Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) activity is associated with increased susceptibility to lung cancer induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo[a]pyrene (BP). In non-hepatic human tissues, CYP1A1 is the principal enzyme responsible for the metabolic activation of the proximate BP mutagenic metabolite, (-)-benzo[a]pyrene-trans-7,8-dihydrodiol, to (+)-anti-benzo[a]pyrene-trans-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide, the ultimate BP mutagen. We have genetically engineered both DNA repair-deficient (xeroderma pigmentosum group A) and DNA repair-proficient human skin fibroblasts to express human CYP1A1 under control of the inducible mouse metallothionein-I promoter. CYP1A1 activity was induced by CdSO4 and monitored by following the O-deethylation of ethoxy fluorescein ethyl ester or of 7-ethoxyresorufin. Induced CYP1A1 activities were similar in both cell lines and were dependent on CdSO4 concentration and induction time. Maximal CYP1A1 activities were obtained in 4-6 h with 5-7 microM CdSO4. BPD-induced cytotoxicity and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase mutagenicity were both quantitatively correlated with the level of CYP1A1 activity and were greater in DNA repair-deficient cells than in DNA repair-proficient cells. The results suggest that modestly induced CYP1A1 activity is a risk factor in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-induced carcinogenesis.