EICOSANOID RECEPTOR Meaning and
Definition
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Eicosanoid receptors are a group of protein molecules found on the surface of cells in various tissues and organs throughout the body. These receptors specifically bind and interact with eicosanoids, a class of bioactive lipid compounds involved in several physiological and pathological processes.
Eicosanoids are derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids, primarily arachidonic acid, and are produced through the enzymatic action of various enzymes, including cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX), and cytochrome P450. Once synthesized, eicosanoids act as local signaling molecules, exerting their effects in the vicinity of their production site or upon diffusion to target cells nearby.
There are several types of eicosanoid receptors, each specific to a particular class of eicosanoids. Examples of notable eicosanoid receptor families include prostaglandin receptors, thromboxane receptors, and leukotriene receptors. These receptors are typically G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), meaning that they transmit signals into the cell upon eicosanoid binding, activating intracellular signaling pathways.
Eicosanoid receptors play a crucial role in regulating a wide range of physiological processes, including inflammation, immune response, blood flow regulation, platelet aggregation, and tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of eicosanoid signaling or abnormalities in eicosanoid receptor function have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases, such as asthma, cardiovascular disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer.
Overall, eicosanoid receptors are essential components of the eicosanoid signaling system, mediating the diverse effects of eicosanoids in different tissues and contributing to the overall balance and regulation of physiological and pathological processes.
Common Misspellings for EICOSANOID RECEPTOR
- wicosanoid receptor
- sicosanoid receptor
- dicosanoid receptor
- ricosanoid receptor
- 4icosanoid receptor
- 3icosanoid receptor
- eucosanoid receptor
- ejcosanoid receptor
- ekcosanoid receptor
- eocosanoid receptor
- e9cosanoid receptor
- e8cosanoid receptor
- eixosanoid receptor
- eivosanoid receptor
- eifosanoid receptor
- eidosanoid receptor
- eicisanoid receptor
- eicksanoid receptor
- eiclsanoid receptor
- eicpsanoid receptor
Etymology of EICOSANOID RECEPTOR
The word "eicosanoid" comes from the Greek word "eikosi", which means twenty, and the word "oid", which is a suffix meaning resembling or similar. Eicosanoids are a class of signaling molecules derived from arachidonic acid, a fatty acid containing 20 carbon atoms. The term "eicosanoid" was coined in the 1970s to describe these bioactive lipid mediators.
The term "receptor" has Latin roots and comes from the word "receptio", which means receiving or taking in. In biology, a receptor refers to a protein molecule or a structure on the surface of a cell, which binds to specific molecules (ligands) and initiates a biological response or signal transduction pathway.
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