Tissue Distribution
Fetuses do not express CYP3A4 in their liver tissue, but rather CYP3A7 (EC 1.14.14.1), which acts on a similar range of substrates. CYP3A4 is absent in fetal liver but increases to approximately 40% of adult levels in the fourth month of life and 72% at 12 months.
Although CYP3A4 is predominantly found in the liver, it is also present in other organs and tissues of the body, where it may play an important role in metabolism. CYP3A4 in the intestine plays an important role in the metabolism of certain drugs. Often this allows prodrugs to be activated and absorbed - as in the case of the histamine H1-receptor antagonist terfenadine.
Recently CYP3A4 has also been identified in the brain, however its role in the central nervous system is still unknown.
Read more about this topic: CYP3A4
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