Plant Cytochromes P450 and Peroxidases and Their Role in Degradation of Environment Contaminants
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a Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague, b Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, c Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Science, Charles University, Prague
Transformation of various xenobiotics by plant cells usually proceeds in three phases: derivatization of the xenobiotic to a more polar and reactive agent (phase 1), conjugation (phase 2) and secondary conjugation (phase 3) with endogenous molecules. The mixed-function oxidases with cytochromes P450 as terminal oxidases and peroxidases rank among the enzymes of phase 1. These enzymes, in addition to other functions, probably play an important role in the metabolism of xenobiotics in plants. The mechanisms of detoxification are described.