The biology of 5-lipoxygenase: function, structure, and regulatory mechanisms

Proc Assoc Am Physicians. 1999 Nov-Dec;111(6):525-36. doi: 10.1046/j.1525-1381.1999.t01-1-99231.x.

Abstract

5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO) catalyzes the two-step conversion of arachidonic acid to leukotriene A4 (LTA4). The first step consists of the oxidation of arachidonic acid to the unstable intermediate 5-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HPETE), and the second step is the dehydration of 5-HPETE to form LTA4. These events are the first committed reactions leading to the synthesis of all leukotrienes and play a critical role in controlling leukotriene production. 5-LO has evolved many complex structural features and regulatory mechanisms to allow it to fulfill this highly specialized role. The biology of 5-LO is reviewed here with an emphasis on enzymatic function, protein and gene structure, essential cofactors, and the many regulatory mechanisms controlling its expression.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / physiology
  • Allosteric Regulation
  • Animals
  • Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase / chemistry
  • Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase / genetics
  • Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase / physiology*
  • Arachidonic Acid / metabolism
  • Calcium / physiology
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Enzyme Induction
  • Genes
  • Humans
  • Iron / physiology
  • Isoenzymes / chemistry
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Isoenzymes / physiology*
  • Leukotriene A4 / biosynthesis
  • Leukotrienes / biosynthesis
  • Leukotrienes / metabolism
  • Lipoxygenase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology
  • Organ Specificity
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Phosphorylation
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Transcription Factors / physiology
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Isoenzymes
  • Leukotriene A4
  • Leukotrienes
  • Lipoxygenase Inhibitors
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Arachidonic Acid
  • arachidonic acid 5-hydroperoxide
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Iron
  • Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase
  • Calcium