Question:medium

Most common cytochrome P-450 enzyme for drug metabolism detoxification reactions is?

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This isoform metabolises nearly 50% of all drugs.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
  • CYP 3A4
  • CYP 1A2
  • CYP 2A6
  • CYP 2B6
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: The P-450 superfamily is organised into families (letters) and subfamilies followed by individual enzyme numbers, reflecting how closely their protein sequences match.

Step 2: Among the many isoforms, just a handful drawn from three families handle the bulk of human drug biotransformation.

Step 3: The single most prolific isoform is CYP3A4 (together with 3A5), responsible for metabolising close to half of all drugs, which makes it the dominant detoxification enzyme.

Step 4: Compared with CYP1A2, 2A6 and 2B6, the 3A4 isoform processes a far greater share of the pharmacopoeia and is the one heavily affected by inducers like rifampin and phenytoin.

\[\boxed{\text{CYP 3A4}}\]
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