anti-COX-2 (human), Rabbit Monoclonal (RM348)

COX-2 converts arachidonate to prostaglandin H2 (PGH2), a committed step in prostanoid synthesis, including production of inflammatory prostaglandins. The conversion of arachidonate to prostaglandin H2 is a 2 step reaction: a cyclooxygenase (COX) reaction which converts arachidonate to prostaglandin G2 (PGG2) and a peroxidase reaction in which PGG2 is reduced to prostaglandin H2 (PGH2). COX-2 is constitutively expressed in some tissues in physiological conditions, such as the endothelium, kidney and brain, and is up-regulated under pathological conditions, such as in cancer and inflammation. Up-regulation of COX2 is also associated with increased cell adhesion, phenotypic changes, resistance to apoptosis and tumor angiogenesis. In cancer cells, COX-2 is a key step in the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which plays important roles in modulating motility, proliferation and resistance to apoptosis. COX-2 is naturally inhibited by calcitriol (the active form of Vitamin D). COX-2 is a target of NSAID such as aspirin, which can reduce pain and swelling from inflammation driven by COX-2.