BREFELDIN A Meaning and
Definition
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Brefeldin A is a naturally occurring fungal metabolite that functions as a potent inhibitor of intracellular vesicular transport processes within cells. It was first isolated in the 1970s from the fungus Eupenicillium brefeldianum and has since gained significant recognition and study in the fields of cell biology and pharmacology.
As a dictionary definition, Brefeldin A can be described as a macrocyclic lactone compound with a complex structure consisting of three fused rings. It exerts its effects by disrupting the function of a specific class of proteins called small GTPases, which are crucial for regulating the transport of proteins and lipids between different compartments within cells.
The primary mode of action of Brefeldin A is its ability to inhibit the formation of transport vesicles from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a network of membranous sacs within cells responsible for protein synthesis and modification. By inhibiting the formation of these vesicles, Brefeldin A disrupts the normal trafficking of proteins from the ER to the Golgi apparatus, a vital organelle involved in protein sorting, modification, and packaging.
Due to its profound impact on intracellular transport processes, Brefeldin A has been widely used in research to understand the intricate mechanisms involved in vesicular trafficking. It has also been employed as a pharmacological tool to study various cellular functions and to elucidate diseases associated with defects in vesicle transport, such as certain types of neurodegenerative disorders and viral infections.
Common Misspellings for BREFELDIN A
- vrefeldin a
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Etymology of BREFELDIN A
The word "Brefeldin A" is derived from the combination of two parts: "Brefeldin" and "A".
"Brefeldin" is named after the German mycologist (a scientist specializing in the study of fungi) Heinrich Georg Friedrich Brefeld. Brefeld is known for his contributions to the field of mycology, particularly for his work on plant pathology and his study of fungi.
The letter "A" is used to differentiate different variants or analogs of a particular compound. In this case, "Brefeldin A" is the first discovered and most well-known variant of the Brefeldin family of compounds.
Therefore, the word "Brefeldin A" is a compound name that honors Brefeld's contribution to mycology while also distinguishing it as the first variant in the Brefeldin family.
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