Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) metabolizes a wide range of therapeutic drugs. CYP2D6 substrates typically contain a basic nitrogen atom, and the active-site residue Asp-301 has been implicated in substrate recognition through electrostatic interactions. Our recent computational models point to a predominantly structural role for Asp-301 in loop positioning (Kirton, S. B., Kemp, C. A., Tomkinson, N. P., St.-Gallay, S., and Sutcliffe, M. J. (2002) Proteins 49, 216 -231) and suggest a second acidic residue, Glu-216, as a key determinant in the binding of basic substrates. We have evaluated the role of Glu-216 in substrate recognition, along with Asp-301, by sitedirected mutagenesis. Reversal of the Glu-216 charge to Lys or substitution with neutral residues (Gln, Phe, or Leu) greatly decreased the affinity (K m values increased 10 -100-fold) for the classical basic nitrogen-containing substrates bufuralol and dextromethorphan. Altered binding was also manifested in significant differences in regiospecificity with respect to dextromethorphan, producing enzymes with no preference for N-demethylation versus O-demethylation (E216K and E216F). Neutralization of Asp-301 to Gln and Asn had similarly profound effects on substrate binding and regioselectivity. Intriguingly, removal of the negative charge from either 216 or 301 produced enzymes (E216A, E216K, and D301Q) with elevated levels (50 -75-fold) of catalytic activity toward diclofenac, a carboxylate-containing CYP2C9 substrate that lacks a basic nitrogen atom. Activity was increased still further (>1000-fold) upon neutralization of both residues (E216Q/D301Q). The kinetic parameters for diclofenac (K m 108 M, k cat 5 min ؊1 ) along with nifedipine (K m 28 M, k cat 2 min ؊1) and tolbutamide (K m 315 M, k cat 1 min ؊1 ), which are not normally substrates for CYP2D6, were within an order of magnitude of those observed with CYP3A4 or CYP2C9. Neutralizing both Glu-216 and Asp-301 thus effectively alters substrate recognition illustrating the central role of the negative charges provided by both residues in defining the specificity of CYP2D6 toward substrates containing a basic nitrogen.Cytochromes P450 are a superfamily of heme-containing enzymes responsible for the oxidative metabolism of an extremely wide variety of substrates. Human cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) 1 is one of the most important members of this family due to its central role in the metabolism of many drugs in common clinical use (1), such as opioids, antidepressants, neuroleptics, and various cardiac medications. CYP2D6 is polymorphic, giving rise to wide interindividual and ethnic differences in drug metabolism (2, 3). Inheritance of the defective gene results in the "poor metabolizer" phenotype that results in impaired drug oxidation reactions (4) and may be linked to altered disease susceptibility (5, 6). P450-drug and drug-drug interactions involving CYP2D6 ligands are a prime consideration in the development of new drugs, emphasizing the importance of a detailed understanding of the factors that gover...