Cytochrome P450 enzymes in the fungal kingdom

Abstract

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases of fungi are involved in many essential cellular processes and play diverse roles. The enzymes catalyze the conversion of hydrophobic intermediates of primary and secondary metabolic pathways, detoxify natural and environmental pollutants and allow fungi to grow under different conditions. Fungal genome sequencing projects have enabled the annotation of several thousand novel cytochromes P450, many of which constitute new families. This review presents the characteristics of fungal cytochrome P450 systems and updates information on the functions of characterized fungal P450 monooxygenases as well as outlines the currently used strategies for determining the function of the many putative P450 enzymes.