Reconstitution of vacuolar-type rotary H+-ATPase/synthase from Thermus thermophilus

Vacuolar-type rotary H(+)-ATPase/synthase (V(o)V(1)) from Thermus thermophilus, composed of nine subunits, A, B, D, F, C, E, G, I, and L, has been reconstituted from individually isolated V(1) (A(3)B(3)D(1)F(1)) and V(o) (C(1)E(2)G(2)I(1)L(12)) subcomplexes in vitro. A(3)B(3)D and A(3)B(3) also reconstituted with V(o), resulting in a holoenzyme-like complexes. However, A(3)B(3)D-V(o) and A(3)B(3)-V(o) did not show ATP synthesis and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-sensitive ATPase activity. The reconstitution process was monitored in real time by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between an acceptor dye attached to subunit F or D in V(1) or A(3)B(3)D and a donor dye attached to subunit C in V(o). The estimated dissociation constants K(d) for V(o)V(1) and A(3)B(3)D-V(o) were ～0.3 and ～1 nm at 25 °C, respectively. These results suggest that the A(3)B(3) domain tightly associated with the two EG peripheral stalks of V(o), even in the absence of the central shaft subunits. In addition, F subunit is essential for coupling of ATP hydrolysis and proton translocation and has a key role in the stability of whole complex. However, the contribution of the F subunit to the association of A(3)B(3) with V(o) is much lower than that of the EG peripheral stalks.     

Photosynthetic pathway influences xylem structure and function in Flaveria (Asteraceae)

Higher water use efficiency (WUE) in C(4) plants may allow for greater xylem safety because transpiration rates are reduced. To evaluate this hypothesis, stem hydraulics and anatomy were compared in 16 C(3), C(3)-C(4) intermediate, C(4)-like and C(4) species in the genus Flaveria. The C(3) species had the highest leaf-specific conductivity (K(L)) compared with intermediate and C(4) species, with the perennial C(4) and C(4)-like species having the lowest K(L) values. Xylem-specific conductivity (K(S)) was generally highest in the C(3) species and lower in intermediate and C(4) species. Xylem vessels were shorter, narrower and more frequent in C(3)-C(4) intermediate, C(4)-like and C(4) species compared with C(3) species. WUE values were approximately double in the C(4)-like and C(4) species relative to the C(3)-C(4) and C(3) species. C(4)-like photosynthesis arose independently at least twice in Flaveria, and the trends in WUE and K(L) were consistent in both lineages. These correlated changes in WUE and K(L) indicate WUE increase promoted K(L) decline during C(4) evolution; however, any involvement of WUE comes late in the evolutionary sequence. C(3)-C(4) species exhibited reduced K(L) but little change in WUE compared to C(3) species, indicating that some reduction in hydraulic efficiency preceded increases in WUE.     

δ(13) C of leaf-respired CO(2) reflects intrinsic water-use efficiency in barley

Leaf intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUE), the ratio of photosynthetic rate to stomatal conductance (A/g(s) ), is a key plant trait linking terrestrial carbon and water cycles. A rapid, integrative proxy for A/g(s) is of benefit to crop breeding programmes aiming to improve WUE, but also for ecologists interested in plant carbon-water balance in natural systems. We hypothesize that the carbon isotope composition of leaf-respired CO(2) (δ(13) C(Rl) ), two hours after leaves are transferred to the dark, records photosynthetic carbon isotope discrimination and so provides a proxy for A/g(s) . To test this hypothesis, δ(13) C(Rl) was measured in four barley cultivars grown in the field at two levels of water availability and compared to leaf-level gas exchange (the ratio of leaf intercellular to ambient CO(2) partial pressure, C(i) /C(a) , and A/g(s) ). Leaf-respired CO(2) was more (13) C-depleted in plants grown at higher water availability, varied between days as environmental conditions changed, and was significantly different between cultivars. A strong relationship between δ(13) C(Rl) and δ(13) C of sucrose was observed. δ(13) C(Rl) was converted into apparent photosynthetic discrimination (Δ(13) C(Rl) ) revealing strong relationships between Δ(13) C(Rl) and C(i) /C(a) and A/g(s) during the vegetative stage of growth. We therefore conclude that δ(13) C(Rl) may provide a rapid, integrative proxy for A/g(s) in barley.     

3-Amidoquinuclidine derivatives: synthesis of compounds and inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase

The synthesis of racemic and enantiomerically pure 3-butanamidoquinuclidines ((+/-)-Bu, (R)-Bu and (S)-Bu), (1-3) and 3-benzamidoquinuclidines ((+/-)-Bz, (R)-Bz, and (S)-Bz), (4-6) is described. The N-quaternary derivatives, N-benzyl-3-butanamidoquinuclidinium bromides ((+/-)-BnlBu, (R)-BnlBu and (S)-BnlBu), (7-9) and N-benzyl-3-benzamidoquinuclidinium bromides ((+/-)-BnlBz, (R)-BnlBz and (S)-BnlBz), (10-12) were subsequently synthesized. The interaction of the four enantiomerically pure quaternary derivatives with horse serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) was tested. All tested compounds inhibited the enzyme. The best inhibitior of the enzyme was (S)-BnlBz with a K(i) = 3.7 microM. The inhibitor potency decreases in order (S)-BnlBz > (R)-BnlBz > (R)-BnlBu > (S)-BnlBu.     

Conformational analysis of a potent SSTR3-selective somatostatin analogue by NMR in water solution.

The three-dimensional structure of a potent SSTR3-selective analogue of somatostatin, cyclo(3-14)H-Cys(3)-Phe(6)-Tyr(7)-D-Agl(8)(N(beta) Me, 2-naphthoyl)-Lys(9)-Thr(10)-Phe(11)-Cys(14)-OH (des-AA(1, 2, 4, 5, 12, 13)[Tyr(7), D-Agl(8)(N(beta) Me, 2-naphthoyl)]-SRIF) (peptide 1) has been determined by (1)H NMR in water and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The peptide exists in two conformational isomers differing mainly by the cis/trans isomerization of the side chain in residue 8. The structure of 1 is compared with the consensus structural motifs of other somatostatin analogues that bind predominantly to SSTR1, SSTR2/SSTR5 and SSTR4 receptors, and to the 3D structure of a non-selective SRIF analogue, cyclo(3-14)H-Cys(3)-Phe(6)-Tyr(7)-D-2Nal(8)-Lys(9)-Thr(10)-Phe(11)-Cys(14)-OH (des-AA(1, 2, 4, 5, 12, 13)[Tyr(7), D-2Nal(8)]-SRIF) (peptide 2). The structural determinant factors that could explain selectivity of peptide 1 for SSTR3 receptors are discussed.     

Cyclopeptides from Sagina japonica (Caryophyllaceae)

Two new cyclic peptides, named sajaponicin C (1) and sajaponicin D (2), were isolated from the whole plants of Sagina japonica (Caryophyllaceae). Their structures were determined as cyclo(Pro(2)-Leu(2)-Tyr-Leu(1)-Phe(1)-Pro(3)-Phe(2)-Pro(1)) (1) and cyclo(Pro(1)-Pro(2)-Pro(3)-Pro(4)-Phe(1)-Gly-Thr-Ser-Phe(2)-Ile-Tyr) (2) on the basis of spectroscopic data, especially by two-dimensional (2D) NMR techniques.     

Technical note: interpreting stable carbon isotopes in human tooth enamel: an examination of tissue spacings from South Africa

Stable isotope analysis of skeletal tissues is widely used in archeology and paleoanthropology to reconstruct diet. In material that is poorly preserved or very old, the tissue of choice is frequently tooth enamel, since this is less susceptible to diagenesis. The relationships between carbon isotope ratios in tooth enamel (δ(13) C(enamel) ), bone collagen (δ(13) C(collagen) ), and bone apatite (δ(13) C(bone apatite) ) are, however, not well understood. To elucidate these, we have measured all three indicators in archeological humans from the western and southern Cape coastal regions of South Africa. The correlation between δ(13) C(enamel) and δ(13) C(collagen) is good (R(2) = 0.71 if two outliers are excluded, n = 79). The correlation between δ(13) C(enamel) and δ(13) C(bone apatite) is weaker (R(2) = 0.37, n = 33) possibly due to bone diagenesis. No systematic offset between δ(13) C(bone apatite) and δ(13) C(enamel) was observed in this sample of archeological humans. Intertooth comparisons of δ(13) C(enamel) in three individuals showed little variation, despite the different ages of crown formation. Carbon isotope ratios in both enamel and bone collagen are good proxies for δ(13) C(diet) .     

Brain neurotransmitter receptor-binding characteristics in rats after oral administration of haloperidol, risperidone and olanzapine

The present study was conducted to characterize the binding of neurotransmitter receptors (dopamine D(2), serotonin 5-HT(2), histamine H(1), adrenaline alpha(1) and muscarine M(l) receptors) in the rat's brain after the oral administration of haloperidol, risperidone, and olanzapine. Haloperidol at 1 and 3 mg/kg displayed significant activity to bind the D(2) receptor (increase in the Kd value for [(3)H]raclopride binding) in the corpus striatum with little change in the activity toward the 5-HT(2) receptor (binding parameters for [(3)H]ketanserin). In contrast, risperidone (0.1-3 mg/kg) showed roughly 30 times more affinity for the 5-HT(2) receptor than D(2) receptor. Also, olanzapine (1-10 mg/kg) was most active toward the H(1) receptor in the cerebral cortex, corpus striatum, and hippocampus, was less active in binding 5-HT(2) and D(2) receptors, and showed the least affinity for alpha(1) and M(1) receptors. In conclusion, haloperidol and risperidone administered orally selectively bind D(2) and 5-HT(2) receptors, respectively, in the rat brain, while olanzapine binds H(1), 5-HT(2), and D(2) receptors more than alpha(1) and M(1) receptors.     

Crystal structure and aqueous solubility of ammonium D-glucarate

Ammonium D-glucarate, NH(4)(C(6)H(9)O(8)) [ammonium D-saccharate, NH(4)-SAC], has been synthesized, and its crystal structure solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. NH(4)-SAC crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1) (#4) with cell parameters a = 4.8350(4) Angstroms, b = 11.0477(8) Angstroms, c = 16.7268(12) Angstroms, beta = 90.973(1) degrees, V = 894.34(12) Angstroms(3), Z = 3. The structure was refined by full-matrix least-squares on F(2) yielding final R-values (all data) R1 = 0.0353 and R(w)2 = 0.0870. The structure consists of alternating (NH(4))(+) and (C(6)H(11)O(6))(-) layers parallel to the bc plane. An extended network of N-H...O(SAC) and O(SAC)-H...O(SAC) hydrogen bonds provide the 3-D connectivity. The aqueous solubility (S(w)) has been shown to be pH independent at ambient conditions within the range 4.5 < pH < 10 with S(w) = 2.19 M/L, whose value is about a factor of two lower than that of the ammonium isosaccharate analogue.     

Sulfide oxidation at halo-alkaline conditions in a fed-batch bioreactor

A biotechnological process is described to remove hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) from high-pressure natural gas and sour gases produced in the petrochemical industry. The process operates at halo-alkaline conditions and combines an aerobic sulfide-oxidizing reactor with an anaerobic sulfate (SO(4) (2-)) and thiosulfate (S(2)O(3) (2-)) reducing reactor. The feasibility of biological H(2)S oxidation at pH around 10 and total sodium concentration of 2 mol L(-1) was studied in gas-lift bioreactors, using halo-alkaliphilic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (HA-SOB). Reactor operation at different oxygen to sulfide (O(2):H(2)S) supply ratios resulted in a stable low redox potential that was directly related with the polysulfide (S(x) (2-)) and total sulfide concentration in the bioreactor. Selectivity for SO(4) (2-) formation decreased with increasing S(x) (2-) and total sulfide concentrations. At total sulfide concentrations above 0.25 mmol L(-1), selectivity for SO(4) (2-) formation approached zero and the end products of H(2)S oxidation were elemental sulfur (S(0)) and S(2)O(3) (2-). Maximum selectivity for S(0) formation (83.3+/-0.7%) during stable reactor operation was obtained at a molar O(2):H(2)S supply ratio of 0.65. Under these conditions, intermediary S(x) (2-) plays a major role in the process. Instead of dissolved sulfide (HS(-)), S(x) (2-) seemed to be the most important electron donor for HA-SOB under S(0) producing conditions. In addition, abiotic oxidation of S(x) (2-) was the main cause of undesirable formation of S(2)O(3) (2-). The observed biomass growth yield under SO(4) (2-) producing conditions was 0.86 g N mol(-1) H(2)S. When selectivity for SO(4) (2-) formation was below 5%, almost no biomass growth was observed.     

Vitamin D receptor is not required for the rapid actions of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to increase intracellular calcium and activate protein kinase C in mouse osteoblasts

The rapid, non-genomic actions of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] have been well described, however, the role of the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) in this pathway remains unclear. To address this question, we used VDR(+/+) and VDR(-/-) osteoblasts isolated from wild-type and VDR null mice to study the increase in intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) and activation of protein kinase C (PKC) induced by 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). Within 1 min of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) (100 nM) treatment, an increase of 58 and 53 nM in [Ca(2+)](i) (n = 3) was detected in VDR(+/+) and VDR(-/-) cells, respectively. By 5 min, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) caused a 2.1- and 1.9-fold increase (n = 6) in the phosphorylation of PKC substrate peptide acetylated-MBP(4-14) in VDR(+/+) and VDR(-/-) osteoblasts. The 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced phosphorylation was abolished by GF109203X, a general PKC inhibitor, in both cell types, confirming that the secosteroid induced PKC activity. Moreover, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) treatment resulted in the same degree of translocation of PKC-alpha and PKC-delta, but not of PKC-zeta, from cytosol to plasma membrane in both VDR(+/+) and VDR(-/-) cells. These experiments demonstrate that the 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced rapid increases in [Ca(2+)](i) and PKC activity are neither mediated by, nor dependent upon, a functional nuclear VDR in mouse osteoblasts. Thus, VDR is not essential for these rapid actions of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in osteoblasts.     

Addition of a peptide fragment on an alpha-helical depsipeptide induces alpha/3(10)-conjugated helix: synthesis, crystal structure, and CD spectra of Boc-Leu-Leu-Ala-(Leu-Leu-Lac)3-Leu-Leu-OEt

The depsipeptide Boc(1)-Leu(2)-Leu(3)-Ala(4)-Leu(5)-Leu(6)-Lac(7)-Leu(8)-Leu(9)-Lac(10)-Leu(11)-Leu(12)-Lac(13)-Leu(14)-Leu(15)-OEt(16) (1) (Boc = tert-butyloxycarbonyl, Lac = L-lactic acid residue) has been synthesized from the peptide Boc-Leu-Leu-Ala-OEt (2) and a depsipeptide, Boc-(Leu-Leu-Lac)(3)-Leu-Leu-OEt (3). Single crystals of 1 were successfully obtained and the structure has been solved by direct methods (such as Sir2002 and Shake-and-Bake). Interestingly, 1 adopts an alpha/3(10)-conjugated helix containing a kink at the junction of peptide and depsipeptide segments, Leu3-Lac7. This is significantly different from the conformation of 3, which has a straight alpha-helical structure with standard phi and psi angles. Microcrystalline CD spectra were also studied to compare structural properties of 1 and 3. The differences between alpha/3(10)- and alpha-helices appear in these CD spectra.     

Covalent modification of GABAA receptor isoforms by a diazepam analogue provides evidence for a novel benzodiazepine binding site that prevents modulation by these drugs

Classical benzodiazepines, for example diazepam, interact with alpha(x)beta(2)gamma(2) GABA(A) receptors, x = 1, 2, 3, 5. Little is known about effects of alpha subunits on the structure of the binding pocket. We studied here the interaction of the covalently reacting diazepam analog 7-Isothiocyanato-5-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one (NCS compound) with alpha(1)H101Cbeta(2)gamma(2) and with receptors containing the homologous mutation, alpha(2)H101Cbeta(2)gamma(2), alpha(3)H126Cbeta(2)gamma(2) and alpha(5)H105Cbeta(2)gamma(2). This comparison was extended to alpha(6)R100Cbeta(2)gamma(2) receptors as this mutation conveys to these receptors high affinity towards classical benzodiazepines. The interaction was studied at the ligand binding level and at the functional level using electrophysiological techniques. Results indicate that the geometry of alpha(6)R100Cbeta(2)gamma(2) enables best interaction with NCS compound, followed by alpha(3)H126Cbeta(2)gamma(2), alpha(1)H101Cbeta(2)gamma(2) and alpha(2)H101Cbeta(2)gamma(2), while alpha(5)H105Cbeta(2)gamma(2) receptors show little interaction. Our results allow conclusions about the relative apposition of alpha(1)H101 and homologous positions in alpha(2), alpha(3), alpha(5) and alpha(6) with the position occupied by -Cl in diazepam. During this study we found evidence for the presence of a novel site for benzodiazepines that prevents modulation of GABA(A) receptors via the classical benzodiazepine site. The novel site potentially contributes to the high degree of safety to some of these drugs. Our results indicate that this site may be located at the alpha/beta subunit interface pseudo-symmetrically to the site for classical benzodiazepines located at the alpha/gamma interface.     

Preparation, structures and electrochemical property of phosphine substituted diiron azadithiolates relevant to the active site of Fe-only hydrogenases

Mono- and di-phosphine diiron azadithiolate complexes [{(mu-SCH(2))(2)N(4-NO(2)C(6)H(4))}Fe(2)(CO)(5)(PMe(3))] (2), [{(mu-SCH(2))(2)N(4-NO(2)C(6)H(4))}{Fe(CO)(2)L}(2)] (3, L=PMe(3); 4, PMe(2)Ph) and the mu-hydride diiron complex [3(FeHFe)](+)[PF(6)](-) were prepared as biomimetic models of the active site of Fe-only hydrogenases. The complexes 2-4 and [3(FeHFe)](+)[PF(6)](-) were characterized by IR, (31)P, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra and their molecular structures were determined by single crystal X-ray analyses. The PMe(3) ligand in complex 2 lies on the basal position. The PMe(3)-disubstituted complex 3 exists as two configuration isomers, transoid basal/basal and apical/basal, in the crystalline state, while two PMe(2)Ph ligands of 4 are in an apical/basal orientation. The variable temperature (31)P NMR spectra of 2 and 3 were made to have an insight into the existence of the possible conformation isomers of 2 and 3 in solution. The [3(FeHFe)](+) cation possesses the sole transoid ba/ba geometry as other reported mu-hydride diiron analogues. The electrocatalytic property of {(mu-SCH(2))(2)NC(6)H(5)}[Fe(CO)(2)PMe(3)](2) (5) was studied for proton reduction in the presence of HOAc.     

Acylated anthocyanins from the violet-blue flowers of Orychophragonus violaceus

Three acylated cyanidin 3-sambubioside-5-glucosides (1-3) were isolated from the violet-blue flowers of Orychophragonus violaceus, and their structures were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods. Two of those acylated anthocyanins (1 and 3) were cyanidin 3-O-[2-O-(2-O-(4-O-(6-O-(4-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-trans-caffeoyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-trans-caffeoyl)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-6-O-(4-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-trans-acyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside]-5-O-(6-O-malonyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside)s, in which the acyl groups were p-coumaric acid for 1, and sinapic acid for 3, respectively. The last anthocyanin 2 was cyanidin 3-O-[2-O-(2-O-(4-O-(6-O-(4-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-trans-caffeoyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-trans-caffeoyl)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-6-O-(4-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-trans-feruloyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside]-5-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside. In these flowers, the anthocyanins 2 and 3 were present as dominant pigments, and 1 was obtained in rather small amounts.     

Electronic ground states of low-spin iron(III) porphyrinoids

Six-coordinate low-spin iron(III) porphyrinates adopt either common (d(xy))(2)(d(xz),d(yz))(3) or less common (d(xz),d(yz))(4)(d(xy))(1) ground state. In this review article, three major factors that affect the electronic ground state have been examined. They are (i) nature of the axial ligand, (ii) electronic effect of peripheral substituents, and (iii) deformation of porphyrin ring. On the basis of the (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and EPR data, it is now clear that (i) the axial ligands with low-lying pi* orbitals such as tert-butylisocyanide and 4-cyanopyridine, (ii) the electron donating groups at the meso-carbon atoms, and (iii) the ruffled deformation of porphyrin ring stabilize the (d(xz),d(yz))(4)(d(xy))(1) ground state. By manipulating these factors, we are able to prepare various low-spin iron(III) porphyrinates with unusual electronic structures such as bis(imidazole) complexes with the (d(xz),d(yz))(4)(d(xy))(1) ground state or bis(tert-butylisocyanide) complexes with the (d(xy))(2)(d(xz),d(yz))(3) ground state; bis(imidazole) and bis(tert-butylisocyanide) complexes usually adopt the (d(xy))(2)(d(xz),d(yz))(3) and (d(xz),d(yz))(4)(d(xy))(1) ground state, respectively.     

Molecular basis for maintenance of fidelity during the CCA-adding reaction by a CCA-adding enzyme

CCA-adding enzyme builds the 3'-end CCA of tRNA without a nucleic acid template. The mechanism for the maintenance of fidelity during the CCA-adding reaction remains elusive. Here, we present almost a dozen complex structures of the class I CCA-adding enzyme and tRNA mini-helices (mini-D(73)N(74), mini-D(73)N(74)C(75) and mini-D(73)C(74)N(75); D(73) is a discriminator nucleotide and N is either A, G, or U). The mini-D(73)N(74) complexes adopt catalytically inactive open forms, and CTP shifts the enzymes to the active closed forms and allows N(74) to flip for CMP incorporation. In contrast, unlike the catalytically active closed form of the mini-D(73)C(74)C(75) complex, the mini-D(73)N(74)C(75) and mini-D(73)C(74)N(75) complexes adopt inactive open forms. Only the mini-D(73)C(74)U(75) accepts AMP to a similar extent as mini-D(73)C(74)C(75), and ATP shifts the enzyme to a closed, active form and allows U(75) to flip for AMP incorporation. These findings suggest that the 3'-region of RNA is proofread, after two nucleotide additions, in the closed, active form of the complex at the AMP incorporation stage. This proofreading is a prerequisite for the maintenance of fidelity for complete CCA synthesis.     

Dihydroxydocosahexaenoic acids of the neuroprotectin D family: synthesis, structure, and inhibition of human 5-lipoxygenase

During aerobic oxidation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), soybean lipoxygenase (sLOX) has been shown to form 7,17(S)-dihydro(pero)xydocosahexaenoic acid [7,17(S)-diH(P)DHA] along with its previously described positional isomer, 10,17(S)-dihydro(pero)xydocosahexa-4Z,7Z,11E,13Z,15E,19Z-enoic acid. 7,17(S)-diH(P)DHA was also obtained via sLOX-catalyzed oxidation of either 17(S)-hydroperoxydocosahexaenoic acid [17(S)-HPDHA] or 17(S)-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid [17(S)-HDHA]. The structures of the products were elucidated by normal-phase, reverse-phase, and chiral-phase HPLC analyses and by ultraviolet, NMR, and tandem mass spectroscopy and GC-MS. 7,17(S)-diH(P)DHA was shown to have 4Z,8E,10Z,13Z,15E,19Z geometry of the double bonds. In addition, a compound apparently identical to the sLOX-derived 7,17(S)-diH(P)DHA was produced by another enzyme, potato tuber LOX, in the reactions of oxygenation of either 17(S)-HPDHA or 17(S)-HDHA. All of the dihydroxydocosahexaenoic acids (diHDHAs) formed by either of the enzymes were clearly produced through double lipoxygenation of the corresponding substrate. 7,17(S)-diHDHA inhibited human recombinant 5-lipoxygenase in the reaction of arachidonic acid (AA) oxidation. In standard conditions with 100 microM AA as substrate, the IC(50) value for 7,17(S)-diHDHA was found to be 7 microM, whereas IC(50) for 10,17(S)-DiHDHA was 15 microM. Similar inhibition by the diHDHAs was observed with sLOX, a quintessential 15LOX, although the strongest inhibition was produced by 10,17(S)-diHDHA (IC(50) = 4 microM). Inhibition of sLOX by 7,17(S)-diHDHA was slightly less potent, with an IC(50) value of 9 microM. These findings suggest that 7,17(S)-diHDHA along with its 10,17(S) counterpart might have anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities, which could be exerted, at least in part, through direct inhibition of 5LOX and 15LOX.