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Glite Dictionary
cyclooxygenase

cyclooxygenase

1 9.9
A protein in the body that helps make chemicals causing pain, fever, and inflammation and that aspirin blocks
  • noun
  • /ˌsaɪkloʊˈɒksɪdʒəneɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ciclooxigenasa
  • COX-2 Cyclooxygenase Type 2
  • cyclooxygenase expression

Examples

  • The drug works by blocking cyclooxygenase, leading to decreased levels of prostaglandins and reduced inflammation.

  • Aspirin competitively binds to the platelet surface, thus inhibiting the activity of cyclooxygenase and the production of prostaglandins and thromboxane.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Arachidonic acid is metabolized to prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and epoxyeicosatrienoic acid by cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, and epoxygenase, respectively.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Aspirin reduces the production of pain-causing compounds by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase in the body.

  • Research has shown that cyclooxygenase plays a crucial role in regulating pain and inflammatory responses.

Synonyms

Cox
vscyclooxygenase
  • Specialized
7.9

Enzymes in the body that help make chemicals that cause pain and swelling, blocked by drugs like aspirin

has identical meaning but is the full technical name rather than the short form

Compounds

cyclooxygenase-1
  • Specialized
9.7

An enzyme that helps make substances that protect the stomach lining and kidneys

cyclooxygenase-2
  • Specialized
7.9

A body protein that helps make chemicals that cause pain, swelling, and fever

Surface Forms

cyclooxygenase singular
cyclooxygenases plural

Morphology

cyclooxygenase = oxygenase + cyclo (semi-transparent) = cyclo + oxygen + ase

The formation is cyclo- + oxygenase; 'oxygenase' is a recognizable enzyme-forming base but understanding the precise biochemical meaning requires domain knowledge.

Etymology

Cyclooxygenase breaks into three parts: cyclo- 'ring', oxygen 'oxygen', and -ase 'enzyme'. So, cyclooxygenase is an enzyme that uses oxygen to make ring-shaped parts of important body chemicals called prostaglandins, which help control pain and fever.