Abstract
A xenobiotic is a chemical compound found in an organism but normally not produced or expected to be present in it. Xenobiotics are the substances foreign to any biological system. Mostly, these are artificial or synthetic substances such as drugs including antibiotics, which did not exist in nature. Natural compounds can also become xenobiotics if they are taken up by another organism. Pollutants such as dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides, and dyes also belong to this category. A compound that is normal to one organism may be a xenobiotic to another; for example the sewage for a fish. When an animal produces a toxin as a defense mechanism against predators, these toxins can be thought of as xenobiotics to the predator. However, predators can also evolve defenses against these xenobiotics. The term xenobiotic is also used to refer to organs transplanted from one species to another. Most of the xenobiotics evoke response in an individual by acting at their specific targets. Some of them actively interact with different ATPases and are capable to efficiently modulate their structures and functions. This chapter illustrates an updated account of interactions of different xenobiotics with varied ATPases, xenobiotics induced modulations in the structures and functions of different ATPases and their implications in design and development of newer potential anticancer agents. In addition, the possible ameliorative strategies to encounter adverse effects generated by such xenobiotics are also discussed.