CYP7B1 Protein - Oxysterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase <table class="infobox infobox-protein"> <tr> <th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">CYP7B1 Protein — Oxysterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase</th> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">Protein Name</td> <td>Cytochrome P450 7B1 (Oxysterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">Gene</td> <td>[CYP7B1](/genes/cyp7b1)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">UniProt ID</td> <td><a href="https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/O76074" target="_blank">O76074</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">Molecular Weight</td> <td>~58 kDa (513 aa)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">Subcellular Localization</td> <td>Endoplasmic reticulum (membrane-bound)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">Protein Family</td> <td>Cytochrome P450 family</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">Expression</td> <td>Liver, Brain, Kidney, Testis</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">KG Connections</td> <td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">1 edges</a></td> </tr> </table>
CYP7B1 Protein — Oxysterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase
Introduction Cyp7B1 Protein Oxysterol 7 Alpha Hydroxylase is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
Overview ...
CYP7B1 Protein - Oxysterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase <table class="infobox infobox-protein"> <tr> <th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">CYP7B1 Protein — Oxysterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase</th> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">Protein Name</td> <td>Cytochrome P450 7B1 (Oxysterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">Gene</td> <td>[CYP7B1](/genes/cyp7b1)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">UniProt ID</td> <td><a href="https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/O76074" target="_blank">O76074</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">Molecular Weight</td> <td>~58 kDa (513 aa)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">Subcellular Localization</td> <td>Endoplasmic reticulum (membrane-bound)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">Protein Family</td> <td>Cytochrome P450 family</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">Expression</td> <td>Liver, Brain, Kidney, Testis</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="label">KG Connections</td> <td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">1 edges</a></td> </tr> </table>
CYP7B1 Protein — Oxysterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase
Introduction Cyp7B1 Protein Oxysterol 7 Alpha Hydroxylase is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
Overview CYP7B1 Protein (Cytochrome P450 7B1) is a member of the cytochrome P450 enzyme family that catalyzes the 7-alpha hydroxylation of various sterols, playing a crucial role in cholesterol metabolism and bile acid synthesis [1]. This enzyme is essential for both the classic and alternative bile acid synthesis pathways.
Structure
Enzyme Classification
EC Number : 1.14.14.29 (steroid 7-alpha-monooxygenase)
Family : Cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily B
Structure : Membrane-bound heme protein
Structural Features
N-terminal Membrane Anchor : Transmembrane helix for ER localization
Heme-binding Domain : Core catalytic domain containing heme iron
Substrate-binding Pocket : Stereospecific recognition of sterol substrates
Active Site : Catalytic center for hydroxylation reactions
Function
Catalytic Activity CYP7B1 performs multiple hydroxylase reactions:
Cholesterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase : Converts cholesterol to 7-alpha-hydroxycholesterol
25-Hydroxycholesterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase : Converts 25-HC to 7-alpha,25-diHC
27-Hydroxycholesterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase : Converts 27-HC to 7-alpha,27-diHC
| Pathway | Substrate | Product | Significance | |---------|-----------|---------|--------------| | Classic bile acid synthesis | Cholesterol | 7-alpha-hydroxycholesterol | Primary bile acid synthesis | | Alternative pathway | 27-Hydroxycholesterol | 7-alpha,27-dihydroxycholesterol | Important in humans | | Oxysterol metabolism | 25-Hydroxycholesterol | 7-alpha,25-dihydroxycholesterol | Cholesterol homeostasis |
Tissue Distribution
Liver : Highest expression, primary site of bile acid synthesis
Brain : [Neurons](/entities/neurons) and glia, neurosteroid metabolism
Kidney : Steroid hormone catabolism
Testis : Testosterone metabolism
Role in Disease
Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (SPG5) CYP7B1 mutations cause SPG5 through:
Oxysterol Accumulation : 27-Hydroxycholesterol builds to toxic levels
Neurosteroid Deficiency : Impaired synthesis of neuroprotective steroids
Neuronal Toxicity : Oxysterols interfere with neuronal function
Corticospinal Tract Degeneration : Progressive loss of motor neurons
Liver Disease Loss of CYP7B1 function leads to:
Impaired bile acid synthesis
Cholestasis (bile flow obstruction)
Fat-soluble vitamin deficiency
Progressive liver fibrosis
Therapeutic Approaches
Current Treatments
Symptomatic Management : Muscle relaxants, physical therapy
Cholesterol-lowering : May reduce oxysterol burden
Supportive Care : For spasticity and mobility
Experimental Approaches
Gene Therapy : AAV-mediated CYP7B1 delivery
Enzyme Replacement : Recombinant protein therapy
Small Molecule Activators : Increase residual enzyme activity
Interactions
CYP27A1 : Works upstream in alternative pathway
CYP7A1 : Classic pathway enzyme
Bile Acid Synthesis Enzymes : Downstream steps
Protein Interactions
Cytochrome P450 Oxidoreductase : Electron donor for catalysis
ER Membrane Proteins : Part of metabolic complex
See Also
[CYP7B1 Gene](/genes/cyp7b1)
[Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia](/diseases/hereditary-spastic-paraplegia)
[SPG5](/diseases/spg5)
[Cholesterol Metabolism](/mechanisms/cholesterol-metabolism)
[Cytochrome P450 Family](/entities/cytochrome-p450)
[Bile Acid Synthesis](/mechanisms/bile-acid-synthesis)
Background The study of Cyp7B1 Protein Oxysterol 7 Alpha Hydroxylase has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
External Links
[UniProt: O76074](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/O76074)
[NCBI Protein: CYP7B1](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/protein/NP_004375)
[BRENDA: CYP7B1](https://www.brenda-enzymes.org/enzyme.php?ECNo=1.14.14.29)
References
[Unknown, CYP7B1: A key enzyme in cholesterol homeostasis (2013)](https://doi.org/10.1194/jlr.R034140)
[Unknown, CYP7B1 mutations and hereditary spastic paraplegia (2009)](https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awp077)
[Unknown, Oxysterols in neurodegenerative diseases (2019)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2019.12.015)
[Unknown, Bile acids and neurological disorders (2019)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2019.04.019)
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