The metabolism and activation of 15,16-dihydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-one by cytochrome P-450 proteins. 
The in vitro metabolism and activation to mutagens of 15,16-dihydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-one (CPP-17-one) were investigated using hepatic preparations from rats pretreated with prototype inducers of the cytochrome P-450-dependent mixed-function oxidases.  Aroclor 1254-induced microsomes were the most effective metabolisers of this compound, the major metabolites being oxidation products of the bay region A ring.  To a lesser extent hydroxylation of the non-aromatic D ring occurred, the products being the 15- and 16-hydroxyderivatives.  Oxidation of the A ring was also achieved with microsomes from benzo[a]pyrene-treated rats but not with those from rats treated with clofibrate, phenobarbitone, isoniazid, dexamethasone and CPP-17-one itself, where the metabolites were primarily the oxidation products of the D ring.  When CPP-17-one was used as a promutagen in the Ames test, only microsomes from Aroclor 1254-treated rats could elicit a positive mutagenic response.  When 3,4-dihydrodihydroxy-CPP-17-one, the precursor of the ultimate mutagen, was used as the promutagen, a positive response was observed with microsomes from Aroclor 1254- and benzo[a]pyrene-treated rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)