Catalyzes the conversion of PGH2 to PGD2, a prostaglandin involved in smooth muscle contraction/relaxation and a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation. Involved in a variety of CNS functions, such as sedation, NREM sleep and PGE2-induced allodynia, and may have an anti-apoptotic role in oligodendrocytes. Binds small non-substrate lipophilic molecules, including biliverdin, bilirubin, retinal, retinoic acid and thyroid hormone, and may act as a scavenger for harmful hydrophopic molecules and as a secretory retinoid and thyroid hormone transporter. Possibly involved in development and maintenance of the blood-brain, blood-retina, blood-aqueous humor and blood-testis barrier. It is likely to play important roles in both maturation and maintenance of the central nervous system and male reproductive system.
Specificity
Natural and recombinant Rat Prostaglandin-H2 D-isomerase
Subcellular Location
Rough endoplasmic reticulum Nucleus membrane Golgi apparatus Cytoplasm perinuclear region Secreted Detected on rough endoplasmic reticulum of arachnoid and menigioma cells. Localized to the nuclear envelope, Golgi apparatus, secretory vesicles and spherical cytoplasmic structures in arachnoid trabecular cells, and to circular cytoplasmic structures in meningeal macrophages and perivascular microglial cells. In oligodendrocytes, localized to the rough endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope. In retinal pigment epithelial cells, localized to distinct cytoplasmic domains including the perinuclear region. Also secreted.