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PROTEIN
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I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Any of a large group of nitrogenous organic compounds that are essential constituents of living cells; consist of polymers of amino acids; essential in the diet of animals for growth and for repair of tissues; can be obtained from meat and eggs and milk and legumes
Example:
a diet high in protein
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("protein" is a kind of...):
macromolecule; supermolecule (any very large complex molecule; found only in plants and animals)
Meronyms (substance of "protein"):
amino acid; aminoalkanoic acid (organic compounds containing an amino group and a carboxylic acid group)
polypeptide (a peptide containing 10 to more than 100 amino acids)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "protein"):
antibody (any of a large variety of proteins normally present in the body or produced in response to an antigen which it neutralizes, thus producing an immune response)
ferritin (a protein containing 20% iron that is found in the intestines and liver and spleen; it is one of the chief forms in which iron is stored in the body)
cytokine (any of various protein molecules secreted by cells of the immune system that serve to regulate the immune system)
simple protein (a protein that yields only amino acids when hydrolyzed)
proteome (the full complement of proteins produced by a particular genome)
prostate specific antigen; PSA (a protein manufactured exclusively by the prostate gland; PSA is produced for the ejaculate where it liquifies the semen and allows sperm cells to swim freely; elevated levels of PSA in blood serum are associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer)
plasma protein (any of the proteins in blood plasma)
phosphoprotein (containing chemically bound phosphoric acid)
opsin (retinal protein formed by the action of light on rhodopsin)
nucleoprotein (any of several substances found in the nuclei of all living cells; consists of a protein bound to a nucleic acid)
iodinated protein; iodoprotein (a protein that contains iodine)
haptoglobin (a protein in plasma that binds free hemoglobin and removes it (as from wounds))
growth factor (a protein that is involved in cell differentiation and growth)
filaggrin (the main protein of the keratohyalin granules)
fibrin (a white insoluble fibrous protein formed by the action of thrombin on fibrinogen when blood clots; it forms a network that traps red cells and platelets)
enzyme (any of several complex proteins that are produced by cells and act as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions)
compound protein; conjugated protein (a protein complex combining amino acids with other substances)
apoenzyme (a protein that combines with a coenzyme to form an active enzyme)
amyloid ((pathology) a waxy translucent complex protein resembling starch that results from degeneration of tissue)
aleurone (granular protein in outermost layer of endosperm of many seeds or cereal grains)
actomyosin (a protein complex in muscle fibers; composed of myosin and actin; shortens when stimulated and causes muscle contractions)
recombinant protein (a protein derived from recombinant DNA)
gluten (a protein substance that remains when starch is removed from cereal grains; gives cohesiveness to dough)
capsid (the outer covering of protein surrounding the nucleic acid of a virus)
Holonyms ("protein" is a substance of...):
milk (a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings)
egg; eggs (oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food)
legume (the seedpod of a leguminous plant (such as peas or beans or lentils))
meat (the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food)
Derivation:
proteinaceous (relating to or of the nature of protein)
Context examples:
This leads to an alteration in protein synthesis, which modulates cell growth of reproductive tissues.
(Megestrol acetate, NCI Thesaurus)
This protein is involved in cell proliferation and tyrosine phosphorylation.
(Megakaryocyte-Associated Tyrosine-Protein Kinase, NCI Thesaurus)
This allele, which encodes ATP-binding cassette sub-family A member 2 protein, may play a role in the mediation of cholesterol transport, and neural development.
(ABCA2 wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)
The new test is an immuno-assay and depends on a very specifically reactive monoclonal antibody—a lab-produced protein that detects and binds only with a specific target.
(New Test Identifies Poisonous Mushrooms, Agricultural Research Service)
This allele, which encodes alpha-2-macroglobulin protein, plays a role in various processes as a protease inhibitor.
(A2M wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)
ABC transporters consist of two integral membrane proteins (permeases) each having six transmembrane segments, two peripheral membrane proteins that bind and hydrolyze ATP, and a periplasmic (or lipoprotein) substrate-binding protein.
(ABC Transporter, NCI Thesaurus)
Describes a group of proteins in a cell that work together to help remove extra cholesterol and certain fats from tissue in the body.
(ABCA1 pathway, NCI Dictionary)
They couple ATP hydrolysis to active transport of a wide variety of substrates such as ions, sugars, lipids, sterols, peptides, proteins, and drugs.
(ABC Transporter Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/KEGG)
This protein is involved in the modulation of chromosomal recombination.
(Meiotic Recombination Protein SPO11, NCI Thesaurus)
This allele, which encodes homeobox protein Meis1, is involved in crucial aspects of development.
(MEIS1 wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)
