Abstract
This study was made to determine the mechanism for the prostaglandin (PG) synthesis in the marine alga, Gracilaria verrucosa, which is not affected by the cyclooxygenase inhibitors.
The major component of PG produced by G. verrucosa is PGE2. To investigate PG synthesis, attention was directed to the behavior of arachidonic acid, the precursor of PGE2.
Glycolipids and phospholipids in G. verrucosa are considered to be the stored forms of arachidonic acid, based on the results of fatty acid contents before and after the PG synthetic reaction.
Examination of the PG synthetic pathway in G. verrucosa using 14C-labeled arachidonic acid confirmed PGE2 to be synthesized via the novel intermediate, 15-hydroperoxy-PGE2.
