Abstract:
Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) are heme-thiolate proteins whose role as drug
targets against pathogens, as well as in valuable chemical production and bioremediation, has
been explored. In this study comprehensive comparative analysis of P450s in 13 newly
explored oomycete pathogens performed. Three hundred and fifty-six P450s were identified
in the 13 oomycetes species. These P450s were grouped into 15 P450 families and 84 P450
subfamilies. Among those, nine P450 families and 31 P450 subfamilies were newly identified
in oomycetes. Research revealed that oomycetes belonging to different orders contain
distinct P450 families and subfamilies in their genomes. Evolutionary analysis and sequence
homology data revealed P450 family blooms in oomycetes. Tandem arrangement of a large
number of P450s belonging to the same family suggested that, P450 family blooming is
possibly due to duplications in family members. A unique combination of amino acid patterns
was observed at EXXR and CXG motifs for the P450 families; CYP5014, CYP5015 and CYP5017. A novel P450 fusion protein (CYP5619 family) with an N-terminal P450 domain
fused to a heme peroxidase/dioxygenase domain was discovered in Saprolegnia declina.
Oomycetes P450 patterns suggested host influence in shaping their P450 content. This
manuscript serves as reference for future P450 annotations in newly explored oomycetes.
The study has been published in Scientific Reports (impact factor 5.6). Manuscript
details: Sello, M. M., Jafta, N., Nelson, D. R., Chen, W., Yu, J., Parvez, M., Kgosiemang, I.
K. R., Monyaki, R., Raselemane, S. C., Qhanya, L., Mthakathi, N. T., Mashele, S. S., Syed,
K. (2015). Diversity and evolution of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in Oomycetes.
Scientific Reports, 5:11572. DOI: 10.1038/srep11572.
Also the discovery of novel P450 protein was aired in South African TV channels
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbOdUMTsEyc) and Newspapers.
