| enzyme precursor | <biochemistry> Inactive precursors that can be converted to active enzymes. Enzyme precursors containing extra-long polypeptide chains that block activity are activated by acid or enzymatic hydrolysis to remove the inhibiting portion. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| Amine Precursor Uptake and Decarboxylation | <pharmacology, physiology> Paracrine cells of which argentaffin cells are an example. Usage of the term APUD is neither helpful nor memorable. Acronym: APUD (11 Nov 1997) |
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| amyloid beta-protein precursor | A precursor to the amyloid-beta protein (beta/a4). Alterations in the expression of the amyloid beta-protein precursor (abpp) gene, located on chromosome 21, plays a role in the development of the neuropathology common to both alzheimer disease and down syndrome. Abpp is associated with the extensive extracellular matrix secreted by neuronal cells. Upon cleavage, this precursor produces three proteins of varying amino acid lengths: 695, 751, and 770. The beta/a4 (695 amino acids) or beta-amyloid protein is the principal component of the extracellular amyloid in senile plaques found in alzheimer disease, down syndrome and, to a limited extent, in normal aging. (12 Dec 1998) |
| amyloid precursor protein | <protein> Individuals with Alzheimer's disease are characterised by extensive accumulation of amyloid in the brain, referred to as senile plaques. These consist of a core of amyloid fibrils surrounded by dystrophic neurites. The principal component of the amyloid fibrils is B/A4, a peptide derived from the larger APP. The specific role of amyloid protein is unclear but it is thought that amyloid deposits may cause neurons to degenerate. Amyloid deposits also occur in brains of older Down's Syndrome patients. (04 May 1997) |
| angiotensin precursor | angiotensin |
| precursor | Something that precedes. 1. <biochemistry> In biological processes, a substance from which another, usually more active or mature substance is formed. 2. In clinical medicine, a sign or symptom that heralds another. Origin: L. Praecursor = a forerunner (18 Nov 1997) |
| acetyl-activating enzyme | A ligase that catalyses the reaction of acetate and CoA and ATP to form AMP, pyrophosphate, and acetyl-CoA. A key step in the activation of acetate. Synonym: acetate thiokinase, acetate-CoA ligase, acetyl-activating enzyme, acetyl-CoA synthetase. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acyl-activating enzyme | <enzyme> Fatty acid thiokinase (long-chain), a ligase forming acyl-CoA, AMP, and pyrophosphate from long-chain fatty acids, ATP, and coenzyme A. Activity is independent of phosphatidylcholine Registry number: EC 6.2.1.3 Synonym: acyl-activating enzyme, dodecanoyl-CoA synthetase, fatty acid thiokinase (long chain), acid-coenzyme a ligase, fatty acid-CoA ligase, acyl-CoA synthetase, acyl-CoA ligase, coash ligase, ciprofibroyl-CoA synthetase, pristanoyl-CoA synthetase, palmityl CoA synthetase, palmitoyl CoA synthetase, palmitoyl CoA ligase, fatty acyl-CoA synthetase, very long chain fatty acid acyl-CoA synthetase, vlcfa acyl-CoA synthetase, nafenopin-CoA ligase, palmitoyl-CoA synthase, faa2 gene product, faa2p protein, vlacs enzyme (26 Jun 1999) |
| adaptive enzyme | Inducible enzyme, an enzyme that can be detected in a growing culture of a microorganism, after the addition of a particular substance (inducer) to the culture medium, but was not detectable prior to the addition and can act on the inducer. A prototype is the beta-galactosidase of Escherichia coli, synthesised upon the addition of various galactosides, whether or not these are good substrates. Compare: constitutive enzyme. Synonym: adaptive enzyme. (05 Mar 2000) |
| allosteric enzyme | <biochemistry, chemistry> A regulatory enzyme whose activity is modified by the noncovalent binding of a particular metabolite at a site (the allosteric site) other than the active site. (09 Oct 1997) |
| amino acid activating enzyme | <enzyme> Enzymes catalyzing the formation of a specific aminoacyl-tRNA from an amino acid and adenosine 5'-triphosphate with the concomitant formation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate and pyrophosphate. Synonym: amino acid activating enzyme, aminoacyl-tRNA ligases. (05 Mar 2000) |
| angiotensin-converting enzyme | <enzyme> This hydrolase enzyme cleaves the decapeptide angiotensin I (biologically inactive) to form active angiotensin II by angiotensin-converting enzyme which removes a dipeptide (histidylleucine) from angiotensin I. Angiotensin II causes contraction of vascular smooth muscle and thus raises blood pressure and stimulates aldosterone release from the adrenal glands. Angiotensin is finally broken down by angiotensinases. Elevations in angiotensin converting enzyme are seen sarcoidosis, histoplasmosis, alcoholic cirrhosis, asbestosis, berylliosis, diabetes, Hodgkin's disease, hyperthyroidism, amyloidosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary embolism, scleroderma, silicosis, tuberculosis, Gaucher's disease and leprosy. The normal values are 18 to 67 U/ml over 20 years of age (people under 20 have higher levels). Drugs that inhibit ACE are used to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure. See: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor Acronym: ACE (12 Aug 2000) |
| angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor | <pharmacology> A class of drugs used in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. They exert their haemodynamic effect mainly by inhibiting the renin-angiotensin system and produce a reduction of peripheral arterial resistance. They also modulate sympathetic nervous system activity and increase prostaglandin synthesis. They cause mainly vasodilation and mild natriuresis without affecting heart rate and contractility. (14 Aug 2000) |
| angiotensin-converting enzyme secretase | <enzyme> Converts ace from a membrane-bound to a soluble form; not inhibited by thiol, serine or acid enzyme inhibitor but is inhibited by edta and 1,10-phenanthroline Registry number: EC 3.4.99.- Synonym: ace secretase (26 Jun 1999) |
| Antibody Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy | <pharmacology> A method for targeting a drug to a specific tissue, in which the targeting agent and the drug are administered separately. The drug is designed to be inactive (a prodrug) until it is converted by an enzyme, which is the targeting agent. The enzyme is coupled to an antibody that directs it to the tissue of interest. When the enzyme arrives at the tissue, the prodrug is activated only at that site, sparing other tissues from potentially toxic side effects. Acronym: ADEPT (14 Nov 1997) |
| antitumour enzyme | <enzyme> An enzyme that stimulates the degradation of a particular metabolite that cannot be synthesised by tumour cells, inhibits the synthesis of a metabolite needed by tumour cells, or inhibits tumour-specific DNA utilization; e.g., asparaginase. (05 Mar 2000) |