| fer-de-lance | <zoology> A large, venomous serpent (Trigonocephalus lanceolatus) of Brazil and the West Indies. It is allied to the rattlesnake, but has no rattle. Origin: F, the iron of a lance, lance head. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| receptors, somatostatin | Cell surface proteins that bind somatostatin and trigger intracellular changes which influence the behaviour of cells. Somatostatin is a hypothalamic hormone, a pancreatic hormone, and a central and peripheral neurotransmitter. Activated somatostatin receptors on pituitary cells inhibit the release of growth hormone; those on endocrine and gastrointestinal cells regulate the absorption and utilization of nutrients; and those on neurons mediate somatostatin's role as a neurotransmitter. (12 Dec 1998) |
| somatostatin | <protein> Gastrointestinal and hypothalmic peptide hormone (two forms: 14 and 28 residues), found in gastric mucosa, pancreatic islets, nerves of the gastrointestinal tract, in posterior pituitary and in the central nervous system. Inhibits gastric secretion and motility: in hypothalamus/pituitary inhibits somatotropin release. (18 Nov 1997) |
| somatostatin-28 convertase | <enzyme> Converts somatostatin-28 to somatostatin-14 and somatostatin-28(1-12) Registry number: EC 3.4.99.- Synonym: s-28 convertase (26 Jun 1999) |