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Lipoxygenases are non-heme iron enzymes that catalyze the dioxygenation of
polyunsaturated fatty acids, yielding hydroperoxides. The first crystal
structures have recently been published, revealing an unusual iron site. There
have also been substantial developments in the analysis of the kinetics of the
reaction, including the observation of uniquely large primary deuterium isotope
effects. Exploitation of these results should enable substantial progress in
understanding what appears to be a complicated and fascinating chemical
mechanism.
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