Cytochrome P450 Reductase (CPR)

The cytochrome P450 enzyme system detoxifies many foreign compounds the body encounters. However, P450 activity can also make some compounds more toxic or mutagenic (for example, some cigarette smoke compounds). To function, the P450 enzymes require electrons to be provided by another protein, typically CPR. We are investigating the genetics and developmental biology of CPR using the Drosophila model system. CPR is encoded by a single gene in both humans and flies. The figure depicts the extremely pleiotropic nature of CPR, which supplies electrons to scores of P450 isoforms. Each P450 may in turn process many different substrates.

CPR also provides electrons to Heme Oxygenase (HO, left side). P450s typically perform hydroxlyation reactions (right side).