Enzymic reduction of aromatic hydrocarbon epoxides by the microsomal fraction of rat liver.

1. The oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons to arene oxides and the reduction of these oxides to the parent hydrocarbons are both catalysed by enzymes in the microsomal fraction of rat liver. A suggested name for the enzyme concerned in the reduction of these epoxides is 'epoxide reductase'. 2. 'Epoxide reductase' is NADPH-dependent and is inhibited by oxygen. 3. Preliminary investigations suggest that the enzyme is specific for both 'K-region' and 'non-K-region' arene oxides.