vasopressin V2 receptor

DEFINITION:

The molecular structure within a cell or on the surface to which the antidiuretic hormone, arginine vasopressin binds.

mutants

DEFINITION:

1. Genes or organisms that have undergone genetic mutation.

congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus

DEFINITION:

A condition involving the kidneys (see nephrogenic diabetes insipidus) which exists at, and usually before, birth. Congenital refers to conditions that are present at birth, regardless of their causation.

expression

DEFINITION:

1. The aspect or appearance of the face (or surface of a cell) as determined by the physical or emotional state.

2. The act of squeezing or evacuating by pressure; a term used in pharmacy, surgery, and obstetrics.

3. The detectable effect of a gene.

4. A representation of value, relation, or the like (e.g., ratio).

COS cells

DEFINITION:

A monkey cell line that has been transformed by an SV40 viral genome containing a defective origin of viral replication. When introduced into COS cells, recombinant RNAs containing the SV40 origin and a foreign gene should replicate many copies.

amino acid

DEFINITION:

An amphoteric organic acid containing the amino group NH₂; esp.: any of the alpha-amino acids that are the chief components of proteins and are synthesized by living cells or are obtained as essential components of the diet.

V2 receptor

DEFINITION:

See under receptor .

confocal microscopy

DEFINITION:

Examination under or observation by means of a confocal scanning microscope.

receptor

DEFINITION:

1. A molecular structure within a cell or on the surface characterized by (1) selective binding of a specific substance and (2) a specific physiologic effect that accompanies the binding, e.g., membrane receptors for peptide hormones, neurotransmitters, antigens, complement fragments, and immunoglobulins and nuclear receptors for steroid hormones.

2. A sensory nerve terminal that responds to stimuli of various kinds; classified in various ways including by the type of stimulus and by the location in the body.

V2 receptor - The structure to which the antidiuretic hormone, arginine vasopressin binds.

mutants

DEFINITION:

1. Genes or organisms that have undergone genetic mutation.

expressed

DEFINITION:

1. Showing a detectable effect of a gene.

2. Made known; shown.

3. Squeezed out; extracted by pressing.

cell

DEFINITION:

1. Any one of the minute protoplasmic masses that make up organized tissue, consisting of a nucleus which is surrounded by cytoplasm which contains the various organelles and is enclosed in the cell or plasma membrane. A cell is the fundamental, structural, and functional unit of living organisms.

2. A small, more or less closed space.

neuroglial cells - The cells of the supportive tissue of the central nervous system (neuroglia); these non-neural cells are of three kinds: astrocytes, oligodendrocytes (collectively termed macroglia) and microglia.

reticular cells - The cells forming the reticular fibers of connective tissue; those forming the framework of lymph nodes, bone marrow, and spleen are part of the reticuloendothelial system and under appropriate stimulation may differentiate into macrophages.

stem cell - 1. Any precursor cell.

2. A blood cell progenitor, or mother cell, having the capacity for both replication and differentiation, and giving rise to various morphologically recognizable precursors of different blood cell lines, such as the proerythrocyte and myeloblast, which cannot self-replicate and must differentiate into more mature daughter cells.

antidiuretic hormone

DEFINITION:

See vasopressin.

arginine vasopressin

DEFINITION:

Vasopressin containing arginine, as that from most mammals, including man.

AVP

DEFINITION:

Arginine vasopressin.

mutant

DEFINITION:

1. A gene or organism that has undergone genetic mutation.

transfected cells

DEFINITION:

Eucaryotic cells which have had foreign DNA molecules introduced; usually followed by expression of one or more genes in the newly introduced DNA.

AVP

DEFINITION:

Arginine vasopressin.

mutant

DEFINITION:

1. A gene or organism that has undergone genetic mutation.

adenylyl cyclase

DEFINITION:

A membrane-bound enzyme that catalyzes the formation of cyclic AMP from ATP. An important component of some intracellular signaling pathways.

pathway

DEFINITION:

1. A path or course, especially a course followed in the attainment of a specific end.
2. The nerve structures through which an impulse passes between groups of nerve cells or between the central nervous system and an organ or muscle.
3. Metabolic pathway.

mutant

DEFINITION:

1. A gene or organism that has undergone genetic mutation.

mutant

DEFINITION:

1. A gene or organism that has undergone genetic mutation.

cAMP

DEFINITION:

Cyclic AMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate).

cells

DEFINITION:

See definitions for "cell."

expressing

DEFINITION:

1. Indicating the flow of genetic information from gene to protein.

2. Regulating the process by which the effects of a gene are manifested.

3. Manifesting a heritable trait in an individual carrying the gene or genes that determine it.

mutant

DEFINITION:

1. A gene or organism that has undergone genetic mutation.

AVP

DEFINITION:

Arginine vasopressin.

therapeutic

DEFINITION:

A term meaning "related to treatment." The therapeutic dose of a drug is the amount required to have a beneficial effect.

AVP

DEFINITION:

Arginine vasopressin.

analogue

DEFINITION:

1. A part or organ having the same function as another, but of a different evolutionary origin.

2. A chemical compound with a structure similar to that of another but differing from it in respect to a certain component; it may have a similar or opposite action metabolically.

dDAVP

DEFINITION:

Also DDAVP. Trademark for preparation of desmopressin.

AVP

DEFINITION:

Arginine vasopressin.

potent

DEFINITION:

Powerful; effective.

dDAVP

DEFINITION:

Also DDAVP. Trademark for preparation of desmopressin.

ligand binding

DEFINITION:

See "ligand."

selectivity

DEFINITION:

In pharmacology, the degree to which a dose of a drug produces the desired effect in relation to adverse effects.

mutant

DEFINITION:

1. A gene or organism that has undergone genetic mutation.

AVP

DEFINITION:

Arginine vasopressin.

potent

DEFINITION:

Powerful; effective.

dDAVP

DEFINITION:

Also DDAVP. Trademark for preparation of desmopressin.

membrane

DEFINITION:

A thin layer of tissue which covers a surface, lines a cavity, or divides a space or organ.

apical membrane - Pertaining to or located at the apex.

basolateral membrane - Pertaining to the base and sides.

plasma membrane - The structure enveloping a cell, enclosing the cytoplasm, and forming a selective permeability barrier; it consists of lipids, proteins, and some carbohydrates, the lipids thought to form a bilayer in which integral proteins are embedded to varying degrees.

postsynaptic membrane - The area of plasma membrane of a postsynaptic cell, either a muscle fiber or a neuron, that is within the synapse and has areas especially adapted for receiving neurotransmitters.

presynaptic membrane - Area of the plasma membrane of a presynaptic axon that is within the synapse and has sites (active zones) especially adapted for the release of neurotransmitters.

semipermeable membrane - A membrane that permits the passage of a solvent, such as water, but prevents the passage of the dissolved substance, or solute.

localization

DEFINITION:

1. The determination of the site or place of any process or lesion.
2. Restriction to a circumscribed or limited area.
3. Prelocalization.

ligand binding

DEFINITION:

See "ligand."

affinity

DEFINITION:

1. A special attraction for a specific element, organ, or structure.

2. Chemical affinity.

3. In immunology, a thermodynamic expression of the strength of interaction between a single antigen-binding site and a single antigenic determinant (and thus of the stereochemical compatibility between them), most accurately applied to interactions among simple, uniform antigenic determinants such as haptens. Expressed as the association constant (K liters mole^-1), which, owing to the heterogeneity of affinities in a population of antibody molecules of a given specificity, actually represents an average value (mean intrinsic association constant).

selectivity

DEFINITION:

In pharmacology, the degree to which a dose of a drug produces the desired effect in relation to adverse effects.

receptor

DEFINITION:

1. A molecular structure within a cell or on the surface characterized by (1) selective binding of a specific substance and (2) a specific physiologic effect that accompanies the binding, e.g., membrane receptors for peptide hormones, neurotransmitters, antigens, complement fragments, and immunoglobulins and nuclear receptors for steroid hormones.

2. A sensory nerve terminal that responds to stimuli of various kinds; classified in various ways including by the type of stimulus and by the location in the body.

V2 receptor - The structure to which the antidiuretic hormone, arginine vasopressin binds.

concentrations

DEFINITION:

1. Increases in strength by evaporation.

2. The ratios of the mass or volume of a solute to the mass or volume of the solution or solvent.

dDAVP

DEFINITION:

Also DDAVP. Trademark for preparation of desmopressin.

congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus

DEFINITION:

A condition involving the kidneys (see nephrogenic diabetes insipidus) which exists at, and usually before, birth. Congenital refers to conditions that are present at birth, regardless of their causation.

residual

DEFINITION:

Remaining or left behind.

V2 receptor

DEFINITION:

See under receptor .

antidiuretic

DEFINITION:

1. Suppressing the rate of urine formation.

2. An agent that suppresses urine formation.

dDAVP

DEFINITION:

Also DDAVP. Trademark for preparation of desmopressin.