Category: A

Refers to any compound that works to prevent angiogenesis (formation/development of new blood vessels). Because angiogenesis is required for malignant tumors to grow and/or metastasize (spread), antiangiogenesis was proposed as a means to combat cancer, by Judah Folkman in 1970. Because angiogenesis is required for embryonic development, anti-angiogenic drugs inhibit proper development/growth of infants in…

An antibody to interferon. Used for the purification of interferons.  

Antibodies to antibodies. In other words, if a human antibody is injected into rabbits, the rabbit immune systems will recognize the human antibodies as foreign (regardless of the fact that they are antibodies) and produce antibodies against them. To the rabbit the foreign antibodies represent just another invader or nonself to be targeted and destroyed.…

One of the human angiogenic growth factors, it possesses potent angiogenic (formation of blood vessels) activity. In addition to stimulating (normal) blood vessel formation, angiogenin levels are correlated with placenta formation and tumor growth (tumors require new blood vessels). A protein substance found in the body that stimulates the growth of blood vessels.  

Proteins that stimulate formation of blood vessels (e.g., in tissue being formed by the body to repair wounds). A group of polypeptides that stimulate the formation of new blood vessels. They include agents like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and blood vessel fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF). These factors are active in healing wounds, chronic inflammatory…

A small protein that forms plaques in the brains and in the brain blood vessels of victims of Alzheimer’s disease. AβP forms cation-selective ion channels in lipid bilayers (e.g., membranes surrounding cells). This ion channel formation disrupts calcium homeostasis, allowing (destructive) high concentrations of calcium ions in brain cells.  

A compound capable of both donating and accepting protons, and thus able to act chemically as either an acid or a base.  

Also known collectively as amphiphiles. Molecules possessing distinct regions of hydrophobic (“water hating”) and hydrophilic (“water loving”) character within the same molecule. When dissolved in water above a certain concentration (known as the CMC), these molecules are capable of forming high molecular weight aggregates, or micelles.  

Molecules bearing both polar and nonpolar domains (within the same molecule). Some examples of amphipathic molecules are wetting agents (SDS), and membrane lipids such as lecithin.  

A metabolic pathway used in both catabolism and anabolism.