Description
Prostaglandin D
2 (PGD
2) is one of the five primary enzymatic prostaglandins derived directly from PGH
2. PGD
2 is produced abundantly in the CSF by the lipocalin-
type PGD synthase, and in the periphery by myeloid cells including mast cells and basophils by a second, hematopoietic-
type PGD synthase. PGD
2 is chemically unstable, and its use and analysis is complicated by its short
in vivo half-
life. Δ
12-
PGD
2 is one of the initial chemical decomposition products of PGD
2. Δ
12-
PGD
2 is an intermediate in the pathway leading to Δ
12-
PGJ
2, which is a cyclopentenone prostaglandin with antimitotic and carcinogenic activities. The metabolism of Δ
12-
PGD
2 involves addition of thiol nucleophiles, as is the case with the majority of cyclopentenone prostaglandins.
