Leukotriene A4 hydrolase, also known as LTA4H is a human
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...
.
The
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, res ...
encoded by this gene is a bifunctional
enzyme
Enzymes () are proteins that act as biological catalysts by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different molecules known as products ...
() which converts
leukotriene A4
Leukotriene A4 (LTA4) is a leukotriene, and is the precursor for the productions of LTB4 (leukotriene B)) and LTC4 (leukotriene C4).
Biosynthesis of Leukotriene A4
Following the biosynthesis of eicosanoid, triggered as a result of infection or ...
to
leukotriene B4
Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a leukotriene involved in inflammation. It has been shown to promote insulin resistance in obese mice.
Biochemistry
Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a leukotriene involved in inflammation. It is produced from leukocytes in r ...
and acts as an
aminopeptidase
Aminopeptidases are enzymes that catalyze the cleavage of amino acids from the amino terminus ( N-terminus) of proteins or peptides (exopeptidases). They are widely distributed throughout the animal and plant kingdoms and are found in many subcel ...
.
Function
This enzyme belongs to the family of
hydrolase
Hydrolase is a class of enzyme that commonly perform as biochemical catalysts that use water to break a chemical bond, which typically results in dividing a larger molecule into smaller molecules. Some common examples of hydrolase enzymes are este ...
s, specifically those acting on ether bonds (ether hydrolases). The
systematic name A systematic name is a name given in a systematic way to one unique group, organism, object or chemical substance, out of a specific population or collection. Systematic names are usually part of a nomenclature.
A semisystematic name or semitrivial ...
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
Arachidonic acid (AA, sometimes ARA) is a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid 20:4(ω-6), or 20:4(5,8,11,14). It is structurally related to the saturated arachidic acid found in cupuaçu butter. Its name derives from the New Latin word ''arach ...
.
Catalyzed reaction
Structure
As of late 2007, 4
structures
A structure is an arrangement and organization of interrelated elements in a material object or system, or the object or system so organized. Material structures include man-made objects such as buildings and machines and natural objects such as ...
have been solved for this class of enzymes, with
PDB accession codes , , , and .
References
Further reading
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External links
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EC 3.3.2
Enzymes of known structure
{{hydrolase-stub