Thromboxane A2

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Thromboxane A2
Thromboxane A2 acsv.svg
ThromboxaneA2 spacefill.png
57576-52-0 YesY
MeSH Thromboxane+A2
PubChem 5280497
Molar mass 352.465 g/mol
 YesY verify (what isYesY/N?)
Infobox references

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) is a type of thromboxane that is produced by activated platelets and has prothrombotic properties: it stimulates activation of new platelets as well as increases platelet aggregation. This is achieved by increasing expression of the glycoprotein complex GPIIb/IIIa on the cell membrane of platelets. The same effect is also achieved by ADP in platelet stimulation, which is blocked by clopidogrel. Circulating fibrinogen binds these receptors on adjacent platelets, further strengthening the clot. Thromboxane A2 is also a known vasoconstrictor and is especially important during tissue injury and inflammation. It is also regarded responsible for Prinzmetal's angina.

Receptors that mediate TXA2 actions are thromboxane A2 receptors. The human TXA2 receptor (TP) is a typical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) with seven transmembrane segments. In humans, two TP receptor splice variants - TPα and TPβ - have so far been cloned.

Synthesis and breakdown[edit]


TXA2 is very unstable in aqueous solution, since it is hydrolyzed within about 30 seconds to the biologically inactive thromboxane B2. 12-HHT, while once thought to be an inactive byproduct of TXA2 synthesis, has recently been shown to have a range of potentially important actions, some of which relate to the actions of TXA2 (see 12-Hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid).[1] Due to its very short half life, TXA2 primarily functions as an autocrine or paracrine mediator in the nearby tissues surrounding its site of production. Most work in the field of TXA2 is done instead with synthetic analogs such as U46619 and I-BOP.[2] In human studies, 11-dehydrothromboxane B2 levels are used to indirectly measure TXA2 production.[3][4]

Eicosanoid synthesis.


  1. ^ J Biochem. 2015 Feb;157(2):65-71. doi: 10.1093/jb/mvu078
  3. ^ Catella F, Healy D, Lawson JA, FitzGerald GA (1986). "11-Dehydrothromboxane B2: a quantitative index of thromboxane A2 formation in the human circulation". PNAS 83 (16): 5861–5865. doi:10.1073/pnas.83.16.5861. PMC 386396. PMID 3461463. 
  4. ^ Lordkipanidzé M, Pharand C, Schampaert E, Turgeon J, Palisaitis DA, Diodati JG (2007). "A comparison of six major platelet function tests to determine the prevalence of aspirin resistance in patients with stable coronary artery disease". Eur Heart J 28 (14): 1702–1708. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehm226. PMID 17569678.