cyclooxygenase

noun

cy·​clo·​ox·​y·​gen·​ase ˌsī-klō-ˈäk-si-jə-ˌnās 

: an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins and that has two isoforms of which one is involved in the creation of prostaglandins which mediate inflammation and pain

Word History

Etymology

cycl- + oxygenase, an enzyme, from oxygen + -ase

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

cyclooxygenase

noun

cy·​clo·​ox·​y·​gen·​ase ˌsī-klō-ˈäk-si-jə-ˌnās  -äk-ˈsij-ə- 

-ˌnāz

: an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins, that is inactivated by aspirin and other NSAIDs, and that has two isoforms of which one is involved in the cascade of events producing the pain and inflammation of arthritis and the other is not see cox-1, cox-2