Enzymatic preparation of prostaglandin endoperoxides

A simple and reliable method is described for the preparation of the endoperoxide intermediates (PGG2 and PGH2) in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins. The endoperoxides are thermolabile and easily decomposed by water (t 1/2 congruent to 5 min at 37 degrees C). Because of this, special precautions must be taken to work at low temperature and to minimize contact with moisture. Milligram quantities of PGG2 and PGH2 were obtained by running several reactions successively and pooling the extracts before chromatographic fractionation. The method is now being developed further to scale up the procedure.