Biosynthesis of Jasmonates from Linoleic Acid by the Fungus Fusarium oxysporum. Evidence for a Novel Allene Oxide Cyclase

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tulipae (FOT) secretes (+)-7-iso-jasmonoyl-(S)-isoleucine ((+)-JA-Ile) to the growth medium together with about 10 times less 9,10-dihydro-(+)-7-iso-JA-Ile. Plants and fungi form (+)-JA-Ile from 18:3n-3 via 12-oxophytodienoic acid (12-OPDA), which is formed sequentially by 13S-lipoxygenase, allene oxide synthase (AOS), and allene oxide cyclase (AOC). Plant AOC does not accept linoleic acid (18:2n-6)-derived allene oxides and dihydrojasmonates are not commonly found in plants. This raises the question whether 18:2n-6 serves as the precursor of 9,10-dihydro-JA-Ile in Fusarium, or whether the latter arises by a putative reductase activity operating on the n-3 double bond of (+)-JA-Ile or one of its precursors. Incubation of pentadeuterated (d₅) 18:3n-3 with mycelia led to the formation of d₅-(+)-JA-Ile whereas d₅-9,10-dihydro-JA-Ile was not detectable. In contrast, d₅-9,10-dihydro-(+)-JA-Ile was produced following incubation of [17,17,18,18,18-²H₅]linoleic acid (d₅-18:2n-6). Furthermore, 9(S),13(S)-12-oxophytoenoic acid, the 15,16-dihydro analog of 12-OPDA, was formed upon incubation of unlabeled or d₅-18:2n-6. Appearance of the α-ketol, 12-oxo-13-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid following incubation of unlabeled or [¹³C₁₈]-labeled 13(S)-hydroperoxy-9(Z),11(E)-octadecadienoic acid confirmed the involvement of AOS and the biosynthesis of the allene oxide 12,13(S)-epoxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid. The lack of conversion of this allene oxide by AOC in higher plants necessitates the conclusion that the fungal AOC is distinct from the corresponding plant enzyme.     

Method to produce 9(S)-hydroperoxides of linoleic and linolenic acids by maize lipoxygenase

Seed from maize (corn) Zea mays provides a ready source of 9-lipoxygenase that oxidizes linoleic acid and linolenic acid into 9(S)-hydroperoxy-10(F), 12(Z)-octadecadienoic acid and 9(S)-hydroperoxy-10(E), 12(Z), 15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid, respectively. Corn seed has a very active hydro-peroxide-decomposing enzyme, allene oxide synthase (AOS), which must be removed prior to oxidizing the fatty acid. A simple pH 4.5 treatment followed by centrifugation removes most of the AOS activity. Subsequent purification by ammonium sulfate fractional precipitation results in negligible improvement in 9-hydroperoxide formation. This facile alternative method of preparing 9-hydroperoxides has advantages over other commonly used plant lipoxygenases.     

Analysis of oxylipins by high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light-scattering detection and particle beam-mass spectrometry

The metabolism of 13 S-hydroperoxy-9Z,11E,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid was investigated in a crude enzyme extract from mung bean seedlings (Phaseolus radiatus L.). Hydroperoxide-metabolizing activity was mainly due to a hydroperoxide lyase and, to a lesser extent, to an allene oxide synthase and a peroxygenase. Oxylipins originating from hydrolysis and cyclization of the allene oxide synthase product 12,13-epoxy-9Z,11,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid and from peroxygenase catalysis were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) particle beam-mass spectrometry (PB-MS) and quantified by normal-phase HPLC with an evaporative light-scattering detector (ELSD). An advantage of this methodology was the possibility to avoid extensive derivatization procedures commonly used for the gas chromatographic analysis of oxylipins. Owing to a comparable sample inlet system, the ELSD served an important analytical pilot function for the PB-MS: Qualitatively identical chromatographic patterns were obtained with both detection systems. The HPLC system enabled the separation of methyl 12-oxo-phytodienoate, methyl 11-hydroxy-12-oxo-9Z,15Z-octadecadienoate, methyl 12-oxo-13-hydroxy-9Z,15Z-octadecadienoate, methyl 9-hydroxy-12-oxo-10E,15Z-octadecadienoate, methyl 13-hydroxy-9Z,11E,15Z-octadecatrienoate, methyl 15,16-epoxy-13-hydroxy-9Z,11E,15Z-octadecatrienoate, and methyl 13-hydroperoxy-9Z,11E,15Z-octadecatrienoate on a Lichrospher DIOL column within 33 min. Compared with a diode array detector, the ELSD proved to be more sensitive, in the case of methyl 12-oxo-13-hydroxy-9Z, 15Z-octadecadienoate by a factor of about 15. In addition, volatile metabolites were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography. The yield of the hydroperoxide lyase product 2E-hexenal was 49%, whereas the sum of oxylipins reached about 15%.     

Detection of the First Epoxyalcohol Synthase/Allene Oxide Synthase (CYP74 Clan) in the Lancelet (Branchiostoma belcheri,Chordata)

The CYP74 clan cytochromes (P450) are key enzymes of oxidative metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids in plants, some Proteobacteria, brown and green algae, and Metazoa. The CYP74 enzymes, including the allene oxide synthases (AOSs), hydroperoxide lyases, divinyl ether synthases, and epoxyalcohol synthases (EASs) transform the fatty acid hydroperoxides to bioactive oxylipins. A novel CYP74 clan enzyme CYP440A18 of the Asian (Belcher’s) lancelet (Branchiostoma belcheri, Chordata) was biochemically characterized in the present work. The recombinant CYP440A18 enzyme was active towards all substrates used: linoleate and α-linolenate 9- and 13-hydroperoxides, as well as with eicosatetraenoate and eicosapentaenoate 15-hydroperoxides. The enzyme specifically converted α-linolenate 13-hydroperoxide (13-HPOT) to the oxiranyl carbinol (9Z,11R,12R,13S,15Z)-11-hydroxy-12,13-epoxy-9,15-octadecadienoic acid (EAS product), α-ketol, 12-oxo-13-hydroxy-9,15-octadecadienoic acid (AOS product), and cis-12-oxo-10,15-phytodienoic acid (AOS product) at a ratio of around 35:5:1. Other hydroperoxides were converted by this enzyme to the analogous products. In contrast to other substrates, the 13-HPOT and 15-HPEPE yielded higher proportions of α-ketols, as well as the small amounts of cyclopentenones, cis-12-oxo-10,15-phytodienoic acid and its higher homologue, dihomo-cis-12-oxo-3,6,10,15-phytotetraenoic acid, respectively. Thus, the CYP440A18 enzyme exhibited dual EAS/AOS activity. The obtained results allowed us to ascribe a name “B. belcheri EAS/AOS” (BbEAS/AOS) to this enzyme. BbEAS/AOS is a first CYP74 clan enzyme of Chordata species possessing AOS activity.     

Fatty acid allene oxides. III. Albumin-induced cyclization of 12,13(S)-epoxy-9(Z),11-octadecadienoic acid

Recently, corn (Zea mays L.) hydroperoxide dehydrase was found to catalyze the conversion of 13(S)-hydroperoxy-9(Z),11(E)-octadecadienoic acid into an unstable fatty acid allene oxide, 12,13(S)-epoxy-9(Z),11-octadecadienoic acid. This study is concerned with the chemistry of 12,13(S)-epoxy-9(Z),11-octadecadienoic acid in the presence of vertebrate serum albumins. Albumins were found to greatly enhance the aqueous half-life of the allene oxide, i.e. 14.1±1.8 min, 11.6±1.2 min and 4.8±0.5 min at 0 C in the presence of 15 mg/ml of bovine, human and equine serum albumins, respectively, as compared with ca. 33 sec in the absence of albumin. Degradation of allene oxide in the presence of bovine serum albumin led to the formation of a novel cyclization product, i.e. 3-oxo-2-pentyl-cyclopent-4-en-1-octanoic acid (12-oxo-10-phytoenoic acid, in which the relative configuration of the side chains attached to the five-membered ring istrans). Steric analysis of the cyclic derivative showed that the compound was largely racemic (ratio between enantiomers, 58∶42). 12-Oxo-10,15(Z)-phytodienoic acid, needed for reference purposes, was prepared by incubation of 13(S)-hydroperoxy-9(Z),11(E),15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid with corn hydroperoxide dehydrase. Steric analysis showed that the 12-oxo-10,15(Z)-phytodienoic acid thus obtained was not optically pure but a mixture of enantiomers in a ratio of 82∶18. The first paper in this series is Reference 1.     

Formation of conjugated diene and triene products in lipoxygenase oxidation of C18, C20, C22 PUFAs

The determination of conjugated diene formation revealed that the mol % conversions of allcis-6,9,12-octadecatrienoic acid [γ-linolenic, 18:3(n-6)], allcis-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid [arachidonic, 20:4(n-6)], allcis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid [20:5(n-3)], and allcis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid [22:6(n-3)] into conjugated diene products by soybean lipoxygenase-1 at pH 9.0 were 84, 86, 60 and 40% of that of allcis-9,12-octadecadienoic acid [linoleic, 18:2(n-6)], respectively. On the other hand, the conversions of allcis-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid [α-linolenic, 18:3(n-3)], allcis-5,9,12-octadecatrienoic acid (c5,c9,c12-18:3), andtrans-5,cis-9,cis-12-octadecatrienoic acid (t5,c9,c12-18:3) were equal to that of 18:2(n-6). The lowering of the conjugated diene formation in the oxidation of 18:3(n-6), 20:4(n-6), 20:5(n-3), and 22:6(n-3) by the lipoxygenase was thought to be caused by the further oxidation of conjugated diene monohydroperoxides to yield conjugated triene products. For this reason, the conventional lipoxygenase method gave erroneous values forcis,cis-methylene interrupted polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in oils containing a large amount of 20:5(n-3) and 22:6(n-3) such as fish oils. However, by changing the pH of reaction mixtures from 9.0 to 11.0, the secondary oxidation of conjugated diene monohydroperoxides was completely inhibited, and the PUFA values in fish oils obtained by this improved method were in good agreement with those obtained by a GLC method.     

Catalytic properties of allene oxide synthase from flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

We investigated the catalytic and kinetic properties of allene oxide synthase (AOS; E.C. 3.2.1.92) from flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.). Both Michaelis constant and maximal initial velocity for the conversion of 9(S)-and 13(S)-hydroper-oxides of linoleic and linolenic acid were determined by a photometric assay, 13(S)-Hydroperoxy-9(Z), 11(E)-octadecadienoic acid [13(S)-HPOD] as the most effective substrate was converted at 116.9±5.8 nkat/mg protein by the flax enzyme extract. The enzyme was also incubated with a series of variable conjugated hydroperoxy dienyladipates. Substrates with a shape similar to the natural hydroperoxides showed the best reactivity. Monoenoic substrates as oleic acid hydroperoxides were not converted by the enzyme. In contrast, 12-hydroperoxy-9(Z), 13(E)-octadecadienoic acid was a strong competitive inhibitor for AOS catalyzed degradation of 13(S)-HPOD. The inhibitor constant was determined to be 0.09 μM. Based on these results, we concluded that allene oxide synthase requires conjugated diene hydroperoxides for successful catalysis. Studying the enantiomeric preference of the enzyme, we found that AOS was also able to metabolize (R)-configurated fatty acid hydroperoxides. Conversion of these substrates into labile allene oxides was confirmed by steric analysis of the stable α-ketol hydrolysis products.     

Biosynthesis of Oxylipins by Rhizoctonia solani with Allene Oxide and Oleate 8S,9S‐Diol Synthase Activities

Oxylipin biosynthesis by fungi is catalyzed by both the lipoxygenase (LOX) family and the linoleate diol synthase (LDS) family of the peroxidase‐cyclooxygenase superfamily. Rhizoctonia solani, a pathogenic fungus, infects staple crops such as potato and rice. The genome predicts three genes with 9–13 introns, which code for tentative dioxygenase (DOX)–cytochrome P450 fusion enzymes of the LDS family, and one gene, which might code for a 13‐LOX. The objective was to determine whether mycelia or nitrogen powder of mycelia oxidized unsaturated C₁₈ fatty acids to LDS‐ or LOX‐related metabolites. Mycelia converted 18:2n‐6 to 8R‐hydroxy‐9Z,12Z‐octadecadienoic acid and to an α‐ketol, 9S‐hydroxy‐10‐oxo‐12Z‐octadecenoic acid. In addition to these metabolites, nitrogen powder of mycelia oxidized 18:2n‐6 to 9S‐hydroperoxy‐10E, 12Z‐octadecadienoic, and 13S‐hydroperoxy‐9Z,11E‐octadecadienoic acids; the latter was likely formed by the predicted 13‐LOX. 18:1n‐9 was transformed into 8S‐hydroperoxy‐9Z‐octadecenoic and into 8S,9S‐dihydroxy‐10E‐octadecenoic acids, indicating the expression of 8,9‐diol synthase. The allene oxide, 9S(10)epoxy‐10,12Z‐octadecadienoic acid, is unstable and decomposes rapidly to the α‐ketol above, indicating biosynthesis by 9S‐DOX‐allene oxide synthase. This allene oxide and α‐ketol are also formed by potato stolons, which illustrates catalytic similarities between the plant host and fungal pathogen.     

Novel fatty acid esters of (7E, 12E, 18R, 20Z)-variabilin from the marine sponge Ircinia felix

The methanolic extract of the marine sponge Ircinia felix has yielded nine novel fatty acid esters, (7E, 12E, 18R, 20Z)-variabilin (5Z, 9Z)-22-methyltricosadienoate, (7E, 12E, 18R, 20Z)-variabilin (5Z, 9Z)-tetracosadienoate, (7E, 12E, 18R, 20Z)-variabilin hexadecanoate, (7E, 12E, 18R, 20Z)-variabilin 10-methylhexadecanoate, (7E, 12E, 18R, 20Z)-variabilin 15-methylhexadecanoate, (7E, 12E, 18R, 20Z)-variabilin 14-methylhexadecanoate, (7E, 12E, 18R, 20Z)-variabilin 9-octadecenoate, (7E, 12E, 18R, 20Z)-variabilin octadecanoate, and (7E, 12E, 18R, 20Z)-variabilin 2,11-dimethyloctadecanoate, along with the recently described (7E, 12E, 18R, 20Z)-variabilin 11-methyloctadecanoate. The characterization of the new fatty acids (5Z, 9Z)-22-methyltricosadienoic and 2,11-dimethyloctadecanoic acids is also described. The chemical structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic, chromatographic, and chemical analyses.     

A pathway for biosynthesis of divinyl ether fatty acids in green leaves

[1-¹⁴C]α-Linolenic acid was incubated with a particulate fraction of homogenate of leaves of the meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris L.). The main product was a divinyl ether fatty acid, which was identified as 12-[1′(Z),3′(Z)-hexadienyloxy]-9(Z), 11(E)-dodecadienoic acid. Addition of glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione to incubations of α-linolenic acid almost completely suppressed formation of the divinyl ether acid and resulted in the appearance of 13(S)-hydroxy-9(Z), 11(E), 15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid as the main product. This result, together with the finding that 13(S)-hydroperoxy-9(Z), 11(E), 15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid served as an efficient precursor of the divinyl ether fatty acid, indicated that divinyl ether biosynthesis in leaves of R. acris occurred by a two-step pathway involving an ω6-lipoxygenase and a divinyl ether synthase. Incubations of isomeric hydroperoxides derived from α-linolenic and linoleic acids with the enzyme preparation from R. acris showed that 13(S)-hydroperoxy-9(Z), 11(E)-octadecadienoic acid was transformed into the divinyl ether 12-[1′(Z)-hexenyloxy]-9(Z), 11(E)-dodecadienoic acid. In contrast, neither the 9(S)-hydroperoxides of linoleic or α-linolenic acids nor the 13(R)-hydroperoxide of α-linolenic acid served as precursors of divinyl ethers.     

5,8‐Dihydroxy‐9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)‐Octadecatrienoic Acid Production by Recombinant Cells Expressing Aspergillus nidulans Diol Synthase

Whole cells of recombinant Escherichia coli expressing diol synthase from Aspergillus nidulans produced 5,8‐dihydroxy‐9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)‐octadecatrienoic acid from α‐linolenic acid via 8‐hydroperoxy‐9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)‐octadecatrienoic acid as an intermediate. The optimal conditions for 5,8‐dihydroxy‐9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)‐octadecatrienoic acid production using whole recombinant cells were exhibited at pH 7.0, 40 °C, and 250 rpm with 40 g/L cells, 12 g/L, α‐linolenic acid, and 5 % (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide in a 250‐mL baffled flask containing 50 mL reaction solution. Under these conditions, whole recombinant cells produced 9.1 g/L 5,8‐dihydroxy‐9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)‐octadecatrienoic acid for 100 min, with a conversion yield of 75 % (w/w), a volumetric productivity of 5.5 g/L/h, and specific productivity of 137 mg/g‐cells/h. As an intermediate, 8‐hydroperoxy‐9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)‐octadecatrienoic acid was observed at approximately 1.4 g/L after 100 min. With regard to dihydroxy fatty acid production, this is the highest reported volumetric and specific productivities thus far. This is the first report on the biotechnological production of 5,8‐dihydroxy‐9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)‐octadecatrienoic acid.     

Biosynthesis of Unusual Moth Pheromone Components Involves Two Different Pathways in the Navel Orangeworm, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amyelois transitella</Emphasis>

The sex pheromone of the navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), consists of two different types of components, one type including (11Z,13Z)-11,13-hexadecadienal (11Z,13Z-16:Ald) with a terminal functional group containing oxygen, similar to the majority of moth pheromones reported, and another type including the unusual long-chain pentaenes, (3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)-3,6,9,12,15-tricosapentaene (3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z-23:H) and (3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)- 3,6,9,12,15-pentacosapentaene (3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z-25:H). After decapitation of females, the titer of 11Z,13Z-16:Ald in the pheromone gland decreased significantly, whereas the titer of the pentaenes remained unchanged. Injection of a pheromone biosynthesis activating peptide (PBAN) into the abdomens of decapitated females restored the titer of 11Z,13Z-16:Ald and even increased it above that in intact females, whereas the titer of the pentaenes in the pheromone gland was not affected by PBAN injection. In addition to common fatty acids, two likely precursors of 11Z,13Z-16:Ald, i.e., (Z)-11-hexadecenoic and (11Z,13Z)-11,13-hexadecadienoic acid, as well as traces of (Z)-6-hexadecenoic acid, were found in gland extracts. In addition, pheromone gland lipids contained (5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)-5,8,11,14,17-icosapentaenoic acid, which also was found in extracts of the rest of the abdomen. Deuterium-labeled fatty acids, (16,16,16-D₃)-hexadecanoic acid and (Z)-[13,13,14,14,15,15,16,16,16-D₉]-11-hexadecenoic acid, were incorporated into 11Z,13Z-16:Ald after topical application to the sex pheromone gland coupled with abdominal injection of PBAN. Deuterium label was incorporated into the C₂₃ and C₂₅ pentaenes after injection of (9Z,12Z,15Z)- [17,17,18,18,18-D₅]-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid into 1–2 d old female pupae. These labeling results, in conjunction with the composition of fatty acid intermediates found in pheromone gland extracts, support different pathways leading to the two pheromone components. 11Z,13Z-16:Ald is probably produced in the pheromone gland by Δ11 desaturation of palmitic acid to 11Z-16:Acid followed by a second desaturation to form 11Z,13Z-16:Acid and subsequent reduction and oxidation. The production of 3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z-23:H and 3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z-25:H may take place outside the pheromone gland, and appears to start from linolenic acid, which is elongated and desaturated to form (5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)-5,8,11,14,17-icosapentaenoic acid, followed by two or three further elongation steps and finally reductive decarboxylation.     

Biosynthesis of 14,15-Hepoxilins in Human L1236 Hodgkin Lymphoma Cells and Eosinophils

Hepoxilins are epoxy alcohols synthesized through the 12-lipoxygenase (12-LO) pathway in animal cells. The epidermis is the principal source of hepoxilins in humans. Here we report on the formation of novel hepoxilin regioisomers formed by the 15-LO pathway in human cells. The Hodgkin lymphoma cell line L1236 possesses high 15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LO-1) activity and incubation of L1236 cells with arachidonic acid led to the formation of 11(S)-hydroxy-14(S),15(S)-epoxy 5(Z),8(Z),12(E) eicosatrienoic acid (14,15-HxA₃ 11(S)) and 13(R)-hydroxy-14(S),15(S)-epoxy 5(Z),8(Z),11(Z) eicosatrienoic acid (14,15-HxB₃ 13 (R)). In addition, two hitherto unidentified products were detected and these products were collected and analyzed by positive ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. These metabolites were identified as 11(S),15(S)-dihydroxy-14(R)-glutathionyl-5(Z),8(Z),12(E)-eicosatrienoic acid (14,15-HxA₃-C) and 11(S),15(S)-dihydroxy-14(R)-cysteinyl-glycyl-5(Z),8(Z),12(E)-eicosatrienoic acid (14,15-HxA₃-D). Incubation of L1236 cells with synthetic 14,15-HxA₃ 11(S) also led to the formation of 14,15-HxA₃-C and 14,15-HxA₃-D. Several soluble glutathione transferases, in particular GST M1-1 and GST P1-1, were found to catalyze the conversion of 14,15-HxA₃ to 14,15-HxA₃-C. L1236 cells produced approximately twice as much eoxins as cysteinyl-containing hepoxilins upon stimulation with arachidonic acid. Human eosinophils, nasal polyps and dendritic cells selectively formed 14,15-HxA₃ 11(S) and 14,15-HxB₃ 13(R) stereoisomers, but not cysteinyl-containing hepoxilins, after stimulation with arachidonic acid. Furthermore, purified recombinant 15-LO-1 alone catalyzed the conversion of arachidonic acid to 14,15-HxA₃ 11(S) and 14,15-HxB₃ 13(R), showing that human 15-LO-1 possesses intrinsic 14,15-hepoxilin synthase activity.     

Two unsaturated 9R-hydroxy fatty acids from the cyanobacteriumAnabaena flos-aquae f. flos-aquae

(9R-10E,12Z,15Z)-9-Hydroxyotadecatrienoic acid and (9R,10E,12Z)-9-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid were isolated from the nitrogen fixing cyanobacteriumAnabaena flosaquae. f. flos-aquae and characterized as the corresponding methyl esters. This is the first report of the natural occurrence of 9R-oxygenated fatty acids.     

New cyclopentenone fatty acids formed from linoleic and linolenic acids in potato

[1-¹⁴C]Linoleic acid was incubated with a whole homogenate preparation from potato stolons. The reaction product contained four major labeled compounds, i.e., the α-ketol 9-hydroxy-10-oxo-12(Z)-octadecenoic acid (59%), the epoxy alcohol 10(S),11(S)-epoxy-9(S)-hydroxy-12(Z)-octadecenoic acid (19%), the divinyl ether colneleic acid (3%), and a new cyclopentenone (13%). The structure of the last-mentioned compound was determined by chemical and spectral methods to be 2-oxo-5-pentyl-3-cyclopentene-1-octanoic acid (trivial name, 10-oxo-11-phytoenoic acid). Steric analysis demonstrated that the relative configuration of the two side chains attached to the five-membered ring was cis, and that the compound was a racemate comprising equal parts of the 9(R), 13(R) and 9(S), 13(S) enantiomers. Experiments in which specific trapping products of the two intermediates 9(S)-hydroperoxy-10(E), 12(Z)-octadecadienoic acid and 9(S), 10-epoxy-10, 12(Z)-octadecadienoic acid were isolated and characterized demonstrated the presence of 9-lipoxygenase and allene oxide synthase activities in the tissue preparation used. The allene oxide generated from linoleic acid by action of these enzymes was further converted into the cyclopentenone and α-ketol products by cyclization and hydrolysis, respectively. Incubation of [1-¹⁴C]linolenic acid with the preparation of potato stolons afforded 2-oxo-5-[2′(Z)-pentenyl]-3-cyclopentene-1-octanoic acid (trivial name, 10-oxo-11, 15(Z)-phytodienoic acid), i.e., an isomer of the jasmonate precursor 12-oxo-10, 15(Z)-phytodienoic acid. Quantitative determination of 10-oxo-11-phytoenoic acid in linoleic acid-supplied homogenates of different parts of the potato plant showed high levels in roots and stolons, lower levels in developing tubers, and no detectable levels in leaves.     

Absolute configuration of 12-Oxo-10,15(Z)-phytodienoic acid

12-Oxo-10,15(Z)-phytodienoic acid biosynthesized from 13(S)-hydroperoxy-9(Z),11(E),15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid using a preparation of corn (Zea mays L) hydroperoxide dehydrase recently was found to be a mixture of enantiomers in a ratio of 82∶18 (Hamberg, M., and Hughes, M.A. (1988)Lipids 23, 469–475). In this work, 12-oxophytodienoic acid and (+)-7-iso-jasmonic acid were converted into a common derivative, methyl 3-hydroxy-2-pentyl-cyclopentane-1-octanoate. From gas liquid chromatographic analysis of the (−)-menthoxycarbonyl derivative of methyl 3-hydroxy-2-pentyl-cyclopentane-1-octanoates prepared from 12-oxophytodienoic acid and (+)-7-iso-jasmonic acid, it could be deduced that the major enantiomer of 12-oxophytodienoic acid had the 9(S),13(S) configuration. Therefore, in the major enantiomer of 12-oxophytodienoic acid, the configurations of the side chainbearing carbons are identical to the configurations of the corresponding carbons of (+)-7-iso-jasmonic acid, thus giving support to previous studies indicating that 12-oxophytodienoic acid serves as the precursor of (+)-7-iso-jasmonic acid in plant tissue. When absolute configurations of C-9 and C-13 are not specifically indicated, phytonoic acid is used to denote 2-pentyl-cyclopentane-1-octanoic acid in which the two side chains have thecis relationship, whereas phytonoic acid (trans isomer) denotes 2-pentyl-cyclopentane-1-octanoic acid in which the two side chains have thetrans relationship.     

Biosynthesis and PBAN-Regulated Transport of Pheromone Polyenes in the Winter Moth, Operophtera brumata

The trienoic and tetraenoic polyenes, (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-nonadecatriene, (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-henicosatriene, and (3Z,6Z,9Z)-1,3,6,9-henicosatetraene were found in the abdominal cuticle and pheromone gland of the winter moth Operophtera brumata L. (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), in addition to the previously identified single component sex pheromone (3Z,6Z,9Z)-1,3,6,9-nonadecatetraene. The pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) is involved in the regulation of polyene transport from abdominal cuticle to the pheromone gland. In vivo deuterium labeling experiments showed that (11Z,14Z,17Z)-11,14,17-icosatrienoic acid, the malonate elongation product of linolenic acid, (9Z,12Z,15Z)-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, is used to produce (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-nonadecatriene and (3Z,6Z,9Z)-1,3,6,9-nonadecatetraene.     

Synthesis of 3-oxalinolenic acid and β-oxidation-resistant 3-oxa-oxylipins

3-Oxalinolenic acid (3-oxa-9(Z), 12(Z), 15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid or (6(Z), 9(Z), 12(Z)-pentadecatrienyloxy)acetic acid) was synthesized from 5(Z), 8(Z), 11(Z), 14(Z), 17(Z)-eicosapentaenoic acid by a sequence involving the C15 aldehyde 3(Z), 6(Z), 9(Z), 12(Z)-pentadecatetraenal as a key intermediate. Conversion of the aldehyde by isomerization and two steps of reduction afforded 6(Z), 9(Z), 12(Z)-pentadecatrienol, which was coupled to bromoacetate to afford after purification by HPLC >99%-pure 3-oxalinolenic acid in 10–15% overall yield. 3-Oxalinolenic acid was efficiently oxygenated by soybean lipoxygenase-1 into 3-oxa-13(S)-hydroperoxy-9(Z), 11(E), 15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid, and this hydroperoxide could be further converted chemically into 3-oxa-13(S)-hydroxy-9(Z), 11(E), 15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid and 3-oxa-13-oxo-9(Z), 11(E), 15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid. The 3-oxa-hydroperoxide also served as the substrate for the plant enzymes allene oxide synthase, divinyl ether synthase, and hydroperoxide lyase to produce 3-oxa-12-oxo-10, 15(Z)-phytodienoic acid and other 3-oxa-oxylipins that were characterized by MS, 3-Oxalinolenic acid was not oxygenated by 9-lipoxygenase from tomato but was converted at a slow rate into 3-oxa-9(S)-hydroperoxy-10(E), 12(Z), 15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid by recombinant maize 9-lipoxygenase. Recombinant α-dioxygenase-1 from Arabidopsis thaliana catalyzed the conversion of 3-oxalinolenic acid into a 2-hydroperoxide, which underwent spontaneous degradation into a mixture of 6,9,12-pentadecatrienol and 6,9,12-pentadecatrienyl formate. A novel α-dioxygenase from the moss Physcomitrella patens was cloned and expressed and was found to display the same activity with 3-oxalinolenic acid as Arabidopsis thaliana α-dioxygenase-1. Lipoxygenase-generated 3-oxa-oxylipins are resistant toward β-oxidation and have the potential for displaying enhanced biological activity in situations where activity is limited by metabolic degradation.     

The Fatty Acid 8,11-Diol Synthase of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus fumigatus</Emphasis> is Inhibited by Imidazole Derivatives and Unrelated to PpoB

(8R)-Hydroperoxy-(9Z,12Z)-octadecadienoic acid (8-HPODE) is formed by aspergilli as an intermediate in biosynthesis of oxylipins with effects on sporulation. 8-HPODE is transformed by separate diol synthases to (5S,8R)-dihydroxy- and (8R,11S)-dihydroxy-(9Z,12Z)-octadecadienoic acids (5,8- and 8,11-DiHODE). The former is formed by the cytochrome P450 (P450) domain of 5,8-linoleate diol synthase (5,8-LDS or PpoA). Our aim was to characterize the 8,11-diol synthase of Aspergillus fumigatus, which is prominent in many strains. The 8,11-diol synthase was soluble and had a larger molecular size (>100 kDa) than most P450. Miconazole, ketoconazole, and 1-benzylimidazole, classical inhibitors of P450, reduced the biosynthesis of 8,11-DiHODE from 8-HPODE (apparent IC₅₀ values ~0.8, ~5, and ~0.6 μM, respectively), but did not inhibit the biosynthesis of 5,8-DiHODE. Analysis of hydroperoxides of regioisomeric C₁₈ and C₂₀ fatty acids showed that the 8,11-diol synthase was specific for certain hydroperoxides with R configuration. The suprafacial hydrogen abstraction and oxygen insertion at C-11 of 8-HPODE was associated with a small deuterium kinetic isotope effect (^H k _cat/^D k _cat ~1.5), consistent with P450-catalyzed oxidation. The genome of A. fumigatus contains over 70 P450 sequences. The reaction mechanism, size, and solubility of 8,11-diol synthase pointed to PpoB, a homologue of 5,8-LDS, as a possible candidate of this activity. Gene deletion of ppoB of A. fumigatus strains AF:?ku80 and J272 did not inhibit biosynthesis of 8,11-DiHODE and recombinant PpoB appeared to lack diol synthase activity. We conclude that 8,11-DiHODE is formed from 8-HPODE by a soluble and substrate-specific 8,11-diol synthase with catalytic characteristics of class III P450.     

Biosynthesis of (3<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>,6<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>,9<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>)-3,6,9-Octadecatriene: The Main Component of the Pheromone Blend of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erannis bajaria</Emphasis>

The hydrocarbons (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-octadecatriene (3Z,6Z,9Z-18:H) and (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-nonadecatriene (3Z,6Z,9Z-19:H) constitute the pheromone of the winter moth, Erannis bajaria. These compounds belong to a large group of lepidopteran pheromones which consist of unsaturated hydrocarbons and their corresponding oxygenated derivatives. The biosynthesis of such hydrocarbons with an odd number of carbons in the chain is well understood. In contrast, knowledge about the biosynthesis of even numbered derivatives is lacking. We investigated the biosynthesis of 3Z,6Z,9Z-18:H by applying deuterium-labeled precursors to females of E. bajaria followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of extracts of the pheromone gland. A mixture of deuterium-labeled [17,17,18,18-²H₄]-3Z,6Z,9Z-18:H and the unlabeled 3Z,6Z,9Z-18:H was obtained after topical application and injection of (10Z,13Z,16Z)-[2,2,3,3-²H₄]-10,13,16-nonadecatrienoic acid ([2,2,3,3-²H₄]-10Z,13Z,16Z-19:acid) or (11Z,14Z,17Z)-[3,3,4,4-²H₄]-11,14,17-icosatrienoic acid ([3,3,4,4-²H₄]-11Z,14Z,17Z-20:acid). These results are consistent with a biosynthetic pathway that starts with α-linolenic acid (9Z,12Z,15Z-18:acid). Chain elongation leads to 11Z,14Z,17Z-20:acid, which is shortened by α-oxidation as the key step to yield 10Z,13Z,16Z-19:acid. This acid can be finally reduced to an aldehyde and decarbonylated or decarboxylated to furnish the pheromone component 3Z,6Z,9Z-18:H. A similar transformation of 11Z,14Z,17Z-20:acid yields the second pheromone component, 3Z,6Z,9Z-19:H.