1. The mode of action of flax-seed hydroperoxide isomerase was studied in vitro by using as substrates linoleic acid hydroperoxides formed by soya-bean lipoxygenase. 2. The enzyme converts only 13-hydroperoxyoctadeca-cis-9-trans-11-dienoic acid, whereas the 9-hydroperoxy isomer does not react. 3. The isomerization product was identified by chemical and spectroscopic methods as 13-hydroxy-12-oxo-octadec-cis-9-enoic acid. 4. 12,13-Epoxyoleic acid isomers do not act as intermediates in the isomerization reaction. 5. Suggestions for a functional relationship between hydroperoxide isomerase and lipoxygenase are discussed.
