| nucleation | <molecular biology> A general term used in polymerisation or assembly reactions where the first steps are energetically less favoured than the continuation of growth. Polymerisation is much faster if a pre formed seed is used to nucleate growth. (e.g. Microtubule growth is nucleated from the microtubule organising centre, although the nature of this nucleation is not known). (18 Nov 1997) |
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| ice nucleation protein | <protein> Protein produced by some gram-negative bacteria that promote the nucleation of ice, apparently by aligning water molecules along repeated domains of 48 amino acids, that consist of 16 residue repeats containing the conserved octamer AGYGSTxT. Now finding commercial use in snow making at ski resorts. (18 Nov 1997) |
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