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Dictionary » L » Ligand

Ligand

Definition

noun, plural: ligands

(1) A molecule, ion or atom bonded to the central metal atom of a coordination compound.

(2) Any substance (e.g. hormone, drug, functional group, etc.) that binds specifically and reversibly to another chemical entity to form a larger complex.


Supplement

A ligand may function as agonist or antagonist.

Many ligands are found in biological systems, such as cofactors and porphyrin in hemoglobin.


Word origin: From Latin ligandus, gerundive of ligare ‘to bind’.

Related term: ligand gated ion channels


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Insulin signaling

... in the pancreas. This stimulates the islets to produce insulin that is then secreted into the blood and travels thru out the body. Insulin is a ligand for the insulin receptors that are found on the outside of many cells. Once the insulin binds to this receptor, it initiates a phosphorylating ...

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by kolean
Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:58 am
 
Forum: Human Biology
Topic: Insulin signaling
Replies: 1
Views: 58

Re: endorphins

... for any endorphin at Protein Data Bank. Nothing for opioid receptor, either. Obviously the functional tertiary structure of an endorphin is in the ligand-receptor complex. Regards, Paul

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by jpaullanier
Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:51 pm
 
Forum: Human Biology
Topic: endorphins
Replies: 2
Views: 1066

Creating Cell Lines

... you should try to knock it out. You need a stable cell line though. That is a big project. But many times, you get multiple receptors for one ligand. siRNA could be used for silencing.

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by LifeTein
Sat Apr 25, 2009 2:21 pm
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: Creating Cell Lines
Replies: 3
Views: 371

How does a mutated gene affect Tyrosine Kinase?

I believe you are correct, in both instances the signal transduction would be inhibited. 1) the receptor is not able to bind the ligand properly, therefore no conformational change would occur 2) the receptor bound the ligand, but the lack of intracellular domain stopped the further transduction ...

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by HELISA
Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:44 pm
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: How does a mutated gene affect Tyrosine Kinase?
Replies: 1
Views: 515

I need answers to the following questions...

... one time, existed in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum? a. the kinase region b. the regions which ultimately can interact with the receptor's ligand (hormone, etc.) c. the transmembrane (membrane spanning) region. d. all of the above e. none of the above. 7. Which of the following statements ...

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by WiseIdiot
Sat Oct 18, 2008 5:55 pm
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: I need answers to the following questions...
Replies: 3
Views: 1030
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