Gene:
cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily C, polypeptide 8
Gene ID:
204871
Symbol:
CYP2C8
Species:
1000
Description:
This gene encodes a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily of enzymes. The cytochrome P450 proteins are monooxygenases which catalyze many reactions involved in drug metabolism and synthesis of cholesterol, steroids and other lipids. This protein localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum and its expression is induced by phenobarbital. The enzyme is known to metabolize many xenobiotics, including the anticonvulsive drug mephenytoin, benzo(a)pyrene, 7-ethyoxycoumarin, and the anti-cancer drug taxol. Two transcript variants for this gene have been described; it is thought that the longer form does not encode an active cytochrome P450 since its protein product lacks the heme binding site. This gene is located within a cluster of cytochrome P450 genes on chromosome 10q24.