Explanation of Used Terms
Angiogenesis : Process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre- existing vessels.
Biomarker : A biomarker is a substance used as an indicator of normal biologic processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacologic responses to a therapeutic intervention.Domain : Small defined part of a protein. suPAR consists of three similar domains; DI, DII and DIII.
Hydrophilic : From the Greek (hydros) "water" and (philia) "friendship". A molecule that are soluble in water (Antonym: Hydrophobic). suPAR is hydrophilic and therefore soluble.
Hydrophobic : From the Greek (hydros) "water" and (phobic) "fear". A molecule that is repelled by water (Antonym: Hydrophilic).
Inflammation : The immune response of an organism to a pathogen.
Integrins : Integrin plays a role in the attachment of cells to other cells and also in signal transduction.
In vitro : (Latin for within the glass) refers to the technique of performing a given procedure in a controlled environment outside of a living organism (Antonym: In vivo)
Ligand : Molecule that are bound by other molecules. uPA is a ligand of uPAR (see Receptor)
Membrane : The membrane of a cell is the interface between the cellular machinery inside the cell and the fluid outside.
Protein : Biological molecule made out of chains of amino acids
Proteolysis : Degradation of a protein by other molecules.
Proliferation : Refers to cell growth, development and division.
Receptor : Molecule that binds another molecule (ligand). uPAR is receptor for uPA (see Ligand).
ROC : Graphical plot of the sensitivity vs. (1 - specificity). Used in order to compare two or more different methods.
Scavenger(biochemical) : Molecule that binds substrates of other molecules. suPAR can bind uPA which is ligand of uPAR.
