1. Concomitant changes in the concentration of P450 IIB1 (P-450b) and the rate of O-depentylation of 7-pentoxyresorufin was observed in rat liver microsomes after a single intragastric dose of acetone. 2. In contrast the concentration of P450 IIE1 (P-450j) did not coincide with changes in the rate of P450 IIE1-dependent p-nitrophenol hydroxylation or metabolic activation of carbon tetrachloride. 3. Quantification of the proteins in lysosomes indicated that both P450 IIB1 and P450 IIE1 are degraded via an autophagosomal/autolysosomal pathway. 4. It is concluded that P450 IIE1 is catalytically inactivated in microsomes prior to the degradation of this protein.