Stable expression of human cytochrome P450 1A1 cDNA in V79 Chinese hamster cells and metabolic activation of benzo[a]pyrene

A V79 Chinese hamster cell line stably expressing human cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) was obtained by chromosomal integration of the human CYP1A1 cDNA under the control of the SV40 early promoter. Chromosomal integration was verified by Southern analysis, and effective transcription of the human CYP1A1 cDNA was demonstrated by Northern analysis. The CYP1A1 cDNA-encoded protein was characterized by Western analysis using anti-rat CYP1A1. Intracellular association of CYP1A1 with the endoplasmic reticulum could be visualized by in situ immunofluorescence. Crude cell lysates of the V79 derived cell line was able to catalyze 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylation (EROD) with an activity of about 50 pmo…