[Physiological aspects of lipoxygenase in plant signaling systems part I. Octadecanoid pathway].

Lipoxygenases (LOX, linoleate: oxygen oxidoreductases, EC 1.13.11.12) constitute a family of dioxygenases, which contain non-heme, non-sulfide iron. These enzymes occur not only in animals, but in plants as well. They have been detected in coral, moss, fungi and also in some bacteria. LOXs catalyse the regiospecific and stereospecific insertion of molecular oxygen into the molecule of polyunsaturated fatty acid with the cis,cis- -1,4-pentadiene system to yield the corresponding hydroperoxides. This step of dioxygenation leads to a cascade of reactions called the lipoxygenase (octadecanoid) pathway. The products of this pathway (called oxylipins) play an important role as signal molecules in wound healing and defence processes in plants. In animals they are involved in inflammation, asthma and heart diseases.