A Three-Dimensional Protein Model for Human Cytochrome P450 2D6 Based on the Crystal Structures of P450 101, P450 102, and P450 108

Cytochromes P450 (P450s) constitute a superfamily of phase I enzymes capable of oxidizing and reducing various substrates. P450 2D6 is a polymorphic enzyme, which is absent in 5−9% of the Caucasian population as a result of a recessive inheritance of gene mutations. This deficiency leads to impaired metabolism of a variety of drugs. All drugs metabolized by P450 2D6 contain a basic nitrogen atom, and a flat hydrophobic region coplanar to the oxidation site which is either 5 or 7 A away from the basic nitrogen atom. The aim of this study was to build a three-dimensional structure for the protein and more specifically for the active site of P450 2D6 in order to determine the amino acid residues possibly responsible for binding and/or catalytic activity. Furthermore, the structural features of the active site can be implemented into the existing small molecule substrate model, thus enhancing its predictive value with respect to possible metabolism by P450 2D6. As no crystal structures are yet available for m...