MECHANISM OF ACTION |
A newly discovered variant of the enzyme cyclooxygenase might be the target of the analgesic acetaminophen. Like the other COX enzymes, COX-3 is involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins and plays a role in pain and fever. However, unlike COX-1 and COX-2, COX-3 appears to have no role in inflammation. COX-SWAINS Standing, from left, K. Lamar Turepu Roos, Simmons, and Terry S. Elton. Seated, N. V. Chandrasekharan.PHOTO BY JEFFREY J. EHLERS The activity of COX-3 is inhibited by the drug acetaminophen, which has little effect on the other two COX enzymes. "If this does turn out to be the target of acetaminophen, the same thing could be done with COX-3 that was done with COX-2--try to develop better inhibitors. discovered COX-3 as they were studying cyclooxygenase expression in a number of different dog tissues. Ultimately, they found three previously unknown variants of COX-1: COX-3 and two others not involved in prostaglandin synthesis, which they've called PCOX-1a and -1b (partial COX-1a and -1b). No function is yet known for the two PCOX-1 proteins, but authors are trying to identify their role. team is also now turning its attention to cloning the human enzyme. "Even if we find that COX-3 is not expressed at high levels in humans, we now know a way that cyclooxygenases do become sensitive to acetaminophen |
UPDATE | 09.02 |
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