Cytochrome P4501 (CYP1) and CYP3A proteins are primarily responsible for the metabolism of 17b-estradiol (E 2 ) in mammals. We have cloned and heterologously expressed CYP1A, CYP1B1, CYP1C1, CYP1C2, CYP1D1, and CYP3A65 from zebrafish (Danio rerio) to determine the CYP-mediated metabolism of E 2 in a non-mammalian species. Constructs of each CYP cDNA were created using a leader sequence from the bacterial ompA gene to allow appropriate expression in Escherichia coli without 5 0 modification of the gene. Membrane vesicles were purified, and functional CYP protein was verified using carbon monoxide difference spectra and fluorescent catalytic assays with the substrates 7-ethoxyresorufin and 7-benzyloxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)-coumarin. Rates of in vitro E 2 metabolism into 4-hydroxyE 2 (4-OHE 2 ), 2-hydroxyE 2 (2-OHE 2 ), and 16a-hydroxyE 1 (16a-OHE 1 ) metabolites were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The 2-OHE 2 metabolite was produced by all CYPs tested, while 4-OHE 2 was only detected following incubation with CYP1A, CYP1B1, CYP1C1, and CYP1C2. The 16a-OHE 1 metabolite was only produced by CYP1A. The highest rates of E 2 metabolism were from CYP1A and CYP1C1, followed by CYP1C2. CYP1B1, CYP1D1, and CYP3A65 had low rates of E 2 metabolism. E 2 metabolism by zebrafish CYP1A, CYP1C1, and CYP1C2 produced similar ratios of 4-OHE 2 to 2-OHE 2 as previous studies with mammalian CYP1As. CYP1B1 formed the highest ratio of 4-OHE 2 to 2-OHE 2 metabolites. Contrary to mammals, these results suggest that fish CYP1A and CYP1C proteins are primarily responsible for E 2 metabolism, with only minor contributions from CYP3A65 and CYP1B1. Similar to mammals, 2-OHE 2 is the predominant metabolite from CYP-mediated E 2 metabolism in fish, suggesting that all vertebrate species produce the same major E 2 metabolite.