The word "conglutinin" is spelled with a combination of letters that represents its pronunciation in IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet). Its spelling follows the principles of English orthography, but its pronunciation differs from its written form. According to IPA, the word is pronounced as /kɑŋˈgluːtənɪn/. This means that the first syllable is pronounced with a long "a" sound, followed by a hard "g" and a long "u" sound. The word ends with a stress on the second to the last syllable and a short "i" sound in the last syllable.
Conglutinin refers to a naturally occurring protein found in the blood plasma of vertebrates, particularly mammals. It belongs to the family of soluble immune system proteins known as collectins. Conglutinin plays a crucial role in the body's defense against invading pathogens, as it functions as an opsonin, which enhances the recognition and elimination of microbes.
This protein is primarily synthesized in the liver and released into the bloodstream. Conglutinin binds to certain carbohydrate structures present on the surface of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. This interaction serves as a signal for other immune cells to recognize and engulf these pathogens, assisting in their clearance from the body.
Furthermore, conglutinin is an important component of the innate immune response, complementing the activity of other soluble immune proteins, such as mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and pulmonary surfactant proteins. These collectins share a similar structural organization called "collagen-like regions" and "lectin domains," which are involved in the recognition and binding of carbohydrates.
The presence of conglutinin in the bloodstream is crucial for an effective immune response against various infectious agents. Deficiencies or abnormalities in conglutinin can impair the innate immune system's ability to efficiently clear pathogens, potentially leading to higher susceptibility to infections. Therefore, conglutinin represents an essential component of the body's defense mechanisms and contributes to maintaining overall health and well-being.
The substance in ox serum and other serum which brings about the reaction termed conglutination; it is non-specific, is fixed only in the presence of alexinized and sensitized antigen, and is readily precipitated.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "conglutinin" is derived from Latin and Greek roots.
The Latin root "con-" means "together" or "with", and it comes from the Latin word "cum".
The Greek root "glutin-" is derived from the Greek word "gluein", meaning "to glue".
When combined, "con-" and "glutin-" form the word "conglutin-", which refers to the action of sticking or joining together.
The suffix "-in" is a common suffix used in biology and chemistry to denote a substance or protein.
Overall, the etymology of the word "conglutinin" suggests its meaning as a substance or protein that sticks or joins things together.