P450 oxidase enzymes play a crucial role in the expression of unique biological functions in mushrooms. A typical mushroom contains 100-200 different types of P450 genes, each expressing distinct functions. However, gene information alone is insufficient to predict the enzymatic functions of P450s. For biotechnology applications utilizing the pharmacological activities of mushrooms, technologies that can rapidly and directly identify P450 functions are essential.
A research group led by Associate Professor Hirofumi Ichinose of the Faculty of Agriculture at Kyushu University has successfully acquired approximately 80% (145 types) of all P450s from the white-rot basidiomycete Trametes versicolor as full-length cDNAs. Furthermore, they achieved heterologous expression in yeast and constructed a functional library near-exhaustively covering T. versicolor P450s. This library enables rapid exploration of the potential functions inherent in each P450 by conducting target substrate conversion.
As an example of an application of the functional library, the group identified for the first time in the world a P450 that plays an important role in the biosynthesis of sesquiterpenoids (natural products produced by plants and microorganisms, many of which show pharmacological activity). This discovery is expected to accelerate the synthesis of useful natural products using basidiomycete P450s.
The functional library completed in this study has high applicability and can utilize various compounds as target substrates. There are expectations for industrial contributions, such as discovering P450s that catalyze oxidation reactions difficult to achieve through organic synthesis and using them in the synthesis processes of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. The research was published in the journal Enzyme and Microbial Technology.
Provided by Kyushu University
Ichinose commented, "Through this research, we have completed an experimental tool for rapidly and directly exploring the potential functions of basidiomycete P450s. I hope that the P450 functional library will be utilized for a wide range of collaborative research."
Journal Information
Publication: Enzyme and Microbial Technology
Title: Functional analysis of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases from the white-rot basidiomycete Trametes versicolor: CYP502B15 decorates cadinane-type sesquiterpenoids
DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2025.110658
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