EICOSANOID RECEPTORS Meaning and
Definition
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Eicosanoid receptors refer to a specific group of cell membrane receptors that are involved in signal transduction pathways mediated by eicosanoids. Eicosanoids are a class of bioactive lipid mediators derived from arachidonic acid or related polyunsaturated fatty acids. They play crucial roles in inflammation, immune response, pain perception, blood pressure regulation, platelet aggregation, and many other physiological processes.
The eicosanoid receptors are proteins embedded within the cell membrane and are categorized into four main subtypes: prostaglandin receptors, thromboxane receptors, leukotriene receptors, and lipoxin receptors. Each receptor type binds to specific eicosanoids and triggers downstream signaling pathways upon activation.
These receptor-mediated pathways are responsible for transmitting signals and initiating cellular responses upon eicosanoid binding. The activation of eicosanoid receptors can lead to diverse effects depending on the receptor type and cellular context. For example, prostaglandin receptors can modulate vasodilation or vasoconstriction, regulate inflammation, and modulate pain perception, while leukotriene receptors are involved in bronchoconstriction and immune response regulation.
Abnormalities and dysregulation in eicosanoid receptor signaling have been linked to various diseases, such as asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. Understanding the function and regulation of eicosanoid receptors is crucial in the development of targeted therapeutic interventions for these conditions.
In summary, eicosanoid receptors are a group of cell membrane proteins that bind eicosanoids and initiate specific cellular responses through intracellular signaling pathways. Their role in various physiological processes makes these receptors an important focus of research for pharmacological and therapeutic applications.
Common Misspellings for EICOSANOID RECEPTORS
- wicosanoid receptors
- sicosanoid receptors
- dicosanoid receptors
- ricosanoid receptors
- 4icosanoid receptors
- 3icosanoid receptors
- eucosanoid receptors
- ejcosanoid receptors
- ekcosanoid receptors
- eocosanoid receptors
- e9cosanoid receptors
- e8cosanoid receptors
- eixosanoid receptors
- eivosanoid receptors
- eifosanoid receptors
- eidosanoid receptors
- eicisanoid receptors
- eicksanoid receptors
- eiclsanoid receptors
- eicpsanoid receptors
Etymology of EICOSANOID RECEPTORS
The word "eicosanoid" is derived from the Greek word "eikosi", meaning twenty, and "oid", meaning resembling or like. This term refers to a class of signaling molecules that are derived from long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids with 20 carbon atoms, such as arachidonic acid.
The word "receptor", on the other hand, comes from the Latin word "receptus", which means to receive or accept. In biology, a receptor is a molecule, often found on the surface of a cell, that binds to specific molecules called ligands, such as hormones or neurotransmitters, and initiates a response within the cell.
Therefore, "eicosanoid receptors" refer to the specific molecules found on the surface of cells that can bind to eicosanoids and trigger cellular responses.
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