Cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage: insights gained from homology modeling

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2007 Feb:265-266:65-70. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2006.12.005. Epub 2007 Jan 12.

Abstract

Cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (CYP11A1) catalyzes the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone, the first step in steroidogenesis. The absence of a solved crystal structure has complicated deductions pertaining to the structure/function relationships of this key enzyme. Although a number of techniques have been employed to identify domains and specific amino acid residues important for catalytic activity, these methods have been unsuccessful in predicting three-dimensional orientations in space and thus the mechanism by which they exert their kinetic effect. This review aims to demonstrate the significant contribution homology modelling, when employed as a tool in combination with other standard biochemical techniques, has made towards our understanding of CYP11A1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme / chemistry*
  • Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme / metabolism*
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mitochondrial Membranes / enzymology
  • Mitochondrial Membranes / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Pregnenolone / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Structural Homology, Protein

Substances

  • Pregnenolone
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
  • Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme