CYP27A1 : cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily A member 1
Description
The CYP27A1 (cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily A member 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 2.
The CYP27A1 gene is a member of the cytochrome P450 gene family. Enzymes produced from the cytochrome P450 genes are involved in the formation and breakdown of various molecules and chemicals within cells. The CYP27A1 gene provides instructions for producing an enzyme called sterol 27-hydroxylase. This enzyme is located in the energy-producing centers of cells (mitochondria), where it is involved in the pathway that breaks down cholesterol to form acids used to digest fats (bile acids). Specifically, sterol 27-hydroxylase breaks down cholesterol to form a bile acid called chenodeoxycholic acid. The formation of bile acids from cholesterol is the body's main pathway for cholesterol removal. Sterol 27-hydroxylase plays a key role in maintaining normal cholesterol levels in the body.
Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase that catalyzes regio- and stereospecific hydroxylation of cholesterol and its derivatives. Hydroxylates (with R stereochemistry) the terminal methyl group of cholesterol side-chain in a three step reaction to yield at first a C26 alcohol, then a C26 aldehyde and finally a C26 acid (PubMed:9660774, PubMed:12077124, PubMed:21411718, PubMed:28190002). Regulates cholesterol homeostasis by catalyzing the conversion of excess cholesterol to bile acids via both the 'neutral' (classic) and the 'acid' (alternative) pathways (PubMed:9660774, PubMed:1708392, PubMed:11412116, PubMed:2019602, PubMed:7915755, PubMed:9186905, PubMed:9790667). May also regulate cholesterol homeostasis via generation of active oxysterols, which act as ligands for NR1H2 and NR1H3 nuclear receptors, modulating the transcription of genes involved in lipid metabolism (PubMed:9660774, PubMed:12077124). Plays a role in cholestanol metabolism in the cerebellum. Similarly to cholesterol, hydroxylates cholestanol and may facilitate sterol diffusion through the blood-brain barrier to the systemic circulation for further degradation (PubMed:28190002). Also hydroxylates retinal 7-ketocholesterol, a noxious oxysterol with pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic effects, and may play a role in its elimination from the retinal pigment epithelium (PubMed:21411718). May play a redundant role in vitamin D biosynthesis. Catalyzes 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D3 that is required for its conversion to a functionally active form (PubMed:15465040). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:11412116, ECO:0000269|PubMed:12077124, ECO:0000269|PubMed:15465040, ECO:0000269|PubMed:1708392, ECO:0000269|PubMed:2019602, ECO:0000269|PubMed:21411718, ECO:0000269|PubMed:28190002, ECO:0000269|PubMed:7915755, ECO:0000269|PubMed:9186905, ECO:0000269|PubMed:9660774, ECO:0000269|PubMed:9790667}
CYP27A1 is also known as CP27, CTX, CYP27.
