Aspirin Structure

3D Structure of DNA Methyltransferase


See the cycloxygenase-1 enzyme structure that is a target of aspirin.

3D Structure of Aspirin

Aspirin in CPK colors

C O H


This is what aspirin looks like at the molecular level. Notice it has a planar 6 carbon ring and two side chains. The dots allow you to see the electron cloud and still see into the structure.

Reset view of aspirin.

Rotate aspirin along its X-axis and then its Y-axis.

Aspirin is made of salicyclic acid
and an acetyl group that protrudes above the plane of the salicylic acid

The acetyl group is added to the cyclooxygenase enzyme to block the binding of its true substrate.