| insulin-like growth-factor-binding proteins | A family of soluble proteins that bind insulin-like growth factors and modulate their biological actions at the cellular level. (int j gynaecol obstet 1992;39(1):3-9) (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| iron-binding capacity | The capacity of iron-binding protein in serum (transferrin) to bind serum iron. (05 Mar 2000) |
| testosterone-oestrogen-binding globulin | A glycoprotein migrating as a beta-globulin. Its molecular weight, 52,000 or 95,000-115,000, indicates that it exists as a dimer. The protein binds testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol in the plasma. Changes in its concentration significantly affect the ratio of unbound (biologically active) testosterone to estradiol in plasma. (12 Dec 1998) |
| thyroid binding globulin | <protein> Thyroid binding globulin (TBG) is a plasma protein which binds the majority of thyroid hormone in the bloodstream. Bound thyroid hormone is inactive, only the unbound fraction (0.3%) is considered active. Birth control pills and pregnancy can lead to increased TBG levels in the plasma. Androgens can decrease TBG levels in the plasma. (27 Sep 1997) |
| thyroxine-binding globulin | An alpha-globulin of blood with a strong binding affinity for thyroxine; triiodothyronine is bound to it much less firmly; a deficiency or excess of this protein may occur as a rare benign X-linked disorder. Synonym: thyroxine-binding protein. (05 Mar 2000) |
| thyroxine-binding proteins | A group of proteins that includes thyroxine-binding globulin, a glycoprotein that serves as the major and specific carrier of thyroxine in plasma, accounting for 70-75% of the bound thyroxine; thyroxine-binding prealbumin, an albumin that serves as the secondary carrier, accounting for between 20 and 25% of the bound thyroxine; and serum albumin, which accounts for the remaining bound thyroxine. (12 Dec 1998) |
| total iron binding capacity | <biochemistry, haematology> A test that measures indirectly the transferrin level in the bloodstream. Transferrin is a protein that carries iron in the body. Normal values are 240 to 450 mcg/dl. This test is used to evaluate anaemia. Greater than normal total iron binding capacity can be seen in: iron deficiency anaemia, late pregnancy and polycythaemia vera. Lower than normal total iron binding capacity can be seen in cirrhosis, sickle cell anaemia, hypoproteinaemia, pernicious anaemia and haemolytic anaemia. The use of birth control pills can lead to increased total iron binding capacity measurements. Acronym: TIBC (12 Jan 1998) |
| fatty acid binding proteins | <biochemistry> Group of small cytosolic proteins that bind fatty acids or other organic solutes. (18 Nov 1997) |
| ligand binding site | The site on a protein's surface that binds a ligand; equivalent to the active site if the ligand is the substrate of an enzyme. (05 Mar 2000) |
| A-DNA | A form of DNA in which the helix is right-handed and the overall appearance is short and broad. (05 Mar 2000) |
| a-form DNA | <molecular biology> One of several forms that can be assumed by a double helix. A-DNA is stable in dehydrated conditions. This form is less common than the dominant form found under physiological conditions -- beta-DNA. This form is also assumed by DNA-RNA hybrid helices and by regions of double-stranded RNA. It is a right-handed helix and is a more compact form than beta-DNA. (09 Oct 1997) |
| antisense DNA | <molecular biology> A synthetic DNA strand that is complementary to a particular strand of target DNA with a complementary sequence of bases. This results in preventing expression of the gene encoded. These proteins can be used to selectively turn off production of certain proteins or block viral genetic instructions, by marking them for destruction by cellular enzymes, in order to prevent the building of new virus or the infection of new cells. (14 Nov 1997) |
| apurinic DNA | <molecular biology> A DNA molecule that has lost adenine and guanine, its purine bases. Apurinic DNA can be produced by treating the DNA with acid. (09 Oct 1997) |
| ATP-dependent DNA strand transferase | <enzyme> From human cell nuclei; catalyses strand exchange between homologous DNA sequences; magnesium dependent, requires ATP hydrolysis Registry number: EC 2.7.7.- Synonym: ATP-dep-DNA-str trnsfase (26 Jun 1999) |
| bacteriophage T7 induced DNA polymerase | <enzyme> Complex of two proteins, phage gene 5 protein and E coli thioredoxin Registry number: EC 2.7.7.- Synonym: t7 phage DNA polymerase, sequenase, t7 DNA polymerase, thermo sequenase (26 Jun 1999) |