Glycoprotein

Term: GlycoproteinDefinition: A protein that contains oligosaccharide chains (glycans) covalently attached to polypeptide side-chains. Glycoproteins are involved in many biological processes, including cell-cell interactions and immune responses.Phonetic Pronunciation: (glye-koh-PRO-teen)Origin: The term "glycoprotein" is derived from the combination of "glyco-" from the Greek word "glykys," meaning sweet, and "protein," from the Greek word "proteios," meaning primary. This reflects the compound's nature as a protein modified with sugar molecules.Significance in Asbestos Context: In the context of asbestos-related diseases, glycoproteins play a crucial role in the body's response to asbestos exposure. Certain glycoproteins, such as mesothelin, are overexpressed in mesothelioma, a cancer strongly linked to asbestos, and can serve as biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring the disease.Example Sentence: Recent studies have shown that elevated levels of the glycoprotein mesothelin in the blood can be an indicator of asbestos exposure and may help in the early detection of mesothelioma.Related Terms: Mesothelin, Biomarker, Mesothelioma, Oligosaccharide, Cell adhesionNotes: - Glycoproteins are not exclusive to asbestos-related conditions but are significant in many other biological contexts as well. - The presence of specific glycoproteins can aid in the diagnosis but is not the sole indicator of asbestos-related diseases.