Description
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4, EC 1.14.13.157) is a member of the cytochrome P450 monooxidase (CYP) family of microsomal xenobiotic metabolism enzymes. CYPs are membrane-bound hemeproteins responsible for Phase I biotransformation reactions, in which lipophilic drugs and other xenobiotic compounds are transformed to more hydrophilic products to facilitate excretion from the body. CYP3A4 is expressed in high levels in the liver and intestines, where it catalyzes oxidation of an extraordinarily wide variety of structurally distinct ligands. More than half of all small molecule drugs commonly used by humans are metabolized by CYP3A4 and inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism is a common cause of adverse drug/drug and drug/food interactions and toxicity. In addition, for drugs whose pharmacological activity requires metabolism from a pro-drug form, CYP3A4 inhibition can lead to decreased drug efficacy