GENETICALLY-ENGINEERED MAMMALIAN CYTOCHROMES P-450 FROM YEASTS - POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS

High-activity forms of mammalian cytochromes P-450 have now been expre ssed in yeast. Some members of this superfamily of enzymes detoxify dr ugs, whilst others activate carcinogens, or interconvert steroid hormo nes. Applications for these previously unavailable forms of cytochrome P-450 can now be developed, including the biosynthesis of hydroxylate d compounds, bioanalysis and tests for hazardous substrates of these e nzymes, and therapeutic detoxification devices. All of these applicati ons could use protein-engineered, or protein-tailored enzymes in immob ilized form.