Definition of Antitrypsin

1. Noun. (protein) Any of a class of serum proteins that inhibit trypsin and similar proteolytic enzymes ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Medical Definition of Antitrypsin

1. This is a glycoprotein produced in the liver which is the major antiprotease in the blood, serving mainly to inhibit leukocyte elastase. It is a single-chain molecule, has 394 amino acids and a molecular weight of 51,000. Hereditary antitrypsin deficiency is one of the most common genetic disorders among males of European descent. Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency results in leukocyte elastase building up and breaking down the lining of the lung, which results in a severe form of emphysema (oxidizing agents in cigarette smoke are also known to inactivate antitrypsin, thus causing the high rates of emphysema among long-term smokers). Because over 20,000 people are affected by this deficiency, large amounts of this antiprotease are needed. To meet the demand, researchers are genetically engineering sheep that produce the antiprotease in their milk. (13 Jan 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Antitrypsin

antitropous
antitropy
antitruancy
antitruncated
antitruncation
antitruncations
antitrust
antitrust case
antitrust law
antitrust laws
antitrust legislation
antitruster
antitrusters
antitrypanosomal
antitrypsic
antitrypsin (current term)
antitrypsin deficiency
antitrypsins
antitryptic
antitryptic index
antitubercular
antitubercular agents
antituberculosis
antituberculous
antitumor
antitumoral
antitumorigenic
antitumors
antitumour
antitumour enzyme

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