation, each individual possesses his/her own, rather unique, CYP profile. Here, we explore the potential of new technologies and developments in genetics, epigenetics, and the regulation of gene expression to increase our understanding of the mechanisms that lead to the enormous inter-and intraindividual variability of these enzymes.