The enzymic conversion of <i>all</i>‐<i>cis</i> 8,11,14‐eicosatrienoic acid into prostaglandin E₁

Abstract

Abstract In the biosynthesis of prostaglandin E 1 (PGE 1 ) with an enzyme fraction of sheep vesicular glands glutathione and a moderate amount of antioxidant are required to obtain maximum yield; two oxygen molecules are consumed per mole PGE 1 formed. By altering the incubation conditions, besides PGE 1 various other products can be obtained. A scheme for the mechanism of the conversion is proposed in which the formation of PGE 1 as well as that of the byproducts is assumed to occur on the enzyme in concerted reactions via peroxy‐radicals and a cyclic peroxide.