| immunoglobulin isotypes | The classes of immunoglobulins found in any species of animal. In man there are nine classes that migrate in five different groups in electrophoresis; they each consist of two light and two heavy protein chains, and each group has distinguishing structural and functional properties. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| immunoglobulin joining region | Segment of light and heavy chains of mouse and human immunoglobulins where the genes for the variable region upstream join those of the constant region downstream (an important part of the antibody diversity mechanism). In the joining region of the light chain are the genes coding for amino acids 96 to 107. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunoglobulin M | <immunology> An immunoglobulin M molecule (970 kD) is built up from five immunoglobulin G type monomers joined together, with the assistance of J chains, to form a cyclic pentamer. Immunoglobulin M binds complement and a single molecule bound to a cell surface can lyse that cell. Immunoglobulin M is usually produced first in an immune response before immunoglobulin G. The human red cell isoantibodies are immunoglobulin M antibodies. Heavy chain (mu chain) is rather larger than the heavy chains of other immunoglobulins. (30 Mar 1998) |
| immunoglobulin superfamily | <immunology> A large group of proteins with immunoglobulin like domains. most are involved with cell surface recognition events. Sequence homologyy suggests that immunoglobulins, MHC molecules, some cell adhesion molecules and cytokines receptors share close homology and thus belong to a multigene family. (30 Mar 1998) |
| immunoglobulin switch region | Site on a segment of a B-cell immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene where recombination or rearrangement can occur, expressed as isotype or allotype switching, maturation of immune response, or recombination of DNA molecules. It is found on genes encoding all five immunoglobulin heavy chains. (12 Dec 1998) |
| 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) |
| intravenous immunoglobulin | <pharmacology> A sterile solution of concentrated antibodies extracted from healthy people. IVIG is used to prevent bacterial infections in people with low or inappropriate antibody production. Injected into a vein or muscle. (09 Oct 1997) |
| tetanus immunoglobulin | <protein> A protein antibody to tetanus toxin, given as passive immunity for those lacking any prior tetanus vaccination. (27 Sep 1997) |
| thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin | <protein> A test that measures the amount of an antibody (thyroid stimulating antibody) which is directed against a receptor for TSH on the thyroid gland. This antibody acts like TSH and stimulates the thyroid to produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. The presence of this antibody generally indicates Grave's disease (hyperthyroidism). (27 Sep 1997) |
| allelic gene | See: allele, dominance of traits. (05 Mar 2000) |
| antibiotic resistance gene | Genes in a microorganism which confer resistance to antibiotics, for example by coding for enzymes which destroy it, by coding for surface proteins which prevent it from entering the microorganism, or by being a mutant form of the antibiotic's target so that it can ignore it. (09 Oct 1997) |
| autosomal gene | A gene located on any chromosome other than the sex chromosomes (X or Y). (05 Mar 2000) |
| bicoid gene | A group of genes which are important to the proper development of the head and thorax in the embryo of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. (09 Oct 1997) |
| BRCA1 breast cancer susceptibility gene | This mutated (changed) version of the BRCA1 gene makes a person susceptible to developing breast cancer. (12 Dec 1998) |
| calcitonin gene-related peptide | <protein> A second product transcribed from the calcitonin gene. Calcitonin gene related peptide is found in a number of tissues including nervous tissue. It is a vasodilator that may participate in the cutaneous triple response. It is a neuropeptide of 37 amino acids with structural homology to salmon calcitonin. Co-localises with substance P in neurons. It occurs as a result of alternative processing of mRNA from the calcitonin gene. The neuropeptide is widely distributed in neural tissue of the brain, gut, perivascular nerves, and other tissue. The peptide produces multiple biological effects and has both circulatory and neurotransmitter modes of action. In particular, it is a potent endogenous vasodilator. Intracerebral administration leads to a rise in noradrenergic sympathetic outflow, a rise in blood pressure and a fall in gastric secretion. Acronym: CGRP (05 May 2002) |