FORMYL PEPTIDE Meaning and
Definition
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Formyl peptide is a term used in biochemistry to refer to a type of peptide molecule that contains a formyl group attached to its N-terminus. A peptide is a short chain of amino acid residues, typically ranging in length from two to fifty amino acids, connected through peptide bonds. The N-terminus is the end of the peptide chain that carries a free amino group (NH2 group).
The formyl group in a formyl peptide is a functional group composed of a carbon atom bonded to hydrogen and oxygen atoms, and is connected to the N-terminal amino group. This formyl group, represented as -CHO, is derived from formic acid (HCOOH) and is responsible for various chemical properties and functions of the peptide.
Formyl peptides are particularly important in the field of immunology and microbial biology, as they play a crucial role in host defense responses. They are recognized by formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) present on immune cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages. Upon activation and binding of formyl peptides to FPRs, immune cells undergo a series of cellular events, including chemotaxis (movement towards the source of the formyl peptides), phagocytosis (engulfing and destruction of pathogens), and inflammation.
In summary, formyl peptides are peptide molecules that possess a formyl group attached to their N-terminus. They have significant immunological functions and play a pivotal role in initiating immune responses against invading microbes.
Common Misspellings for FORMYL PEPTIDE
- dormyl peptide
- cormyl peptide
- vormyl peptide
- gormyl peptide
- tormyl peptide
- rormyl peptide
- firmyl peptide
- fkrmyl peptide
- flrmyl peptide
- fprmyl peptide
- f0rmyl peptide
- f9rmyl peptide
- foemyl peptide
- fodmyl peptide
- fofmyl peptide
- fotmyl peptide
- fo5myl peptide
- fo4myl peptide
- fornyl peptide
- forkyl peptide
Etymology of FORMYL PEPTIDE
The word "formyl peptide" has its etymology rooted in both chemistry and biology.
1. Formyl: The term "formyl" comes from the chemical compound called formic acid, which was first isolated by the distillation of ants (Formica in Latin) by the French chemist Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac in 1800. Formic acid gets its name from the Latin word "formica" meaning ant, as it was initially obtained by the distillation of ants. "Formyl" is the functional group derived from formic acid, consisting of a carbon atom bonded to an oxygen atom and a hydrogen atom, written as -CHO. This formyl group is commonly found in various chemical compounds.
2. Peptide: The word "peptide" originates from the Greek term "peptos", which means "digestible" or "well-digested".
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