Category: P

The consensus sequence T-A-T-A-A-T-G centered about 10 base pairs before the starting point of bacterial genes. It is a part of the promoter and is especially important in binding RNA polymerase.  

Enzymatic processing of a polypeptide chain after its translation from its mRNA, i.e., addition of carbohydrate moieties to the protein or the removal of a portion of the polypeptide chain in order to produce a functional protein in the correct environment.  

The enzyme-catalyzed processing or structural modifications that RNAs such as mRNAs, rRNAs, and tRNAs must undergo before they are functionally finished products. For example, in eucaryotes a block of poly A containing at least 200 AMP residues is enzymatically attached to the 3′ end ofmRNA in the nucleus of the cell. The mRNAs with the…

Occurs in double-stranded cyclic DNA molecules having no breaks at all in either strand. If the double helix (of DNA) is wound further in the same direction as the winding of the two strands of the double helix molecule, then the circular duplex itself takes on superhelical turns. By analogy, supercoiling or superhelicity may be…

A separation technique; a technique to speed up the task of selecting, from thousands of laboratory specimens, the few cells with precisely the desired genetic changes induced (via genetic engineering). The thousands of genetically altered cells are brought about (produced) by genetic engineering experiments. Many genetic alterations are accomplished by injecting or flooding (specimen) cells…

A technique used by researchers to zero in on the gene(s) responsible for a given trait or disease. A genetic map of the organism’s genome is used to make an educated guess as to the precise location of the gene of interest (e.g., near marker or , etc.). Then those guessed genes are cloned, inserted…

A change in the expression of a gene that is brought about by its translocation to a new site in the genome. For example, a previously active gene may become inactive if placed on a new site in the genome. A phenotype that varies depending on the position of a gene or group of genes,…

A hormone, produced in the pituitary gland of pigs, that increases a swine’s muscle tissue production efficiency. Injecting this hormone causes a faster growing, leaner pig.  

A complex of a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule on which ribosomes (ribosomal RNA; rRNA) are anchored. A number of ribosomes bound to only a single mRNA molecule. One mRNA molecule hence functions as a template for a number of polypeptide chains at one time. A group of ribosomes on a single mRNA molecule. A structure…

A molecular chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Synonymous with protein. Via the synthesis (of this “chain”) performed by ribosomes, each polypeptide (protein) in nature is the Ultimate expression product of a gene. All of the amino acids commonly found in proteins have an asymmetric carbon atom, except the amino acid glycine. Thus,…