Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19)

CYP2C19 is an enzyme. This protein, a member of the cytochrome P450 mixed-function oxidase system, is involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics, including many proton pump inhibitors and antiepileptics. CYP2C19 is a liver enzyme that acts on 10-15% of drugs in current clinical use, including the antiplatelet clopidogrel, drugs that treat pain associated with ulcers, such as omeprazole, antiseizure drugs such as mephenytoin, the antimalarial proguanil, and the anxiolytic diazepam. The gene encodes a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily of enzymes. These proteins are monooxygenases that catalyze many reactions involved in drug metabolism and synthesis of cholesterol, steroids and other lipids. This protein localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum and is known to metabolize many drugs.