Institut Fur Pflanzenbiochemie-ipb

Institut Fur Pflanzenbiochemie Ipe

Ivo Feussner

Ellen Hornung

Sabine Rosahl

A method for producing a plant lipoxygenase (LOX) with modified positional specificity toward arachidonic acid and its use for hydroperoxylation of arachidonic acid. The LOX makes it possible to produce for the first time (11S,14Z,12E,8Z,5Z)-11-hydroperoxy-14,12,8,5-eicosatetraenic acids on a large scale. To this end, arachidonic acid is incubated as substrate with the LOX under appropriate conditions. Hydroperoxylation of the arachidonic acid is then effected, preferably at position 11, with secondary products which are hydroperoxylated at position 8, at position 5, or at positions 11 and 8 and 5.

11-Arachidonate-lipoxygenase mutants

The present invention concerns a procedure for the manufacture of plant lipoxygenases with altered positional specificity as well as the lipoxygenase obtained through the procedure and its use for the hydroperoxylation of substrates. In particular the LOXs according to the invention permit for the first time the manufacture of new &#x3b3;-linolenic acid derivatives in large quantity. For this &#x3b3;-linolenic acid as substrate is incubated under suitable conditions with the LOXs according to the invention. Depending on the mutant LOXs put into use a hydroperoxylation of the &#x3b3;linolenic acid then ensues, preferably at position 6 or position 9 or positions 6 and 9.

Growing community of inventors

Halle, Germany

Ivo Feussner