A genetic polymorphism (A4889-->G) in the human CYP1A1 gene which creates an Ile462-->Val amino acid substitution has been suggested to cause altered enzymatic properties of CYP1A1. Since several epidemiological studies have shown an association between the CYP1A1-Val allele and lung cancer, we considered it of importance to evaluate the in vitro kinetic properties of the two CYP1A1 variants after expression of each cDNA in yeast. No differences were found in K(m) or Vmax for CYP1A1 dependent O-dealkylation of ethoxyresorufin and 3-hydroxylation of benzo(a)pyrene between the two variants. The data indicate that the Ile/Val polymorphism in human CYP1A1 is not functionally important.