Cytochrome P450 26C1 (CYP26C1)

CYP26C1 is 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 enzyme is involved in the catabolism of all-trans- and 9-cis-retinoic acid, and thus contributes to the regulation of retinoic acid levels in cells and tissues.The deduced 522-amino acid protein contains a heme thiolate benchmark motif characteristic of all cytochrome p450s. CYP26C1 shares 43% amino acid identity with CYP26A1 and 51% amino acid identity with CYP26B1. PCR analysis detected CYP26C1 expression in most tissues at low levels.CYP26C1 was much less sensitive than the other CYP26 enzymes to inhibition with ketoconazole.