What is "cyclooxygenase"

alt. (context enzyme English) Any of several enzymes that catalyze the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins; their inhibition is the mode of action of aspirin and ibuprofen. n. (context enzyme English) Any of several enzymes that catalyze the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins; their inhibition is the mode of action of aspirin and ibuprofen.

n. either of two related enzymes that control the production of prostaglandins and are blocked by aspirin [syn: Cox]

Cyclooxygenase (COX), officially known as prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (PTGS), is an enzyme (specifically, a family of isozymes, ) that is responsible for formation of prostanoids, including thromboxane and prostaglandins such as prostacyclin.

Pharmaceutical inhibition of COX can provide relief from the symptoms of inflammation and pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, exert their effects through inhibition of COX. Those that are specific to the COX-2 isozyme are called COX-2 inhibitors.

In medicine, the root symbol "COX" is encountered more often than "PTGS". In genetics, "PTGS" is officially used for this family of genes and proteins, because the root symbol "COX" was already used for the cytochrome c oxidase family. Thus the two izozymes found in humans, PTGS1 and PTGS2, are frequently called COX-1 and COX-2 in the medical literature. The names "prostaglandin synthase (PHS)", "prostaglandin synthetase (PHS)", and "prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthetase (PES)" are older terms still sometimes used to refer to COX.