We have studied the expression of aldrin epoxidase (AE), 7-ethoxycoumarin-0-deethylase (ECDE), and aryl hydrocarbon (benzo[u]pyrene) hydroxylase (AHH) in nine differentiated or dedifferentiated cell lines derived from H4IIEC3 rat hepatoma cells. The nature of the cytochromes P-450 mediating AE, ECDE and AHH activities was analysed using monoclonal antibodies (MAb) made to the major 3-methylcholanthrene-induced cytochrome P-450 (MAb-MC) or phenobarbital-induced cytochrome P-450 (MAb-PB) from rat liver. The cells were treated with 5 pM dexamethasone for 30 h to increase the levels of the monooxygenase activities.(a) The six differentiated cell lines examined (Faza967, Fao, HFI-4, 2sFou, C2Rev7, and H4IIEC3/G contained MAb-PB-sensitive AE comprising 30-75% of the total AE activity. In most of these cell lines MAb-PB also markedly inhibited ECDE; however, the antibody had a considerably weaker effect on AHH. The results show that the hepatoma cells examined express to various degrees phenobarbital-inducible cytochrome P-450 and/or 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible cytochrome P-450. These cell lines are versatile tools for studying the regulation of monooxygenase activities and analysing their role in the activation and inactivation of xenobiotics such as carcinogens, drugs and pesticides.