LOXentsyyms

LOXentsyyms, also known as lipoxygenases, are a family of enzymes that catalyze the dioxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. This reaction typically involves the incorporation of molecular oxygen into the fatty acid chain at a position bis-allylic to a double bond. The products of this enzymatic activity are hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HPETEs), which are then often further metabolized by other enzymes.

Lipoxygenases play crucial roles in various biological processes across different organisms. In plants, they are involved in the production of jasmonates, important plant hormones that regulate growth, development, and defense responses against herbivores and pathogens. They also contribute to the formation of volatile compounds that influence aroma and flavor. In animals, particularly mammals, lipoxygenases are key players in inflammatory pathways. They generate eicosanoids, a group of signaling molecules derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids like arachidonic acid. These eicosanoids, such as leukotrienes and lipoxins, have diverse physiological functions including mediating inflammation, regulating immune responses, and influencing blood pressure.

Different lipoxygenase isoforms exist, with varying substrate specificities and product profiles. For example, 5-lipoxygenase, 12-lipoxygenase, and 15-lipoxygenase are well-characterized mammalian isoforms, each contributing to distinct biological outcomes. The study of lipoxygenases is important for understanding various physiological and pathological conditions, and they represent potential targets for therapeutic interventions in inflammatory diseases and cancer.