"Proposing a Paradigm Shift in Enzyme Biochemistry: A Researcher's Perspective"
Researchers at Vanderbilt University propose a paradigm shift in enzyme biochemistry by uncovering the mechanism used by cytochrome P450 51 to catalyze the critical final step in sterol biosynthesis. Their study, published in Angewandte Chemie, suggests that both Compound 0 and Compound I play active roles in the process, with Compound 0 being the major heme species responsible for the reaction. The findings provide a deeper understanding of P450 51 function in humans and various pathogens, offering potential insights for the development of P450 51-targeted drugs, particularly in the context of antifungal resistance and the need for novel treatments.