THE STRUCTURAL BASIS OF ASPIRIN ACTIVITY INFERRED FROM THE CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF INACTIVATED PROSTAGLANDIN H-2 SYNTHASE

Aspirin exerts its anti-inflammatory effects through selective acetylation of serine 530 on prostaglandin H-2 synthase (PGHS). Here we present the 3.4 Angstrom resolution X-ray crystal structure of PGHS isoform-1 inactivated by the potent aspirin analogue 2-bromoacetoxy-benzoic acid. Acetylation by this analogue abolishes cyclooxygenase activity by steric blockage of the active-site channel and not through a large conformational change. We observe two rotameric states of the acetyl-serine side chain which block the channel to different extents, a result which may explain the dissimilar effects of aspirin on the two PGHS isoforms. We also observe the product salicylic acid binding at a site consistent with its antagonistic effect on aspirin activity.