Mitogen 1643827 218151065 2008-06-09T11:28:10Z 202.62.237.4 {{MAP kinase activation}} A '''mitogen''' is a [[chemical substance]], usually some form of a [[protein]], that encourages a cell to commence [[cell division]], triggering [[mitosis]]. Mitogens trigger [[signal transduction]] pathways in which [[mitogen-activated protein kinase]] is involved, leading to mitosis. ==Use in immunology== [[plasma cell|Plasma B cells]] can enter mitosis when they encounter an [[antigen]] matching their [[Antibody|immunoglobulin]]. Mitogens are often used to stimulate [[lymphocyte]]s and therefore assess immune function. The most commonly used mitogens in clinical laboratory medicine are: {| class="wikitable" | '''Name''' || '''Acts upon [[T cell]]s?''' || '''Acts upon [[B cell]]s?''' |- | [[phytohaemagglutinin]] (PHA) || yes || no |- | [[concanavalin A]] (conA) || yes || no |- | [[lipopolysaccharide]] (LPS) || yes || yes |- | [[pokeweed mitogen]] (PWM) || yes || yes |} [[Lipopolysaccharide]] [[toxin]] from [[gram-negative bacteria]] is [[thymus]] independent. They may directly activate B cells, regardless of their [[antigen]]ic [[Specificity (tests)|specificity]]. [[Plasma cell]]s are terminally [[Cellular differentiation|differentiated]] and therefore cannot undergo mitosis. [[Memory B cell]]s can proliferate to produce more memory cells or plasma B cells. This is how the mitogen works, by inducing mitosis in B cells to cause them to divide, with some becoming plasma cells. ==Other uses== Mitogens also induce the activity of the [[PTGS2]] [[enzyme]]. ==External links== *{{MeshName|Mitogens}} *{{eMedicineDictionary|Mitogen}} {{biochem-stub}} {{Lectins}} [[Category:Mitosis]] [[Category:Biomolecules]] [[Category:Immunology]] [[de:Mitogen]] [[pl:Mitogen]] [[tr:Mitojen]] [[ur:انقسامیہ]]