Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) or PTGS2, is an enzyme mainly associated with responses to biological stresses such as infection and inflammation (R,R2). It's responsible for inflammation and pain. COX-2 has been shown to cause cancer, inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and neuropsychiatric diseases [R]. 

PTGS2 (COX-2), converts arachidonic acid (AA) to prostaglandin endoperoxide H2.

COX-2 inhibitors have been shown to provide relief from pain and inflammation related to the enzyme.

Several studies indicate that PGTS2 is associated with an increasing in colorectal (R,R2,R3), prostate (R) and breast cancer risk (R). In particular, PTGS2 is probably involved in tumor proliferation and growth, in the formation of metastases and in the resistance of cancer cells to programmed death (R1,R2,R3).

Recent studies suggest that PTGS2 is linked with the development of type 2 diabetes (R) and with the promotion of eye disease in diabetes (R).

Dysfunction of this gene can lead to oxidative stress and harm your body (R). On the other hand, overexpression of this gene can lead to cell death and cause heart problems (R).