EICOSANOID NOMENCLATURE

GROUP 2

CORONEL, FERNANDEZ, GLORIANI, IGNACIO, MONTEVERDE, VILLAMOSADA

WHAT ARE EICOSANOIDS?

Oxygenated derivatives of polyunsaturated fatty acids

Generally, 20 carbons in chain length

Signalling molecules

Act locally in the cell where they are produced

*Disappear quickly and have extremely short half-life

Ex. Prostaglandins (PG) and leukotrienes (LT)

METABOLIC ACTIONS

PGD2 Promotion of sleep

TXA2 Stimulation of platelet aggregation; vasoconstriction

PGE2 Smooth muscle contraction; inducing pain, heat, fever; bronchoconstriction

PGI2 Inhibition of platelet aggregation; vasodilation; embryo implantation

HOW ARE EICOSANOIDS NAMED?

1. The first 2 letters refer to the type of eicosanoid:

• PG – prostaglandins• LT – leukotrienes• TX – thromboxanes

HOW ARE EICOSANOIDS NAMED?

2. The letter following the 2 letters:

• For cyclooxygenase – refers to the structure of the 5-carbon ring

PGE2

• For leukotrienes – refers to the differences in the eicosanoid backbone

• For cysteinyl leukotrienes

The numerical subscript refers to the number of double bonds in the backbone.

PGH

2

• For 5-HPETE and 5-HETE (lipooxygenase metabolites)

5-HPETE

5-HETE