| collectin | <protein> Family of collagenous lectins believed to play an important part in first line defence by binding to viruses and by opsonising yeasts and bacteria. Contain a collagen like region and a C type lectin domain. Pulmonary surfactant proteins A and D (SP A, SP D), CL 43, serum mannan binding protein (MBP) and conglutinin are all members of the family. Complement C1q is structurally related to the family. Medline, various (18 Nov 1997) |
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| collecting tubule | The continuation of the tubulus seminifer contortus which becomes straight just before entering the mediastinum to form the rete testis. Synonym: tubulus renalis rectus, tubulus seminifer rectus, collecting tubule, straight tubule, tubulus rectus, tubulus rectus, vasa recta. (05 Mar 2000) |
| collectins | A family of molecules that recognise and opsonise microbes during the preimmune response of a host. (05 Mar 2000) |