Cyclooxygenase (COX), is responsible for the formation of prostanoids, including prostaglandins, prostacyclin and thromboxane. COX is the primary enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway to prostanoids from arachidonic acid. Of the two known isoenzymes, COX-1 and COX-2, COX-1 is constitutively expressed in many tissues and is the predominant form in gastric mucosa and in kidney, where the COX-1 product PGE2, helps maintain the integrity of the stomach lining. COX-2 is not expressed under normal conditions in most cells, but elevated levels are found during inflammation. Inhibition of COX1 while providing relief from inflammation and pain, can lead to damage to the gastric mucosa, ulceration and bleeding. The development of improved inhibitors is therefore an important task. AkrivisBio’s COX-1 Inhibitor Screening Kit is a simple, sensitive means of screening COX-1 inhibitors. The assay is based on the fluorometric detection of Prostaglandin G2, an intermediate product produced by COX.
