Further characterization of bovine thyroid prostaglandin synthase

1. Prostaglandin synthase activity (EC 1.14.99.1) was demonstrated in bovine thyroid homogenates. 2. The synthase was characterized and shares many characteristics of the well-studied seminal vesicle enzyme and can be inhibited by indomethacin and eicosa-5,8,11,14-tetraynoic acid. 3. The enzyme is localized in the microsomal fraction and is probably associated with the plasma membranes. 4. Thyrotropin, but no other hormone tested, increased the activity of the enzyme when added to a microsomal fraction obtained from bovine thyroid. This effect is tissue-specific since thyrotropin has no effect on bovine seminal esicle or lung prostaglandin synthase. 5. Thyrotropin, cyclic AMP and the phosphodiesterase inhibitors, theophylline and quazodine increase enzyme activity when preincubated with bovine thyroid slices. 6. EDTA, when included in the pre-incubation mixture, enhances the thyrotropin effect on the enzyme but not the cyclic AMP, theophylline, or quazodine augmentation of enzyme activity in bovine thyroid slices. This suggests that phospholipase A is involved in the thyrotropin stimulation of prostaglandin formation.