CYP2E1

Cytochrome P450 2E1 (abbreviated CYP2E1, ), a member of the is_associated_with::cytochrome P450 mixed-function oxidase system, is involved in the metabolism of is_associated_with::xenobiotics in the body. In humans, the CYP2E1 enzyme is encoded by the CYP2E1 is_associated_with::gene. While it is involved in the oxidative metabolism of a small range of substrates (mostly small polar molecules), there are many important drug interactions mediated by CYP2E1.

Function
Most drugs undergo deactivation by CYP2E1, either directly or by facilitated is_associated_with::excretion from the body. Also, many substances are bioactivated by CYP2E1 to form their active compounds (for examples - see table below)

CYP2E1, as well as is_associated_with::alcohol dehydrogenase and is_associated_with::aldehyde dehydrogenase, is an important enzyme for the conversion of ethanol to is_associated_with::acetaldehyde and to is_associated_with::acetate in humans.

In the conversion sequence of acetyl-CoA to glucose, CYP2E1 transforms is_associated_with::acetone via is_associated_with::hydroxyacetone (acetol) into is_associated_with::propylene glycol and is_associated_with::methylglyoxal, the precursors of is_associated_with::pyruvate, is_associated_with::acetate and lactate.

Ligands
Following is a table of selected substrates, inducers and inhibitors of CYP2E1. Where classes of agents are listed, there may be exceptions within the class.

Regulation
Within one day of birth, the rat hepatic CYP2E1 gene is activated transcriptionally. CYP2E1 expression is easily inducible. It seems that there exist two stages of induction, a posttranslational mechanism for increased protein stability at low levels of ethanol and an additional transcriptional induction at high levels of ethanol.

Applications
Trees have been genetically engineered to overexpress the CYP2E1 enzyme. These is_associated_with::transgenic trees have been used to remove pollutants from groundwater, a process known as is_associated_with::phytoremediation.