Oxygenation of mitochondrial membranes by the erythroid lipoxygenase. Consequences for membrane properties.

The reticulocyte lipoxygenase is able to oxygenate mitochondrial membranes. The main products formed during this reaction are 15S-hydroperoxy-5Z,8Z,11Z,13E-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) and 13S-hydroperoxy-9Z,11E-octadecadienoic acid (13-HODE). The oxygenation of mitochondrial membranes is accompanied by an inactivation of enzymes localized in the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes, by a drastic change of the passive electric properties and by a destruction of the iron-sulfur clusters of the outer mitochondrial membrane. The possible mechanism of the processes leading to these functional changes is discussed.