qbank - biochem Flashcards
(114 cards)
citrullination
tissue inflammation -> arginine residues (e.g. in vimentin) are enzymatically converted -> cirulline -> different shape -> immune response b/c they become Ags. this process is exaggerated in RA, so anti-CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) Abs = 95-98% specific for RA
anti-centromere Abs
found in majority of CREST syndrome
anti-dsDNA
specific to SLE
rheumatoid factors
auto-Abs that target Fc portion of human IgG. occur in ~80% of RA patients, ~10% of healthy patients, ~30% of SLE, ~100% of mixed cryoglobulinemia and other inflammatory conditions
ANA
antinuclear Abs = Abs to nuclear basic proteins = nonspecific finding in many connective tissue d/os. ANAs occur in IgM form in pts w/RA but less frequently than RF.
anti-phospholipid Abs
found in pts w/SLE and antiphospholipid Ab syndrome, which -> hypercoagulability, paradoxical PTT prolongation, and recurrent miscarriages
homocystinuria
most common inborn error of methionine metabolism. present at age 3-10 w/lens subluxation, intellectual disability (~50%), marfanoid habitus, osteoporosis, and possibly thromboembolic events. typically caused by cystathionine synthetase defficiency, which requires pyridoxine (B6) as a cofactor. B6 -> enzyme activity and dec. homocysteine levels
vit C
necessary cofactor for hydroxylation of proline and lysine in collagen.
excess methionine in homocystinuria pts
-> inc. plasma homocyseine b/c it can’t be metabolized to cysteine. therefore, Tx of homocystinuria involved methionine restriction
thiamine
B1. deficiency -> dry and wet beriberi and wenicke-korsakoff syndrome
tyrosine
nonessential AA. precursor for DA, epi, and NE
vit K fxn
post-translational conversion of glutamate -> gamma-carboxyglutamic acid = necessary for fxn of many clotting factors and reg. proteins in coag. cascade
aging effects on skin
gradual thinning of epidermis, reduced subQ fat, blood vessels, hair follicles, sweat ducts, and sebaceous glands. dec. subQ fat -> skin becomes atrophic, more vulnerable to damage. dec. dermal collagen and elastin -> dec. reticular support -> sagging, wrinkles
fibrillin-1
protein found in lots of connective tissues. aids in dev. of extracellular matrix microfibrils -> scaffolding for elastic fiber deposition. inherited defect -> marfans
KATP channels
K channels in pancreatic beta cells that close when ATP/ADP ratio is high -> depolarization -> V-gated Ca channels open -> insulin release. ATP is generated when a lot of glucose enters via GLUT-2 transporters. defects in KATP -> T2DM. sulfonylereas close KATP channels
methemoglobin
Hb w/Fe3+. can’t bind O2. O2 affinity of remaining Fe2+ Hb is increased -> left shift of dissociation curve. can be caused by nitrates. -> dusky skin discoloration, dec. O2 content, carrying capacity, and % saturation, normal PO2.
receptors w/intrinsic enzyme activity
receptor tyrosine kinase. 3 structures: extracellular domain (binds growth factor), transmembrane domain, and cytosolic domain (enzyme) . MAP-kinase signaling: receptor autophosphorylates and triggers phosphorylation of Ras protein. e.g. growth factor receptors: EGF, PDGF, FGF
receptors w/o intrinsic enzyme activity
tyrosine-kinase associated receptor. 3 structures: extracellular domain, transmembrane domain, and cytosolic domain (lacks enzymatic activity). JAK/STAT signaling: receptor activates Janus kinases (JAKs), which phosphorylate STATS (signal transducers and activators of transcription. e.g. receptors for cytokines, growth hormone, prolactin, IL-2
folate fxn
crucial for DNA synthesis and conversion of vit B12 -> one of its coenzyme forms. necessary for dTMP production, which is needed to supply the four nucleotide precursors of DNA replication. folate deficiency -> megaloblastosis and erythroid precursor cell apoptosis.
thymidine kinase salvage pathway
normally makes 5-10% of dTMP
glutamine
major source of N in synthesis of nucleotides, so contributes N atom to biosynthesis of dUMP.
beta-thalassemia
microcytic anemia, increased Hb F (alpha2gamma2), and Hb A2 (alpha2delta2). hypochromia and poikilocytes, including target cells. Fe supplements don’t help. mutations -> dec. transcription, processing, and translation of beta-globin mRNA: heme synthesis = normal.
elastin structure
plasticity and recoil ability are attributable to unique desmosine crosslinking between 4 different lysine residues on 4 different elastin chains. crosslinking is accomplished by action of extracellular lysyl hydroxylase. mostly made of non-polar AAs glycine, alanine, and valine, which some proline and lysine
alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency
alpha1-antitrypsin inhibits the action of endogenous proteolytic enzymes that hydrolyze proteins like elastin, particularly neutrophil-secreted elastase. so deficiency -> excessive degradation of elastin in lungs and liver -> panacinar emphysema and cirrhosis