Shen R F, Tai H H
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Center for the Genetics of Asthma and Other Complex Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201, USA.
J Biomed Sci. 1998;5(3):153-72. doi: 10.1007/BF02253465.
Thromboxane A2 is a biologically potent arachidonate metabolite through the cyclooxygenase pathway. It induces platelet aggregation and smooth muscle contraction and may promote mitogenesis and apoptosis of other cells. Its roles in physiological and pathological conditions have been widely documented. The enzyme that catalyzes its synthesis, thromboxane A2 synthase, and the receptors that mediate its actions, thromboxane A2 receptors, are the two key components critical for the functioning of this potent autacoid. Recent molecular biological studies have revealed the structure-function relationship and gene organizations of these proteins as well as genetic and epigenetic factors modulating their gene expression. Future investigation should shed light on detailed molecular signaling events specifying thromboxane A2 actions, and the genetic underpinning of the enzyme and the receptors in health and disease.
血栓素A2是通过环氧化酶途径产生的一种具有生物活性的花生四烯酸代谢产物。它可诱导血小板聚集和平滑肌收缩，并可能促进其他细胞的有丝分裂和凋亡。其在生理和病理状态下的作用已有广泛记载。催化其合成的酶——血栓素A2合酶，以及介导其作用的受体——血栓素A2受体，是这种强效自分泌调节物质发挥功能的两个关键组成部分。最近的分子生物学研究揭示了这些蛋白质的结构-功能关系和基因组织，以及调节其基因表达的遗传和表观遗传因素。未来的研究应阐明确定血栓素A2作用的详细分子信号事件，以及该酶和受体在健康和疾病中的遗传学基础。
