Catalytic Properties of Rice α-Oxygenase

Abstract

Long-chain fatty acids can be metabolized to C n؊1 aldehydes by ␣-oxidation in plants. The reaction mechanism of the enzyme has not been elucidated. In this study, a complete nucleotide sequence of fatty acid ␣-oxygenase gene in rice plants (Oryza sativa) was isolated. The deduced amino acid sequence showed some similarity with those of mammalian prostaglandin H synthases (PGHSs). The gene was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to apparently homogenous state. It showed the highest activity with linolei…