Cytochrome P450 4A enzyme (CYP4A)

The **Cytochrome P450 4A enzyme** (CYP4A) is a member of the large cytochrome P450 superfamily involved in the oxidative metabolism of fatty acids, drugs, and xenobiotics. It contains a conserved heme-iron active site responsible for oxygen activation and substrate hydroxylation. CYP4A enzymes are expressed in liver and kidney, where they participate in the ω-hydroxylation of medium- and long-chain fatty acids as well as eicosanoids, influencing physiological processes such as blood pressure regulation, lipid homeostasis, and inflammation. The enzymes are pharmacologically relevant due to their inducibility, broad substrate specificity, and involvement in drug metabolism and detoxification. Alterations in CYP4A function or expression are implicated in disease risk and therapeutic outcomes[2][3][1].

Other names

CYP4ACytochrome P450 family 4 subfamily AFatty acid ω-hydroxylase

Many drugs modify substrate hydroxylation or overall fatty acid metabolism by either inhibiting or inducing CYP4A enzymes, affecting drug clearance or metabolite production[2]. Mechanistic actions include direct competitive inhibition, enzyme induction, or modulation of enzyme expression by nuclear receptors.