supersensitivity

English

Etymology

super- +‎ sensitivity

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌsuːpəɹ.sɛnsəˈtɪvətiː/

Noun

supersensitivity (uncountable)

1. (biochemistry, pharmacology) Extreme sensitivity (of the body) to a chemical.
   • 1997 October 3, Eric J. Nestler, George K. Aghajanian, “Molecular and Cellular Basis of Addiction”, in Science‎^[1], volume 278, number 5335, →DOI, pages 58–63:

     Because D 1 dopamine receptors are known to act through stimulatory heterotrimeric guanosine triphosphate-binding (G s ) proteins and activation of the cAMP pathway, up-regulation of this pathway in the nucleus accumbens could account for the functional supersensitivity of D 1 receptors observed in these neurons--which occurs in the absence of detectable changes in the receptors themselves--after chronic cocaine (or other stimulant) exposure (18 ).

   • 1998 October 9, Zhen-Ming Pei et al., “Role of Farnesyltransferase in ABA Regulation of Guard Cell Anion Channels and Plant Water Loss”, in Science‎^[2], volume 282, number 5387, →DOI, pages 287–290:

     In the next generation seeds were screened for ABA supersensitivity (era1/era1).

   • 1999 October 15, Mohammed Akaaboune et al., “Rapid and Reversible Effects of Activity on Acetylcholine Receptor Density at the Neuromuscular Junction in Vivo”, in Science‎^[3], volume 286, number 5439, →DOI, pages 503–507:

     The effects of inactivity on new receptor synthesis and denervation supersensitivity are mediated by Ca 2 influx (24 ).