| signal peptidase complex | A peptide present on proteins that are destined either to be secreted or to be membrane components. It is usually at the N terminus and normally absent from the mature protein. Normally refers to the sequence (ca 20 amino acids) that interacts with signal recognition particle and directs the ribosome to the endoplasmic reticulum where co translational insertion takes place. Could also refer to sequences that direct post translational uptake by organelles. Signal peptides are highly hydrophobic but with some positively charged residues. The signal sequence is normally removed from the growing peptide chain by signal peptidase, a specific protease located on the cisternal face of the endoplasmic reticulum. See: signal recognition particle. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| spike and wave complex | A generalised, synchronous pattern seen on the electroencephalogram, consisting of a sharply contoured fast wave followed by a slow wave; particularly found in patients with generalised epilepsies. Spike and wave complexes are often characterised by their frequency, e.g., s low spike and wave, fast spike and wave. (05 Mar 2000) |
| neoplasms, complex and mixed | Neoplasms composed of more than one type of neoplastic tissue. (12 Dec 1998) |
| nitrogenase complex | <biochemistry> A system of enzymes used by nitrogen-fixing ATP is present. (09 Oct 1997) |
| sucrase-isomaltase complex | <enzyme> An enzyme complex found in the brush border membranes of the small intestine. It is believed to be an enzyme complex with different catalytic sites. Its absence is manifested by an inherited disease called sucrase-isomaltase deficiency. Registry number: EC 3.2.1.- (12 Dec 1998) |
| superiority complex | Term sometimes given to the compensatory behaviour, e.g., aggressiveness, self-assertion, associated with inferiority complex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| synaptinemal complex | A submicroscopic structure interposed between the homologous chromosome pairs during synapsis. Synonym: synaptonemal complex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| synaptonemal complex | <cell biology> Structure, identified by electron microscopy, lying between chromosomes during synapsis, consists of two lateral plates closely apposed to the chromosomes and connected to a central plate by filaments. It appears to act as a scaffold and is essential for crossing over. (18 Nov 1997) |
| Diana complex | Ideas leading to the adoption of masculine traits and behaviour in a female. Origin: Diana, L. Myth. Char. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diphasic complex | A complex consisting of both positive and negative deflections. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immune complex | <immunology> Multimolecular antibody antigen complexes that may be soluble or insoluble depending upon their size and whether or not complement is present. Immune complexes can be filtered from plasma in the kidney and the deposition of the complexes gives rise to glomerulonephritis probably because of the trapping of neutrophils via their Fc receptors. (18 Nov 1997) |
| immune complex disease | An immunologic category of diseases evoked by the deposition of antigen-antibody or antigen-antibody-complement complexes on cell surfaces, with subsequent involvement of breakdown products of complement, platelets, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and development of vasculitis; nephritis is common. Arthus phenomenon and serum sickness are classic examples, but many other disorders, including most of the connective tissue disease's, may belong in this immunologic category; immune complex disease's can also occur during a variety of disease's of known aetiology, such as subacute bacterial endocarditis. See: autoimmune disease. Synonym: immune complex disorder, type III hypersensitivity reaction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immune complex diseases | Diseases characterised by the presence of immune complexes in body fluids. Hypersensitivity of the Arthus type and serum sickness are examples. (18 Nov 1997) |
| immune complex disorder | An immunologic category of diseases evoked by the deposition of antigen-antibody or antigen-antibody-complement complexes on cell surfaces, with subsequent involvement of breakdown products of complement, platelets, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and development of vasculitis; nephritis is common. Arthus phenomenon and serum sickness are classic examples, but many other disorders, including most of the connective tissue disease's, may belong in this immunologic category; immune complex disease's can also occur during a variety of disease's of known aetiology, such as subacute bacterial endocarditis. See: autoimmune disease. Synonym: immune complex disorder, type III hypersensitivity reaction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immune complex glomerulonephritis | Immune complexes are deposited in the renal glomerulus where they bind complement and initiate an inflammatory process attracting neutrophils and macrophages resulting in an alteration of the basement layer of the kidney. The disease state can lead to ultimate destruction of the glomerulus and renal failure. (05 Mar 2000) |