| immunoreactive | Denoting or exhibiting immunoreaction. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| receptors, glucagon | Cell surface receptors that bind glucagon with high affinity and trigger intracellular changes which influence the behaviour of cells. Activation of glucagon receptors causes a variety of effects; the best understood is the initiation of a complex enzymatic cascade in the liver which ultimately increases the availability of glucose to body organs. (12 Dec 1998) |
| glucagon | A polypeptide hormone (3485 D) secreted by the cells of the Islets of Langerhans in response to a fall in blood sugar levels. Induces hyperglycaemia. A family of structurally related peptides includes glucagon like peptides 1 & 2 (encoded by the same gene), gastric inhibitory polypeptide, secretin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, growth hormone releasing factor, pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide, exendins. (18 Nov 1997) |