RETENTION OF THE LABEL DURING THE CONVERSION OF [3-H-3]SQUALENE INTO (3S)-2,3-OXIDOSQUALENE CATALYZED BY MAMMALIAN SQUALENE OXIDASE

Squalene epoxidase is the only known flavoprotein that catalyzes the e poxidation of an olefin. In order to test the possibility of a catalyt ic non-heme metal-based mechanism, the conversion of chemically synthe sized [3-H-3]squalene into [H-3]2,3-oxidosqualene, by partially purifi ed pig liver squalene epoxidase, was studied. No exchange of the label ed hydrogen could be observed, ruling out a mechanism involving,e.g.,a n iron carbene type species at C-3. (C) 1995 Academic Inc.