Figure 1.

Classification of mammalian ALOX isoforms according to the conventional arachidonic acid-based nomenclature. According to the reaction specificity of arachidonic acid, oxygenation mammalian ALOX isoforms can be classified in four different groups: (i) AA 15-lipoxygenating enzymes, (ii) AA 12-lipoxygenating enzymes, (iii) AA 5-lipoxygenating enzymes, and (iv) AA 8-lipoxygenating enzymes. Typical representatives of these four classes are given. This nomenclature is outdated and should not be used any more since it ignores the evolutionary relationships between the enzymes. The use of the gene-based enzyme nomenclature is preferred.