GLYCOPHORIN A Meaning and
Definition
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Glycophorin A is a transmembrane protein found on the surface of red blood cells (erythrocytes) that plays a crucial role in maintaining their structural integrity and facilitating their function. It is a glycoprotein, meaning it has both protein and carbohydrate components.
The protein portion of glycophorin A consists of a single polypeptide chain that traverses the cell membrane once, anchored by hydrophobic regions. Its structure is stabilized by disulfide bonds formed between cysteine residues. The carbohydrate component of glycophorin A consists of various types of sugars, including N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid) and O-glycans, attached to specific amino acid residues. These glycans contribute to the overall negative charge of the red blood cell surface and participate in cell-cell interactions.
Glycophorin A is involved in several functions essential for red blood cell physiology. It helps maintain the biconcave shape of red blood cells, ensuring their flexibility and facilitating their passage through narrow blood vessels. Additionally, glycophorin A serves as a receptor for several pathogens, including the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum, aiding in their invasion of red blood cells. It also plays a role in blood type determination, as the carbohydrate antigens on glycophorin A are recognized by the immune system and determine the ABO blood group system.
Overall, glycophorin A is a vital protein found on the surface of red blood cells, helping maintain their structure, facilitating pathogen invasion, and influencing blood type determination.
Common Misspellings for GLYCOPHORIN A
- flycophorin a
- vlycophorin a
- blycophorin a
- hlycophorin a
- ylycophorin a
- tlycophorin a
- gkycophorin a
- gpycophorin a
- goycophorin a
- gltcophorin a
- glgcophorin a
- glhcophorin a
- glucophorin a
- gl7cophorin a
- gl6cophorin a
- glyxophorin a
- glyvophorin a
- glyfophorin a
- glydophorin a
- glyciphorin a
Etymology of GLYCOPHORIN A
The word "Glycophorin A" is derived from two different sources: "glyco-" and "porin", combined with the letter "A".
The prefix "glyco-" is derived from the Greek word "glykys", which means sweet or sugar. In biology, "glyco-" typically refers to carbohydrates or sugar molecules.
The term "porin" stems from the Greek word "poros", meaning passage or pore. In biology, "porins" are a type of protein that form channels or pores in cell membranes, allowing the passage of molecules, ions, or water.
The "A" in "Glycophorin A" distinguishes it as one of the two major forms of glycophorin, with the other major form being called "Glycophorin B".
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