Bruckhoff, Dr. Viktoria

Based on phylogenetic analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana genomic sequences, uncharacterized fatty acid (FA) hydroxylases were identified. Among them were several cytochrome P450s (CYP). Active site model structures of some CYP enzymes revealed that the hydrophobicity in the heme binding site is very different between enzymes active and inactive towards conversion of FAs. Evidence is given that substrate specificity is conserved among phylogenetically related isoforms of CYP enzymes. Particular residues in the active site pocket play key roles in determining substrate...