cultured

DEFINITION:

Having induced the propagation of microorganisms or living tissue cells in media conducive to their growth.

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).

vasopressin

DEFINITION:

1. One of two octapeptide hormones formed by the neuronal cells of the hypothalamic nuclei and stored in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland (neurohypophysis), the other being oxytocin. It stimulates the contraction of the muscular tissue of the capillaries and arterioles, raising the blood pressure. It promotes contraction of the intestinal musculature and increases peristalsis, and also exerts some contractile influence on the uterus. It also has a specific effect on the epithelial cells of the distal portion of the uriniferous tubule, augmenting resorption of water independently of solutes, resulting in concentration of urine and dilution of blood serum. Its rate of secretion is regulated chiefly by the osmolarity of the plasma.

2. [USP], A pharmaceutical preparation of the same principle, prepared synthetically or obtained from the posterior pituitary of healthy domestic animals used for food by man; used mainly as an antidiuretic in the treatment of acute or chronic diabetes insipidus, administered intramuscularly as a test of hypothalamo-neurohypophysial-renal function in distinguishing central from nephrogenic diabetes insipidus; it may also be used to stimulate smooth muscle tissue, especially to induce vasoconstriction in the presence of hemorrhage. Called also antidiuretic hormone (ADH).

regulated

DEFINITION:

1. Having been adjusted to a certain standard.

2. In biology, describing the adaptation of form or behavior of an organism to changed conditions.

water channel

DEFINITION:

A channel in the plasma membrane of plant and animal cells that permits passage of water molecules; chemical substances such as vasopressin cause the opening of new channels and increase permeability.

aquaporin-2

DEFINITION:

Also called WCH-CD, this water channel makes the principal cells of the inner medullary collecting duct in the kidneys more permeable to water. Lack of functional aquaporin-2 gene leads to a rare form of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.

AQP-2

DEFINITION:

Aquaporin-2.

in vitro

DEFINITION:

Within a glass; observable in a test tube; in an artificial environment.

inner medullary collecting duct

DEFINITION:

The distal part of the renal tubule, including the loop of Henle, lying within the medulla.

IMCD

DEFINITION:

Inner medullary collecting duct.

cells

DEFINITION:

See definitions for "cell."

culture

DEFINITION:

1. The propagation of microorganisms or of living tissue cells in special media conducive to their growth.

2. A growth of microorganisms or other living cells.

3. To induce the propagation of microorganisms or living tissue cells in media conducive to their growth.

4. The customary beliefs, social form, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group.

immunofluorescence

DEFINITION:

The labeling of antigens or antibodies with fluorescent dyes
for the purpose of demonstrating the presence of corresponding antibodies or antigens in a
tissue preparation or smear.

biochemical

DEFINITION:

Pertaining to biochemistry.

shuttling

DEFINITION:

In biochemistry, referring to a mechanism for the transport of electrons or an organic group, or both, across a membrane.

vasopressin

DEFINITION:

1. One of two octapeptide hormones formed by the neuronal cells of the hypothalamic nuclei and stored in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland (neurohypophysis), the other being oxytocin. It stimulates the contraction of the muscular tissue of the capillaries and arterioles, raising the blood pressure. It promotes contraction of the intestinal musculature and increases peristalsis, and also exerts some contractile influence on the uterus. It also has a specific effect on the epithelial cells of the distal portion of the uriniferous tubule, augmenting resorption of water independently of solutes, resulting in concentration of urine and dilution of blood serum. Its rate of secretion is regulated chiefly by the osmolarity of the plasma.

2. [USP], A pharmaceutical preparation of the same principle, prepared synthetically or obtained from the posterior pituitary of healthy domestic animals used for food by man; used mainly as an antidiuretic in the treatment of acute or chronic diabetes insipidus, administered intramuscularly as a test of hypothalamo-neurohypophysial-renal function in distinguishing central from nephrogenic diabetes insipidus; it may also be used to stimulate smooth muscle tissue, especially to induce vasoconstriction in the presence of hemorrhage. Called also antidiuretic hormone (ADH).

forskolin

DEFINITION:

Activator of adenylate cyclase leading to an increase in the intracellular concentration of cAMP.

(Sources: A. Laurenza, et al., Trends Pharm. Sci. 10: 442-447 (1989) and R. Barber and T.J. Goka, J. Cyclic Nucleotide Protein Phos. Res. 10:23-29 (1985) @www.lclabs.com/PROFILE/D-F/F-9929.php4.)

cells

DEFINITION:

See definitions for "cell."

functional

DEFINITION:

1. Of or pertaining to a function.

2. Affecting the function but not the structure.

vasopressin V2 receptor

DEFINITION:

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

cAMP

DEFINITION:

Cyclic AMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate).

model system

DEFINITION:

Testing of new therapeutic approaches in humans harbors numerous ethical, financial, and experimental limitations. Therefore, alternatives are required to evaluate the feasibility of a therapeutic intervention. Isolated and cultivated cells (in vitro model systems) as well as (small) animals (in vivo model systems) are continuously developed to mimic symptoms or even diseases. These model systems are then used to screen and optimize drugs for treatment of human diseases (Schöneberg).

regulation

DEFINITION:

1. The act of adjusting or state or being adjusted to a certain standard.
2. In biology, the adaptation of form or behavior of an organism to changed conditions.
3. The power to form a whole embryo from stages before the gastrula.

genes

DEFINITION:

In the singular: A segment of a DNA molecule that contains all the information required for synthesis of a product (polypeptide chain or RNA molecule), including both coding and non-coding sequences. It is the biological unit of heredity, self-reproducing, and transmitted from parent to progeny. Each gene has a specific position (locus) on the chromosome map. From the standpoint of function, genes are conceived of as structural, operator, and regulatory genes.

wild-type gene - The normal allele of a gene, sometimes symbolized by +.

X-linked gene - A gene carried on the X chromosome; the corresponding trait, whether dominant or recessive, is always expressed in males, who have only one X chromosome. X linkage is used sometimes synonymously with sex linkage since no genetic disorders have as yet been associated with genes on the Y chromosome.

encoding

DEFINITION:

The process of converting (as a body of information) from one system of communication into another; esp.: to convert (a message) into code.

antidiuretic

DEFINITION:

1. Suppressing the rate of urine formation.

2. An agent that suppresses urine formation.

cellular

DEFINITION:

Pertaining to, or made up of, cells.

permission

DEFINITION:

Formal consent; authorization.