Tag: Immune Response
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The WHO Task Force on Vaccines for Fertility Regulation
The WHO Task Force on Vaccines for Fertility Regulation a name that sounds like the title of a dystopian novel or the punchline to a conspiracy theorist’s fever dream. But no, this was a real initiative, launched in 1972, with the goal of developing birth control vaccines. Yes, you read that right—vaccines for birth control. Because…
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Autacoids Unleashed: The Self-Made, Self-Destructive Hormones You Didn’t Know You Needed
What Are Autacoids? Autacoids (or autocoids) are the body’s DIY hormones—locally produced, short-lived biochemical messengers that scream, “I got this!” before promptly fading into oblivion. The term comes from the Greek autos (self) and acos (relief or drug), which is ironic because they’re basically the overachieving interns of the body: they do all the work locally, get no credit,…
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ADAM17: The Drama Queen of the Cellular World
ADAM17 is the protein that’s not content with just one stage name! Also known as TACE (TNF-α Converting Enzyme), this molecular diva is the ultimate multi-tasker of the cellular world. Picture ADAM17 as the gossip columnist of the cell, always ready to spread the latest news. But instead of whispers and rumors, it’s spreading cellular…
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Ommochrome (visual pigment) and Kynurenine (a metabolite of the amino acid l-tryptophan used in the production of niacin)
Ommochrome (or visual pigment) refers to several biological pigments that occur in the eyes of crustaceans and insects. The eye color is determined by the ommochromes. Ommochromes are also found in the chromatophores of cephalopods, and in spiders. Ommochromes are metabolites of tryptophan, via kynurenine and 3-hydroxykynurenine. They are responsible for a wide variety of colors, ranging from yellow over red and brown to black. Lighter colors tend to be generated by ommatins,…
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Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) aka PMCH
Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), also known as pro-melanin stimulating hormone (PMCH), is a cyclic 19-amino acid orexigenic hypothalamicpeptide originally isolated from the pituitary gland of teleost fish, where it controls skin pigmentation. Barson JR, Morganstern I, Leibowitz SF (2013). “Complementary roles of orexin and melanin-concentrating hormone in feeding behavior”. International Journal of Endocrinology. 2013: 983964. doi:10.1155/2013/983964. PMC 3727095. PMID 23935621. In mammals it is involved in the regulation of feeding behavior, mood,…
