Human fibroblasts show expression of the leukotriene‐A4‐hydrolase gene, which is increased after simian‐virus‐40 transformation

Abstract
Human fibroblasts in cell culture converted the epoxide intermediate leukotriene A4 into the potent chemotaxin leukotriene B4. The identity of leukotriene B4 was ascertained by its mobility in reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography, ultraviolet spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The presence of the enzyme responsible for the conversion (i.e. leukotriene A4 hydrolase), as well as the corresponding mRNA, were demonstrated by Western and Northern blot analyses. Leukotriene-A4-hydrolase enzyme activity, protein and mRNA were all enhanced (approximately threefold) in human fibroblasts that had been transformed by simian virus 40.