Identification of cytochrome P4501B-like sequences in two teleost fish species (scup, Stenotomus chrysops and plaice, Pleuronectes platessa) and in acetacean (striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba)

The cytochromes P450 (CYP) constitute a multigene family of enzymes playing a critical role in the oxidation of many endogenous and xenobiotic substra tes. The CYP1 family is of particular interest in environmental toxicology because its members are dominant in the metabolism of polycyclic aromatic h ydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and aryl amines. Three members of the CYP1 family, CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP1B1, have been identifi ed in mammals. We report here on the identification and cloning of cytochro me P4501B-like sequences from two teleost fish species and a marine mammal. Sequences clustering with CYP1B1 in phylogenetic analysis were obtained fr om liver cDNA of scup (Stenotomus chrysops), genomic DNA of plaice (Pleuron ectes platessa), and liver cDNA of striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.