A cDNA designated hIIB1, representing the entire coding sequence of a P450 in the IIB gene family, was isolated from a human liver lambda gt11 library by using the rat IIB1 cDNA as a probe. The hIIB1 protein, deduced from the cDNA sequence, contained 491 amino acids, had a calculated molecular weight of 56,286, and displayed 76% amino acid similarity with the rat IIB1 protein. Expression of this cDNA, using the vaccinia virus system, yielded a P450 that had a reduced CO-binding spectrum with an absorption maximum of 452 nm. The expressed human enzyme was able to catalyze the deethylation of 7-ethoxy-coumarin. Total RNA from 13 livers was probed for levels of hIIB mRNA. Two livers had high levels, four contained moderate levels, and eight contained very low, or no detectable, mRNA. These data suggest either that defective hIIB1 genes exist in humans or that the hIIB1 gene is regulated and variably induced in our liver specimens. To search for mutant mRNA transcripts, libraries were constructed from livers expressing low levels of hIIB1 mRNA. A cDNA, designated hIIB2, was isolated that was identical with the hIIB1 cDNA except for the presence of an unusual alteration of the DNA near its 5' end corresponding to the putative exon 4. This alteration was caused by a deletion of 29 bp and an insertion of 44 bp of nonhomologous DNA. This sequence replacement occurs at the junction of the third and fourth exons as predicted from the structure of the rat IIB1 gene, suggesting that a faulty splice might have given rise to the variant hIIb2 transcript.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)