(R)-(+)-Menthofuran is a potent, mechanism-based inactivator of human liver cytochrome P450 (CYP or P450) 2A6. Menthofuran caused a time- and concentration-dependent loss of CYP2A6 activity. The inactivation of CYP2A6 was characterized by a Ki of 2.5 microM and a kinact of 0.22 min-1 for human liver microsomes and a Ki of 0.84 microM and a kinact of 0.25 min-1 for purified expressed CYP2A6. Addition of various nucleophiles, a chelator of iron, or scavengers of reactive oxygen species or extensive dialysis failed to protect CYP2A6 from inactivation. An antibody to metallothionein conjugates of a suspected reactive metabolite of menthofuran was used to detect reactive menthofuran metabolite adducts with CYP2A6. These adducts were formed only in the presence of NADPH-P450 reductase and NADPH. Glutathione, methoxylamine, and semicarbazide did not prevent adduction of reactive menthofuran metabolites to CYP2A6, however. The menthofuran metabolite formation/CYP2A6 inactivation partition ratio was determined to be 3.5 +/- 0.6 nmol/nmol of P450. Menthofuran was unable to inactivate CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, or CYP3A4 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner.