Investigation of cytochrome P450 mediated benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylation in Aspergillus fumigatus

Microsomal fractions of Aspergillus fumigatus exhibited a reduced carbon monoxide difference spectrum with a maximum at 448 nm and a substrate-induced Type I spectrum on addition of benzo(a)pyrene. Metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene, as measured using the aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase assay, was found to be P450-dependent and activity was observed to have a K_m of 82 μM and V_max of 33·3 pmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein. P450 productivity was investigated during growth from spore inocula and observed to be constant until the stationary phase, where the specific content declined to undetectable levels. The specific content of P450 was found to increase in higher concentrations of glucose.