P450 11a1 cholesterol side chain cleaving enzyme at C20-C22 for pregnenolone synthesys. Pregnenolone is formed via three sequential monooxygenation reactions that involve the progressive production of 22R-hydroxycholesterol (22HC) and
20alpha,22R-dihydroxycholesterol, followed by the cleavage of the C20-C22 bond. the 2.5-Å crystal structure of CYP11A1 in complex with the first reaction intermediate, 22HC. The axial ligand at the fifth coordination site of the heme iron(III) is provided by the sulfide S- of Cys423 in 46a1. Coordination of the heme iron by ionic donor acceptor bond Fe3+-S- plays a central role in singlet oxygen bonding scission at the sixth coordination site on the heme iron(III). Back to the tutorial.
The four pyrol rings of the porphyrine are serrounding by nitrogen atoms the central irone(III).
The four methyl groups -CH3 and two vinyl groups >C= -CH2 support hydrophobic accommodation of heme interior and active saite substrate .
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