Cytochrome P450 2C11 (CYP2C11)

Cytochrome P450 2C11 is the predominant male-specific CYP enzyme in rat liver, accounting for more than 50% of total hepatic P450s in adult male rats and largely responsible for the metabolism of testosterone to 2α- and 16α-hydroxytestosterone, as well as other steroid and fatty acid substrates. As part of the cytochrome P450 superfamily, it catalyzes monooxygenase reactions—including oxidation, hydroxylation, and epoxidation—of a wide range of endogenous and exogenous compounds. CYP2C11 expression is hormonally regulated via growth hormone secretion profiles and is essentially undetectable in female rat liver. While not a direct therapeutic target in clinical use, it plays a critical role in rodent drug metabolism studies, and its activity must be carefully considered in the translational interpretation of preclinical pharmacokinetic and toxicological data.

Other names

CYP2C11cytochrome P450, subfamily 2, polypeptide 11

Oxidation of xenobiotics via monooxygenase mechanism; Hydroxylation of steroids such as testosterone; Epoxidation of fatty acids like arachidonic acid using NADPH as an electron donor.