| discrete variable | A variable that may assume only a countable (usually finite) number of values. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| immunoglobulin variable region | That region of the immunoglobulin (antibody) molecule that varies in its amino acid sequence and composition, confers the antigenic specificity, and is thought to comprise the binding site for the antigen. It is located at the n-terminus of the fab fragment of the immunoglobulin. It includes hypervariable and framework regions, vh family subgroups, and the complementarity-determining region. (12 Dec 1998) |
| independent variable | A characteristic being measured or observed that is hypothesised to influence another event or manifestation (the dependent variable) within a defined area of relationships under study; that is, the independent variable is not influenced by the event or manifestation, but may cause it or contribute to its variation. See: dependent variable. (05 Mar 2000) |
| intermediate variable | A variable in a causal pathway that causes variation in the dependent variable and is itself caused to vary by the independent variable. (05 Mar 2000) |
| intervening variable | An event, such as an attitude or emotion, inferred to occur within an organism between the stimulation and response in such a way as to influence or determine the response. (05 Mar 2000) |
| breast cancer susceptibility genes | Inherited factors that predispose to breast cancer. Put otherwise, these genes make one more susceptible to the disease and so increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Two of these genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, have been identified (and prominently publicised). Several other genes (those for the Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden disease, Muir-Torre syndrome, and ataxia-telangiectasia) are also known to predispose to breast cancer. However, since all of these known breast cancer susceptibility genes together do not account for more than a minor fraction (1/5th at most) of breast cancer that clusters in families, it is clear that more breast cancer genes remain to be discovered. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, breast, susceptibility genes | Inherited factors that predispose to breast cancer. Put otherwise, these genes make one more susceptible to the disease and so increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Two of these genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, have been identified (and prominently publicised). Several other genes (those for the Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden disease, Muir-Torre syndrome, and ataxia-telangiectasia) are also known to predispose to breast cancer. However, since all of these known breast cancer susceptibility genes together do not account for more than a minor fraction (1/5th at most) of breast cancer that clusters in families, it is clear that more breast cancer genes remain to be discovered. (12 Dec 1998) |
| genes | Located in the nucleus of the cell, genes contain hereditary information that is transferred from cell to cell. (09 Oct 1997) |
| genes, abl | Retrovirus-associated DNA sequences (abl) originally isolated from the abelson murine leukaemia virus (ab-mulv). The proto-oncogene abl (c-abl) codes for a protein that is a member of the tyrosine kinase family. The human c-abl gene is located at 9q34.1 on the long arm of chromosome 9. It is activated by translocation to bcr on chromosome 22 in chronic myelogenous leukaemia. (12 Dec 1998) |
| genes, apc | Tumour suppressor genes located in the 5q21 region on the long arm of chromosome 5. The mutation of these genes is associated with familial adenomatous polyposis (apc stands for adenomatous polyposis coli) and gardner's syndrome, as well as some sporadic colourectal cancers. (12 Dec 1998) |
| genes, arac | Regulatory genes which encode a cyclic AMP receptor protein required for l-arabinose utilization in e. Coli. It is an example of positive control or regulation of gene expression in the bacterial operon. (12 Dec 1998) |
| genes, archaeal | The genetic material of archaea. (12 Dec 1998) |
| genes, bacterial | The genetic material of bacteria. (12 Dec 1998) |
| genes, bcl-1 | The B-cell leukaemia/lymphoma-1 genes, associated with various neoplasms when overexpressed. Overexpression results from the t(11;14) translocation, which is characteristic of mantle zone-derived B-cell lymphomas. The human c-bcl-1 gene is located at 11q13 on the long arm of chromosome 18. (12 Dec 1998) |
| genes, bcl-2 | The B-cell leukaemia/lymphoma-2 genes, responsible for blocking apoptosis in normal cells, and associated with follicular lymphoma when overexpressed. Overexpression results from the t(14;18) translocation. The human c-bcl-2 gene is located at 18q24 on the long arm of chromosome 18. (12 Dec 1998) |