The microsomal fraction from the mesocarp of avocado (Persea amerkana) is one of few identified rich sources of plant cytochrome P-450. Cytochrome P-450 from this tissue has been solubilized and purified. Enzymatic assays (p-chloro-N-methylaniline demethylase) and spectroscopic observations of substrate binding suggest a low spin form of the cytochrome, resembling that in the microsomal membrane, can be recovered. However, this preparation of native protein is a mixture of nearly equal proportions of two cytochrome P-450 polypeptides that have been resolved only under denaturing conditions. Overall similarities between these polypeptides include indistinguishable amino acid compositions, similar trypsin digest pattems, and cross reactivity with the same antibody. The amino terminal sequences of both polypeptides are identical, with the exception that one of them lacks a methionine residue at the amino terminus. This sequence exhibits some similarites with the membrane targeting signal found at the amino terminus of most mammalian cytochromes P-450.Cytochrome P450 dependent monooxygenases are widespread in nature. They are involved in a variety of catabolic and biosynthetic pathways and in the metabolism of drugs and xenobiotics. In plants, Cyt P-450 has been identified, for example, in the trans-cinnamic acid and kaurene hydroxylases (10,11). Others are suspected participants in a number of reactions associated with xenobiotic metabolism (6, 8) (for reviews see Refs. 4 and 20). Within these monooxygenase systems, Cyt P-450 serves as a terminal oxidase, responsible for substrate recognition, binding, and oxygen redox chemistry (5, 29).The mechanistic and structural details of Cyt P450 dependent monooxygenases have been developed largely from studies of the bacterial (Pseudomonas putida) camphor hydroxylase system (23,29). Because of their importance in xenobiotic and drug metabolism, these enzymes have also been thoroughly studied in mammalian liver (3,5,31). In contrast, Cyt P-450 of higher plant origin has not been the subject of extensive biochemical characterization, primarily because of the low content in many plant tissues, difficulties with identification in Chl containing tissues, and supposed lability in homogenized plant extracts. ' (6,10,12,13,19,20). Cyt P-450 has been purified from tulip (Tulipa gesneriana) bulbs (12), and from tubers of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) (10). Additionally, an NADPH:Cyt P450 reductase has been purified from Jerusalem artichoke (2), and the related Cyt b5 and NADH:Cyt b5 reductase have been purified from Pisum sativum (16). Unfortunately, the tulip bulb Cyt P450 has not been associated with any enzymic activity, and polyclonal antibodies raised against it were not cross reactive with proteins from other species (1 1). The Jerusalem artichoke preparation can be reconstituted into its trans-cinnamate hydroxylase activity, but it has a low heme specific content and is not homogeneous (10). No primary sequence information has been reported for either o...