2 - Eicosanoids Flashcards
In humans, what is the most abundant precursor of eicosanoids?
Arachidonic acid.
What is the biosynthesis of eicosanoids?
Release of arachidonic acid (R2) from phosphatidyl inositol by phospholipase A2 (PLA2)
Calcium dependent.
Glucocorticoids induce ________ which suppresses PLA2 activity. What is the result of this?
annexin-1 (lipocortin)
This means that you won’t cleave arachidonic acid off of phosphatidyl inositol and you can’t make eicosanoids. This is how glucocorticoids have an anti-inflamm response.
How are prostaglandins and thromboxanes synthesized?
Cyclooxygenase: two isoforms - COX1 and COX2
-2 distinct activities at two distinct active sites on both proteins
Both isoforms can:
- oxygenate and cyclize free arachidonic acid to form PGG2
- use peroxidase activity to reduce PGG2 to PGH2
What are the main differences between COX1 and COX2 isoforms?
COX1 is constituitive and is expressed in all tissues.
COX2 is inducible and has a promoter region that binds TFs and is commonly seen in inflammation.
What is the fate of Prostaglandin H2 (PGH2)?
They are made into prostaglandins and thromboxane via cyclooxygenases (COX).
What is the difference between PGE2 and PGE1?
Nothing, the number just describes the number of double bonds in the molecule.
Four our purposes they have the same activity.
How are leukotrienes made? What activates this?
From arachidonic acid via 5-lipoxygeanase (5-LOX).
FLAP - 5 lipoxygenase activating protein activates it.
5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) turns arachidonic acid into _____. Then what happens?
Into LTA4, which can be made into:
- LTB4 via LTA4 hydrolase
- LTE4 via LTC4 synthase
What is the function of LTB4?
What is the function of LTE4?
LTB4: neutrophil chemotaxis, inflammation, and mucus production.
LTE4: allergy, bronchoconstriction. and mucus production.
What drug inhibits 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), resulting in no production of any leukotrienes? What is this drug used to treat?
Zileuton
Prophylaxis and treatment of chronic asthma; not appropriate for reversal of bronchospasm in acute asthma attacks.
What drugs inhibit the production of LTD4, a molecule in the pathway to make LTE4?
Montelukast, Zafirkulast, and pranulukast.
What drug is a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist with no effect on LTB4? What is the therapeutic use of this drug?
Zafirlukast.
It does NOT inhibit biosynthesis, it works by blocking the receptor.
Prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma; not appropriate for reversal of bronchospasm in acute asthma attacks.
What effects do leukotrienes have on inflammation? Which receptors are associated with each symptom? What is associated with increased levels of leukotrienes.
Increased vascular permeability and bronchoconstriction: LTC4 and LTD4
Chemoattractant for PMNs: LTB4
Increased in allergies/asthma.
How are eicosanoids metabolized? Why is this important to know?
They are rapidly metabolized
Hard to use clinically unless you modify the drug to increase the half-life.
How do prostaglandins and thromboxanes act?
By interacting with a specific GPCR and causing the release of a second messenger.
What are the biological actions of PGE2 through its four receptors: EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4?
EP1: Gq increases Ca2+ (PKC)
EP2: Gs to increases cAMP. (PKA)
EP3: can work through Gq to increase Ca2+ and Gi to increase Ca2+ and decrease cAMP.
EP4: Gs to increase cAMP (PKA)
What is the function of Leukotriene receptors?
LTB4: chemotaxis
LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4 cause bronchoconstriction and increase vascular permeability.
Effector system increases intracellular calcium.
What cells can form eicosanoids?
Virtually every cell in the body.
What is the action and function of PGE2 and PGI2 in the periphery?
Act through specific GPCRs and sensitize pain receptors by lowering the threshold of nociceptors of C fibers.
Cause hyperalgesia and potentiate the pain-producing activity of mediators like bradykinin.