Fig. 1.

Alternative biosynthesis of lipid mediators. The canonical pathway of eicosanoids and other known lipid mediator biosynthesis by PLA₂ hydrolysis followed by enzymatic oxidation of the released free fatty acids (left) is presented in contrast to the alternative pathway (right) of first oxidation of an unsaturated lipid (CL in this example) followed by enzymatic hydrolysis. This alternative pathway represents biosynthesis of lipid mediators through pathways of nontraditional enzymatic targets. PC, phosphatidylcholine; PE, phosphatidylethanolamine; PS, phosphatidylserine; PI, phosphatidylinositol.