PROSTAGLANDIN CYCLOOXYGENASE Meaning and
Definition
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Prostaglandin cyclooxygenase refers to an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the synthesis of certain groups of signaling molecules called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are lipid compounds that regulate various physiological processes in the body, including inflammation, blood flow, and blood clotting.
Cyclooxygenase, commonly known as COX, is an enzyme that exists in two isoforms: COX-1 and COX-2. Both isoforms are involved in the transformation of arachidonic acid, a type of fatty acid, into prostaglandins. Prostaglandin cyclooxygenase acts as a catalyst in this process, facilitating the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin H2, which is then converted to other prostaglandins by specific synthases.
Prostaglandin cyclooxygenase is an important target for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These drugs inhibit the activity of the enzyme, thereby reducing the production of prostaglandins and their associated inflammatory responses. Selective inhibitors of the COX-2 isoform have also been developed to specifically target inflammation while minimizing adverse effects on other physiological functions.
Overall, prostaglandin cyclooxygenase is a vital enzyme for the production of prostaglandins, which are involved in various biological processes. Its inhibition by certain drugs provides therapeutic benefits in the treatment of inflammation, pain, and fever.
Common Misspellings for PROSTAGLANDIN CYCLOOXYGENASE
- orostaglandin cyclooxygenase
- lrostaglandin cyclooxygenase
- -rostaglandin cyclooxygenase
- 0rostaglandin cyclooxygenase
- peostaglandin cyclooxygenase
- pdostaglandin cyclooxygenase
- pfostaglandin cyclooxygenase
- ptostaglandin cyclooxygenase
- p5ostaglandin cyclooxygenase
- p4ostaglandin cyclooxygenase
- pristaglandin cyclooxygenase
- prkstaglandin cyclooxygenase
- prlstaglandin cyclooxygenase
- prpstaglandin cyclooxygenase
- pr0staglandin cyclooxygenase
- pr9staglandin cyclooxygenase
- proataglandin cyclooxygenase
- proztaglandin cyclooxygenase
- proxtaglandin cyclooxygenase
- prodtaglandin cyclooxygenase
Etymology of PROSTAGLANDIN CYCLOOXYGENASE
The word "prostaglandin" is derived from the Latin word "prostate" (meaning gland) and "glândula" (meaning gland in Portuguese). It was first discovered in the prostate gland of a pig in the 1930s by the Swedish physiologist Ulf von Euler.
The term "cyclooxygenase" is a combination of two parts: "cyclooxygen" and "ase". "Cyclooxygen" refers to the enzyme that mediates the conversion of unsaturated fatty acids into cyclic endoperoxides, which are crucial for the synthesis of prostaglandins. The term "ase" is a suffix commonly used in biochemistry to indicate an enzyme.
So, "prostaglandin cyclooxygenase" is a compound term that refers to the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of prostaglandins by converting unsaturated fatty acids into cyclic endoperoxides.
