Mitogen
Mitogen
Mitogen (/maɪˈtɒdʒən/; from the Greek mitos, meaning "thread", and -gen, meaning "producer") is a substance that induces a cell to begin cellular division and proliferation. Mitogens stimulate cell cycle progression from the G0 phase to the G1 phase and the S phase.
Etymology
The term "mitogen" is derived from the Greek words mitos, meaning "thread", and -gen, meaning "producer". This refers to the role of mitogens in stimulating cell division, which involves the replication and separation of chromosomes, thread-like structures that carry genetic information.
Function
Mitogens function by triggering the mitotic process in the cell, which leads to cell division. They do this by activating specific receptors on the cell surface, which initiates a series of signal transduction pathways that ultimately lead to cell division.
Mitogens can be proteins, peptides, or small molecules. They include growth factors such as EGF, PDGF, and VEGF, as well as certain hormones and cytokines.
Clinical Significance
Mitogens have significant clinical relevance. They are used in laboratory tests to assess immune function, such as the lymphocyte proliferation test. Abnormal responses to mitogens can indicate immune system disorders.
In addition, some viruses and bacteria produce mitogens as part of their infection strategy. For example, the Epstein-Barr virus produces a potent mitogen that stimulates the proliferation of B cells, a type of white blood cell.
Related Terms
- Mitosis
- Cell cycle
- Growth factor
- Signal transduction
- Epidermal growth factor
- Platelet-derived growth factor
- Vascular endothelial growth factor
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mitogen
- Wikipedia's article - Mitogen
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