CYPs

Cytochrome P450 (P450) is a superfamily of heme-thiolate enzymes that are ubiquitous in almost all biological systems. There are more than 35,000 P450 enzymes that have been isolated from all biological organisms, with exception of some primitive prokaryotes. In humans, there are 18 P450 families comprised of 60 P450 enzymes, of which the majority is microsomal P450 belong to CYP2, CYP3 and CYP4 families. Microsomal P450 enzymes are collectively described as “nature’s most versatile biological catalyst”, due to the diversity of reactions it can mediate. Most of the reactions mediated by P450 enzymes are of oxidation-reduction nature.  P450s are involved in ~ 75% of the enzymatic reactions that occur in the metabolism of drugs, so there is great enthusiasm to similarly develop new drugs based on P450-mediated AA pathway.

References

1.El-Sherbeni AA,et al. Drug Metab Rev. 2017 Feb;49(1):1-17.