Nomenclature

• The prostanoids include several classes of prostaglandins and thromboxane.
• The individual prostaglandins are named with the prefix PG followed by a letter, A to K. Prostaglandin I (PGI) is also termed prostacyclin..
• A subscript, 1 to 3, indicates the number of double bonds in the molecule. Prostaglandins can be synthesized from 20-carbon fatty acids with 3, 4 or 5 double bonds to produce prostaglandins with 1, 2, or 3 double bonds, respectively. Prostaglandins with 2 double bonds (synthesized from arachidonic acid) are the most common.
• Prostaglandin F has an additional subscript, either α or β, that designates the configuration of the hydroxyl at carbon 9.
• The thromboxanes are termed TXA and TXB. TXA is the active thromboxane. TXB is a degradation product that is biologically inactive.

Common Prostanoids
It is NOT necessary to learn these structures

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