Cytochrome P450 6B3 (CYP6B3) (CYP6B3)

Cytochrome P450 6B3 (CYP6B3) is a specialized enzyme found in lepidopteran insects, most notably the black swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes) (UniProt, P33271). It belongs to the CYP6 family, which is primarily involved in the detoxification of xenobiotics, including synthetic insecticides and natural plant toxins (PubMed, PMID: 7592395). CYP6B3 is specifically adapted to metabolize linear furanocoumarins, such as xanthotoxin and bergapten, which are potent allelochemicals produced by plants in the Apiaceae and Rutaceae families to deter herbivory (PubMed, PMID: 12692343). By facilitating the oxidative breakdown of these compounds, the enzyme allows the insect to bypass the plant's chemical defenses. In an agricultural context, CYP6B3 and its variants are significant because they contribute to the metabolic resistance of pests against chemical control agents. Understanding its structure and function is essential for developing insecticide synergists, like piperonyl butoxide, which aim to inhibit these enzymes and restore the efficacy of pesticides.

Other names

CYP6B3v5Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase 6B3P450 6B3

Metabolic detoxification of toxic phytochemicals via monooxygenation; targeted for inhibition by synergists to overcome metabolic resistance in pests.