Two human 12-lipoxygenase enzyme (arachidonate:oxygen 12-oxidoreductase, EC 1.13.11.31)-related genes were characterized from 13 distinct clones isolated from three genomic bacteriophage and cosmid libraries. A complete gene (12-lipoxygenase gene 1) spanning approximately 17 kilobases and consisting of 14 exons with sequence matching the cloned platelet/human erythroleukemia (HEL) cell cDNA sequence was identified. Several consensus sites for transcription factors and two potential transcription initiation sites within the 5' flanking region, encompassing the putative promoter region, were identified. A segment of a second, probable pseudogene (12-lipoxygenase gene 2), which displays approximately 85% identity to gene 1 within exon sequences, was also characterized. The presence of two 12-lipoxygenase genes was also substantiated by Southern blot analysis of total human genomic DNA. Exon-intron boundaries for the 12-lipoxygenase genes were located in the identical corresponding positions to the previously cloned human 5-lipoxygenase and rabbit 15-lipoxygenase genes, indicating a highly related gene family. Three lipoxygenase genes (12-lipoxygenase genes 1 and 2, 15-lipoxygenase) were localized to human chromosome 17, whereas the most unrelated lipoxygenase (5-lipoxygenase) was mapped to chromosome 10 by PCR analysis of a human-hamster somatic hybrid DNA panel. 12-Lipoxygenase gene 1 expression could be detected in human erythroleukemia cells, platelets, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells with certainty by reverse transcription-PCR analysis. There was no detectable 12-lipoxygenase gene 2 expression in several tissues and cell lines.