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Exopeptidase
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ExopeptidaseAn enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of the terminal (last) or next-to-last peptide bond from a polypeptide or protein, releasing a single amino acid or dipeptide. By contrast, an endopeptidase catalyzes the cleavage of then internal peptide bonds within a polypeptide or protein.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Enzyme
A cellular protein whose shape allows it to hold together several other molecules in close proximity to each other. In this way, enzymes are able to induce chemical reactions in other substances with little expenditure of energy and without being changed themselves. Basically, an enzyme acts as a catalyst.
Cleavage
The process of cell division in the very early embryo before it becomes a blastocyst.
Peptide
Two or more amino acids linked together.
Protein
Any of a group of complex organic compounds which contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and usually sulfur, the characteristic element being nitrogen. Proteins, the principal constituents of the protoplasm of all cells, are of high molecular weight and consist essentially of combinations of a-amino acids in peptide linkages. Twenty different amino acids are commonly found in proteins, and each protein has a unique genetically defined amino acid sequence which determines its specific shape and function. Their roles include enzymatic catalysis, transport and storage, coordinated motion, nerve impulse generation and many others.
Dipeptide
A peptide consisting of two amino acids.
Contrast
"Short for ""contrast media."" Contrast media are X-ray dyes used to provide contrast, for example, between blood vessels and other tissue."
Endopeptidase
An enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of peptide bonds within a polypeptide or protein. Peptidase refers to the fact that it acts on peptide bonds and endopeptidase refers to the fact that these are internal bonds. An exopeptide catalyzes the cleavage of the terminal or penultimate peptide bond, releasing a single amino acid or dipeptide from the peptide chain.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Exophoria
A tendency for an eye to turn outward a little bit. Occurs sometimes under certain conditions such as fatigue, bright sun light or prolonged use of the eyes.
Exophthalmos
An abnormal protrusion of the eyeball often caused by thyroid disease or a tumor behind the eye. Medical treatment is necessary.
Exophytic
Projecting out from a surface.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Exercise-induced asthma
Asthma that is "triggered" by vigorous physical activity. Exercise-induced asthma tends particularly to affect children and young adults (because of their high level of physical activity) but can occur at any age.
Exercise-induced bronchospasm
Also called exercise- induced asthma, this is asthma that is triggered by vigorous physical activity. Exercise-induced asthma tends particularly to affect children and young adults (because of their high level of physical activity) but can occur at any age.
Exocrine gland
A gland that secretes a substance out through a duct. The exocrine glands include the salivary glands, sweat glands and glands within the gastrointestinal tract. The exocrine glands are the "glands of external secretion."
Exogenous DNA
DNA originating outside an organism.
Exonuclease
An enzyme that cleaves nucleotide bases sequentially from the free ends of a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA).
Exopeptidase
Expectorant
A medication that helps bring up mucus and other material from the lungs, bronchi, and trachea. An example of as expectorant is guaifenesin which promotes drainage of mucus from the lungs by thinning the mucus and also lubricates the irritated respiratory tract. Sometimes the term "expectorant" is incorrectly extended to any cough medicine.
Expectoration
A big polysyllabic word for sputum or the act of bringing up and spitting out sputum.
Expiration date
The date for a drug estimated for its shelf life with proper storage in sealed containers away from harmful and variable factors like heat and humidity. The expiration date of a medicine is based on data, called accelerated stability data, from testing by the manufacturer, that show the product will be good for a particular period of time.
Explant
1. The original meaning: to transfer tissue from the body and place it in a culture medium for growth; and the tissue that is transferred. 2. To remove a device that had been implanted.
Expressed sequence tag (EST)
A unique stretch of DNA within a coding region of a gene that is useful for identifying full-length genes and serves as a landmark for mapping. An EST is a sequence tagged site (STS) derived from cDNA. An STS is a short segment of DNA which occurs but once in the genome and whose location and base sequence are known. STSs are detectable by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), are helpful in localizing and orienting mapping and sequence data, and serve as landmarks in the physical map of the genome.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Enzyme
A cellular protein whose shape allows it to hold together several other molecules in close proximity to each other. In this way, enzymes are able to induce chemical reactions in other substances with little expenditure of energy and without being changed themselves. Basically, an enzyme acts as a catalyst.
Cleavage
The process of cell division in the very early embryo before it becomes a blastocyst.
Peptide
Two or more amino acids linked together.
Protein
Any of a group of complex organic compounds which contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and usually sulfur, the characteristic element being nitrogen. Proteins, the principal constituents of the protoplasm of all cells, are of high molecular weight and consist essentially of combinations of a-amino acids in peptide linkages. Twenty different amino acids are commonly found in proteins, and each protein has a unique genetically defined amino acid sequence which determines its specific shape and function. Their roles include enzymatic catalysis, transport and storage, coordinated motion, nerve impulse generation and many others.
Dipeptide
A peptide consisting of two amino acids.
Contrast
"Short for ""contrast media."" Contrast media are X-ray dyes used to provide contrast, for example, between blood vessels and other tissue."
Endopeptidase
An enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of peptide bonds within a polypeptide or protein. Peptidase refers to the fact that it acts on peptide bonds and endopeptidase refers to the fact that these are internal bonds. An exopeptide catalyzes the cleavage of the terminal or penultimate peptide bond, releasing a single amino acid or dipeptide from the peptide chain.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Exophoria
A tendency for an eye to turn outward a little bit. Occurs sometimes under certain conditions such as fatigue, bright sun light or prolonged use of the eyes.
Exophthalmos
An abnormal protrusion of the eyeball often caused by thyroid disease or a tumor behind the eye. Medical treatment is necessary.
Exophytic
Projecting out from a surface.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Exercise-induced asthma
Asthma that is "triggered" by vigorous physical activity. Exercise-induced asthma tends particularly to affect children and young adults (because of their high level of physical activity) but can occur at any age.
Exercise-induced bronchospasm
Also called exercise- induced asthma, this is asthma that is triggered by vigorous physical activity. Exercise-induced asthma tends particularly to affect children and young adults (because of their high level of physical activity) but can occur at any age.
Exocrine gland
A gland that secretes a substance out through a duct. The exocrine glands include the salivary glands, sweat glands and glands within the gastrointestinal tract. The exocrine glands are the "glands of external secretion."
Exogenous DNA
DNA originating outside an organism.
Exonuclease
An enzyme that cleaves nucleotide bases sequentially from the free ends of a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA).
Exopeptidase
Expectorant
A medication that helps bring up mucus and other material from the lungs, bronchi, and trachea. An example of as expectorant is guaifenesin which promotes drainage of mucus from the lungs by thinning the mucus and also lubricates the irritated respiratory tract. Sometimes the term "expectorant" is incorrectly extended to any cough medicine.
Expectoration
A big polysyllabic word for sputum or the act of bringing up and spitting out sputum.
Expiration date
The date for a drug estimated for its shelf life with proper storage in sealed containers away from harmful and variable factors like heat and humidity. The expiration date of a medicine is based on data, called accelerated stability data, from testing by the manufacturer, that show the product will be good for a particular period of time.
Explant
1. The original meaning: to transfer tissue from the body and place it in a culture medium for growth; and the tissue that is transferred. 2. To remove a device that had been implanted.
Expressed sequence tag (EST)
A unique stretch of DNA within a coding region of a gene that is useful for identifying full-length genes and serves as a landmark for mapping. An EST is a sequence tagged site (STS) derived from cDNA. An STS is a short segment of DNA which occurs but once in the genome and whose location and base sequence are known. STSs are detectable by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), are helpful in localizing and orienting mapping and sequence data, and serve as landmarks in the physical map of the genome.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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