1. A monoclonal immunoglobulin of blood plasma, observed electrophoretically as an intense band in γ, β, or α regions, due to an isolated increase in a single immunoglobulin type as a result of a clone of plasma cells arising from the abnormal rapid multiplication of a single cell. The finding of a p. in a patient's serum indicates the presence of a proliferating clone of immunoglobulin-producing cells and may be seen in a variety of malignant, benign, or nonneoplastic diseases. 2. SYN: monoclonal immunoglobulin. [para + protein, fr. G. protos, first]
* * *
para·pro·tein -'prō-.tēn, -'prōt-ē-ən n any of various abnormal serum globulins with unique physical and electrophoretic characteristics
* * *
n.
an abnormal protein of the immunoglobulin series. Paraproteins appear in malignant disease of the spleen, bone marrow, liver, etc. Examples of paraproteins are myeloma globulins, Bence-Jones protein, and macroglobulin.
* * *
para·pro·tein (par″ə-proґtēn) M component.Medical dictionary. 2011.