APOBEC
APOBEC
APOBEC (pronounced as /ˈæpəˌbɛk/), an acronym for Apolipoprotein B mRNA Editing Catalytic Polypeptide-like, is a family of evolutionarily conserved Cytidine deaminase enzymes that play a crucial role in the immune response.
Etymology
The term APOBEC is derived from the first letters of Apolipoprotein B mRNA Editing Catalytic Polypeptide-like. The name reflects the first discovered function of this family of enzymes, which was the editing of Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) mRNA.
Function
APOBEC enzymes are involved in various biological processes, including the innate immune response to viral and retrotransposon infection. They achieve this by mutating the DNA of these foreign invaders, thereby inhibiting their replication. APOBEC enzymes can also mutate the human genome, which can lead to cancer.
Related Terms
- Cytidine deaminase: An enzyme that catalyzes the deamination of cytidine, forming uridine. APOBEC is a family of cytidine deaminases.
- Apolipoprotein B: A protein that is involved in the metabolism of fats. The editing of ApoB mRNA was the first discovered function of APOBEC enzymes.
- Immune system: The body's defense against infectious organisms and other invaders. APOBEC enzymes play a crucial role in the immune response.
- Cancer: A group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. APOBEC enzymes can mutate the human genome, which can lead to cancer.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on APOBEC
- Wikipedia's article - APOBEC
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski