Cytochrome P450 structures and their substrate interactions

The structure and function of cytochrome 13450 (CYP) enzymes is reviewed in the context of the currently available high-resolution crystal structures and homology models in the public domain. Two human P450 enzymes from the CYP2C subfamily (CYP2C8 and CYP2C9) have been resolved crystallographically with good agreement with the results of molecular modelling based on the CYP2C5 template structure. Aspects of the P450 structures that bear on the function and catalytic activity of the enzymes, especially in relation to the binding of substrates, redox partners, and oxygen, are discussed in the light Of Current evidence.