After i.p. injection of 3-14C-antipyrine (10 micronmole = 1.9 mg with 10 micronCi per 10 g of body weight) to mice radioactivity was irreversibly bound to liver proteins. The irreversible binding reached maximal values of 0.15 nmole/mg protein in liver microsomes after 30-60 min. During 60 min incubation with liver microsomes of mice and rabbits (phenobarbital pretreated) and a NAKPH-regenerating system 3-14C-antipyrine was irreversibly bound to microsomal protein at a rate of 1.5 nmole/mg protein (mouse) and 3 nmole/mg protein (rabbit). In identical incubates with rabbit liver microsomes the 4-hydroxylation of antipyrine was 24 nmole/mg protein in 60 min and formaldehyde production from antipyrine 3 nmole/mg protein in 60 min. In incubates with rabbit liver microsomes the binding rate was 80-90% inhibited by 1mM metyrapone, SKF 525-A and trichloropropene epoxide respectively; 4-hydroxylation was 70-80% inhibited by the same substances. In the presence of 1mM GSH, cysteine or ethylene diamine binding was 30-40% inhibited, whereas 4-hydroxylation showed no inhibition.