Cytochrome P450 4Z1 (CYP4Z1)

CYP4Z1 encodes a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily of enzymes. The cytochrome P450 proteins are monooxygenases which catalyze many reactions involved in drug metabolism and synthesis of cholesterol, steroids and other lipids. This gene is part of a cluster of cytochrome P450 genes on chromosome 1p33. CYP4Z1 is overexpressed in breast cancer cells. It has also been demonstrated that the expression of the CYP4Z1 gene is upregulated by activated glucocorticoid and progesterone. Overexpression of human CYP4Z1, a cytochrome P450 enzyme, has been correlated with poor prognosis in human cancer. However, its catalytic properties are not yet known. The CYP4Z1-expressing fission yeast should be a new valuable tool for testing cancer drugs or for the development of new prodrug strategies.