Category: E

The particular strain (serotype) of Escherichia coliform (E. coli) bacteria that causes of tenfatal diarrhea, internal bleeding, and kidney damage in humans. Although cattle were susceptible to E. coifs toxins prior to the 1980s, they eventually developed resistance. That meant that the cattle could carry these bacteria without getting sick, and transmit E. coli 0157:H7…

Hemoglobin-containing cells (manufactured in the bone marrow) that transport the oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues where it is needed.  

A bacterium that commonly inhabits the human intestine as well as the intestine of other vertebrates (i.e., animals possessing a skeleton). The most thoroughly studied of all bacteria, Escherichia coli is used in many microbiological experiments. It has historically been considered the workhorse of genetic engineering research, and genetically engineered versions have been used to…

Enolpyruvyl-shikimate phosphate synthase. An enzyme produced by virtually all plants, it is essential in a plant’s metabolism biochemical pathway, and for the biosynthesis (i.e., creation) of aromatic (ring-shaped) amino acids. Some (glyphosate-containing) herbicides kill unwanted plants (e.g., weeds) by inhibiting EPSP synthase. By incorporating a gene that causes (over-) production of CP4 EPSP synthase into…

Projections that anchor the epidermis (surface skin) to the dermis (subsurface tissue). Growth of these projections is increased by epidermal growth factor during the wound healing process.  

Interaction between nonallelic genes in which the presence of a certain allele at one locus prevents expression of an allele at a different locus. The suppression of the action of a gene or genes by a gene or genes not allelomorphic to those suppresses. Those suppressed are said to be hypostatic. This is distinguished from…

An independent genetic element (DNA) that occurs inside bacterium in addition to the normal bacterial cell genome. The episome can replicate either as an autonomous unit or as one integrated into the host genome. The F (fertility) factor is an episome.  

Two stereoisomers differing in configuration. One of a pair of isomers that differ only in the position of the hydrogen atom and the hydroxyl group attached to one asymmetrical carbon atom.  

An enzyme capable of the reversible interconversion of two epimers.  

Commonly known as induction (of an enzyme). Initially a repressor protein is bound to a specific region of DNA. This binding inhibits transcription to mRNA, thus blocking the synthesis of the protein (enzyme) specified by the mRNA. When present, the inducer molecule binds to the repressor protein and inactivates it. Thus the inhibition caused by…