Plant cytochrome P450 plasticity and evolution.

Area of Science:

• Plant biochemistry and evolution
• Enzymology
• Genomics

Background:

• Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are vital for plant metabolic diversification and evolution.
• Understanding the CYP landscape across plant lineages is crucial for deciphering metabolic innovations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current status of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme superfamily in green algae and land plants.
• To explore the evolutionary dynamics and functional plasticity of CYPs in plants.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of CYP gene families across green algae and land plants.
• Review of literature on CYP evolution, substrate promiscuity, and neofunctionalization.
• Examination of biosynthetic pathways demonstrating convergent evolution of CYPs.

Main Results:

• All 11 conserved CYP clans found in vascular plants are present in green algae; several green algae-specific clans are also identified.
• CYP clans 71, 72, and 85 are the largest, with numerous lineage-specific subfamilies indicating the emergence of unique pathways.
• High substrate promiscuity in large CYP families facilitates gene duplication and neofunctionalization, driving the acquisition of new metabolic functions.

Conclusions:

• The CYP landscape in green algae and land plants shows significant conservation and lineage-specific diversification.
• CYP evolution is characterized by plasticity, neofunctionalization, and convergent recruitment, enabling adaptation to diverse environmental pressures.
• The Plant P450 Database provides a valuable resource for functionally characterized plant CYPs.