Cytochrome P450 biodiversity and biotechnology

Abstract

CYP (cytochrome P450) biodiversity and biotechnology is of importance given the industrial applications and potential for the huge array of genes and proteins that can constitute up to 1% of a coding genome. Historical biotechnological roles for CYPs in mutant fungi diverting the flux of metabolites towards penicillin production, in biotransformations allowing the production of corticosteroids and CYPs as drug targets contribute to interest in the roles of orphan CYPs in the emerging genomes. This area includes studies related to biotransformations and bioremediation, natural product synthesis and its manipulation, tools for exploiting CYPs and using CYPs as biomarkers and drug targets. Fundamental studies on diverse structure and function, on the ecological and evolution of CYPs through geological time and in drug/pesticide resistance also contribute distinctively to this field of CYP research.