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Research on Some Aspects of the Cytochrome P450 Proteins

Received: 12 June 2017    Accepted:     Published: 14 June 2017
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Abstract

The Cytochrome P450 was first described in 1958 as a brown pigment when carbon monoxide was added to hepatic microsomal preparations, which had been reduced with dithionite or NADH. This hemeprotein had probably arisen very early in chemical evolution (the origin of life). One of its early functions was probably the detoxification of molecular oxygen, which was poisonous to primordial life, which had not evolved other protective mechanisms. Since its initial discovery, it has been identified in a very large variety of animal tissues, plants and microorganisms. It is now known that there are various cytochromes P450, which perform a large variety of enzymatic functions. The cytochromes P450 have among other functions the metabolism or detoxification of ‘xenobiotics’ or ‘foreign chemicals’, which include drugs and environmental pollutants. The functioning of the steroid hydroxylases in adrenocortical mitochondria is influenced (regulated) by the dielectric constant in the immediate vicinity of the enzyme. Sodium and potassium ions influence the functioning of these hydroxylases differently in view of the different effect their ionic radii have on the dielectric constant. Spices have been found to bind to cytochrome P450. This may modify the activity of the enzyme. This may account for certain herbal medicinal preparations being effective in members of some communities but not in others, which have different dietary habits or preparations. Spices are also added as a component of some herbal medicinal preparations. More investigations need to be performed to ascertain the effect the consumption of spices may have on the efficacy of medicines in general.

Published in Cell Biology (Volume 5, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.cb.20170503.11
Page(s) 29-32
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Evolution, Herbs, Pharmacology, Steroids, Hormones, Adrenal, Mutagens, Carcinogens

References
[1] R. H. Wickramasinghe, “Biological aspects of cytochrome P450 and associated hydroxylation reactions”, Enzyme 19(1975)348-376.
[2] R. H. Wickramasinghe, “The Cytochrome P450 Proteins”, Lake House Investments Ltd., Book Publishers, Colombo (1979) 295+xi pp.
[3] R. H. Wickramasinghe and C. A. Villee, “Early role during chemical evolution for cytochrome P450 in oxygen detoxification”, Nature 256(1975)509-511.
[4] R. H. Wickramasinghe, “Short-term test-systems for detecting carcinogens. Report of an international symposium in Dortmund”, International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 44(1979b) 61-64.
[5] R. H. Wickramasinghe, “Short-term mutagenicity test systems for detecting carcinogens”, Interciencia (Caracas) 5 (1980) 239-241.
[6] R. H. Wickramasinghe and C. A. Villee, “Possible similar role of cytochrome P450 in primordial evolution of species and in chemical carcinogenesis”, Perspectives in Biology and Medicine 19(1976)473-475.
[7] R. H. Wickramasinghe, “The regulation of corticosteroid hydroxylations. 1. An effect of inorganic ions in regulating iron-sulphur protein-dependent electron transport”, Journal of Bioenergetics 5(1973)151-161.
[8] R. H. Wickramasinghe, “Regulation of corticosteroid hydroxylations: the intramitochondrial dielectric constant and proteolipids of adrenodoxin and cytochrome P450”, Cytobios (Cambridge, England) 8(1973)81-94.
[9] R. H. Wickramasinghe, “Dielectric constants and lithium ion treatment of psychiatric illness”, Clinical Research 26(1978)297A.
[10] R. H. Wickramasinghe, G. Mueller and K. Norpoth, “Spectral evidence of interaction of spice constituents with hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450”, Cytobios (Cambridge, England) 29(1980)239-241.
[11] R. H. Wickramasinghe, “Comparison of Chinese and Ceylonese herbs used in dermatology”, Clinical Research 25 (1977) 589A.
[12] R. H. Wickramasinghe, “Comparison of Chinese and Ceylonese herbs used in medications or treating dysentery, microbial infections or for antipyretic action”, Clinical Research 26(1978)14A.
[13] R. H. Wickramasinghe, “Comparison of Chinese and Ceylonese herbs used in the treatment of ophthalmia”, Clinical Research 26(1978)296A.
[14] R. H. Wickramasinghe, “Comparison of Chinese and Ceylonese herbs used in medications for pulmonary affections”, Clinical Research26 (1978) 87A.
[15] R. H. Wickramasinghe, “Comparison of Chinese and Ceylonese herbs used in connection with worm infestations”, Clinical Research26 (1978) 101A.
[16] R. H. Wickramasinghe, “Comparison of Chinese and Ceylonese herbs used in gastroenterology”, Clinical Research 25 (1977) 575A.
[17] R. H. Wickramasinghe, “Ranmasu Uyana – a Chinese Connection”, The Island (SATMAG) 6 April 2013, p.1.
[18] R. H. Wickramasinghe, “An Ancient Connection with China” in “Maritime Heritage of Lanka; Ancient ports and harbours” (Sarala Fernando, Ed.) The National Trust Sri Lanka, Colombo (2013) pp.110-115.
[19] R. H. Wickramasinghe, “1421: The Year China Discovered the World”, Review of book by Gavin Menzies, The Island Midweek Review, 22 January 2014, p. II.
[20] R. H. Wickramasinghe, “China and the European Renaissance”, Review of book by Gavin Menzies, The Island Midweek Review, 26 March 2014, p. IV.
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    Rohan Harindra Wickramasinghe. (2017). Research on Some Aspects of the Cytochrome P450 Proteins. Cell Biology, 5(3), 29-32. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cb.20170503.11

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    Rohan Harindra Wickramasinghe. Research on Some Aspects of the Cytochrome P450 Proteins. Cell Biol. 2017, 5(3), 29-32. doi: 10.11648/j.cb.20170503.11

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    AMA Style

    Rohan Harindra Wickramasinghe. Research on Some Aspects of the Cytochrome P450 Proteins. Cell Biol. 2017;5(3):29-32. doi: 10.11648/j.cb.20170503.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.cb.20170503.11,
      author = {Rohan Harindra Wickramasinghe},
      title = {Research on Some Aspects of the Cytochrome P450 Proteins},
      journal = {Cell Biology},
      volume = {5},
      number = {3},
      pages = {29-32},
      doi = {10.11648/j.cb.20170503.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cb.20170503.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cb.20170503.11},
      abstract = {The Cytochrome P450 was first described in 1958 as a brown pigment when carbon monoxide was added to hepatic microsomal preparations, which had been reduced with dithionite or NADH. This hemeprotein had probably arisen very early in chemical evolution (the origin of life). One of its early functions was probably the detoxification of molecular oxygen, which was poisonous to primordial life, which had not evolved other protective mechanisms. Since its initial discovery, it has been identified in a very large variety of animal tissues, plants and microorganisms. It is now known that there are various cytochromes P450, which perform a large variety of enzymatic functions. The cytochromes P450 have among other functions the metabolism or detoxification of ‘xenobiotics’ or ‘foreign chemicals’, which include drugs and environmental pollutants. The functioning of the steroid hydroxylases in adrenocortical mitochondria is influenced (regulated) by the dielectric constant in the immediate vicinity of the enzyme. Sodium and potassium ions influence the functioning of these hydroxylases differently in view of the different effect their ionic radii have on the dielectric constant. Spices have been found to bind to cytochrome P450. This may modify the activity of the enzyme. This may account for certain herbal medicinal preparations being effective in members of some communities but not in others, which have different dietary habits or preparations. Spices are also added as a component of some herbal medicinal preparations. More investigations need to be performed to ascertain the effect the consumption of spices may have on the efficacy of medicines in general.},
     year = {2017}
    }
    

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    T1  - Research on Some Aspects of the Cytochrome P450 Proteins
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    PY  - 2017
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    T2  - Cell Biology
    JF  - Cell Biology
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    AB  - The Cytochrome P450 was first described in 1958 as a brown pigment when carbon monoxide was added to hepatic microsomal preparations, which had been reduced with dithionite or NADH. This hemeprotein had probably arisen very early in chemical evolution (the origin of life). One of its early functions was probably the detoxification of molecular oxygen, which was poisonous to primordial life, which had not evolved other protective mechanisms. Since its initial discovery, it has been identified in a very large variety of animal tissues, plants and microorganisms. It is now known that there are various cytochromes P450, which perform a large variety of enzymatic functions. The cytochromes P450 have among other functions the metabolism or detoxification of ‘xenobiotics’ or ‘foreign chemicals’, which include drugs and environmental pollutants. The functioning of the steroid hydroxylases in adrenocortical mitochondria is influenced (regulated) by the dielectric constant in the immediate vicinity of the enzyme. Sodium and potassium ions influence the functioning of these hydroxylases differently in view of the different effect their ionic radii have on the dielectric constant. Spices have been found to bind to cytochrome P450. This may modify the activity of the enzyme. This may account for certain herbal medicinal preparations being effective in members of some communities but not in others, which have different dietary habits or preparations. Spices are also added as a component of some herbal medicinal preparations. More investigations need to be performed to ascertain the effect the consumption of spices may have on the efficacy of medicines in general.
    VL  - 5
    IS  - 3
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Author Information
  • Institute for Tropical Environmental Studies, Colombo, Sri Lanka

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