Fish Oil Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Fish Oil, including details on omega-3, dosage, health benefits, diet.

Biosynthetic intermediates and stereochemical aspects of aldehyde biosynthesis in the marine diatom Thalassiosira rotula.

d'Ippolito G, Cutignano A, Tucci S, Romano G, Cimino G, Fontana A

Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, I-80078 Pozzuoli (Napoli), Italy.

Intermediates of the aldehyde biosynthesis in Thalassiosira rotula are investigated. Use of labeled precursors and cell preparations proves production of 2E,4Z-octadienal from 6Z,9Z,12Z-hexadecatrienoic acid (C16:3 omega-4) through the lipoxygenase-dependent intermediate (9S)-9-hydroperoxyhexadeca-6,10,12-trienoic acid. On the contrary, synthesis of 2E,4Z,7Z-decatrienal involves mainly EPA (C20:5 omega-3) by a 11R-lipoxygenase, as suggested by identification of chiral 11R-HEPE (12% e.e.) in the diatom extracts. Consistently with the necessity to have a rapid transport and metabolization of the intermediate hydroperoxides, we show that lipoxygenase and lyase activities are both found in the same subcellular fraction of the microalga.

Published 13 January 2006 in Phytochemistry, 67(3): 314-22.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Fish Oil Research Today. All Rights Reserved.