POKEWEED MITOGEN ISOLECTIN Meaning and
Definition
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Pokeweed Mitogen Isolectin (PWM) is a protein derived from the pokeweed plant (Phytolacca americana) that possesses mitogenic properties. Mitogens are substances that can stimulate cell division and proliferation in lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell involved in the immune response.
PWM specifically acts as a lectin, a type of protein that binds to specific carbohydrate moieties on the surface of cells. It is called an isolectin because it consists of separate subunits that have the same sugar-binding specificities. PWM is able to bind to certain carbohydrate molecules found on the surface of lymphocytes and initiate a signaling cascade that triggers their proliferation and expansion.
This mitogenic activity of PWM makes it a valuable tool in both research and medical applications. It is commonly used in immunology laboratories to stimulate lymphocyte growth for various experimental purposes, such as studying the cell cycle or immune responses. PWM is often employed in cell culture techniques to manipulate lymphocyte populations in vitro.
Furthermore, PWM can also be utilized in clinical settings, particularly in immunotherapy or cellular therapy. By stimulating lymphocytes to proliferate, researchers and clinicians can enhance immune responses or generate sufficient numbers of cells for therapeutic purposes. For example, PWM may be used to increase the number of antigen-specific T cells for adoptive cell transfer therapy, a promising treatment approach for certain cancers.
In summary, Pokeweed Mitogen Isolectin is a protein derived from pokeweed that has the ability to stimulate the growth and division of lymphocytes, making it an important tool in immunological research and potentially beneficial for medical applications.
Common Misspellings for POKEWEED MITOGEN ISOLECTIN
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