Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Thromboxane
Thromboxane is a member of the family of lipids known as eicosanoids. It is produced in platelets by thromboxane synthetase , which is produced from the endoperoxides by the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme from arachidonic acid.
Thromboxane is a vasoconstrictor and facilitates the clumping of platelets. It is in homeostatic balance in the circulatory system with prostacyclin, a related compound. The widely-used drug aspirin acts by inhibiting the ability of the COX enzyme to synthesize the precursors of thromboxane within platelets.
Thromboxane is named for its role in clot formation (thrombosis).
03-10-2013 05:06:04
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The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details