THROMBOMODULIN Meaning and
Definition
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Thrombomodulin is a glycoprotein found on the endothelial cells lining the inner walls of blood vessels. It plays a crucial role in regulating blood coagulation and maintaining the balance between clotting and anti-clotting processes in the body.
Functionally, thrombomodulin serves as a co-receptor for thrombin, a key enzyme involved in blood clot formation. When thrombin binds to thrombomodulin, it undergoes a conformational change that significantly alters its activity. Instead of promoting clot formation, thrombin binding to thrombomodulin activates a series of anticoagulant pathways.
The principal function of thrombomodulin is the activation of protein C, a plasma protein that inhibits blood clotting factors VIIIa and Va. The thrombin-thrombomodulin complex enhances the binding of protein C to its cofactor, protein S, resulting in the formation of activated protein C (APC). APC then inactivates the pro-coagulant factors, leading to a suppression of coagulation and prevention of excessive clot formation.
In addition to its anticoagulant properties, thrombomodulin also possesses anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects. It can modulate the inflammatory response by downregulating the production of pro-inflammatory molecules and promoting the release of anti-inflammatory factors. Furthermore, thrombomodulin helps to maintain the integrity of the endothelial barrier and limit damage caused by oxidative stress.
Overall, thrombomodulin is a critical protein involved in maintaining the delicate balance between clotting and anti-clotting processes in the body, thereby preventing thrombosis and maintaining vascular health.
Common Misspellings for THROMBOMODULIN
- rhrombomodulin
- fhrombomodulin
- ghrombomodulin
- yhrombomodulin
- 6hrombomodulin
- 5hrombomodulin
- tgrombomodulin
- tbrombomodulin
- tnrombomodulin
- tjrombomodulin
- turombomodulin
- tyrombomodulin
- theombomodulin
- thdombomodulin
- thfombomodulin
- thtombomodulin
- th5ombomodulin
- th4ombomodulin
- thrimbomodulin
- thrkmbomodulin
Etymology of THROMBOMODULIN
The word "Thrombomodulin" is derived from two main components: "thrombo-" and "-modulin".
1. Thrombo-: The prefix "thrombo-" is derived from the Greek word "thrombos", which means clot or lump. This prefix is commonly used in medical terminology related to blood clotting processes.
2. -Modulin: The suffix "-modulin" is derived from the Latin word "modulus", meaning measure or unit. In biology and biochemistry, the suffix "modulin" is used to depict substances that regulate or modify a particular process or system.
Therefore, when combined, "Thrombomodulin" refers to a substance or molecule that modulates or regulates thrombosis, the formation of blood clots.
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