Acute-phase response : Body’s response to injury or inflammation.

Acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) :Inflammation of the kidney

glomeruli, following a streptococcal infection; also
called postinfectious glomerulonephritis.

Amino acid :An organic compound containing both amino (-NH2) and carboxyl (-
COOH) functional groups.

Aminoaciduria :An excess of amino acids in the urine.

Amyloidosis: A metabolic disease characterized by abnormal deposits of amyloid in the
body.

Bence-Jones proteins :Small light chains of immunoglobulin found in the urine

.
Complement system :Complex system of proteins found in blood that combines with
antibodies to destroy pathogenic bacteria and other foreign cells.

Essential amino acids :Amino acids that are not synthesized by humans and therefore
are essential dietary constituents for maintaining health or growth.

Globulin :Proteins that precipitate in water and redissolve when the salt concentration is
raised.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) :Genetic disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of

severe swelling.

Immunoglobulins :A family of proteins also known as antibodies that contain highly

specific antigen-binding sites consisting of two identical heavy (H) chains encoded
on chromosome 14 and two identical light (L) chains encoded on chromosome 2.
Inborn error of metabolism :Genetically determined biochemical disorder in which a
specific enzyme defect causes a metabolic block in the individual at birth or in later life.

Isoelectric focusing :An equilibrium technique that is used to separate charge variants of
proteins and is applied to analysis of certain genetic variants of proteins.

Kwashiorkor :A form of protein-energy malnutrition produced by severe protein

deficiency.

Marasmus :A form of protein-energy malnutrition predominantly due to prolonged

severe caloric deficit.

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) :A condition in

which a paraprotein is found in an individual’s blood.

Multiple myeloma :A cancer in which antibody-producing plasma cells grow in an

uncontrolled and malignant manner.

Paraprotein A monoclonal immunoglobulin produced in excessive amounts in disorders

such as multiple myeloma.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) :Disease of the blood characterized by

complement-induced intravascular hemolytic anemia, red colored urine and thrombosis.

Peptide :A compound consisting of two or more amino acids linked in a chain via
peptide bonds.

Peptide bond :The amide bond formed between the carboxyl group of one amino acid
and the amino group of another.
Plasma proteins :Proteins present in blood, including carrier proteins, fibrinogen and
other coagulation factors, complement components, immunoglobulins, enzyme
inhibitors, and many others; most are found in other body fluids but in lower
concentrations.

Protein :A polymer of amino acids linked by peptide bonds with a specific sequence
that folds into a defined structure; any of a group of complex organic compounds that
contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and usually sulfur (the characteristic element
being nitrogen).

Proteome :The total complement of proteins expressed by the genetic material of an

organism under a given set of environmental conditions.

Side chain :A chemical group that is attached to a core part of the molecule.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus) :A condition that can affect any part of
the body.

Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia :A chronic cancer of the immune system

characterized by hyperviscosity, or thickening, of the blood.