Cytochrome P450: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|Class of enzymes}}

'''Cytochromes P450''' ('''P450s''' or '''CYPs''') are a [[Protein superfamily|superfamily]] of [[enzyme]]s containing [[heme]] as a [[cofactor (biochemistry)|cofactor]] that mostly, but not exclusively, function as [[monooxygenase]]s. In mammals, these proteins oxidize [[steroid]]s, [[fatty acid]]s, and [[xenobiotic]]s, and are important for the [[clearance (pharmacology)|clearance]] of various compounds, as well as for hormone synthesis and breakdown, steroid hormone synthesis, drug metabolism, and the biosynthesis of [[secondary metabolite|defensive compounds]], fatty acids, and hormones. CYP450 enzymes  convert xenobiotics into hydrophilic derivatives, which are more readily excreted. In almost all of the transformations that they catalyze, P450's affect [[hydroxylation]].

[[Category:Metabolism]]

[[Category:Integral membrane proteins]]