CYCLOOXYGENASE ACTIVE SITE
This side view of prostaglandin synthase demonstrates how the second folding unit is thought to interact with the lipid bilayer. Prostaglandin synthase is considered an integral membrane protein because detergents are required to remove it from the membrane. Access into the hydrophobic cyclooxygenase channel is gained from the interior of the bilayer through the entrance formed by these four amphipathic helices (4) Arachadonic acid is hydrophobic and presumed to gain direct access to the cyclooxygenase channel from the interior of the bilayer (3). This diagram was taken from the Garavito Lab website and is an excellent representative of the deep pocket of the cyclooxygenase active site.
