PROSTAGLANDIN SYNTHETASE Meaning and
Definition
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Prostaglandin synthetase, also known as prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (PTGS), is an enzyme involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are lipid compounds with diverse physiological effects in the body. Prostaglandins are synthesized from arachidonic acid, a fatty acid present in cell membranes, and they serve as important mediators in various types of cellular signaling.
Prostaglandin synthetase is responsible for catalyzing the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandin H2 (PGH2), a key intermediate in prostaglandin biosynthesis. It achieves this by catalyzing two sequential reactions: the first being the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandin G2 (PGG2), followed by the conversion of PGG2 into PGH2. These reactions involve the introduction of oxygen atoms into the arachidonic acid molecule, a process known as oxygenation.
There are two known isoforms of prostaglandin synthetase: PTGS1 (also referred to as cyclooxygenase-1 or COX-1) and PTGS2 (also known as cyclooxygenase-2 or COX-2). While both isoforms play a role in prostaglandin synthesis, they differ in terms of their distribution and regulation within the body. PTGS1 is widely expressed in many tissues and involved in the production of prostaglandins involved in normal physiological functions, while PTGS2 is predominantly induced during inflammation and associated with the production of prostaglandins involved in pain and inflammation responses.
Inhibitors of prostaglandin synthetase, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), work by
Common Misspellings for PROSTAGLANDIN SYNTHETASE
- orostaglandin synthetase
- lrostaglandin synthetase
- -rostaglandin synthetase
- 0rostaglandin synthetase
- peostaglandin synthetase
- pdostaglandin synthetase
- pfostaglandin synthetase
- ptostaglandin synthetase
- p5ostaglandin synthetase
- p4ostaglandin synthetase
- pristaglandin synthetase
- prkstaglandin synthetase
- prlstaglandin synthetase
- prpstaglandin synthetase
- pr0staglandin synthetase
- pr9staglandin synthetase
- proataglandin synthetase
- proztaglandin synthetase
- proxtaglandin synthetase
- prodtaglandin synthetase
Etymology of PROSTAGLANDIN SYNTHETASE
The word "prostaglandin" derives from the Greek words "prostates" meaning "prostate gland" and "hormao" meaning "to excite". Prostaglandins were initially discovered and thought to be synthesized mainly in the prostate gland, which led to the name. However, it was later found that prostaglandins are actually synthesized and produced by various tissues throughout the body.
The term "synthetase" in "prostaglandin synthetase" refers to an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of a specific compound, in this case, prostaglandins. The word "synthetase" is derived from the combination of the Greek prefix "syn-" meaning "together" or "with" and the word "thesis" meaning "placing" or "positioning".
