The first step of steroid hormone synthesis is catalyzed by an enzyme in this family that cleaves the side chain of cholesterol.
The activity of an enzyme in this family can be assessed by having a patient blow C14-tagged carbon dioxide into a balloon in the erythromycin breath test. The azole class of antifungal drugs works by inhibiting an enzyme in this family that removes a methyl group from lanosterol. The first step of steroid hormone synthesis is catalyzed by an enzyme in this family that cleaves the side chain of cholesterol. The "1A1" enzyme in this family notoriously metabolizes environmental chemicals into carcinogens. These enzymes can be classified as "bacterial," (*) "mitochondrial," or "microsomal," depending on the mechanism by which electrons are transferred to them from NADPH. Toxic NAQPI builds up in the liver when these enzymes are overworked in a paracetamol overdose. About 75% of drug metabolism is handled by these enzymes. For 10 points, identify this family of cytochromes named for the wavelength of their absorption maximum in the reduced state.
The activity of an enzyme in this family can be assessed by having a patient blow C14-tagged carbon dioxide into a balloon in the erythromycin breath test.
cytochrome P450 [or CYP; prompt on cytochromes] 