Prostaglandin F synthase

Function

Prostaglandin F synthase or aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) catalyzes the conversion of aldehydes and ketones to alcohol using NADH or NADP as cofactor. It catalyzes the isomerization of prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) to prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and the formation of 11β-PGF2α from prostaglandin D2 (PGD2)^[1]. AKR1C3 also catalyzes the NADPH reduction of progesterone, estrone and androstene-dione.

Relevance

Since PGH2 is a potent vasoconstrictor, PGF2α is used to treat impotence and abortion. PGD2 is critical in the development of allergic diseases like asthma, hence inhibitors of AKR1C3 – mainly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds (NSAID) like flufenamic acid, mefenamic acid, indomethacin, naproxen, ibuprofen are used as drugs.

Structural highlights

Human AKR1C3 ^[2]. Water molecules are shown as red spheres.

3D structures of prostaglandin F synthase

prostaglandin F synthase 3D structures

References

1. ↑ Watanabe K. Prostaglandin F synthase. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat. 2002 Aug;68-69:401-7. PMID:12432932
2. ↑ Lovering AL, Ride JP, Bunce CM, Desmond JC, Cummings SM, White SA. Crystal structures of prostaglandin D(2) 11-ketoreductase (AKR1C3) in complex with the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs flufenamic acid and indomethacin. Cancer Res. 2004 Mar 1;64(5):1802-10. PMID:14996743