EH3 (ABHD9): the first member of a new epoxide hydrolase family with high activity for fatty acid epoxides

J Lipid Res. 2012 Oct;53(10):2038-2045. doi: 10.1194/jlr.M024448. Epub 2012 Jul 12.

Abstract

Epoxide hydrolases are a small superfamily of enzymes important for the detoxification of chemically reactive xenobiotic epoxides and for the processing of endogenous epoxides that act as signaling molecules. Here, we report the identification of two human epoxide hydrolases: EH3 and EH4. They share 45% sequence identity, thus representing a new family of mammalian epoxide hydrolases. Quantitative RT-PCR from mouse tissue indicates strongest EH3 expression in lung, skin, and upper gastrointestinal tract. The recombinant enzyme shows a high turnover number with 8,9-, 11,12-, and 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET), as well as 9,10-epoxyoctadec-11-enoic acid (leukotoxin). It is inhibited by a subclass of N,N'-disubstituted urea derivatives, including 12-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)-dodecanoic acid, 1-cyclohexyl-3-dodecylurea, and 1-(1-acetylpiperidin-4-yl)-3-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)urea, compounds so far believed to be selective inhibitors of mammalian soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). Its sensitivity to this subset of sEH inhibitors may have implications on the pharmacologic profile of these compounds. This is particularly relevant because sEH is a potential drug target, and clinical trials are under way exploring the value of sEH inhibitors in the treatment of hypertension and diabetes type II.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • 8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Epoxide Hydrolases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Epoxide Hydrolases / chemistry
  • Epoxide Hydrolases / metabolism*
  • Epoxy Compounds / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inactivation, Metabolic
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Phylogeny
  • Stearic Acids / metabolism
  • Xenobiotics / metabolism

Substances

  • Epoxy Compounds
  • Stearic Acids
  • Xenobiotics
  • 9,10-epoxystearic acid
  • 14,15-epoxy-5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid
  • EPHX3 protein, human
  • EPHX4 protein, human
  • Epoxide Hydrolases
  • 8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid