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Publication Abstract from PubMed

Cyclooxygenases are bifunctional enzymes that catalyse the first committed step in the synthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxanes and other eicosanoids. The two known cyclooxygenases isoforms share a high degree of amino-acid sequence similarity, structural topology and an identical catalytic mechanism. Cyclooxygenase enzymes catalyse two sequential reactions in spatially distinct, but mechanistically coupled active sites. The initial cyclooxygenase reaction converts arachidonic acid (which is achiral) to prostaglandin G2 (which has five chiral centres). The subsequent peroxidase reaction reduces prostaglandin G2 to prostaglandin H2. Here we report the co-crystal structures of murine apo-cyclooxygenase-2 in complex with arachidonic acid and prostaglandin. These structures suggest the molecular basis for the stereospecificity of prostaglandin G2 synthesis.

Structural insights into the stereochemistry of the cyclooxygenase reaction.,Kiefer JR, Pawlitz JL, Moreland KT, Stegeman RA, Hood WF, Gierse JK, Stevens AM, Goodwin DC, Rowlinson SW, Marnett LJ, Stallings WC, Kurumbail RG Nature. 2000 May 4;405(6782):97-101. PMID:10811226^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.