The evolution of Cytochrome P450

The evolution of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes is thought to have been driven by the need to detoxify toxic compounds in the environment, including naturally occurring toxic compounds as well as exogenous compounds that have been introduced into the environment through human activities.

It is likely that the evolution of CYP enzymes involved a combination of genetic changes, including mutations and duplication of existing CYP genes, as well as changes in regulation and expression of CYP genes in response to changes in the environment.