User:Zhammy/Leukotriene-A4 hydrolase

Lead
Leukotriene-A4 hydrolase is an enzyme that catalyzes the reaction which converts Leukotriene A4 to Leukotriene B4. It is a bifunctional zinc enzyme (EC 3.3.2.6) with different amino acids attached to it to aid in the catalysis of the reaction. It also acts as an aminopeptidase. Leukotriene A4 hydrolase is a cytosolic protein and is found in almost all mammalian cells, tissues and organelles that have been examined.

Catalyzed Reaction
Leukotriene A4 Hydrolase catalyzes the reaction which converts leukotriene A4 to leukotriene B4. The Leukotriene A4 structure contains an epoxide ring functional group, which are highly reactive due to their ring strain. Leukotriene A4 Hydrolase provides the addition of a water molecule across the epoxide ring on Leukotriene A4. The addition of the water molecule opens the epoxide ring and causes the formation of the Hydroxy group at the carbon attached to the oxygen from the epoxide. The second carbon involved in the epoxide ring remains the same and this results in leukotriene B4. The product of the reaction is Leukotriene B4.

Function
This enzyme belongs to the family of hydrolases, specifically those acting on ether bonds (ether hydrolases). The systematic name 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.