| kingstone | <zoology> The black angel fish. See Angel fish, under Angel. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| kinic | <chemistry> See Quinic. Origin: Cf. F.kinique. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| kinic acid | <chemical> An acid which is found in cinchona bark and elsewhere in plants. Chemical name: Cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, 1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxy-, (1R-(1alpha,3alpha,4alpha,5beta))- (12 Dec 1998) |
| kinin | One of a number of widely differing substances having pronounced and dramatic physiological effects. Some (e.g., kallidin and bradykinin) are polypeptides, formed in blood by proteolysis secondary to some pathological process, that stimulate visceral smooth muscle but relax vascular smooth muscle, thus producing vasodilation; others (e.g., kinetin) are plant growth regulators. Origin: G. Kineo, to move, + -in (05 Mar 2000) |
| kinin 9 | <protein> Vasoactive nonapeptide (RPPGFSPFR) formed by action of proteases on kininogens. Very similar to kallidin (which has the same sequence but with an additional N terminal lysine). Bradykinin is a very potent vasodilator and increases permeability of post capillary venules, it acts on endothelial cells to activate phospholipase A2. It is also spasmogenic for some smooth muscle and will cause pain. (18 Nov 1997) |
| kininogen | <biochemistry> Inactive precursor in plasma from which kinin is produced by proteolytic cleavage. (18 Nov 1997) |
| kininogen, high-molecular-weight | A plasma protein, molecular weight of 110 kD, that normally exists in plasma in a 1:1 complex with prekallikrein. Hmwk is split by plasma kallikrein to produce bradykinin. The complex is a cofactor in the activation of coagulation factor xii. The product of this reaction, xiia, in turn activates prekallikrein to kallikrein. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kininogen, low-molecular-weight | A protein, molecular weight 50 kD, located in various normal tissues. Upon cleavage by kallikrein or other kallikreins, it forms kallidin. Kallidin, in turn, is converted into bradykinin. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kininogenase | <protein> Plasma serine proteases normally present as inactive prekallikreins which are activated by Hageman factor. Act on kininogens to produce kinins. Contain an apple domain. (18 Nov 1997) |
| kininogenin | <protein> Plasma serine proteases normally present as inactive prekallikreins which are activated by Hageman factor. Act on kininogens to produce kinins. Contain an apple domain. (18 Nov 1997) |
| kininogens | <chemical> Endogenous peptides present in most body fluids. Certain enzymes convert them to active kinins which are involved in inflammation, blood clotting, complement reactions, etc. Kininogens belong to the cystatin superfamily. They are cysteine proteinase inhibitors. High-molecular-weight kininogen (hmwk) is split by plasma kallikrein to produce bradykinin. Low-molecular-weight kininogen (lmwk) is split by tissue kallikrein to produce kallidin. Pharmacological action: cysteine proteinase inhibitors. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kinins | <biochemistry> Inflammatory mediators that cause dilation of blood vessels and altered vascular permeability. Kinins are small peptides produced from kininogen by kallikrein and are broken down by kininases. Act on phospholipase and increase arachidonic acid release and thus prostaglandin (PGE2) production. See: bradykinin, kallidin, C2 kinin. (18 Nov 1997) |
| kink | An angulation, bend, or twist. (05 Mar 2000) |
| kinkajou | <zoology> A nocturnal carnivorous mammal (Cercoleptes caudivolvulus) of South America, about as large as a full-grown cat. It has a prehensile tail and lives in trees. It is the only representative of a distinct family (Cercoleptidae) allied to the raccoons. Synonym: potto, and honey bear. Origin: F. Kinkajou, quincajou, from the native American name. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| kinked aorta | Distortion, often with slight narrowing, of the aortic arch at the level of insertion of the ligamentum arteriosum. Synonym: buckled aorta, kinked aorta. (05 Mar 2000) |