Flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs) constitute a family of xenobiotic-metabolising enzymes [1]. Using an NADPH cofactor and FAD prosthetic group, these microsomal proteins catalyse the oxygenation of nucleophilic nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorous and selenium atoms in a range of structurally diverse compounds. FMOs have been implicated in the metabolism of a number of pharmaceuticals, pesticides and toxicants. In man, lack of hepatic FMO-catalysed trimethylamine metabolism results in trimethylaminuria (fish odour syndrome). Five mammalian forms of FMO are now known and have been designated FMO1-FMO5 [2, 3,4, 5, 6]. This is a recent nomenclature based on comparison of amino acid sequences, and has been introduced in an attempt to eliminate confusion inherent in multiple, laboratory-specific designations and tissue-based classifications [7]. Following the determination of the complete nucleotide sequence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker's yeast) [7], a novel gene was found to encode a protein with similarity to mammalian monooygenases.

1. A nomenclature for the mammalian flavin-containing monooxygenase gene family based on amino acid sequence identities. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 308, 254-7
2. Cloning, primary sequence, and chromosomal mapping of a human flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO1). J. Biol. Chem. 266, 12379-85
3. The flavin-containing monooxygenase enzymes expressed in rabbit liver and lung are products of related but distinctly different genes. J. Biol. Chem. 265, 5855-61
4. Molecular cloning of the flavin-containing monooxygenase (form II) cDNA from adult human liver. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89, 1685-9
5. Cloning, primary sequence and chromosomal localization of human FMO2, a new member of the flavin-containing mono-oxygenase family. Biochem. J. 287 ( Pt 1), 261-7
6. Cloning, sequencing, distribution, and expression in Escherichia coli of flavin-containing monooxygenase 1C1. Evidence for a third gene subfamily in rabbits. J. Biol. Chem. 268, 9681-9
7. Complete nucleotide sequence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome VIII. Science 265, 2077-82

Flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs) constitute a family of xenobiotic-metabolising enzymes [<
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