| gratuitous inducer | <molecular biology> A gratuitous inducer is a molecule which is structurally similar to another molecule that induces transcription for a specific product, and which can also initiate transcription for that product when the official inducer is absent. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| gratuitous | 1. Given without an equivalent or recompense; conferred without valuable consideration; granted without pay, or without claim or merit; not required by justice. "We mistake the gratuitous blessings of Heaven for the fruits of our own industry." (L'Estrange) 2. Not called for by the circumstances; without reason, cause, or proof; adopted or asserted without any good ground; as, a gratuitous assumption. "Acts of gratuitous self-humiliation." (De Quincye) Gratu"itously, Gratu"itousness. Origin: L. Gratuitus, from gratus pleasing. See Grate, Gratis. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| inducer | <molecular biology> An extracellular molecule that enters a cell and initiates transcriptionof a gene or operon. (09 Oct 1997) |
| inducer cell | <cell biology> Cells that induce other nearby cells to differentiate in specified pathways. Perhaps the distinction should be made, as of old, between those cells that evoke a predetermined pathway of differentiation in the target cells and those cells that can actually induce new and unexpected differentiations. (18 Nov 1997) |
| T-lymphocytes, helper-inducer | Subpopulation of CD4+ lymphocytes that cooperate with other lymphocytes (either t or b) to initiate a variety of immune functions. For example, helper-inducer T-cells cooperate with B-cells to produce antibodies to thymus-dependent antigens and with other subpopulations of T-cells to initiate a variety of cell-mediated immune functions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| T-lymphocytes, suppressor-inducer | Subpopulation of CD4+ lymphocytes which induce CD8+ suppressor T-cells (T-lymphocytes, suppressor-effector) to suppress antibody production by B-cells. They also stimulate other cellular immune responses. (12 Dec 1998) |