| peptide chain initiation | The process whereby the formation of a peptide chain is started. This process requires (1) the 30s subunit, (2) the mRNA coding for the polypeptide to be made, (3) met-trnai, (4) initiation factors, and (5) GTP. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| chain, orthodontic chain | <dentistry> A stretchable plastic chain used to hold archwires into brackets and to moke teeth. (08 Jan 1998) |
| peptide initiation factors | Protein factors uniquely required during the initiation phase of protein synthesis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| initiation | 1. The first stage of tumour induction by a carcinogen; subtle alteration of cells by exposure to a carcinogenic agent so that they are likely to form a tumour upon subsequent exposure to a promoting agent (promotion). 2. Starting point of replication or translation in macromolecule biosynthesis. 3. Start of chemical or enzymatic reaction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| initiation codon | The codon 5' AUG in mRNA, at which polypeptide synthesis is started. It is recognised by formylmethionyl tRNA in bacteria and by methionyl tRNA in eukaryotes. (18 Nov 1997) |
| initiation complex | Complex between mRNA, 30S ribosomal subunit and formyl methionyl tRNA that requires GTP and initiation factors to function. (18 Nov 1997) |
| initiation factor | One of several soluble proteins involved in the initiation of protein or RNA synthesis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| initiation factors | The set of catalytic proteins required, in addition to mRNA and ribosomes, for protein synthesis to begin. In bacteria three distinct proteins have been identified: if 1 (8 kD), IF 2 (75 kD) and IF 3 (30 kD). at least 6-8 proteins have been identified in eukaryotes. IFs 1 and 2 enhance the binding of initiator tRNA to the initiation complex. (18 Nov 1997) |
| initiation tRNA | TRNA in prokaryotes containing a formyl-methionyl residue that initiates translation. Synonym: formyl-methionyl-tRNA, starter tRNA. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tumour initiation | <cell biology, oncology> First stage of tumour development. See: tumour progression. (18 Nov 1997) |
| A chain | A polypeptide component of insulin containing 21 amino acyl residues, beginning with a glycyl residue (NH2-terminus); insulin is formed by the linkage of an A chain to a B chain by two disulfide bonds; the amino-acid composition of the A chain is a function of species. Synonym: glycyl chain. In general, one of the polypeptides in a multiprotein complex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alpha chain disease | A vague or indefinite term; could be used for alpha-heavy-chain disease (a lymphoplasma cell proliferative disease usually seen in Mediterranean men, characterised by intestinal involvement with steatorrhoea, often progressive with fatal outcome) or a thalassaemia (a genetic abnormality in the alpha globin chain of haemoglobin). (05 Mar 2000) |
| amino acids, branched-chain | Amino acids which have a branched carbon chain. (12 Dec 1998) |
| B chain | A polypeptide component of insulin containing 30 amino acyl residues, beginning with a phenylalanyl residue (NH2-terminus); insulin is formed by the linkage of a B chain to an A chain by two disulfide bonds; the amino-acid composition of the B chain is a function of species. Synonym: phenylalanyl chain. (05 Mar 2000) |
| behaviour chain | Related behaviours in a series in which each response serves as a stimulus for the next response. (05 Mar 2000) |