Carbon Monoxide Difference Spectrum Research Articles

Toluene monooxygenase from the fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum

Assimilation of toluene by Cladosporium sphaerospermum is initially catalyzed by toluene monooxygenase (TOMO). TOMO activity was induced by adding toluene to a glucose-pregrown culture of C. sphaerospermum. The corresponding microsomal enzyme needed NADPH and O 2 to oxidize toluene and glycerol, EDTA, DTT, and PMSF for stabilization. TOMO activity was maximal at 35 °C and pH 7.5 and was inhibited by carbon monoxide, Metyrapone, and cytochrome c. TOMO preferred as substrates also other aromatic hydrocarbons with a short aliphatic side chain. Its reduced carbon monoxide difference spectrum showed a maximum at 451 nm. A substrate-induced Type I spectrum was observed on addition of toluene. These results indicated that TOMO is a cytochrome P450. TOMO and its corresponding reductase were eventually purified by a simultaneous purification revealing apparent molecular masses of 58 and 78 kDa, respectively.

Fusion protein system designed to provide color to aid in the expression and purification of proteins in Escherichia coli

We have designed and constructed a new fusion expression vector (pKW32), which contains the His-tagged Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) coding gene upstream of the multiple cloning site. The pKW32 vector was designed to express target proteins as VHb fusions, which can be purified in one step by affinity chromatography. Due to the color of the heme in VHb, the VHb-fused target proteins have a red color that provides a visual aid for estimating their expression level and solubility. The red color can also be used as a visual marker throughout purification, while the concentration of the fusion protein can be determined by measuring the amount of VHb using carbon monoxide difference spectra. In addition, because of inherently high solubility of VHb, the fusion can increase the solubility of sparingly soluble target proteins. Target proteins can be easily separated from His-tagged VHb due to the presence of a thrombin-cleavage site between them. A mutant VHb, the soluble domain of Vitreoscilla cytochrome bo subunit II, and HIV integrase expressed and purified using the pKW32 system have native function. In addition, the integrase, which is known to be difficult to purify because of low solubility, was purified simply and without solubilizing agents using our system.

Evidence of cytochrome P450-catalyzed cleavage of the ether bond of phenoxybutyrate herbicides in Rhodococcus erythropolis K2-3.

Bacterial strain Rhodococcus erythropolis K2-3 can cleave the ether bond of the phenoxybutyrate herbicides, i.e., 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyrate (2,4-DB) and 4-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butyrate (MCPB), by an enzyme system that is constitutively expressed. The enzyme(s) involved were investigated in this study. The rate of disappearance of 2,4-DB determined in a whole cell assay amounted to 0.6 mmol/h x g(dry mass). Carbon monoxide difference spectra of dithionite-reduced whole cells and crude cell extracts suggested that strain K2-3 contains a soluble cytochrome P450 (P450), named P450(PB-1). The addition of various phenoxybutyrate substrates to crude cell extracts resulted in typical difference spectra following the type I pattern of substrate binding with P450. The rate of 2,4-DB cleavage was reduced by inhibitors of P450: 5 mM metyrapone and carbon monoxide at a CO/O2 ratio of 10 reduced the activity by about 20%, and 70%, respectively. The ether cleaving activity completely disappeared after disruption of the cells and could not be detected in crude extracts. To elucidate the enzymatic basis of this reaction, P450 was partially purified. With the resulting enzyme preparation, 2,4-DB cleavage activity was re-established, becoming measurable after the addition of either phenazine methosulfate or ferredoxin and ferredoxin/NADP oxidoreductase from spinach. We detected no activities attributable to alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase or NAD(P)H-dependent monooxygenase. These results collectively indicate that cleavage of the ether bond of phenoxybutyrate herbicides is catalyzed by P450-mediated activity in this strain. One of the products derived from this reaction is dichlorophenol, and comparative chromatographic analyses suggest that the other product is a C4-carbonic acid, most likely succinic semialdehyde/succinate.

Complementary DNA cloning and characterization of cytochrome P450 2D29 from Japanese monkey liver

A cDNA was cloned from Japanese monkey liver mRNA by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) using oligonucleotide primers based on the marmoset cytochrome P450 2D19 (CYP2D19) nucleotide sequence. The full-length cDNA encoded a 497 amino acid protein (designated CYP2D29) that is 96, 91, and 88% homologous to human CYP2D6, cynomolgus monkey CYP2D17, and marmoset monkey CYP2D19, respectively. Yeast cells ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae AH-22 strain) transfected with pGYR1 vectors containing the CYP2D29 cDNA were cultured, and microsomal fractions were obtained. Reduced carbon monoxide-difference spectra and western blot analysis using polyclonal antibodies raised against rat CYP2D2 demonstrated that in yeast cell microsomal fractions, the level of CYP2D29 holoenzyme was similar to that of CYP2D6 holoenzyme. However, western blot analysis indicated that the level of CYP2D29 in Japanese monkey liver microsomes might be much higher than that of CYP2D6 in human liver microsomes. Japanese monkey liver microsomes exhibited much higher activities than did human liver microsomes, expressed as nmol/min/mg protein, for debrisoquine (DB) 4-hydroxylation and bufuralol (BF) 1″-hydroxylation (typical reactions catalyzed by CYP2D6), whereas recombinant CYP2D29 activity, expressed as nmol/min/nmol CYP, was similar to that of CYP2D6 for DB and BF hydroxylation. In kinetic analyses, the K m value of CYP2D29 for DB 4-hydroxylation was much lower than that of Japanese monkey liver microsomes, whereas the K m value of CYP2D6 for DB 4-hydroxylation was similar to that of human liver microsomes. In contrast, K m values for BF 1″-hydroxylation were similar for Japanese monkey and human liver microsomes and yeast cell microsomal fractions expressing recombinant CYP2D29 or CYP2D6. These results suggest that the properties of Japanese monkey CYP2D29 are similar to those of human CYP2D6, but their populations and/or some other factors in liver microsomes may cause the difference in microsomal DB 4-hydroxylase activities between Japanese monkeys and humans.

The Cytochrome P450 Complement (CYPome) of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)

In the present study we describe the complete cytochrome P450 complement, the "CYPome," of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). Eighteen cytochromes P450 (CYP) are described, in contrast to the absence of CYPs in Escherichia coli, and the twenty observed in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Here we confirm protein identity as cytochromes P450 by heterologous expression in E. coli and measurement of reduced carbon monoxide difference spectra. We also report on their arrangement in the linear chromosome and relatedness to other CYPs in the superfamily. The future development of manipulation of antibiotic pathways and the use of streptomycetes in bioremediation and biotransformations will involve many of the new CYP forms identified here.

Amino acids in SRS1 and SRS6 are critical for furanocoumarin metabolism by CYP6B1v1, a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase.

CYP6B1v1 is the principal cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (P450) that detoxifies dietary furanocoumarins in the guts of Papilio polyxenes, the black swallowtail caterpillar. Sequence alignments and structure comparisons of CYP6B1v1 with the mouse CYP2A5 and bacterial CYP102 proteins, which are also capable of metabolizing the linear furanocoumarin xanthotoxin (8-methoxypsoralen), suggested that Phe116, His117, Val368 and Phe484 might be active site residues. In a homology model developed for CYP6B1v1, the side chains of Phe116 and His117 located in the B'-C loop of SRS1 are predicted to be positioned above the haem plane, while the side chain of Phe484 located in SRS6 is predicted near the entrance of the catalytic pocket. Site-directed mutagenesis of residues Phe116, His117 and Phe484 indicated that these residues represent several of those that determine this protein's stability and substrate specificity. Whereas all aromatic mutants of Phe116 and Phe484 generated CO-difference spectra with maxima at 450 nm indicative of correctly configured monooxygenases, aromatic mutants of Phe116 exhibited reduced reactivities toward some furanocoumarins and aromatic mutants of Phe484 eliminated all reactivities toward furanocoumarins. All single and double aliphatic mutants of Phe116, His117 and Phe484 and aromatic mutants of His117 generated carbon monoxide (CO) difference spectra with maxima at 420 nm (P420) indicative of incorrectly configured monooxygenases. These studies define residues Phe116, His117 and Phe484 as determinants of this insect P450's catalytic site integrity and residues Phe116 and Phe484 as determinants of its substrate specificity. Conservation of Phe116 and His117 in an array of lepidopteran CYP6B proteins implies that these amino acids serve a similar function in other monooxygenases of the insect CYP6B subfamily.

Biotransformation of steroids by a recombinant yeast strain expressing bovine cytochrome P-45017alpha.

The cDNA encoding cytochrome P-45017alpha from bovine adrenal cortex was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae under the control of the galactose-inducible GAL10 promoter. Carbon monoxide difference spectra of the galactose-induced yeast cells showed expression of about 240 nmol of P-45017alpha per liter of the culture. Binding of progesterone to the cytochrome P-45017alpha was clearly detectable already with intact yeast cells as judged by the formation of type I substrate difference spectra. Yeast cells grown on minimal medium containing galactose actively converted progesterone to 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, this indicating the functional integrity of the heterologously expressed P-45017alpha and its efficient coupling with the constitutive NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. More than 80% of the metabolite produced was secreted into the culture medium. Cultivation in a rich non-selective medium resulted in the formation of an additional product, which was identified by mass spectrometry as 17alpha-hydroxy-20-dihydroprogesterone. Kinetic analysis revealed that its production followed the cytochrome P-45017alpha-dependent hydroxylation reaction. The reduction of the 20-keto group of 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone was also observed in the non-induced yeast culture, this suggesting the involvement of the constitutive enzyme. Among several substrates tested, progesterone was hydroxylated by the cytochrome P-45017alpha expressed with the highest activity. The activity towards other substrates decreased in the sequence: 11beta- > 11alpha- > 19-hydroxyprogesterone. In conclusion, the present results show that the host-vector system used is suitable for high-level functional expression of P-45017alpha and further application of enzymatic properties of this protein to perform specific steroid biotransformations.

Caffeine-inducible enzyme activity in Pseudomonas putida ATCC 700097

Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine), a ubiquitous component of human diet has been suggested as a chemical indicator of ecosystem impacts of sewage spills and treated effluent discharges because it is not sufficiently metabolized by wastewater microorganisms. This study identified enzymes responsible for caffeine metabolism in sewage bacteria. Pseudomonas putida biotype A (ATCC 700097) originally isolated as a rare caffeine-degrading organism in domestic wastewater exhibited diauxic growth on caffeine, concomitant with the expression of a P450-type cytochrome and peroxidase enzyme activities. Initial growth phase lasted 13.8 ± 1.4 h with a growth rate that was five times slower than the secondary growth phase that lasted 5.5 ± 1.2 h. Molecular and enzymatic characteristics of the cytochrome P450-type enzyme differ from the previously described cytochrome P450 (P450cam) of P. putida (ATCC 17453) involved in camphor metabolism. The caffeine-inducible cytochrome P450-type enzyme exhibited a carbon monoxide difference spectrum peak at 450 nm, but does not allow growth on camphor. Caffeine induced production of haem-associated peroxidase activity was confirmed with 3,3′, 5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine–H2O2 reaction in polyacrylamide gels. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers derived from the gene for cytochrome P450cam (camC) of P. putida (ATCC 17453) did not yield an amplification product when DNA extracted from P. putida strain ATCC 700097 was used as template. The data demonstrate that caffeine is metabolized through a specific biphasic pathway driven by oxygen-demanding enzymes.

Engineering cytochrome P-450s: chimeric enzymes.

Cytochrome P-450 isozymes represent a critical component of nature's spectrum of detoxification catalysts that could be exploited for bioremediation. The ethanol-inducible human cytochrome P-450 2E1 serves as a model eukaryotic P-450 that complements the bacterial P-450 cam in dehalogenation and detoxification of environmental pollutants. We explored the construction of novel chimeric P-450s using cytochrome P-450 camC and 2E1 genes. For construction of chimera 1 (478 amino acids, 55.14 kDa), 145 amino acids from the N-terminus of P-450 2E1 protein (493 amino acids, 56.84 kDa) were replaced with 130 amino acids from the N-terminus of P-450 camC protein (415 amino acids, 46.66 kDa). In chimera 2 (525 amino acids, 60.24 kDa) the strategy involves replacement of 28 amino acids in the C-terminus of chimera 1 with 75 amino acids from the C-terminus of P-450 camC gene. Homology models of both the chimeric proteins were developed using SWISS-MODEL based on the known crystal structure of cytochrome P-450 camC, BM-3, 1DT6A, and 2C17A. The models indicated that the proposed heme-binding site was intact, which is inevitable for catalytic activity of cytochrome P-450s. The expression of chimera 1 and 2 genes in Escherichia coli DH5alpha was evident from light-pink cell pellets, protein band in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and diagnostic carbon monoxide-difference spectra. Our studies show that strategies can be developed to exploit the natural diversity of the P-450 superfamily to generate chimeric biocatalysts that would provide new templates amenable to directed evolution.

Purification of cytochromes P-450 scc and P-450 17α by steroid-binding affinity column chromatography

The preparation, testing and use of a variety of cholesterol-, deoxycorticosterone (DOC)- and pregnenolone-binding 1,6-diaminohexyl (EAH)-Sepharose 4B supports for affinity column chromatography of cytochromes P-450 scc and P-450 17α from bovine adrenal and pig testis are described. EAH-Sepharose 4B has free amino groups at the end of a 10-atom spacer arm. Hydroxyl groups of cholesterol (3β), deoxycorticosterone (21β) and pregnenolone (3β) are linked to succinic anhydride in pyridine through an ester linkage. These coupling ligands of hemisuccinate were synthesized by a general procedure. Free amino groups of EAH-Sepharose 4B were used to couple ligands, containing carboxyl groups, by the carbodiimide coupling method. Both the purified cytochromes P-450 scc and P-450 17α were found to be homogeneous and estimated to have a molecular weight of 52 000 on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The carbon monoxide difference spectra with peaks at 450 and 448 nm exhibit the absorption spectra of typical cytochromes P-450 scc and P-450 17α, respectively. Cytochromes P-450 scc and P-450 17α were determined to have isoelectric points of 8.0 and 6.5 in isoelectric focusing on a pH gradient gel. Cytochrome P-450s can be purified between 425- and 1000-fold from the crude extracts.

Localization of CYP86B1 in the outer envelope of chloroplasts.

CYP86B1 was cloned from a cDNA library and the protein expressed in E. coli. The protein gave the expected carbon monoxide difference spectrum. Using in vitro import assays with isolated pea chloroplasts, CYP86B1 was shown to be associated with the outer chloroplastic envelope membrane. This study provides the first direct evidence for a chloroplast-localized cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase.

A cytochrome P450 and a ferredoxin isolated from Mycobacterium sp. strain HE5 after growth on morpholine.

A cytochrome P450 and an iron-sulfur protein, whose expression was specifically induced during growth of Mycobacterium sp. strain HE5 on morpholine as the sole source of carbon, nitrogen, and energy were purified to apparent homogeneity. Due to the lack of enzymatic activity, carbon monoxide difference spectra and determination of the acid-labile sulfur, respectively, were used to detect the proteins during purification. The cytochrome P450, designated P450mor, was characterized as a monomer with an apparent molecular mass of 44.7 kDa. The amino acid sequence of an internal peptide comprising 19 amino acids was identical to the sequence derived from a gene encoding a cytochrome P450 from Mycobacterium smegmatis mc(2)155 suggested to be involved in the utilization of piperidine and pyrrolidine. The iron-sulfur protein was characterized as a ferredoxin exhibiting a molecular mass of 6.8 kDa and named Fdmor. An identity of 48-77% was obtained for the 30 N-terminal amino acids of Fdmor and the corresponding sequences of different 3Fe-4S-ferredoxins known to be involved in P450-dependent reactions. From these data we concluded that growth of Mycobacterium sp. strain HE5 on morpholine led to the expression of a cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase system composed of at least two different proteins.

Taenia crassiceps metacestodes have cytochrome oxidase aa3 but not cytochrome o functioning as terminal oxidase

In mitochondria obtained from Taenia crassiceps metacestodes, carbon monoxide difference spectra reveal signals characteristic of the classical mitochondrial oxidase, cytochrome aa 3, as well as signals suggesting the presence of ‘cytochrome o’. In the present work, using photodissociation spectrophotometry and analysis of the haem groups, we conclude that there is no haem O in these larvae, and that the only cytochrome that functions as terminal oxidase is cytochrome c oxidase, aa 3. At temperatures between −70 and −100°C, the energy of activation for CO reassociation with cytochrome a 3 was 10.5 kcal mol −1, and for oxygen binding 7.8 kcal mol −1.

The Presence of a Cytochrome P450-like Protein in the Human Intestinal MicrofloraEubacterium aerofaciens

Eighteen human intestinal microbial strains were tested for the presence of cytochrome P450, an enzyme involved in detoxifying and toxifying various xenobiotics. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to amplify conserved regions within the gene. From the human intestinal micro ora Eubacterium aerofaciens , a DNA fragment of the expected size could be ampli. ed, for which a percentage homology of 20% was determined. Southern blot analysis, using Pseudomonas putida P450 CAM probes, showed reactions with probes at 45 and 55°C. The carbon monoxide (CO) difference spectrum produced a P450-like pro. le for E. aerofaciens , similar to P. putida P450 CAM. The presence of cytochrome P450 in human intestinal  ora may in uence the expression of hepatic cytochrome P450s. Keywords : human intestinal  ora, cytochrome P450, PCR, CO difference spectrum.

CDNA cloning and initial characterization of CYP3A43, a novel human cytochrome P450.

The RACE amplification technology was used on a novel CYP3A-like exon 1 sequence detected during the reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction analysis of human CYP3A gene expression. This resulted in the identification of cDNAs encompassing the complete coding sequence of a new member of the CYP3A gene subfamily, CYP3A43. Interestingly, the majority of the cDNAs identified were characterized by alternative splicing events such as exon skipping and complete or partial intron inclusion. CYP3A43 expression was detected in liver, kidney, pancreas, and prostate. The amino acid sequence is 75% identical to that of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 and 71% identical to CYP3A7. CYP3A43 differs from CYP3A4 at six amino acid residues, found within the putative substrate recognition sites of CYP3A4, that are known to be determinants of substrate selectivity. The N terminus of CYP3A43 was modified for efficient expression of the protein in Escherichia coli, and a 6X histidine tag was added at the C terminus to facilitate purification. CYP3A43 gave a reduced carbon monoxide difference spectra with an absorbance maximum at 450 nm. The level of heterologous expression was significantly lower than that observed for CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. Immunoblot analyses revealed that CYP3A43 comigrates with CYP3A4 in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis but does separate from CYP3A5. Monooxygenase assays were performed under a variety of conditions, several of which yielded reproducible, albeit low, testosterone hydroxylase activity. The findings from this study demonstrate that there is a novel CYP3A member expressed in human tissues, although its relative contribution to drug metabolism has yet to be ascertained.

Construction of Salmonella typhimurium YG7108 strains, each coexpressing a form of human cytochrome P450 with NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase.

A series of Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) YG7108 strains, each coexpressing a form of human cytochrome P450 (CYP) (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP1B1, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4, or CYP3A5) together with human NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (OR), was established. The parental S. typhimurium YG7108, derived from TA1535, lacks two O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase genes, ada and ogt, and is highly sensitive to the mutagenicity of alkylating agents. The expression levels of CYP holo-protein in the genetically engineered S. typhimurium YG7108 cells, determined by carbon monoxide (CO) difference spectra, ranged from 62 nmol/L culture for CYP2C19 to 169 nmol/L culture for CYP3A4. The expression level of the OR varied, depending on the form of CYP coexpressed, and ranged from 214 to 1029 units/L culture. Each form of CYP expressed in the S. typhimurium YG7108 cells catalyzed the oxidation of a representative substrate at an efficient rate. The rates appeared comparable to the reported activities of CYP expressed in human liver microsomes or CYP in other heterologous systems, indicating that the OR was sufficiently expressed to support the catalytic activity of CYP. These S. typhimurium strains may be useful not only for predicting the metabolic activation of promutagens catalyzed by human CYP but also for identifying the CYP form involved.

Purification of a soluble cytochrome P450 from Trichosporon montevideense.

The yeast Trichosporon montevideense CBS 6721 expressed large amounts of cytochrome P450 after cultivation in a glucose-peptone medium. The P450, which could be detected in the cytosolic fraction after cell breakage and ultracentrifugation, was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity and migrated in SDS-PAGE with a M(r) of 43,000. As indicated by IEF, the preparation consisted of two different P450 isoforms with pI-values of 5.9 and 6.2, which were named P450MS1 and P450MS2 respectively. Both isoforms had a characteristic maximum at 446 nm in the reduced carbon monoxide difference spectra. Partial N-terminal sequencing of P450MS1 and P450MS2 demonstrated a high degree of sequence homology between the soluble P450 enzymes of T. montevideense CBS 6721 and their close relationship to the soluble P450 forms of Trichosporon spec. SBUG 752, T. cutaneum ATCC 58094 and to the P450s of the CYP55 family of Fusarium oxysporum and Cylindrocarpon tonkinense.

High morpholine degradation rates and formation of cytochrome P450 during growth on different cyclic amines by newly isolated Mycobacterium sp. strain HE5.

Using morpholine as sole source of carbon, nitrogen and energy, strain HE5 (DSM 44238) was isolated from forest soil. The isolated strain was identified as a member of the subgroup of fast-growing Mycobacterium species as revealed by 16S rDNA analysis. An identity of 99.4% was obtained to Mycobacterium gilvum; however, the type strain was unable to utilize morpholine. A maximal growth rate of 0.17 h(-1) was observed at a morpholine concentration of 30 mM, 30 degrees C and pH 7.2. The substrate was tolerated at concentrations up to 100 mM. Besides morpholine, the strain utilized pyrrolidine, piperidine and proposed intermediates in morpholine metabolism such as glycolate, glyoxylate and ethanolamine. Degradation of morpholine, piperidine and pyrrolidine by resting or permeabilized cells was strictly dependent on the presence of oxygen. Addition of the cytochrome-P450-specific inhibitor metyrapone to the growth medium resulted in a significantly decreased growth rate if these cyclic amines were used as a substrate. Carbon monoxide difference spectra of crude extracts from cells grown on these substrates compared to spectra obtained for extracts of succinate-grown cells indicated that cytochrome P450 is specifically expressed during growth on the cyclic amines. These data indicated that a cytochrome-P450-dependent monooxygenase is involved in the degradation of the three cyclic amines.

Cytochrome P450105D1 (CYP105D1) from Streptomyces griseus: Heterologous Expression, Activity, and Activation Effects of Multiple Xenobiotics

The open reading frame of CYP105D1, a soluble cytochrome P450 from Streptomyces griseus, was cloned behind the tac promoter of the bacterial expression vector pSPg1910L and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein retained normal spectral characteristics having a Soret peak at 448 nm in the reduced carbon monoxide difference spectrum. CYP105D1 was active, obtaining reducing equivalents from endogenous E. coli ferredoxin and ferredoxin reductase redox partners present in E. coli. In vitro activity studies revealed CYP105D1 to catalyse the NADH- and NADPH-dependent oxidation of the xenobiotic substrates benzo[a]pyrene, erythromycin, warfarin, and testosterone. Furthermore, this activity could be stimulated in the presence of either α-benzoflavone or β-benzoflavone in an analogous manner to that reported for mammalian P450 forms including human liver cytochrome P4503A4 (CYP3A4). The system produces an alternative to whole-cell biotransformation of xenobiotic for the production of drug metabolites and an experimental system for probing the structural features of a cytochrome P450 with a broad substrate range.

A two-step purification of cytochrome P-450 from adult pig testis by pregnenolone affinity column chromatography.

Adult testicular cytochrome P-450 was purified by a two-step procedure utilizing hydroxylapatite and pregnenolone affinity column chromatography. The cytochrome P-450 was determined to have an isoelectric point of 6.43 on analytical isoelectric focusing. The purified cytochrome P-450 was found to be homogeneous and its molecular weight was estimated to be 52,000 on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The carbon monoxide difference spectrum with a peak at 448 nm exhibited the absorption spectrum of a typical cytochrome P-450. A purification of 755x was achieved with a yield of 3.09%.