Down-regulation
Down-regulation
Down-regulation (/daʊn rɛgjʊˈleɪʃən/) is a cellular process that decreases the quantity of a cellular component, such as RNA or protein, in response to an external variable.
Etymology
The term "down-regulation" is derived from the English words "down", meaning decrease, and "regulation", referring to the control or maintenance of a process or system.
Process
Down-regulation involves the decrease in number of receptors on the cell surface. This process can occur through the internalization of receptors, where they are transported to the inside of the cell, or through the degradation of the receptors. Down-regulation is a method that cells use to reduce their sensitivity to a particular molecule or substance.
Related Terms
- Up-regulation: The opposite of down-regulation, up-regulation is the process by which a cell increases the quantity of a cellular component, such as RNA or protein, in response to an external variable.
- Receptor (biochemistry): A protein molecule that receives chemical signals from outside a cell.
- Endocytosis: The process by which cells absorb molecules by engulfing them.
- Protein degradation: The breakdown of proteins into their constituent amino acids.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Down-regulation
- Wikipedia's article - Down-regulation
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