Leukotriene synthesis from arachidonic acid

Leukotriene synthesis from arachidonic acid involves alterations in the positions of some of the double bonds and the introduction of various functional groups (OH and the sulfur-containing group). For prostaglandin synthesis, there is also bond formation between C-8 and C-12 to generate the 5-membered ring. 

Shimizu T, Radmark O, Samuelsson B (1984) Enzyme with dual lipoxygenase activities catalyzes leukotriene A4 synthesis from arachidonic acid. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA... 

New asthma drugs act by blocking the synthesis of leukotriene C4 from arachidonic acid. For example, zileuton (trade name Zyflo) inhibits the enzyme (called a lipoxygenase) needed for the first step of this process. By blocking the synthesis of leukotriene C4, a compound responsible for the disease, zileuton treats the cause of asthma, not just its symptoms. 

A. Arachidonic acid is produced from linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid) by a series of elongation and desaturation reactions. Arachidonic acid is stored in membrane phospholipids, released, and oxidized by a cyclooxygenase (which is inhibited by aspirin) in the first step in the synthesis of prostaglandins, prostacyclins, and thromboxanes. Leukotrienes require a lipoxygenase, rather than a cyclooxygenase, for their synthesis from arachidonic acid. 

Figure 7. Eicosanoid synthesis from arachidonic acid. COX, cyclooxygenase. HETE, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. HPETE, hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid. LOX, lipoxygenase. LT, leukotriene. LX, lipoxin. PG, prostaglandin. TX, thromboxane.

Before taking leave of the eicosanoids, 1 need to point out that a second enzyme, 5-lipoxygenase, also metabolizes arachidonic acid. 5-Lipoxygenase initiates the synthesis of the leukotrienes from arachidonic acid. There is a whole family of leukotrienes and these molecules have a spectrum of biological properties. 1 will focus on one important leukotriene, LTB4. 

Leukotrienes can be produced from arachidonic acid by a pathway that differs from that for prostaglandin synthesis. 

C. Prostaglandins can be synthesized from arachidonic acid (which requires the essential fatty acid, linoleate, for its synthesis). They cannot be synthesized from glucose, so they cannot be made from acetyl CoA or oleic acid. Although leukotrienes are derived from arachidonic acid, they are not precursors of prostaglandins. 

A biomimetic route from arachidonic acid to leukotrienes C, D, and E is reported. During a short stereocontrolled synthesis of three dehydroarachidonic acids the metallocycle (53) undergoes lithium-tin transmetallation to give (54), which is converted into (55) with masterful control and simplicity (Scheme 26). ... 

Mammals can add additional double bonds to unsaturated fatty acids in their diets. Their ability to make arachidonic acid from linoleic acid is one example (Figure 25.15). This fatty acid is the precursor for prostaglandins and other biologically active derivatives such as leukotrienes. Synthesis involves formation of a linoleoyl ester of CoA from dietary linoleic acid, followed by introduction of a double bond at the 6-position. The triply unsaturated product is then elongated (by malonyl-CoA with a decarboxylation step) to yield a 20-carbon fatty acid with double bonds at the 8-, 11-, and 14-positions. A second desaturation reaction at the 5-position followed by an acyl-CoA synthetase reaction (Chapter 24) liberates the product, a 20-carbon fatty acid with double bonds at the 5-, 8-, IT, and ITpositions. 

Aggregated IgE and A (mucosal surface) lacks C probably Arachidonic acid can lead to synthesis of PC s, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes in the lung and aggregation of platelets and release of histamine from platelets ... 

Glucocorticosteroids are the most potent antiinflammatory agents available. They stabilize lysosomal membranes and reduce the concentration of proteolytic enzymes at the site of inflammation. They promote the synthesis of proteins called lipocortins which inhibit phospholipase-A2 and thus inhibit production of arachidonic acid, leukotrienes and prostaglandins. Furthermore, the expression of COX-II and through that the inflammatory effects of the licosanoids is inhibited. Glucocorticosteroids reduce the release of histamine from basophils, decrease capillary permeability and cause vasoconstriction. Glucocorticosteroids stimulate the loss of calcium with the urine and inhibit the resorption of calcium from the gut. 

Another important aspect of the inflammatory cascade is arachidonic acid metabolism, leading to the synthesis of the proinflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Through the formation of Upocortin, an inhibitor of phospholipase A2, glucocorticoids depress the release of arachidonic acid from phospholipids and hence the production of arachidonic acid metabolites. 

Sulfasalazine. Salicylazosulfapyridine or Azulfadine [599-79-1] (2-hydroxy-5-[[4[(2-pyridylamino)sulfonyl]-phenyl]azo] benzoic acid) (15) is a light brownish yellow-to-bright yellow fine powder that is practically tasteless and odorless. It melts at ca 255°C with decomposition, is very slightly soluble in ethanol, is practically insoluble in water, diethyl ether, chloroform, and benzene, and is soluble in aqueous solutions of alkali hydroxides. Sulfasalazine may be made by the synthesis described in Reference 13. It is not used as an antidiarrheal as such, but is indicated for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn s disease. Its action is purported to result from the breakdown in the colon to 5-aminosalicylic acid [89-57-6] (5-AS A) and sulfapyridine [144-83-2]. It may cause infertility in males, as well as producing idiosyncratic reactions in some patients these reactions have been attributed to the sulfa component of the compound. The mechanism of 5-ASA is attributed to inhibition of the arachidonic acid cascade preventing leukotriene B4 production and the ability to scavenge oxygen free radicals. The active component appears to be 5-aminosalicylic acid. 

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