Abstract 1717 Investigating the Role that Calcium and the Membrane Play in 8R-Lipoxygenase Catalysis

Lipoxygenases (LOX) are peripheral, membrane-binding proteins found in a variety of organisms, including plants and animals. Their hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HPETE) product can be used as a signaling molecule or as a reaction intermediate for further downstream modification. The best characterized reaction intermediate is produced by human 5-LOX, which can be further modified to the pro-inflammatory leukotrienes. Leukotrienes have been implicated in diseases like asthma, atherosclerosis, and other allergic disorders.