P GLYCOPROTEIN Meaning and
Definition
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P-glycoprotein, also known as P-gp or ABCB1, is a transmembrane protein that belongs to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily. It is primarily found in the cell membrane of various tissues and organs, such as the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney, and blood-brain barrier.
Functionally, P-glycoprotein functions as an efflux pump, actively transporting a wide range of molecules out of the cell. Its primary role is to protect the body by preventing the accumulation of potentially harmful substances while also regulating the absorption, distribution, and excretion of drugs and other xenobiotics.
P-glycoprotein's mechanism of action involves the energy-dependent efflux of substances, utilizing energy derived from ATP hydrolysis. This process ensures the removal of toxic compounds and unwanted substances, reducing their concentration within cells and tissues.
Its ability to transport diverse substrates, including drugs, toxins, and metabolites, contributes to its significant impact on drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination. P-glycoprotein is known to affect drug pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and efficacy by limiting drug penetration into specific organs, leading to therapeutic failure or the development of multidrug resistance.
Given its role in drug transport and resistance, P-glycoprotein has considerable pharmacological and clinical implications. Studying and understanding the functions, regulation, and interactions of P-gp are of paramount importance in the development of more effective medications, as well as in the optimization of drug delivery systems to overcome multidrug resistance in various diseases, including cancer.
Common Misspellings for P GLYCOPROTEIN
- o glycoprotein
- l glycoprotein
- 0 glycoprotein
- p flycoprotein
- p vlycoprotein
- p blycoprotein
- p hlycoprotein
- p ylycoprotein
- p tlycoprotein
- p gkycoprotein
- p gpycoprotein
- p goycoprotein
- p gltcoprotein
- p glgcoprotein
- p glhcoprotein
- p glucoprotein
- p gl7coprotein
- p gl6coprotein
- p glyxoprotein
- p glyvoprotein
Etymology of P GLYCOPROTEIN
The word "P glycoprotein" is derived from several sources:
1. P: The letter "P" stands for permeability. This refers to the function of the glycoprotein in transporting various substances across cell membranes, particularly the blood-brain barrier.
2. Glycoprotein: "Glyco-" is derived from the Greek word "glykos", meaning "sweet" or "sugar", and "-protein" refers to a type of biomolecule known as a protein. Glycoproteins are proteins that have a carbohydrate group attached to them. The carbohydrate group in P glycoprotein plays a significant role in its structure and function.
So, when combined, "P glycoprotein" refers to a permeability glycoprotein that is involved in the transportation of substances across cell membranes.
