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Home >> Dictionary of Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology >> Gilbert's Syndrome - Glucocorticoids
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Gilbert Walter
(b.1932) The coinventor of the Maxam-Gilbert technique for DNA sequencing who shared the Nobel prize in chemistry in 1980 with Paul Berg. He also contributed to the understanding of intron-exon structure of eukaryotic genes.
Gilberts syndrome
One of the common forms of familial jaundice, The plasma bilirubin concentrations are usually between 1.2-2.5 mg/dL (20-40 μmo/L) and rarely exceed 5mg/dL (80 μmol/L). It is not associated with haemolysis or hepatocellular disease. The increase in bilirubin may be due to defective hepatic uptake and conjugation. The condition responds to Phenobarbital administration.
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Gland
A group of cells or a single cell in plants or animals that is specialised to secrets a specific substance, In plants, glands are specialised for the secretion of certain substances produced by the plant. These secretions my be retained within a single cell, or secreted to the exterior. In animals, there are two types of glands: endocrine glands which secrets their products directly into the blood vessels and exocrine glands that secrets through a duct or network of ducts into a body cavity or onto the body surface.
Glaucoma
A disease of the eye characterised by an increase in intraocular pressure resulting in defects in the field of vision.
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Glial cell
Supporting cell of the nervous system that includes oligodendrocytes and astrocytes in the vertebrate central nervous system and Schwann cell in the peripheral nervous system.
.Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)
A protein that assembles into a cytoplasmic network of intermediate filaments in glial cells.
Glicentin
A peptide with glucagon-like immunoreactivity.
Global alignment
Alignment of two nucleic acid or protein sequences along their entire length. See also local alignment.
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Global minima
The lowest energy configuration of a molecule.
Global normalisation (mean scaling)
The standard solution for errors in microarray that effect entire arrays by scaling the data so that the average measurement is the same for each array (and each colour). The scaling is accomplished by computing the average expression level for each array, calculating a scale factor equal to the desired average divided by the actual average, and multiplying every measurement from the array by that scale factor. The desired average can be arbitrary, or computed from the array by that scale factor. The desired average can be arbitrary, or computed from the average of a group of arrays.
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Globin
Proteins that form the subunits of haemoglobin and myoglobin. A mutation in th globin genes is responsible for sickle cell anaemia.
Globin fold
A complex supersecondary structure in proteins in which eight α-helices are arranged such that helices adjacent in th polypeptide primary structure are not necessarily adjacent in the secondary structure. The helices define a pocket forming the active site of the protein. The globin fold is highly conserved and binds the haemgroup in myoglobin and haemoglobin.
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Gleevec
A drug that targets a genetic change characteristic of the disease being treated. Gleevec is a drug approved for treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). It inhibits Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase, a protein generated by the Philadelphia chromosome abnormality characteristic of CML.
α-gliadin
See alpha gliadin, gluten sensitive enteropathy.
Globotriaosylceramide
A glycolipid molecule that accumulates in patients with Fabry’s diseases that caused by deficiency of the enzyme α-galactosidase A.
Globular actin (G actin)
The basic monomeric subunit that polymerises to form actin filaments in muscle. It is a single comprised of 375 amino acids.
Globular proteins
Proteins that are soluble in aqueous solutions and are tightly coiled 3-dimensionally. Examples include haemoglobin, enzymes.
Globulins
Proteins found in blood, eggs and milk, and as a reserve protein in seeds. These are insoluble in water, but soluble in salt solutions. Blood plasma contains alpha, beta and gama globulins that play a role in transport, immunity and other functions.
α-globulins
Plasma proteins comprising several transport proteins. α1-Acid glycoprotein that lipophilic substances is significantly increased in inflammation. α-Foetoprotein is an oncofoetal protein present in high concentration in pregnancy and hepatocellular carcinoma. Prealbumin that exists as a complex with retinol binding protein is responsible for the transport of thyroid hormones and retinol. Caeruloplasmin transport copper and maintains copper homeostasis. Low levels of caeruloplasmin are characteristic of Wilson’s disease. Haptoglobins bind haemoglobin released during intravascular haemolysis. several protease inhibitors including α1-antitrypsin are found in plasma.
β-globulins
Plasma proteins that comprise lipoproteins and other transport proteins. Transferrin binds iron and haemopexin binds haem. C-reactive protein that activates the complement pathway is increased during acute infections β2-Microglobulin is identical to the smaller subunit of the HLA-histocompatibility complex that regulates graft rejection.
γ-globulins
Plasma proteins that comprise cryglobulins and immunoglobulins. The cryglobulins are immunoglobulins that precipitate on cooling serum and increase during inflammation. The immunoglobulins functions as antibodies and recognise specific antigens.
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
The volume of filtrate produced by the glomeruli (120 mL per minute).
Glomerulonephritis
A renal disorder that arises due to an inflammatory response to an immunological reaction in the basement membrane. The disorder can be focal, involving only a few glomeruli or diffuse, affecting many glomeruli. The lesions may be reversible or progress to chronic glomerulonephritis, which eventually destroys the glomeruli and associated tubules resulting in renal failure.
Glomerulus
A capillary network formed by the afferent arteriole, a branch of the renal artery in the Bowman’s capsule.
Glossitis
Inflammation of the tongue.
GLP
(Good Laboratory practice)
Glucagon
A peptide hormone synthesised by pancreas that decreases blood glucose levels. It stimulates glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis and lipolysis.
Glucoamylase
An enzyme found in the saliva and in the secretions of the lower digestive tract that catalyses the breakdown of starch.
Glucocorticoids
A group of steroid hormones synthesised by the adrenal cortex that includes cortisone, corticosterone and cortisol. These hormones regulate the metabolism of glucose. They function as anti inflammatory agents and are used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.
Glucogenic
Amino acids that can be converted to glucose.
Glucokinase
An enzyme that phosphorylates glucose to glucose 6-phosphate in the liver.
Gluconeogenesis
The synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources such as pyruvate, lactate, amino acids and TCA cycle intermediates. Gluconeogenesis is essentially a reversal of glycolysis except for three steps, which are irreversible. These are the reactions catalysed by pyruvate kinase, phosphofructokinase and hexokinase. The pathway is important for the maintenance of blood glucose levels during starvation and muscular exercise.
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