P450 BM3 Heme Domain Research Articles

Promoting P450 BM3 heme domain dimerization with a tris(5-iodoacetamido-1,10-phenanthroline)Ru(II) complex.

Protein dimerization often occurs in many biological systems as to provide structural and functional advantages. A tris(5-iodoacetamido-1,10-phenanthroline)Ruthenium(II) complex was shown to promote the covalent dimerization of a P450 BM3 heme domain mutant containing a surface exposed non-native single cysteine residue. The formation of homodimeric species was confirmed by protein gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The dimeric species could be separated from the monomer and aggregates by size-exclusion chromatography. Docking simulation reveals a plausible structure with two proteins covalently conjugated to the inorganic compound.

Insights into an efficient light-driven hybrid P450 BM3 enzyme from crystallographic, spectroscopic and biochemical studies

BackgroundIn order to perform selective CH functionalization upon visible light irradiation, Ru(II)-diimine functionalized P450 heme enzymes have been developed. The sL407C-1 enzyme containing the Ru(bpy)2PhenA (bpy=2,2′-bipyridine and PhenA=5-acetamido-1,10-phenanthroline) photosensitizer (1) covalently attached to the non-native single cysteine L407C of the P450BM3 heme domain mutant, displays high photocatalytic activity in the selective CH bond hydroxylation of several substrates. MethodsA combination of X-ray crystallography, site-directed mutagenesis, transient absorption measurements and enzymatic assays was used to gain insights into its photocatalytic activity and electron transfer pathway. ResultsThe crystal structure of the sL407C-1 enzyme was solved in the open and closed conformations revealing a through-space electron transfer pathway involving highly conserved, F393 and Q403, residues. Several mutations of these residues (F393A, F393W or Q403W) were introduced to probe their roles in the overall reaction. Transient absorption measurements confirm rapid electron transfer as heme reduction is observed in all four hybrid enzymes. Compared to the parent sL407C-1, photocatalytic activity was negligible in the dF393A-1 enzyme while 60% increase in activity with total turnover numbers of 420 and 90% product conversion was observed with the dQ403W-1 mutant. ConclusionsIn the sL407C-1 enzyme, the photosensitizer is ideally located to rapidly deliver electrons, using the naturally occurring electron transfer pathway, to the heme center in order to activate molecular dioxygen and sustain photocatalytic activity. General significanceThe results shed light on the design of efficient light-driven biocatalysts and the approach can be generalized to other members of the P450 superfamily.

The role of cytochrome P450 BM3 phenylalanine-87 and threonine-268 in binding organic hydroperoxides

BackgroundCytochrome P450 (P450) BM3, from Bacillus megaterium, catalyzes a wide range of chemical reactions and is routinely used as a model system to study mammalian P450 reactions and structure. MethodsThe metabolism of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroperoxy-4-methyl-2,5-cyclohexadienone (BHTOOH) and 2-tert-butyl-4-hydroperoxy-4-methyl-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-one (BMPOOH) was examined with P450 BM3 and with the conserved T268 and F87 residues mutated to investigate their effects on organic hydroperoxide metabolism. To determine the effects of the mutations on the active site volume and architecture, the X-ray crystal structure of the F87A/T268A P450 BM3 heme domain (BMP) was determined and compared to previous structures. To investigate the interactions of the substrates with the F87 and T268 residues, BHTOOH and BMPOOH were docked into the BMP X-ray crystal structures. ResultsLower metabolism of BHTOOH and BMPOOH was observed in the WT P450 BM3 and the T268A P450 BM3 mutant than in the F87A and F87A/T268A P450 BM3 mutants. Large differences were found in the F–G loop regions and active site cavity volumes for the F87A mutated structures. ConclusionsAnalysis of the metabolism, X-ray crystal structures, and molecular docking simulations suggests that P450 BM3 activity toward BHTOOH and BMPOOH is mediated through substrate recognition by T268 and F87, and the active site cavity volume. Based on this information, a simplified representation is presented with the relative orientation of organic hydroperoxides in the P450 BM3 active site. General significanceThe metabolism results and structural analysis of this model P450 allowed us to rationalize the structural factors that influence organic hydroperoxide metabolism.

Unraveling Binding Effects of Cobalt(II) Sepulchrate with the Monooxygenase P450 BM-3 Heme Domain Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

One of the major limitations to exploit enzymes in industrial processes is their dependence on expensive reduction equivalents like NADPH to drive their catalytic cycle. Soluble electron-transfer (ET) mediators like cobalt(II) sepulchrate have been proposed as a cost-effective alternative to shuttle electrons between an inexpensive electron source and an enzyme's redox center. The interactions of these molecules with enzymes have not yet been elucidated at the molecular level. Herein, molecular dynamics simulations are performed to understand the binding and ET mechanism of the cobalt(II) sepulchrate with the heme domain of cytochrome P450 BM-3. The study provides a detailed map of ET mediator binding sites on the protein surface that are prevalently composed of Asp and Glu amino acids. The cobalt(II) sepulchrate does not show a preferential binding to these sites. However, among the observed binding sites, only few of them provide efficient ET pathways to heme iron. The results of this study can be used to improve the ET mediator efficiency of the enzyme for possible biotechnological applications.

A facile and versatile methodology for cysteine specific labeling of proteins with octahedral polypyridyl d6 metal complexes

We have synthesized and characterized four octahedral polypyridyl d6 metal complexes bearing the 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-[1,10]phenanthroline ligand (L1) as cysteine specific labeling reagents. The proposed synthetic pathways allow the preparation of the metal complexes containing Re(I), Ru(II), Os(II) and Ir(III) while preserving the epoxide functionality. The complexes were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, mass spectrometry, UV–visible and luminescence spectroscopies as well as cyclic voltammetry. As proof of concept, a set of non-native single cysteine P450 BM3 heme domain mutants previously developed in our laboratory was used to study the labeling reaction. We demonstrate that the proposed labels can selectively react, often in high yield, with cysteine residues of the protein via the nucleophilic thiol ring opening of the epoxide moiety. In addition, under basic conditions, subsequent loss of a water molecule led to the aromatization of the phenanthroline ring on the protein-bound label compounds, as observed by mass spectrometry and luminescence measurements.

Improving the Activity of Cytochrome P450 BM-3 Catalyzing Indole Hydroxylation by Directed Evolution

Cytochrome P450 BM-3 (A74G/F87V/L188Q) could catalyze indole to produce indigo. To further improve this capability, random mutagenesis was performed on the heme domain of P450 BM-3 (A74G/F87V/L188Q) with error-prone PCR. A single mutant V445A was selected out from the error-prone library and exhibited the highest specific activity toward indole among the mutants obtained. The kinetic parameters of V445A were also highly improved. Compared with the parent enzyme, the turnover rate (k cat) of V445A was increased by 7.5 times, while its K m value decreased by 9.2 %. Consequently, the catalytic efficiency (k cat/K m) of V445A was raised to 8.2 times than that of the parent enzyme. Moreover, alanine was confirmed as the best amino acid substitution by saturated mutagenesis in Val445 position. Three-dimensional structure analysis was also used to rationalize the effect on the enzyme properties of the mutation. This study showed that random mutagenesis was efficient to identify mutants with potential values in industry and increased our insight into P450 BM-3.

Aluminum‐substituted heme domain of P450BM‐3 (BMP): Introducing a heme‐derived fluorescent probe for studies of substrate binding and protein–protein interactions in cytochromes P450

We describe a novel technique for heme removal and replacement in the heme domain of P450BM-3 (BMP). The method was applied to obtain the aluminum-protoporphyrin IX (Al-PP) substituted derivative of BMP (Al-BMP). The overall yield of the purified Al-BMP was about 15% as related to the initial amount of the hemeprotein. Al-BMP possesses extensive fluorescence in the 550-650 nm region with excitation in the porphyrin absorbance bands. The protein was shown to bind substrates of P450BM-3 (palmitic, arachidonic, and cis-parinaric acids) with affinities similar to those of the native enzyme (3-6 µM). However, the substrate-induced changes in fluorescence of Al-PP reveal the existence of a second, low-affinity substrate-binding site, which cannot be detected by the spin shift in the native, heme-containing BMP. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer, we have demonstrated that Al-BMP forms a complex with the flavoprotein domain of P450BM-3 labeled with 7-ethylamino-3-(4'-maleimidylphenyl)-4-methylcoumarin maleimide, revealing the affinity similar to that of native BMP (Kd = 5 µM at 0.06 M ionic strength). Therefore, aluminum-substituted BMP may serve as a valuable tool in studies on the mechanisms of interactions of P450s with their substrates and protein partners.

Fluorescence detection of ligand binding to labeled cytochrome P450BM3

The cytochrome P450 superfamily of monoxygenases are highly relevant for pharmaceutical, environmental and biocatalytical applications. The binding of a substrate to their catalytic site is usually detectable by UV-vis spectroscopy as a low-to-high spin state transition of the heme iron. However, the discovery of potential new substrates is limited by the fact that some compounds do not cause the typical spin-shift even if they are oxidised by P450 enzymes. Here we report a fluorescence-based method able to detect the binding of such substrates to the heme domain of cytochrome P450 BM3 from Bacillus megaterium. The protein was labeled with the fluorescent probe N,N'-dimethyl-N-(iodoacetyl)-N'-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-Yl)-ethylenediamine (IANBD). Arachidonic and lauric acids are substrates of P450 BM3 and were used to validate the method, as their binding can be detected both by a spin-shift of the Soret peak from 419 to 397 nm and by the fluorescence change of the labelled protein. The fluorescence emission of the probe linked to the protein increased by a value corresponding to 121 ± 9% and 52 ± 5% with respect to the initial one, upon titration with arachidonic or lauric acids respectively. The dissociation constants were calculated by both UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Three drugs, propranolol, chlorzoxazone and nifedipine, known to be oxidized by P450 BM3 and that bind without causing spin-shift, were also tested and the fluorescence emission of IANBD was found to decrease by 29 ± 5%, 21 ± 2% and 23 ± 3%, respectively, allowing the measurement of their dissociation constants.

Light-initiated hydroxylation of lauric acid using hybrid P450 BM3 enzymes

We have developed hybrid P450 BM3 enzymes consisting of a Ru(II)-diimine photosensitizer covalently attached to non-native single cysteine residues of P450 BM3 heme domain mutants. These enzymes are capable, upon light activation, of selectively hydroxylating lauric acid with 40 times higher total turnover numbers compared to the peroxide shunt.

Metal-Substituted Protein MRI Contrast Agents Engineered for Enhanced Relaxivity and Ligand Sensitivity

Engineered metalloproteins constitute a flexible new class of analyte-sensitive molecular imaging agents detectable by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but their contrast effects are generally weaker than synthetic agents. To augment the proton relaxivity of agents derived from the heme domain of cytochrome P450 BM3 (BM3h), we formed manganese(III)-containing proteins that have higher electron spin than their native ferric iron counterparts. Metal substitution was achieved by coexpressing BM3h variants with the bacterial heme transporter ChuA in Escherichia coli and supplementing the growth medium with Mn3+-protoporphyrin IX. Manganic BM3h variants exhibited up to 2.6-fold higher T1 relaxivities relative to native BM3h at 4.7 T. Application of ChuA-mediated porphyrin substitution to a collection of thermostable chimeric P450 domains resulted in a stable, high-relaxivity BM3h derivative displaying a 63% relaxivity change upon binding of arachidonic acid, a natural ligand for the P450 enzyme and an important component of biological signaling pathways. This work demonstrates that protein-based MRI sensors with robust ligand sensitivity may be created with ease by including metal substitution among the toolkit of methods available to the protein engineer.

Directed evolution of a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent for noninvasive imaging of dopamine

The development of molecular probes that allow in vivo imaging of neural signaling processes with high temporal and spatial resolution remains challenging. Here we applied directed evolution techniques to create magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents sensitive to the neurotransmitter dopamine. The sensors were derived from the heme domain of the bacterial cytochrome P450-BM3 (BM3h). Ligand binding to a site near BM3h's paramagnetic heme iron led to a drop in MRI signal enhancement and a shift in optical absorbance. Using an absorbance-based screen, we evolved the specificity of BM3h away from its natural ligand and toward dopamine, producing sensors with dissociation constants for dopamine of 3.3-8.9 microM. These molecules were used to image depolarization-triggered neurotransmitter release from PC12 cells and in the brains of live animals. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of molecular-level functional MRI using neural activity-dependent sensors, and our protein engineering approach can be generalized to create probes for other targets.

Immobilization of P450 BM-3 monooxygenase on mesoporous molecular sieves with different pore diameters

The immobilization of the isolated heme domain of P450 BM-3 (BM3H_F87A) on two mesoporous molecular sieves, MCM-41 (pore diameter 25 Å) and SBA-15 (pore diameter 60 Å and 133 Å) was examined systematically, and the activity of the immobilized enzyme toward para-nitrophenoxydodecanoic acid (12- pNCA) and n-octane was determined. Hydrogen peroxide was utilized as source of electrons and oxygen to support the monooxygenase activity of BM3H_F87A. The mesoporous materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction and nitrogen adsorption analyses before and after immobilization. The results revealed that the immobilization efficiency of MCM-41 and SBA-15 after single immersion was strongly affected by the pH value of the enzyme solution, initial enzyme concentration and agitation conditions. By modelling the 3D structure in silico and performing electrostatic potential calculations, the pH-dependence of the enzyme immobilization could be explained and a possible orientation of the protein on mesoporous materials was predicted. The oxidizing activity of the immobilized enzyme was found to depend on pore diameter and accessibility of the substrate for the enzyme. The highest activity toward 12- pNCA of 830 nmol product/mg P450/min was observed with BM3H_F87A immobilized on SBA-15 with pore diameter 133 Å. Enzyme activity toward n-octane was similar for the enzyme immobilized on SBA-15 of 60 Å and 133 Å, and was at least two-fold higher as compared to a system with free enzyme.

Protein and Electrode Engineering for the Covalent Immobilization of P450 BMP on Gold

Site-directed mutagenesis and functionalization of gold surfaces have been combined to obtain a stable immobilization of the heme domain of cytochrome P450 BM3 from Bacillus megaterium. Immobilization experiments were carried out using the wild type protein bearing the surface C62 and C156 and the site-directed mutants C62S, the C156S, and the double mutant C62S/C156S (no exposed cysteines). The gold surface was functionalized using two different spacers: cystamine- N-succinimidyl 3-maleimidopropionate and dithio-bismaleimidoethane, both leading to the formation of maleimide-terminated monolayers capable of covalent linkage to cysteine. Tapping mode atomic force microscopy experiments carried out on cystamine- N-succinimidyl 3-maleimidopropionate derivatized gold led to good images with expected molecular heights (5.5-6.0 nm) for the wild type and the C156S mutant. These samples also gave measurable electrochemical signals with midpoint potentials of -48 and -58 mV for the wild type and C156S, respectively. On the other hand, the dithio-bismaleimidoethane spacer led to variability on the molecular heights measured by tapping mode atomic force microscopy and the electrochemical response. This is interpreted in terms of lack of homogeneous dithio-bismaleimidoethane monolayer on gold. Furthermore, results from tapping mode atomic force microscopy show that the double mutant and the C62S did not lead to stably immobilized P450 protein, confirming the necessity of the solvent exposed C62.

P450 versus P420: Correlation between Cyclic Voltammetry and Visible Absorption Spectroscopy of the Immobilized Heme Domain of Cytochrome P450 BM3

Cyclic voltabsorptometry is used for the first time to distinguish and characterize electrochemically the active (P450) and inactive (P420) forms of cytochromes P450 immobilized on an electrode during voltammetry experiments. This was achieved by using the heme domain (BMP) of the bacterial cytochrome P450 BM3 from Bacillus megaterium (CYP102A1) immobilized on mesopouros tin-oxide (SnO2) electrodes. We demonstrate that the formation of either the P450 form or the P420 one can be obtained by modifying the mesoporous electrode surface with polycations with different properties such as polyethylenimmine (PEI) and polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA). Potential step spectroelectrochemistry allowed measurement of reduction potentials of the active P450 form. Values of -0.39+/-0.01 V and -0.58+/-0.01 V (both versus Ag/AgCl) were calculated for the active P450 form immobilized on the BMP/PDDA-SnO2 and BMP/PEI-SnO2 electrodes, respectively. The cyclic voltabsorptometric experiments showed how, when both the active and inactive forms are present on the PEI film, the inactive P420 species tends to dominate the cyclic voltammetric signal.

Crystal Structure of Inhibitor-Bound P450BM-3 Reveals Open Conformation of Substrate Access Channel,

P450BM-3 is an extensively studied P450 cytochrome that is naturally fused to a cytochrome P450 reductase domain. Crystal structures of the heme domain of this enzyme have previously generated many insights into features of P450 structure, substrate binding specificity, and conformational changes that occur on substrate binding. Although many P450s are inhibited by imidazole, this compound does not effectively inhibit P450BM-3. Omega-imidazolyl fatty acids have previously been found to be weak inhibitors of the enzyme and show some unusual cooperativity with the substrate lauric acid. We set out to improve the properties of these inhibitors by attaching the omega-imidazolyl fatty acid to the nitrogen of an amino acid group, a tactic that we used previously to increase the potency of substrates. The resulting inhibitors were significantly more potent than their parent compounds lacking the amino acid group. A crystal structure of one of the new inhibitors bound to the heme domain of P450BM-3 reveals that the mode of interaction of the amino acid group with the enzyme is different from that previously observed for acyl amino acid substrates. Further, required movements of residues in the active site to accommodate the imidazole group provide an explanation for the low affinity of imidazole itself. Finally, the previously observed cooperativity with lauric acid is explained by a surprisingly open substrate-access channel lined with hydrophobic residues that could potentially accommodate lauric acid in addition to the inhibitor itself.

Interactions of Substrates at the Surface of P450s Can Greatly Enhance Substrate Potency,

Cytochrome P450s are a superfamily of heme containing enzymes that use molecular oxygen and electrons from reduced nicotinamide cofactors to monooxygenate organic substrates. The fatty acid hydroxylase P450BM-3 has been particularly widely studied due to its stability, high activity, similarity to mammalian P450s, and presence of a cytochrome P450 reductase domain that allows the enzyme to directly receive electrons from NADPH without a requirement for additional redox proteins. We previously characterized the substrate N-palmitoylglycine, which found extensive use in studies of P450BM-3 due to its high affinity, high turnover number, and increased solubility as compared to fatty acid substrates. Here, we report that even higher affinity substrates can be designed by acylation of other amino acids, resulting in P450BM-3 substrates with dissociation constants below 100 nM. N-Palmitoyl-l-leucine and N-palmitoyl-l-methionine were found to have the highest affinity, with dissociation constants of less than 8 nM and turnover numbers similar to palmitic acid and N-palmitoylglycine. The interactions of the amino acid side chains with a hydrophobic pocket near R47, as revealed by our crystal structure determination of N-palmitoyl-l-methionine bound to the heme domain of P450BM-3, appears to be responsible for increasing the affinity of substrates. The side chain of R47, previously shown to be important in interactions with negatively charged substrates, does not interact strongly with N-palmitoyl-l-methionine and is found positioned at the enzyme-solvent interface. These are the tightest binding substrates for P450BM-3 reported to date, and the affinity likely approaches the maximum attainable affinity for the binding of substrates of this size to P450BM-3.

Laser Photoexcitation of NAD(P)H Induces Reduction of P450 BM3 Heme Domain on the Microsecond Time Scale

We demonstrate that photoexcitation of NAD(P)H at 355 nm using a Nd:YAG laser leads to rapid reduction of the heme domain of the Bacillus megaterium fatty acid hydroxylase flavocytochrome P450 BM3. An aqueous electron derived from photoexcited NAD(P)H is rapidly transferred to the heme domain, enabling the formation of a carbon monoxy complex of the ferrous P450 (FeII-CO) on the microsecond time scale. Using this approach we have determined the limiting rate constant (1770 s-1 for substrate-free heme domain) for formation of the FeII-CO complex. We find no dependence of the observed rate of FeII-CO complex formation on NAD(P)H concentration but demonstrate a hyperbolic dependence on carbon monoxide concentration. The apparent dissociation constant for the complex of carbon monoxide bound noncovalently to the ferric form of the BM3 heme domain (and with NADH as reductant) is 323 microM. Binding of a P450 substrate (N-palmitoylglycine) weakened the complex between carbon monoxide and the ferric BM3 heme domain (Kd increased to 1404 microM) but enhanced the rate of formation of the FeII-CO complex (3036 s-1 for substrate-free heme domain). This study demonstrates the applicability of NAD(P)H photoexcitation as a method for rapid electron delivery to P450 enzymes and provides a new route to probing the P450 catalytic cycle and its transient intermediates.

Understanding a Mechanism of Organic Cosolvent Inactivation in Heme Monooxygenase P450 BM-3

Cytochrome P450 BM-3 (EC 1.14.14.1) catalyzes valuable oxygenation reactions for a broad range of industrially important substrates. Many of these substrates are poorly water-soluble, and P450 BM-3 is rapidly inactivated in presence of organic cosolvents. (Wong, T.S.; Arnold, F.H.; Schwaneberg, U. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 85 (3) 351−8.) Understanding how cosolvents reduce P450 BM-3 activity is of high academic and industrial interest. In a first attempt, we investigated the inactivation mechanism of DMSO by crystallizing P450 BM-3 heme domain (BMP) in 14% (v/v) and 28% (v/v) DMSO, denoted as Lo-DMSO and Hi-DMSO. The overall structures of Lo-DMSO (2.1 Å) and Hi-DMSO (1.7 Å) are similar to the reported structure (1BU7) in absence of DMSO. No indication of partial or global unfolding was found in the Lo-DMSO and Hi-DMSO structures as predicted by our previous molecular dynamics simulations and UV−vis measurements. In the Lo-DMSO structure, we observed a nonplanar distortion of heme and a displaced sixth water ligand. In the Hi-DMSO structure, the sixth water ligand was replaced by a DMSO molecule which is directly coordinated via its sulfur atom to the heme iron. Furthermore, the kink in the I-helix is more pronounced. The Lo- and Hi-DMSO structures suggest a cosolvent inactivation mechanism through covalent binding by the cosolvent DMSO to the heme iron.

Are transversion mutations better? A Mutagenesis Assistant Program analysis on P450 BM‐3 heme domain

Directed evolution represents a versatile tool to tailor enzyme properties to needs in industrial applications and to understand structure-function relationships. Genetic diversity is commonly generated using error-prone PCR. Exploration of sequence space by random mutagenesis strongly favors transitions when enzyme-based mutagenesis methods are employed (Wong, T. S., Zhurina, D., Schwaneberg, U., Comb. Chem. High Throughput Screen. 2006, 9, 271-288). The genetic code has been organized in a manner that limits chemical diversity when a single transition mutation occurs in a codon (Wong, T. S., Roccatano, D., Schwaneberg, U., Biocatal. Biotransformation 2006, in press). Are transitions more beneficial than transversions for adapting biocatalysts to non-natural process conditions? In a statistical analysis performed with the Mutagenesis Assistant Program (MAP), we compared the consequences of transition and transversion bias on amino acid substitution patterns of the P450 BM-3 heme domain. For the analysis, we used a recently introduced benchmarking system consisting of a protein structure indicator, an amino acid diversity indicator with a codon diversity coefficient, and a chemical diversity indicator. A detailed analysis for the P450 BM-3 heme domain showed that an ideal transversion bias generates more diverse amino acid substitution patterns with a significantly different chemical composition than an ideal transition bias. Emphasis is given on the theoretical analysis with a brief discussion on potential implication of transition and transversion bias in directed evolution experiments.

Analysis of the Interactions of Cytochrome b5 with Flavocytochrome P450 BM3 and its Domains

Interactions between a soluble form of microsomal cytochrome b5 (b5) from Musca domestica (housefly) and Bacillus megaterium flavocytochrome P450 BM3 and its component reductase (CPR), heme (P450) and FAD/NADPH-binding (FAD) domains were analyzed by a combination of steady-state and stopped-flow kinetics methods, and optical spectroscopy techniques. The high affinity binding of b5 to P450 BM3 induced a low-spin to high-spin transition in the P450 heme iron (Kd for b5 binding = 0.44 μM and 0.72 μM for the heme domain and intact flavocytochrome, respectively). The b5 had modest inhibitory effects on steady-state turnover of P450 BM3 with fatty acids, and the ferrous-carbon monoxy P450 complex was substantially stabilized on binding b5. Single turnover reduction of b5 by BM3 using stopped-flow absorption spectroscopy (klim = 116 s−1) was substantially faster than steady-state reduction of b5 by P450 BM3 (or its CPR and FAD domains), indicating rate-limiting step(s) other than BM3 flavin-to-b5 heme electron transfer in the steady-state reaction. Steady-state b5 reduction by P450 BM3 was considerably accelerated at high ionic strength. Pre-reduction of P450 BM3 by NADPH decreased the klim for b5 reduction ∼10-fold, and also resulted in a lag phase in steady-state b5 reduction that was likely due to BM3 conformational perturbations sensitive to the reduction state of the flavocytochrome. Ferrous b5 could not reduce the ferric P450 BM3 heme domain under anaerobic conditions, consistent with heme iron reduction potentials of the two proteins. However, rapid oxidation of both hemoproteins occurred on aeration of the ferrous protein mixture (and despite the much slower autoxidation rate of b5 in isolation), consistent with electron transfer occurring from b5 to the oxyferrous P450 BM3 in the complex. The results demonstrate that strong interactions occur between a eukaryotic b5 and a model prokaryotic P450. Binding of b5 perturbs BM3 heme iron spin-state equilibrium, as is seen in many physiologically relevant b5 interactions with eukaryotic P450s. These results are consistent with the conservation of structure of P450s (particularly at the heme proximal face) between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and may point to as yet undiscovered roles for b5-like proteins in the control of activities of certain prokaryotic P450s.