Enzyme oxidizes fat-soluble organic chemicals: animals

The metabolism of animals oxidizes fat-soluble organic chemicals into excretable water-soluble substances, via P450 enzymes.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Break down >
	Chemically break down >
	Other organic compounds

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Developing probes that sense the presence of endocrine-disrupting or other persistent bioaccumulating organic toxins in fatty tissues. Develop therapies that facilitate excretion of bioaccumulative toxins.

[Collapse all sections] Summary

"The number of P450 genes cloned from various organisms such as animals, plants, yeasts, fungi, bacteria and sequenced is presently over 2000 and still increasing…P450s are major enzymes in drug metabolism in animal tissues and organs because they convert the pharmaceutics to more hydrophilic metabolites which are easily excreted into urine." (Hara 2000:103)

About the inspiring organism

Animalia
Animalia

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Developing probes that sense the presence of endocrine-disrupting or other persistent bioaccumulating organic toxins in fatty tissues. Develop therapies that facilitate excretion of bioaccumulative toxins.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Medical, environmental

Experts

National Institute of Bioscience and Human-technology (NIBH)
Masayuki Hara
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

References

Hara, Masayuki. 2000. Application of P450s for biosensing: combination of biotechnology and electrochemistry. Materials Science and Engineering: C. 12(1-2): 103-109.

Enzyme oxidizes fat-soluble organic chemicals: animals

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