The zebrafish genome contains two inducible, functional cyclooxygenase-2 genes.

ABSTRACT: Cyclooxygenase is a key enzyme in prostanoid biosynthesis. Mammalian species have two cyclooxygenases, constitutively expressed cyclooxygenase-1 (Cox-1) and inducible cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2). Cox-1 and/or Cox-2 have been also identified in other vertebrates, including fish. We identified a second zebrafish Cox-2 gene orthologue, Cox-2b. All of the functionally important amino acids for cyclooxygenase enzymes are conserved in Cox-2b. The 3' untranslated region of the Cox-2b message contains AU rich elements characteristic of regulation at the level of mRNA stability. Constitutive tissue expression patterns for Cox-2a and Cox-2b are distinct, but overlap. Both Cox-2a and Cox-2b expression are inducible in the kidney when fish are exposed to tetradecanoylphorbol acetate. Like Cox-2a, Cox-2b

SUBMITTER: Ishikawa TO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1764854 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature