Cytochrome P450 (CYP) is a large family of enzymes containing heme as the active site. Since their discovery and the elucidation of their structure, they have attracted the interest of scientist for many years, particularly due to their catalytic abilities. Since the late 1970s attempts have concentrated on the construction and development of electrochemical sensors. Although sensors based on mediated electron transfer have also been constructed, the direct electron transfer approach has attracted most of the interest. This has enabled the investigation of the electrochemical properties of the various isoforms of CYP. Furthermore, CYP utilized to construct biosensors for the determination of substrates important in environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical industry and clinical practice. (c) 2004 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved
The spectroelectrochemistry of camphor-bound cytochrome P450cam (P450cam) using gold electrodes is described. The electrodes were modified with either 4,4'-dithiodipyridin or sodium dithionite. Electrolysis of P450cam was carried out when the enzyme was in solution, while at the same time UV visible absorption spectra were recorded. Reversible oxidation and reduction could be observed with both 4,4'-dithiodipyridin and dithionite modified electrodes. A formal potential (E-0') of -373 mV vs Ag/AgCl 1 M KCl was determined. The spectra of P450cam complexed with either carbon monoxide or metyrapone, both being inhibitors of P450 catalysis, clearly indicated that the protein retained its native state in the electrochemical cell during electrolysis. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved