A Keratinocyte-Specific Epoxygenase, CYP2B12, Metabolizes Arachidonic Acid with Unusual Selectivity, Producing a Single Major Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acid

The study identified CYP2B12 as a keratinocyte-specific enzyme expressed in sebocytes within sebaceous glands, metabolizing arachidonic acid into 11,12- and 8,9-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) with unusual selectivity. This enzyme's expression coincided with sebaceous gland development in neonatal rats and was confirmed using recombinant CYP2B12 in E. coli. The findings suggested CYP2B12's crucial role in generating bioactive lipids and intracellular signaling in keratinocytes, potentially maintaining their differentiated phenotype. Despite its significant role, the presence of other epoxygenases like CYP2B15 was indicated due to additional EETs detected in sebaceous tissues.