I. V. Pokotylo, Y. S. Kolesnikov, M. V. Derevyanchuk, A. I. Kharitonenko, V. S. Kravets

Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry and Petrochemistry,
National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
e-mail: kravets@bpci.kiev.ua

Lipoxygenases are widespread plant enzymes that catalyze the peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. This reaction is pivotal in the enzymatic cascade that leads to production of numerous metabolism regulators named oxylipins. The activity of these biologically active substances is directly associated with defence reactions in conditions of biotic and abiotic stresses as well as with the regulation of plant growth, propagation and senescence. In this review the contemporary notions about lipoxygenases­ classification, structure and catalytic properties are summarized. The features of enzyme activity regulation by transcriptional and posttranslational mechanisms in addition to the role of lipoxygenase catalysis in plant cell signalling are discussed.