The new vertebrate CYP1C family: cloning of new subfamily members and phylogenetic analysis.

Two novel CYP1 genes from teleost fish constituting a new subfamily have been cloned. These paralogous sequences are designated CYP1C1 and CYP1C2. Both genes were initially obtained from untreated scup Stenotomus chrysops tissues by RT-PCR and RACE.

Induction of cetacean cytochrome P4501A1 by beta-naphthoflavone exposure of skin biopsy slices.

Marine mammals can accumulate environmental contaminants in their blubber at concentrations harmful to laboratory animals. Induction of the cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) enzyme is widely used as a biomarker of exposure and molecular effects in animal species, yet the validity of this biomarker has not been established in marine mammals. In vivo studies are generally precluded in these protected species, but skin biopsies (epidermis and dermis) can be collected in a minimally invasive way.