Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (prostaglandin G/H synthase and cyclooxygenase) (The
HUGO official symbol is
PTGS2; HGNC ID,
HGNC:9605), also known as
cyclooxygenase-2 or
COX-2, is an
enzyme that in humans is encoded by the
PTGS2 gene. Because the "COX" term is used for the stem symbol for "cytochrome c oxidase" family of genes and gene products including proteins, the "PTGS" symbol is used for the prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (cyclooxygenase) family of genes and proteins. It is involved in the conversion of
arachidonic acid to
prostaglandin H2, an important precursor of
prostacyclin and
thromboxane A2, among others.