Translations:Cytochrome P450/1/en
Class of enzymes
Cytochromes P450 (P450s or CYPs) are a superfamily of enzymes containing heme as a cofactor that mostly, but not exclusively, function as monooxygenases. In mammals, these proteins oxidize steroids, fatty acids, and xenobiotics, and are important for the clearance of various compounds, as well as for hormone synthesis and breakdown, steroid hormone synthesis, drug metabolism, and the biosynthesis of 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.