Leukotriene-A4 hydrolase

This enzyme belongs to the family of hydrolases, specifically those acting on ether bonds (ether hydrolases). The systematic name of this enzyme class is (7E,9E,11Z,14Z)-(5S,6S)-5,6-epoxyicosa-7,9,11,14-tetraenoate hydrolase. Other names in common use include LTA4 hydrolase, LTA4H, and leukotriene A4 hydrolase. This enzyme participates in arachidonic acid metabolism. ==Catalyzed reaction==

Leukotriene A4 Hydrolase catalyzes the reaction which converts leukotriene A4 to leukotriene B4. The Leukotriene A4 structure contains an epoxide ring functional group, which are highly reactive due to its ring strain making them extremely electrophilic. This drives the reaction forward, favouring the products Leukotriene B4. Leukotriene A4 hydrolase adds a water molecule across the epoxide ring on Leukotriene A4. The addition of the water molecule opens the epoxide ring and causes the formation of the Hydroxy group at the carbon attached to the oxygen from the epoxide. The second carbon involved in the epoxide ring remains the same resulting in leukotriene B4. The water molecule attacking the double bond also forms into a hydroxy group after work-up. The product of the reaction is Leukotriene B4. == Structure ==

As of late 2007, 4 structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes , , , and . == References ==