Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Lipoxygenase”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Peroxidase-like activity of lipoxygenases: different substrate specificity of potato 5-lipoxygenase and soybean 15-lipoxygenase and particular affinity of vitamin E derivatives for the 5-lipoxygenase.

Potato 5-lipoxygenase (5-PLO) catalyzes the reduction of 13(S)-hydroperoxy-9Z,11E-octadecadienoic acid (13-HPOD) in the presence of vitamin E. I mol of vitamin E is required to consume 2 mol of 13-HPOD. The mechanism of the 5-PLO-catalyzed oxidation of vitamin E by 13-HPOD is similar to that previously established for the soybean 15-lipoxygenase (L-1)-catalyzed oxidation of phenidone by 13-HPOD, and seems to involve a one-electron reduction of the O-O bond of 13-HPOD. 5-PLO and L-1 exhibit very different substrate specificities and pH profiles for their peroxidase-like activity. Actually, among the 20 compounds containing various reducible functions and the 10 derivatives of vitamin E which have been studied, only four products containing hydrophobic long chains, ascorbic acid 6-palmitate, the trolox esters of octanol and undecanol, and vitamin E exhibit high peroxidase-like activities for 5-PLO. On the contrary, much more compounds, even not very hydrophobic, are good substrates for the peroxidase-like activity of L-1.

Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase↗

Arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase in human corneal epithelium and 12- and 15-lipoxygenases in bovine corneal epithelium: comparison with other bovine 12-lipoxygenases.

Lipoxygenases of bovine and human corneal epithelia were investigated. The bovine epithelium contained an arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase and a 15-lipoxygenase. The 12-lipoxygenase was found in the microsomal fraction, while the 15-lipoxygenase was mainly present in the cytosol (100,000 x g supernatant). 12S-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12S-HETE) and 15S-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15S-HETE) were identified by GC-MS and chiral HPLC. BW A4C, an acetohydroxamic acid lipoxygenase inhibitor, reduced the biosynthesis of 12S-HETE and 15S-HETE by over 90% at 10 microM. IC50 for the 12-lipoxygenase was 0.3 microM. The bovine corneal 12-lipoxygenase was compared with the 12-lipoxygenases of bovine platelets and leukocytes. All three enzymes metabolized 14C-labelled linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid poorly (5-16%) in comparison with [14C]arachidonic acid. [14C]Docosahexaenoic acid and [14C]4,7,10,13,16-docosapentaenoic acid appeared to be less efficiently converted by the corneal enzyme than by the platelet and leukocyte enzymes. Immunohistochemical analysis of the bovine corneal epithelium using a polyclonal antibody against porcine leukocyte 12-lipoxygenase gave positive staining. The cytosol of human corneal epithelium converted [14C]arachidonic acid to one prominent metabolite. The product co-chromatographed with 15S-HETE on reverse phase HPLC, straight phase HPLC and chiral HPLC. Our results suggest that human corneal epithelium contains a 15-lipoxygenase and that bovine corneal epithelium contains both a 15-lipoxygenase and a 12-lipoxygenase. The corneal 12-lipoxygenase appears to differ catalytically from earlier described bovine 12-lipoxygenases.

12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid↗

Characterization and separation of the arachidonic acid 5-lipoxygenase and linoleic acid omega-6 lipoxygenase (arachidonic acid 15-lipoxygenase) of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

The cytosolic fraction of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes precipitated with 60% ammonium sulfate produced 5-lipoxygenase products from [14C]arachidonic acid and omega-6 lipoxygenase products from both [14C]linoleic acid and, to a lesser extent, [14C]- and [3H]arachidonic acid. The arachidonyl 5-lipoxygenase products 5-hydroperoxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HPETE) and 5-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) derived from [14C]arachidonic acid, and the omega-6 lipoxygenase products 13-hydroperoxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid (13-OOH linoleic acid) and 13-hydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid (13-OH linoleic acid) derived from [14C]linoleic acid and 15-hydroxyperoxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HPETE), and 15-hydroxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) derived from [14C]- and [3H]arachidonic acid were identified by TLC-autoradiography and by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Products were quantitated by counting samples that had been scraped from replicate TLC plates and by determination of the integrated optical density during RP-HPLC. The arachidonyl 5-lipoxygenase had a pH optimum of 7.5 and was 50% maximally active at a Ca2+ concentration of 0.05 mM; the Km for production of 5-HPETE/5-HETE from arachidonic acid was 12.2 +/- 4.5 microM (mean +/- S.D., n = 3), and the Vmax was 2.8 +/- 0.9 nmol/min X mg protein (mean +/- S.D., n = 3). The omega-6 linoleic lipoxygenase had a pH optimum of 6.5 and was 50% maximally active at a Ca2+ concentration of 0.1 mM in the presence of 5 mM EGTA. When the arachidonyl 5-lipoxygenase and the omega-6 lipoxygenase were separated by DEAE-Sephadex ion exchange chromatography, the omega-6 lipoxygenase exhibited a Km of 77.2 microM and a Vmax of 9.5 nmol/min X mg protein (mean, n = 2) for conversion of linoleic acid to 13-OOH/13-OH linoleic acid and a Km of 63.1 microM and a Vmax of 5.3 nmol/min X mg protein (mean, n = 2) for formation of 15-HPETE/15-HETE from arachidonic acid.

12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid↗

Lipoxygenase inhibitors from natural plant sources. Part 2: medicinal plants with inhibitory activity on arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase, 15-lipoxygenase and leukotriene receptor antagonists.

The metabolism of arachidonic acid can be catalysed by either one of two enzyme families: the cyclooxygenases or the lipoxygenases. The lipoxygenase enzymes are classed into several subcategories including 5-, 12- and 15-lipoxygenases. The 5-lipoxygenase pathway has been the major focus of study due to the pronounced pro-inflammatory role of leukotrienes and the approval of 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors and leukotriene receptor antagonists for the clinical treatment of asthma. Although less well characterized, the 12-lipoxygenase as well as the 15-lipoxygenase pathway may also play an important role in the progression of human diseases such as cancer, psoriasis and atherosclerosis. The present review article summarizes the findings from an extensive literature search on plants that have been assessed for 12- and 15-lipoxygenase inhibitory activity as well as for leukotriene receptor antagonistic properties. The results are presented in a tabular format, and a discussion about promising plant species and natural compounds as well as relevant in vitro assays are included in this article.

Anti-Asthmatic Agents↗

Structure conservation in lipoxygenases: structural analysis of soybean lipoxygenase-1 and modeling of human lipoxygenases.

Lipoxygenases are a class of non-heme iron dioxygenases which catalyze the hydroperoxidation of fatty acids for the biosynthesis of leukotrienes and lipoxins. The structure of the 839-residue soybean lipoxygenase-1 was used as a template to model human 5-, 12-, and 15-lipoxygenases. A distance-based algorithm for placing side chains in a low homology environment (only the four iron ligands were fixed during side chain placement) was devised. Twenty-six of the 56 conserved lipoxygenase residues were grouped in four distinct regions of the enzyme. These regions were analyzed to discern whether the side chain interactions could be duplicated in the models or whether alternate conformers should be considered. The effects of site directed mutagenesis variants were rationalized using the models of the human lipoxygenases. In particular, variants which shifted positional specificity between 12- and 15-lipoxygenase activity were analyzed. Analysis of active site residues produced a model which accounts for observed lipoxygenase positional specificity and stereospecificity.

Algorithms↗

Arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (omega-6 lipoxygenase) from human leukocytes. Purification and structural homology to other mammalian lipoxygenases.

The enzyme responsible for 15-lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid was purified to homogeneity from human eosinophil-enriched leukocytes using a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, and high pressure liquid chromatography on hydroxyapatite and cation-exchange columns. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified protein revealed a single major band (apparent Mr 70,000). Amino acid sequence analysis yielded a single N-terminal sequence. Comparison of the N-terminal 15 residues reveals 71% sequence identity to the rabbit reticulocyte lipoxygenase and 36% sequence identity to the rat basophilic leukemia 5-lipoxygenase. In contrast, sequence identity to the soybean lipoxygenase-1 is not observed. These results demonstrate that human 15-lipoxygenase can be isolated from eosinophil-enriched leukocytes and is accessible for direct sequence analysis. Furthermore, we present initial evidence that the mammalian lipoxygenases constitute an homologous family of enzymes. The availability of homogeneous human 15-lipoxygenase will play a key role in elucidating other relationships in this family of enzymes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Lipoxygenase inhibitors from natural plant sources. Part 1: Medicinal plants with inhibitory activity on arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase[sol ]cyclooxygenase.

Arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase is the key enzyme in leukotriene biosynthesis and catalyses the initial steps in the conversion of arachidonic acid to biologically active leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are considered as potent mediators of inflammatory and allergic reactions and regarding their pro-inflammatory properties the inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase pathway is considered to be interesting in the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases. Besides 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors, drugs able to block the 5-lipoxygenase as well as the cyclooxygenase metabolic pathway are also of therapeutic value. A potential source for new 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors is undoubtedly provided by the abundance of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine. The present review article reports the results from a comprehensive literature search of plants that have been tested for 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory activity over the past 15 years. The obtained information is summarized in a tabular format and promising plant species and chemical classes of compounds are presented. Relevant in vitro tests are also described in this article.

Humans↗

Lipoxygenase products and expression of 5-lipoxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein in human cultured synovial cells.

5-Lipoxygenase products are pro-inflammatory mediators. Their roles and cellular origin in chronic inflammatory rheumatisms such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are poorly understood. The expression of arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX, arachidonate: oxygen 5-oxydoreductase; EC 1.13.11.34) and the 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP) genes in osteoarthritis and RA synoviocytes was studied at the transcriptional level by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methodology. Arachidonic acid metabolism was analyzed by reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography. 5-LOX and FLAP mRNA were detectable using RT-PCR in all sources of synoviocytes tested. The expression of 5-LOX and FLAP mRNA led to the synthesis of 5-LOX metabolites. 12- and 15-LOX activities were also present. These LOX products can participate in inflammatory processes leading to joint destruction in RA.

5-Lipoxygenase-Activating Proteins↗

The complete sequence of the rabbit erythroid cell-specific 15-lipoxygenase mRNA: comparison of the predicted amino acid sequence of the erythrocyte lipoxygenase with other lipoxygenases.

We report the complete sequence of the rabbit reticulocyte (RBC) 15-lipoxygenase (LOX) mRNA as deduced from (i) sequencing cDNA recombinants isolated by screening cDNA libraries or polymerase-chain-reactions, and (ii) the sequence originating from the transcription start point obtained by primer extension-sequencing reactions. Like the human leukocyte 5-LOX mRNA, the RBC 15-LOX mRNA contains a very short 5'-untranslated region with a long 3'-untranslated region. But, unlike the human leukocyte 5-LOX mRNA, the RBC 15-LOX mRNA contains an intriguing repeated sequence (ten copies with the consensus sequence C4PuC3TCTTC4AAG) just after the translational stop codon, which may be involved in its regulation during reticulocyte maturation. Comparison of the RBC 15-LOX mRNA sequence with those of the previously published human 5-LOX mRNA and the soybean 3-LOX gene shows only a few short regions of sequence similarity. However, the predicted amino acid sequences of the encoded LOX enzymes show certain conserved regions that are presumably involved in their catalytic activity, in particular a cluster of five conserved histidines that we predict chelate the iron moiety involved in the active site.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Regulation of 5-lipoxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein expression in HL-60 cells.

5-Lipoxygenase performs the first two enzymic reactions in the biosynthetic pathway for the leukotrienes. We have utilized HL-60 cells to study the mechanisms regulating expression of 5-lipoxygenase and the recently described 18 kDa membrane protein, 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP). Differentiation of HL-60 cells into granulocyte-like cells with dimethyl sulphoxide (Me2SO), retinoic acid or dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2-cAMP) resulted in a 2-3-fold increase in 5-lipoxygenase enzyme activity and a 4-fold increase in leukotriene B4 synthesis. Differentiation of HL-60 cells into monocyte-like cells with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 induced 5-lipoxygenase activity 5-fold, but leukotriene B4 production was only increased 2-fold. Differentiation of HL-60 cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) into macrophage-like cells failed to induce 5-lipoxygenase or leukotriene B4 production. Examination of the levels of the transcript encoding 5-lipoxygenase and FLAP demonstrated that differentiation of HL-60 cells into granulocytes resulted in a co-ordinate induction of 5-lipoxygenase and FLAP mRNA. In contrast, differentiation of HL-60 cells into monocytes resulted in discordant regulation of 5-lipoxygenase and FLAP mRNA. Treatment with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 resulted in a 6-fold increase in 5-lipoxygenase mRNA and a 1.3-fold increase in FLAP mRNA, while treatment with phorbol ester did not induce 5-lipoxygenase mRNA but did increase FLAP mRNA 2-fold. The transcriptional rate of the 5-lipoxygenase and FLAP genes did not change upon Me2SO or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment, suggesting that the increase of the mRNA coding for these proteins was not due to transcriptional activation of their respective genes. The mRNA half-life for 5-lipoxygenase did not change significantly upon treatment with Me2SO or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. The FLAP mRNA half-life increased from approx. 3.5 h to 4.5 h in cells treated with either Me2SO or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. These data suggest that expression of 5-lipoxygenase and FLAP is controlled by a post-transcriptional event other than stabilization of the mRNA.

5-Lipoxygenase-Activating Proteins↗

Immunological comparison of lipoxygenase isozymes-1 and -2 with soybean seedling lipoxygenases.

An affinity-purified polyclonal antibody against soybean seed lipoxygenase-2 was prepared and used to characterize the immunological relatedness of lipoxygenase isozymes 1 and 2 and lipoxygenases from soybean seedling roots, hypocotyls, leaves, and cotyledons. All soybean lipoxygenases tested cross-reacted with the anti-lipoxygenase-2. Cross-reactivity of seed-derived lipoxygenases was evidenced by formation of a line of identity in double-diffusion tests, by positive results on an immunoblot, and by antibody precipitation of enzyme activity. Levels of anti-lipoxygenase-2, which inhibited lipoxygenase-2 activity, had no effect on lipoxygenase-1 activity. Root, hypocotyl, and leaf lipoxygenases did not form precipitation lines in double-diffusion tests but the anti-lipoxygenase-2 did inhibit and precipitate lipoxygenase activity from these sources as well as cross-react on immunoblots. All the cross-reactive lipoxygenases examined were found to have the same apparent molecular weight. Lipoxygenase activity found in soybean seedling roots, hypocotyls, leaves, and cotyledons is associated with proteins which are all immunologically related to the seed-derived enzymes.

Cross Reactions↗

cDNA cloning of 15-lipoxygenase type 2 and 12-lipoxygenases of bovine corneal epithelium.

Bovine corneal epithelium contains arachidonate 12- and 15-lipoxygenase activity, while human corneal epithelium contains only 15-lipoxygenase activity. Our purpose was to identify the corneal 12- and 15-lipoxygenase isozymes. We used cDNA cloning to isolate the amino acid coding nucleotide sequences of two bovine lipoxygenases. The translated sequence of one lipoxygenase was 82% identical with human 15-lipoxygenase type 2 and 75% identical with mouse 8-lipoxygenase, whereas the other translated nucleotide sequence was 87% identical with human 12-lipoxygenase of the platelet type. Expression of 15-lipoxygenase type 2 and platelet type 12-lipoxygenase mRNAs were detected by Northern analysis. In addition to these two lipoxygenases, 12-lipoxygenase of leukocyte (tracheal) type was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing, and Northern analysis. Finally, PCR and sequencing suggested that human corneal epithelium contains 15-lipoxygenase types 1 and 2.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and expression of an airway epithelial 12-lipoxygenase.

Arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase generates metabolites that may regulate airway function. To further characterize this enzyme, we isolated a cDNA corresponding to 12-lipoxygenase from a bovine tracheal epithelium cDNA library using human reticulocyte 15-lipoxygenase cDNA as a probe. The resulting 2.9-kb cDNA, the identity of which was confirmed by expression of active catalytic function in Escherichia coli has a 2.0-kb open reading frame encoding a protein of 75,000 kDa and includes 5 bp of 5'-untranslated region and 0.9 kb of 3'-untranslated region. On Northern blots, the 12-lipoxygenase cDNA hybridized to one band (3.5 kb) of bovine tracheal epithelium RNA. Polyclonal antibodies that recognize human tracheal 15-lipoxygenase cross-reacted on immunoblots to the expressed bovine tracheal 12-lipoxygenase. Further, the deduced amino acid sequence is 86% identical (93% similar) to human 15-lipoxygenase but 64% identical to human platelet 12-lipoxygenase, suggesting that the bovine tracheal enzyme is the homologue of the human 15-lipoxygenase. This is the first sequence of an epithelial lipoxygenase from any species. A comparison of the bovine sequence with other lipoxygenase sequences shows that there are only four amino acids which are conserved differences between a 12-lipoxygenase and a 15-lipoxygenase. We hypothesize that these four amino acids may be responsible for the positional specificity of the enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Specificities of antisera directed against soybean lipoxygenases-1 and -2 and purification of lipoxygenase-2 by affinity chromatography.

Antiserum directed against lipoxygenase-1 from soybean (Glycine Max (L). Merr. var. Williams) was developed in rabbits with electrophoretically pure lipoxygenase-1 as an antigen. To remove traces of lipoxygenase-1 from a lipoxygenase-2 preparation the latter was chromatographed over a column of Sepharose 4B to which antibodies directed against lipoxygenase-1 were coupled. During affinity chromatography of lipoxygenase-2 no protein and only a small amount of activity were lost. Affinity-purified enzyme was used for immunization of rabbits to produce lipoxygenase-2 antibodies. Results with double gel immunodiffusion tests with the two soybean lipoxygenases and antisera directed against them demonstrated that there is no immunological relationship between the isoenzymes. Lipoxygenases from different species of leguminosae crossreacted only with antiserum directed against soybean lipoxygenase-2, and not with anti soybean lipoxygenase-1 serum. No crossreaction could be detected between soybean lipoxygenase antisera and lipoxygenases from species of Gramineae, Linaceae and Solanaceae.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

Selenium-dependent peroxidases suppress 5-lipoxygenase activity in B-lymphocytes and immature myeloid cells. The presence of peroxidase-insensitive 5-lipoxygenase activity in differentiated myeloid cells.

Differentiation of HL-60 cells by dimethylsulfoxide induces 5-lipoxygenase protein expression, but only low cellular 5-lipoxygenase activity. Similarly, B-lymphocytes express 5-lipoxygenase protein and show activity in cell homogenates but not in intact cells. Here, we demonstrate that suppression of cellular 5-lipoxygenase activity in these cell lines is serum dependent and that the serum effect can be mimicked by selenium. Selenium-dependent inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase activity was also observed in the corresponding cell homogenates or 100,000 x g supernatants when dithiothreitol or glutathione (GSH) was added. The properties of the endogenous selenium-dependent inhibitor, i.e., molecular mass, utilization of GSH and dithiothreitol as substrates, sensitivity to iodacetate, inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase activity in the presence of the GPx-1 inhibitor mercaptosuccinate, suggest that a selenoenzyme with properties of the phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (GPx-4) is responsible for the 5-lipoxygenase inhibition in BL41-E95-A and immature HL-60 cells. Differentiation of HL-60 cells in the presence of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) upregulated cellular 5-lipoxygenase activity regardless of whether the cell were grown with or without serum or selenium. Also, 5-lipoxygenase activity in homogenates or 100,000 x g supernatants of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3/TGF beta differentiated HL-60 cells and of human granulocytes was not inhibited by dithiothreitol or GSH. Thus, after 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3/TGF beta differentiation, HL-60 cells resemble normal granulocytes with respect to the high 5-lipoxygenase activity in intact cells and to the dithiothreitol effects in broken cell preparations. Combination experiments with 100000 x g supernatants of BL41-E95-A cells and neutrophils revealed that the high 5-lipoxygenase activity of granulocytes is due to stability of the 5-lipoxygenase catalytic activity against selenium-dependent peroxidases, but not to low peroxidase activity. Our data suggest that the capability of mature myeloid cells to release large amounts of leukotrienes after stimulation is due to a peroxidase-insensitive 5-lipoxygenase catalytic activity.

Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase↗

Rat 12-lipoxygenase: mutations of amino acids implicated in the positional specificity of 15- and 12-lipoxygenases.

Site directed mutagenesis, based on the polymerase chain reaction, was carried out on a rat 12-lipoxygenase cDNA within a region that encodes several amino acids believed to be of importance for the positional specificity of 15- and 12-lipoxygenases. The following mutants were constructed to increase the 15-lipoxygenase activity of rat 12-lipoxygenase; [Leu397]12-lipoxygenase, [Ile389, Leu397]12-lipoxygenase, [Gln416]12-lipoxygenase, [Ile417]12-lipoxygenase, and [Gln416, Ile417]12-lipoxygenase. Each mutated cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli and 12- and 15-lipoxygenase activity was assayed in the 10,000 x g supernatants of homogenized cells. When compared to wild type enzyme, none of the mutants exhibited significantly increased 15-lipoxygenase activity. Thus, considering the primary structure of wild type enzyme and our results of mutagenetic replacements, we have not found evidence indicating that amino acids in positions 416, 417, or 418 are critical for the positional specificity of rat 12-lipoxygenase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of leukocyte-type 12-lipoxygenase and reticulocyte-type 15-lipoxygenase in rabbits.

From a rabbit reticulocyte library a full length cDNA was isolated which predicted a novel lipoxygenase (LOX) sharing 99% identical amino acids with the rabbit 15-lipoxygenase. HPLC product analysis of the bacterially expressed protein identified it as a leukocyte-type 12-lipoxygenase (1.12-LOX). This proves the co-expression of a 15-lipoxygenase and a 1.12-lipoxygenase in one mammalian species. Among the six amino acids that are different to rabbit 15-lipoxygenase, leucine 353 is shown to be the primary determinant for 12-positional specificity. In the 3'-untranslated region of the 12-LOX-mRNA a CU-rich, 20-fold repetitive element has been found, closely related to the differentiation control element (DICE) of the rabbit 15-LOX-mRNA which is organized by ten repeats of 19 bases. By genomic PCR the 3'-terminal part of the gene for the novel 12-lipoxygenase containing the introns 10-13 has been amplified and sequenced. The introns were very similar in length to the corresponding 15-lipoxygenase introns with 89% to 95% identical nucleotide sequences. By screening a rabbit reticulocyte library an alternative 15-lipoxygenase transcript of 3.6 kb has been detected containing a 1019 nucleotides longer 3'-untranslated region (UTR2) than the main 2.6 kb mRNA. The determination of the tissue distribution by Northern blotting showed that the 3.6 kb mRNA2 was only expressed in non-erythroid tissues, whereas the 2.6 kb mRNA1 was exclusively expressed in reticulocytes. The only cell type which has been found to express the 1.12-lipoxygenase abundantly are monocytes. The results indicate that the expression of 1.12-lipoxygenase and 15-lipoxygenase is highly regulated. The UTR2 of the 15-LOX-mRNA2 contained a novel eight-fold repetitive CU-rich motif of 23 bases length which is related but not identical to the DICE of 19 bases in the UTR1. The analysis of a genomic recombinant of the complete 9.0 kb Alox15 gene confirmed that UTR1 and UTR2 are not interrupted by an additional intron.

Alternative Splicing↗