receptor /re·cep·tor/ (-ter)
Receptor
receptor
receptor [re-sep´tor]
1. a molecule on the surface or within a cell that recognizes and binds with specific molecules, producing a specific effect in the cell; e.g., the cell-surface receptors for antigens or cytoplasmic receptors for steroid hormones.
2. a sensory nerve ending that responds to various stimuli.
α-adrenergic receptors adrenergic receptors that respond to norepinephrine and to such blocking agents as phenoxybenzamine. They are subdivided into two types: α1, found in smooth muscle, heart, and liver, with effects including vasoconstriction, intestinal relaxation, uterine contraction and pupillary dilation, and α2, found in platelets, vascular smooth muscle, nerve termini, and pancreatic islets, with effects including platelet aggregation, vasoconstriction, and inhibition of norepinephrine release and of insulin secretion.
adrenergic receptors receptors for epinephrine or norepinephrine, such as those on effector organs innervated by postganglionic adrenergic fibers of the sympathetic nervous system. Classified as α and β.
alpha-adrenergic receptors α.
β-adrenergic receptors , beta-adrenergic receptors adrenergic receptors that respond particularly to epinephrine and to such blocking agents as propranolol. They are subdivided into two basic types: β1, in myocardium and causing lipolysis and cardiac stimulation, and β2, in smooth and skeletal muscle and liver and causing bronchodilation and vasodilation. The atypical type β3 may be involved in lipolysis regulation in adipose tissue.
cholinergic receptors cell-surface receptor molecules that bind the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and mediate its action on postjunctional cells.
complement receptors cell-surface receptors for products of complement reactions, playing roles including recognition of pathogens, phagocytosis, adhesion, and clearance of immune complexes. The best characterized are C1–C4, which bind C3 fragments already bound to a surface.
cutaneous receptor any of the various types of sense organs found in the dermis or epidermis, usually a mechanoreceptor, thermoreceptor, or nociceptor.
cytokine receptors membrane-spanning proteins that bind cytokines via extracellular domains, acting to convert an extracellular signal to an intracellular one.
H1 receptors , H2 receptors see histamine.
joint receptor any of several mechanoreceptors that occur in joint capsules and respond to deep pressure and to other stimuli such as stress or change in position.
muscarinic receptors cholinergic receptors that are stimulated by the alkaloid muscarine and blocked by atropine; they are found on automatic effector cells and on central neurons in the thalamus and cerebral cortex.
muscle receptor a mechanoreceptor found in a muscle or tendon.
nicotinic receptors cholinergic receptors that are stimulated initially and blocked at high doses by the alkaloid nicotine and blocked by tubocurarine; they are found on automatic ganglion cells, on striated muscle cells, and on spinal central neurons.
nonadapting receptor a mechanoreceptor, such as a nociceptor, that responds to stimulation with a continual steady discharge and little or no accommodation over time.
olfactory receptor a chemoreceptor in the nasal epithelium that is sensitive to stimulation, giving rise to the sensation of odors.
opiate receptor , opioid receptor any of a number of receptors for opiates and opioids, grouped into at least seven types on the basis of their substrates and physiological effects.
orphan receptor a protein identified as a putative receptor on the basis of its structure but without identification of possible ligands or evidence of function.
pain receptor nociceptor.
rapidly adapting receptor a mechanoreceptor that responds quickly to stimulation but that rapidly accommodates and stops firing if the stimulus remains constant.
sensory receptor receptor (2).
slowly adapting receptor a mechanoreceptor that responds slowly to stimulation and continues firing as long as the stimulus continues.
stretch receptor a sense organ in a muscle or tendon that responds to elongation.
tactile receptor a mechanoreceptor for the sense of touch.
thermal receptor thermoreceptor.
re·cep·tor (r -s p t r)n. 1. A specialized cell or group of nerve endings that responds to sensory stimuli. 2. A molecular structure or site on the surface or interior of a cell that binds with substances such as hormones, antigens, drugs, or neurotransmitters. |
Receptor
A molecular structure in a cell or on the surface of a cell that allows binding of a specific substance that causes a specific physiologic response.
Mentioned in: Alpha 1 -Adrenergic Blockers, Methadone
receptor
[risep′tər]
Etymology: L, recipere, to receive
1 a chemical structure, usually of protein or carbohydrate, on the surface of a cell that combines with an antigen to produce a discrete immunologic component.
2 a sensory nerve ending that responds to various kinds of stimulation.
3 a specific cellular protein that must first bind a hormone before cellular response can be elicited. The protein may be in the cytoplasm or in the cell membrane and has a special affinity for toxins and amboceptors.
receptor [re-sep´tor]
1. a molecule on the cell surface (cell-surface or membrane receptor) or within a cell, usually in its nucleus (nuclear receptor) that recognizes and binds with specific molecules, producing some effect in the cell; e.g., the cell-surface receptors of immunocompetent cells that recognize antigens, complement components, or lymphokines; or those of neurons and target organs that recognize neurotransmitters or hormones.
2. a sensory nerve ending that responds to various stimuli.
General sense receptors. (From Applegate, 2000.)
α-r's (α-adrenergic r's) alpha-adrenergic receptors.
adrenergic r's receptors for epinephrine or norepinephrine, such as those on effector organs innervated by postganglionic adrenergic fibers of the sympathetic nervous system. There are two types, alpha-adrenergic receptors and beta-adrenergic receptors.
alpha r's (alpha-adrenergic r's) adrenergic receptors found in cardiac muscle and vascular smooth muscle; they are stimulated by norepinephrine and blocked by agents such as phenoxybenzamine. They are subdivided into two types: α1, found in smooth muscle, heart, and liver, with effects including vasoconstriction, intestinal relaxation, uterine contraction and pupillary dilation, and α2, found in platelets, vascular smooth muscle, nerve termini, and pancreatic islets, with effects including platelet aggregation, vasoconstriction, and inhibition of norepinephrine release and of insulin secretion. Called also α-receptors and α-adrenergic receptors.
β-r's (β-adrenergic r's) beta-adrenergic receptors.
B cell antigen r's monomeric IgM, IgD, and (on memory cells only) IgG that is attached to the cell membrane of B lymphocytes (B cells); in conjunction with helper T cells, it triggers B cell activation on contact with antigen.
beta r's (beta-adrenergic r's) adrenergic receptors that are stimulated by epinephrine and blocked by agents such as propranolol. They are subdivided into two basic types: β1-receptors are found in the myocardium and cause lipolysis and cardiac stimulation, and β2-receptors are found in smooth and skeletal muscle and liver and cause bronchodilation and vasodilation. A third type, β3, is atypical; it is more sensitive to norepinephrine than to epinephrine, relatively resistant to propranolol blockade, and may be involved in lipolysis regulation in adipose tissue. Called also β-receptors and β-adrenergic receptors.
cell-surface receptor membrane receptor.
cholinergic r's membrane receptors on cells of effector organs, innervated by cholinergic nerve fibers and responsive to the acetylcholine secreted by these fibers. There are two types, muscarinic receptors and nicotinic receptors.
complement receptor a membrane receptor that can bind activated complement components. For example, component C3b binds to complement receptors of neutrophils, B lymphocytes, and macrophages.
estrogen receptor a cellular regulatory protein that binds estrogenic hormones, found particularly in estrogen-sensitive tissues such as the uterus and breast. Cytoplasmic levels are measured in surgically removed breast carcinomas; high levels indicate that a positive response to endocrine therapy is likely.
Fc r's specific membrane receptors for antigen-antibody complexes or aggregated immunoglobulins that bind a site in the Fc portion of the immunoglobulin molecule and may exhibit specificity for particular immunoglobulin classes. Fc receptors are found on B cells, K cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils, and, during some developmental stages, on T cells.
histamine r's receptors for histamine. H1-receptors mediate contraction of smooth muscles and dilation of capillaries, causing effects such as bronchoconstriction and contraction of the intestine; they are blocked by antihistamines such as pyrilamine or chlorpheniramine. H2-receptors mediate acceleration of the heart rate and produce gastric acid secretion; they are blocked by agents such as cimetidine.
IgE r's membrane receptors for IgE, found on mast cells and basophils.
insulin r's a type of membrane receptors specific for insulin, found on target cells.
LDL r's (low-density lipoprotein r's) specific receptors for low-density lipoproteins found in coated pits on the surface of mammalian cells. The coated pits are internalized forming coated vesicles from which the receptors are recycled back to the plasma membrane while particles of low-density lipoprotein are transferred to lysosomes where they are degraded, releasing free cholesterol, phospholipids, and amino acids. Genetic defects in LDL receptors are responsible for familial hypercholesterolemia.
membrane receptor a receptor located on or in the membrane of a cell. Called also cell-surface receptor.
muscarinic r's cholinergic receptors on autonomic effector cells (and also on some autonomic ganglion cells and in some central neurons) that are stimulated by muscarine and parasympathomimetic drugs and blocked by atropine.
nicotinic r's cholinergic receptors of autonomic ganglion cells and motor end-plates of skeletal muscle that are stimulated by low doses of nicotine and blockaded by high doses of nicotine or by tubocurarine.
olfactory receptor a specialized sensory nerve-ending sensitive to stimulation giving rise to the sensation of odors; called also osmoreceptor.
Structure of the olfactory receptors. (From Applegate, 2000.)
opiate r's (opioid r's) receptors that combine with particular opiates to create analgesia and certain other effects. Several different ones have been identified and assigned Greek letters; the μ receptor gives superior analgesia, and the κ receptor is associated with a low degree of physical dependency.
pain r's free nerve endings that are receptors for pain.
stretch receptor a sense organ in a muscle or tendon that responds to elongation.
T cell r's the characteristic marker of T lymphocytes (T cells) that recognize specific foreign antigens as well as self MHC antigens; both must be seen simultaneously to trigger T cell activation (see also lymphocyte activation). The receptor is not a complete immunoglobulin molecule but may contain heavy and light chain variable regions.
receptor(s) (rēsep´tur),
n a site or location within a cell or its membrane that combines with a haptophore group of a toxin, drug, enzyme, hormone, or other substance and that may elicit a specific or general response; a sensory nerve terminal that responds to stimuli of various kinds.
receptor, sensory,
n receptor system built on the theory that receptor organs are specialized and respond to the law of specific nerve energies; i.e., each type of end-organ, no matter what stimulus is applied, will respond (if it responds) with only a single appropriate type of sensation. Common experience shows this to be true; e.g., when a person receives a blow to the eye, light is experienced as a consequence of the blow. Another factor is that the impulse will travel in only one direction, from the receptor organ back to the central nervous system. The receptor system is thus the summation in the brain of all the sensory stimuli that come from the special senses, general senses, mucous membrane, skin, and deeper tissues and is the basis for instruction sent to the musculoskeletal system for action, as in the masticatory phenomenon.
receptors, adrenergic,
n alpha and beta “units” associated with sympathetic neuroeffectors that react with sympathomimetic drugs to elicit the response of the effector cells.
receptors, beta,
n sites on some cell membranes in the sympathetic nervous system that either activate or block the normal functions of the cell by binding with epinephrine (adrenaline). Cells with beta receptors normally control physiologic responses such as heart rate.
receptor
1. a molecule on the surface or within a cell that recognizes and binds with specific molecules, producing some effect in the cell, e.g. the cell-surface receptors of immunocompetent cells that recognize antigens, complement components or lymphokines, or those of neurons and target organs that recognize neurotransmitters or hormones; see also opioid receptors.
2. a sensory nerve ending that responds to various stimuli, e.g. arterial stretch, baroreceptors, cold, Golgi tendon organs, joint, muscle and tendon, olfactory, retinal, taste and warmth.
receptor activation
the cell of a sensory receptor responds to a specific energy change in its environment and initiates a corresponding sensory input.
adrenergic r's
receptors for epinephrine or norepinephrine, such as those on effector organs innervated by postganglionic adrenergic fibers of the sympathetic nervous system. Classified as α-adrenergic receptors, which are stimulated by norepinephrine, and β-adrenergic receptors, which are stimulated by epinephrine. See also adrenergic receptors.
autonomic r's
includes adrenergic and muscarinic receptors.
cholinergic r's
receptor sites on effector organs innervated by cholinergic nerve fibers and which respond to the acetylcholine secreted by these fibers. There are two types: muscarinic receptors and nicotinic receptors.
complement receptor
a cell-surface receptor capable of binding activated complement components. For example, component C3b is bound to neutrophils, B lymphocytes and macrophages.
dopamine r's
there are dopamine-inhibitory and dopamine-excitatory receptors.
drug receptor
a component of tissue with which a drug reacts. Classified according to the type of drugs that react with them.
Fc receptor
bind immunoglobulins via Fc part of the molecule.
histamine r's
receptors for histamine, classified as H1-receptors, which produce bronchoconstriction and contraction of the gut and are blocked by antihistamines, such as mepyramine or chlorpheniramine, and H2-receptors, which produce gastric acid secretion and are blocked by H2-receptor blockers, such as cimetidine.
muscarinic receptor
see muscarinic receptors.
nicotinic receptor
see nicotinic receptors.
peripheral receptor
sensory receptors including cutaneous warm and cold, dermoreceptors touch and pain plus receptors in the mucosae.
sensory receptor
an endorgan at the end of an afferent neuron which is capable of stimulation by a specific change, physical or chemical, in the internal or external environment of the patient.
toll-like r's
a family of transmembrane proteins that differentially recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns through an extra cellular domain and initiate inflammatory signaling pathways through an intracellular domain; they play a central role in the innate immune response to pathogens.
receptor tyrosine kinases
a large class of cell-surface receptors with tyrosine-specific protein kinase activity.
photoreceptor
A receptor capable of reacting when stimulated by light, such as the rods and cones of the retina. See cone cell; rod cell.
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