Prostaglandin H synthase-1 and -2 (PGHS-1 and -2) catalyze the committed step in prostaglandin synthesis and are targets for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin. We have determined the structure of PGHS-1 at 3 angstrom resolution with arachidonic acid (AA) bound in a chemically productive conformation. The fatty acid adopts an extended L-shaped conformation that positions the 13proS hydrogen of AA for abstraction by tyrosine-385, the likely radical donor. A space also exists for oxygen addition on the antarafacial surface of the carbon in the 11-position (C-11). While this conformation allows endoperoxide formation between C-11 and C-9, it also implies that a subsequent conformational rearrangement must occur to allow formation of the C-8/C-12 bond and to position C-15 for attack by a second molecule of oxygen.

The cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2) are membrane-associated heme-containing homodimers that generate prostaglandin H 2 from arachidonic acid (AA). Although AA is the preferred substrate, other fatty acids are oxygenated by these enzymes with varying efficiencies. We determined the crystal structures of AA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) bound to Co 3؉ -protoporphyrin IX-reconstituted murine COX-2 to 2.1, 2.4, and 2.65 Å , respectively. AA, EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid bind in different conformations in each monomer constituting the homodimer in their respective structures such that one monomer exhibits nonproductive binding and the other productive binding of the substrate in the cyclooxygenase channel. The interactions identified between protein and substrate when bound to COX-1 are conserved in our COX-2 structures, with the only notable difference being the lack of interaction of the carboxylate of AA and EPA with the side chain of Arg-120. Leu-531 exhibits a different side chain conformation when the nonproductive and productive binding modes of AA are compared. Unlike COX-1, mutating this residue to Ala, Phe, Pro, or Thr did not result in a significant loss of activity or substrate binding affinity. Determination of the L531F:AA crystal structure resulted in AA binding in the same global conformation in each monomer. We speculate that the mobility of the Leu-531 side chain increases the volume available at the opening of the cyclooxygenase channel and contributes to the observed ability of COX-2 to oxygenate a broad spectrum of fatty acid and fatty ester substrates.The cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) are membrane-associated heme-containing bifunctional enzymes that catalyze the first committed step in prostaglandin (PG) 2 biosynthesis (reviewed in Refs. 1, 2). The product, PGH 2 , is produced as a result of two sequential reactions that are performed in separate but functionally linked active sites. In the first reaction, arachidonic acid (AA; 20:4 -6) bound in the cyclooxygenase channel undergoes a bis-oxygenation to form the intermediate PGG 2 . The released intermediate is then bound in the peroxidase active site, where the 15-hydroperoxide group of PGG 2 is reduced to form PGH 2 in the second reaction. Both COX-1 and COX-2 require a preliminary catalytic turnover at the peroxidase active site to generate an oxy-ferryl porphyrin radical that is subsequently transferred to Tyr-385 for the initiation of cyclooxygenase catalysis.Understanding the similarities and differences associated with the structure and function of COX-1 and COX-2 and the rationale for the existence of two isoforms has been the focus of much recent research (3-5). COX-1 and COX-2, which are encoded by separate genes (6), display ϳ60% sequence identity within the same species and greater than 85% sequence identity among orthologs from different species (7). Accordingly, the crystal structures of COX-1 and COX-2 are virtually superimposable, and the catalytic mechanism is conserved between isoform...

Prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthases 1 and 2, also known as cyclooxygenases (COXs) 1 and 2, convert arachidonic acid (AA) to prostaglandin endoperoxide H 2 . Prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthases are targets of nonspecific nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and COX-2-specific inhibitors called coxibs. PGHS-2 is a sequence homodimer. Each monomer has a peroxidase and a COX active site. We find that human PGHS-2 functions as a conformational heterodimer having a catalytic monomer (E cat ) and an allosteric monomer (E allo ). Heme binds tightly only to the peroxidase site of E cat , whereas substrates, as well as certain inhibitors (e.g. celecoxib), bind the COX site of E cat . E cat is regulated by E allo in a manner dependent on what ligand is bound to E allo . Substrate and nonsubstrate fatty acids (FAs) and some COX inhibitors (e.g. naproxen) preferentially bind to the COX site of E allo . AA can bind to E cat and E allo , but the affinity of AA for E allo is 25 times that for E cat . Palmitic acid, an efficacious stimulator of human PGHS-2, binds only E allo in palmitic acid/murine PGHS-2 co-crystals. Nonsubstrate FAs can potentiate or attenuate actions of COX inhibitors depending on the FA and whether the inhibitor binds E cat or E allo . Our studies suggest that the concentration and composition of the free FA pool in the environment in which PGHS-2 functions in cells, the FA tone, is a key factor regulating PGHS-2 activity and its responses to COX inhibitors. We suggest that differences in FA tone occurring with different diets will likely affect both baseline prostanoid synthesis and responses to COX inhibitors.Prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthases (PGHSs), 2 also known generically as cyclooxygenases (COXs), convert arachidonic acid (AA) to prostaglandin H 2 (PGH 2 ) in the committed step of prostanoid biosynthesis (1-6). PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 are products of different genes. In general, PGHS-1 is constitutively expressed, whereas PGHS-2 expression is inducible (4, 5, 7). The enzymes are embedded in the luminal monolayer of the endoplasmic reticulum and inner membrane of the nuclear envelope (8 -11).PGHSs catalyze two different reactions, a COX reaction and a peroxidase (POX) reaction. COX catalysis begins with abstraction of the 13-pro-S-hydrogen from AA by the enzyme in the rate-determining step to generate an arachidonyl radical (3,6,12,13). Two molecules of O 2 are then sequentially added to the arachidonyl chain with concomitant rearrangements to form PGG 2 . PGG 2 can be reduced to PGH 2 by the POX activity. The purified isoforms are about equally efficient in catalyzing the conversion of AA to PGH 2 (1-6).PGHSs are homodimers composed of tightly associated monomers with identical sequences (14). Each monomer comprising a PGHS homodimer has a physically distinct COX and POX active site. Dissociation of the dimers into monomers only occurs upon denaturation (14). Kulmacz and Lands (15,16) provided the first evidence that the monomers of PGHS homodimers differ. They found that maximal COX activity of...

Aspirin and other nonsterroidal anti-inflammatory drugs target the Cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) to block the formation of prostaglandins. Aspirin is unique in that it covalently modifies each enzyme by acetylating Ser-530 within the cyclooxygenase active site. Acetylation of COX-1 leads to complete loss of activity, while acetylation of COX-2 results in the generation of the mono-oxygenated product 15(R)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15R-HETE). Ser-530 has also been shown to influence the stereochemistry for oxygen addition into the prostaglandin product. We determined the crystal structures of S530T murine (mu) COX-2, aspirin-acetylated human (hu) COX-2, and huCOX-2 in complex with salicylate to 1.9Å, 2.0Å, and 2.4Å, respectively. The structures reveal that: 1) the acetylated Ser-530 completely blocks access to the hydrophobic groove; 2) the observed binding pose of salicylate is reflective of the enzyme-inhibitor complex prior to acetylation; and 3) the observed Thr-530 rotamer in the S530T muCOX-2 crystal structure does not impede access to the hydrophobic groove. Based on these structural observations, along with functional analysis of the S530T/G533V double mutant, we propose a working hypothesis for the generation of 15R-HETE by aspirin-acetylated COX-2. We also observe differential acetylation of COX-2 purified in various detergent systems and nanodiscs, indicating that detergent and lipid binding within the membrane-binding domain of the enzyme alters the rate of the acetylation reaction in vitro.

Prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthases (PGHSs) catalyze the committed step in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxane, the conversion of arachidonic acid, two molecules of O 2 , and two electrons to prostaglandin endoperoxide H 2 (PGH 2 ). Formation of PGH 2 involves an initial oxygenation of arachidonate to yield PGG 2 catalyzed by the cyclooxygenase activity of the enzyme and then a reduction of the 15-hydroperoxyl group of PGG 2 to form PGH 2 catalyzed by the peroxidase activity. The cyclooxygenase active site is a hydrophobic channel that protrudes from the membrane binding domain into the core of the globular domain of PGHS. In the crystal structure of Co 3؉ -heme ovine PGHS-1 complexed with arachidonic acid, 19 cyclooxygenase active site residues are predicted to make a total of 50 contacts with the substrate (Malkowski, M. G, Ginell, S., Smith, W. L., and Garavito, R. M. (2000) Science 289, 1933-1937); two of these are hydrophilic, and 48 involve hydrophobic interactions. We performed mutational analyses to determine the roles of 14 of these residues and 4 other closely neighboring residues in arachidonate binding and oxygenation. Mutants were analyzed for peroxidase and cyclooxygenase activity, and the products formed by various mutants were characterized. Overall, the results indicate that cyclooxygenase active site residues of PGHS-1 fall into five functional categories as follows: (a) residues directly involved in hydrogen abstraction from C-13 of arachidonate (Tyr-385); (b) residues essential for positioning C-13 of arachidonate for hydrogen abstraction (Gly-533 and Tyr-348); (c) residues critical for high affinity arachidonate binding (Arg-120); (d) residues critical for positioning arachidonate in a conformation so that when hydrogen abstraction does occur the molecule is optimally arranged to yield PGG 2 versus monohydroperoxy acid products (Val-349, Trp-387, and Leu-534); and (e) all other active site residues, which individually make less but measurable contributions to optimal catalytic efficiency.

Post-translational lipidation provides critical modulation of the functions of some proteins. Isoprenoids (i.e., farnesyl or geranylgeranyl groups) are attached to cysteine residues in proteins containing C-terminal CaaX sequence motifs. Isoprenylation is followed by cleavage of the aaX amino acid residues and, in some cases, by additional proteolytic cuts. We determined the crystal structure of the CaaX protease Ste24p, a zinc metalloprotease catalyzing two proteolytic steps in the maturation of yeast mating pheromone a-factor. The Ste24p core structure is a ring of seven transmembrane helices enclosing a voluminous cavity containing the active-site and substrate binding groove. The cavity is accessible to the external milieu via gaps between splayed transmembrane helices. We hypothesize that cleavage proceeds via a processive mechanism of substrate insertion, translocation and ejection.

Resveratrol has demonstrated cancer chemopreventive activity in animal models and some clinical trials are underway. In addition, resveratrol was shown to promote cell survival, increase lifespan and mimic caloric restriction, thereby improving health and survival of mice on high-calorie diet. All of these effects are potentially mediated by the pleiotropic interactions of resveratrol with different enzyme targets including COX-1 (cyclo-oxygenase-1) and COX-2, NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase SIRT1 (sirtuin 1) and QR2 (quinone reductase 2). Nonetheless, the health benefits elicited by resveratrol as a direct result of these interactions with molecular targets have been questioned, since it is rapidly and extensively metabolized to sulfate and glucuronide conjugates, resulting in low plasma concentrations. To help resolve these issues, we tested the ability of resveratrol and its metabolites to modulate the function of some known targets in vitro. In the present study, we have shown that COX-1, COX-2 and QR2 are potently inhibited by resveratrol, and that COX-1 and COX-2 are also inhibited by the resveratrol 4′-O-sulfate metabolite. We determined the X-ray structure of resveratrol bound to COX-1 and demonstrate that it occupies the COX active site similar to other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Finally, we have observed that resveratrol 3- and 4′-O-sulfate metabolites activate SIRT1 equipotently to resveratrol, but that activation is probably a substrate-dependent phenomenon with little in vivo relevance. Overall, the results of this study suggest that in vivo an interplay between resveratrol and its metabolites with different molecular targets may be responsible for the overall beneficial health effects previously attributed only to resveratrol itself.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) catalyzes the oxygenation of arachidonic acid (AA) and endocannabinoid substrates, placing the enzyme at a unique junction between the eicosanoid and endocannabinoid signaling pathways. COX-2 is a sequence homodimer, but the enzyme displays half-of-site reactivity, such that only one monomer of the dimer is active at a given time. Certain rapid reversible, competitive nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been shown to inhibit COX-2 in a substrate-selective manner, with the binding of inhibitor to a single monomer sufficient to inhibit the oxygenation of endocannabinoids but not arachidonic acid. The underlying mechanism responsible for substrate-selective inhibition has remained elusive. We utilized structural and biophysical methods to evaluate flufenamic acid, meclofenamic acid, mefenamic acid, and tolfenamic acid for their ability to act as substrateselective inhibitors. Crystal structures of each drug in complex with human COX-2 revealed that the inhibitor binds within the cyclooxygenase channel in an inverted orientation, with the carboxylate group interacting with Tyr-385 and Ser-530 at the top of the channel. Tryptophan fluorescence quenching, continuous-wave electron spin resonance, and UV-visible spectroscopy demonstrate that flufenamic acid, mefenamic acid, and tolfenamic acid are substrate-selective inhibitors that bind rapidly to COX-2, quench tyrosyl radicals, and reduce higher oxidation states of the heme moiety. Substrate-selective inhibition was attenuated by the addition of the lipid peroxide 15-hydroperoxyeicosatertaenoic acid. Collectively, these studies implicate peroxide tone as an important mechanistic component of substrate-selective inhibition by flufenamic acid, mefenamic acid, and tolfenamic acid.The cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2) convert arachidonic acid (AA) 2 to prostaglandin H 2 (1). Prostaglandin H 2 is subsequently metabolized by downstream tissue-specific synthases into potent signaling molecules that play fundamental roles in both the regulation of physiological homeostasis as well as in disease states such as inflammation and cancer (2). COX-1 preferentially oxygenates AA, whereas COX-2 efficiently oxygenates a broad spectrum of fatty acid, ester, and amide substrates, including the endocannabinoids 1-arachidonoyl glycerol (1-AG), 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, and anandamide (3-8). 2-Arachidonoyl glycerol and anandamide are widely distributed in mammalian tissues and were the first characterized endogenous ligands for the cannabinoid receptors CB 1 and CB 2 (9). COX-2 oxygenates endocannabinoids using the same catalytic mechanism employed for AA, generating PG-glycerol esters and PG-ethanolamides (10 -12). Endocannabinoid signaling plays a significant role in various physiological processes and has been implicated in pathologies ranging from anxiety and depression, to multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, and cancer (13). The unique ability to oxygenate endocannabinoids places COX-2 at a critical junction between the eicosanoid and endocann...