Kinin
Kinin
Kinin (pronounced: /ˈkaɪnɪn/) is a generic term for a class of polypeptide hormones that are involved in various physiological and pathological processes such as inflammation, blood pressure regulation, and pain induction.
Etymology
The term "kinin" is derived from the Greek word "kinein", which means "to move". This is in reference to the ability of kinins to induce smooth muscle contraction and vasodilation, thereby influencing movement within the body.
Function
Kinin peptides function primarily as mediators of inflammation and regulators of blood pressure. They are released in response to tissue injury and inflammation, and exert their effects by binding to specific G protein-coupled receptors on the surface of various cell types. This binding triggers a cascade of intracellular events that ultimately lead to the physiological responses associated with kinin activity.
Types of Kinins
There are several types of kinins, including bradykinin, kallidin, and their metabolites. These kinins are generated from kininogen precursors by the action of kininase enzymes.
- Bradykinin: This is a potent vasodilator that increases blood vessel permeability, contracts smooth muscle, and stimulates pain receptors.
- Kallidin: This kinin is also a vasodilator and has similar functions to bradykinin. It is, however, less studied than bradykinin.
Related Terms
- Kininogen: This is the precursor protein from which kinins are derived.
- Kininase: These are enzymes that generate kinins from kininogen.
- Kallikrein: This is a specific type of kininase that generates bradykinin and kallidin from kininogen.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Kinin
- Wikipedia's article - Kinin
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