IMMUNOPHILINS Meaning and
Definition
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Immunophilins refer to a class of proteins that play crucial roles in the immune system and cellular processes. These proteins are known for their ability to bind and interact with specific ligands, such as immunosuppressive drugs and small molecules. The term "immunophilin" is derived from the combination of "immuno," referring to the immune system, and "philin," indicating an affinity or attraction.
Immunophilins are classified into two major families: cyclophilins and FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs). Cyclophilins, predominantly found in the cytosol, are peptidyl-prolyl isomerases that catalyze the interconversion of the cis and trans conformations of peptidyl-prolyl bonds. On the other hand, FKBPs are primarily located in the endoplasmic reticulum and are involved in chaperone-like functions, aiding in protein folding and trafficking.
These immunophilins have significant implications in immune regulation and signal transduction. They act as accessory proteins for various receptors, including those involved in antigen presentation and T-cell activation. By interacting with immunosuppressive drugs like cyclosporine and FK506, immunophilins inhibit the activity of calcineurin, a key enzyme in immune response modulation. Consequently, immunophilins play critical roles in the management of immune-mediated disorders, such as autoimmune diseases and organ transplantation.
Beyond their immunoregulatory functions, immunophilins are also involved in other cellular processes, including protein folding, assembly of multiprotein complexes, and modulation of gene transcription. Their versatile nature and multifaceted roles make immunophilins a subject of extensive research and therapeutic interest in the fields of immunology and pharmacology.
Common Misspellings for IMMUNOPHILINS
- ummunophilins
- jmmunophilins
- kmmunophilins
- ommunophilins
- 9mmunophilins
- 8mmunophilins
- inmunophilins
- ikmunophilins
- ijmunophilins
- imnunophilins
- imkunophilins
- imjunophilins
- immynophilins
- immhnophilins
- immjnophilins
- imminophilins
- imm8nophilins
- imm7nophilins
- immubophilins
- immumophilins
Etymology of IMMUNOPHILINS
The word "immunophilins" is derived from the combination of two terms: "immunology" and "philin".
1. Immunology: The term "immunology" is derived from the Latin word "immunis" meaning "exempt". It was first used in the late 19th century and refers to the study of the immune system, including its structure, function, and response to various microorganisms and foreign substances.
2. Philin: The term "philin" is derived from the Greek word "philos" meaning "love" or "affinity". In scientific terminology, the suffix "-phil" is commonly used to indicate a love, attraction, or affinity towards something. For example, "hydrophilic" means having an affinity or attraction towards water, and "lipophilic" means having an affinity towards fat or lipids.
