GLYCOPHORIN B Meaning and
Definition
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Glycophorin B is a type of cell surface glycoprotein that is expressed on the surface of human red blood cells. It belongs to the glycophorin family of proteins and plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity and function of the red blood cell membrane.
The protein glycophorin B is encoded by the GLYPB gene, which is located on chromosome 4 in humans. It is composed of a single polypeptide chain that spans the membrane of the red blood cell. The extracellular portion of glycophorin B contains several glycosylated regions, giving rise to its name.
One of the key functions of glycophorin B is to act as a receptor for the invasion and binding of certain strains of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. This interaction allows the parasite to enter the red blood cell, leading to the onset of malaria infection.
Glycophorin B also plays a role in cell adhesion and aggregation, as well as in maintaining the flexibility and deformability of red blood cells necessary for their passage through narrow blood vessels. It is also involved in blood group antigen expression and can determine certain blood types.
Mutations or alterations in the glycophorin B gene can lead to various blood disorders, including hereditary elliptocytosis and hereditary hydrocytosis. These conditions are characterized by abnormal red blood cell morphology and can result in anemia and other associated complications.
In summary, glycophorin B is a cell surface glycoprotein that is essential for maintaining the structure and function of red blood cells. It serves as a receptor for malaria invasion, contributes to cell adhesion, and plays a role in blood group antigen expression.
Common Misspellings for GLYCOPHORIN B
- flycophorin b
- vlycophorin b
- blycophorin b
- hlycophorin b
- ylycophorin b
- tlycophorin b
- gkycophorin b
- gpycophorin b
- goycophorin b
- gltcophorin b
- glgcophorin b
- glhcophorin b
- glucophorin b
- gl7cophorin b
- gl6cophorin b
- glyxophorin b
- glyvophorin b
- glyfophorin b
- glydophorin b
- glyciphorin b
Etymology of GLYCOPHORIN B
The word "Glycophorin B" is a compound term, consisting of "glycophorin" and the letter "B".
The term "glycophorin" originates from the combination of two components: "glyco-" and "phorin".
- "Glyco-" is derived from the Greek word "glykys", meaning "sweet" or "sugar", which is related to the element "glyco-" used in various scientific terms related to carbohydrates.
- "Phorin" is derived from the Greek word "phoros", meaning "carrier" or "bearer", which is related to the term "phorein" or "phoros", denoting something that carries or bears.
