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Brief Communication

Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 12, 822–823 (1 September 2005) | doi:10.1038/nsmb971

Structures of human microsomal cytochrome P450 2A6 complexed with coumarin and methoxsalen

Jason K Yano , Mei-Hui Hsu , Keith J Griffin , C David Stout & Eric F Johnson

Human microsomal cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) contributes extensively to nicotine detoxication but also activates tobacco-specific procarcinogens to mutagenic products. The CYP2A6 structure shows a compact, hydrophobic active site with one hydrogen bond donor, Asn297, that orients coumarin for regioselective oxidation.