This project involves investigation of the role of lipoxygenases in the oxygenation of arachidonic acid; these reactions usually accompany cell activation and are best known for the generation of inflammatory mediators. Our experimental approach is to define a novel reaction, then examine its occurence in cells, and finally to investigate the role in cell physiology. Recently we established that 12(S)- and 15(S)-lipoxygenases can use arachidonate esterified in phospholipids as substrate for specific oxygenation, and the first part of this proposal is to examine the role of this type of reaction in the physiology of leukocytes and reticulocytes. The second part is to elucidate a novel lipoxygenase pathway which appears to proceed from an 8- hydroperoxide product, to an unstable allene oxide intermediate, and then to prostaglandins and related cyclopentanes. Lipoxygenase metabolism of cellular esters. We will investigate the 12(S)- and 15(S)- oxygenation of lipids of porcine leukocytes with the primary objective of determining the extent these reactions occur in the intact cell. In rabbit reticulocytes there is strong evidence the lipoxygenase will oxygenate cellular lipids and we will focus on the potential role of these oxygenations in breakdown of mitochondria and maturation of the cell. This will be tested by quantification and assay of endogenous lipoxygenase products during cell maturation under natural conditions in vitro. Non-cyclooxygenase prostaglandin biosynthesis. Our initial thrust in definition of the lipoxygenase-catalyzed prostaglandin biosynthesis is to elucidate the pathway from arachidonate to PGA2 to PGE2 in the sea whip coral, Plexaura homomalla. Preliminary studies have uncovered a novel intermediate in the pathway (an allene oxide) and we plan to characterize its structure, metabolism and pharmacology. With information gained in the coral studies we will proceed to explore related biochemistry in mammals and man: already there is strong suggestive evidence of related reactions (8-lipoxygenase metabolism in mouse skin), (a characteristic allene oxide hydrolysis product in rats testis). We will investigate the ramifications of this new and evolving biochemistry in mammals and man. At present it is understood that lipoxygenases can form leukotrienes and related mediators, but this does not account for many lipoxygenase pathways. We anticipate that novel compounds will be discovered in our investigations, and that we will able to extend our application of lipoxygenase metabolism to the normal physiology of cells.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
9R01GM049502-09
Application #
3308766
Study Section
Medical Biochemistry Study Section (MEDB)
Project Start
1993-04-01
Project End
1997-03-31
Budget Start
1993-04-01
Budget End
1994-03-31
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
1993
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004413456
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37212
Boutaud, O; Brash, A R (1999) Purification and catalytic activities of the two domains of the allene oxide synthase-lipoxygenase fusion protein of the coral Plexaura homomalla. J Biol Chem 274:33764-70
Hada, T; Swift, L L; Brash, A R (1997) Discovery of 5R-lipoxygenase activity in oocytes of the surf clam, Spisula solidissima. Biochim Biophys Acta 1346:109-19
Brash, A R; Boeglin, W E; Chang, M S (1997) Discovery of a second 15S-lipoxygenase in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 94:6148-52
Jisaka, M; Kim, R B; Boeglin, W E et al. (1997) Molecular cloning and functional expression of a phorbol ester-inducible 8S-lipoxygenase from mouse skin. J Biol Chem 272:24410-6
Koljak, R; Boutaud, O; Shieh, B H et al. (1997) Identification of a naturally occurring peroxidase-lipoxygenase fusion protein. Science 277:1994-6
Brash, A R; Boeglin, W E; Chang, M S et al. (1996) Purification and molecular cloning of an 8R-lipoxygenase from the coral Plexaura homomalla reveal the related primary structures of R- and S-lipoxygenases. J Biol Chem 271:20949-57
Brash, A R; Song, W (1996) Detection, assay, and isolation of allene oxide synthase. Methods Enzymol 272:250-9
Chang, M S; Boeglin, W E; Guengerich, F P et al. (1996) Cytochrome P450-dependent transformations of 15R- and 15S-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acids: stereoselective formation of epoxy alcohol products. Biochemistry 35:464-71
Funk, C D; Keeney, D S; Oliw, E H et al. (1996) Functional expression and cellular localization of a mouse epidermal lipoxygenase. J Biol Chem 271:23338-44
Brash, A R; Song, W C (1995) Structure-function features of flaxseed allene oxide synthase. J Lipid Mediat Cell Signal 12:275-82

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